You know how humans tend to obsess over certain things that trigger nostalgia.
Someone mentions a memory that makes us want to share the entire tale again, or they bring up that beloved restaurant that reminds us of a dish we can’t resist.
Dogs experience something similar! If you’re a dog parent, you probably already know what that thing is: doorbells!
Meet Lenka
Almost every dog owner is familiar with the remarkable commotion that ensues when the doorbell chimes.
Dogs might either leap and bark uncontrollably or dash toward the door to greet the newcomer with their affection.
Lenka, a two-year-old Czech Shepherd mix, embodies both reactions.
Whenever she sees someone at the front door, she swiftly heads over and greets them with barking and growling.
This behavior left Lenka’s family apprehensive about inviting friends over, worried that something might go awry.
Yet, what’s a home without good company?
This prompted Lenka’s owners to devise an ingenious solution to enable their friends to visit while helping Lenka learn to manage her excitement when the doorbell rings.
Follow The Instructions, Please
They placed a sign on their front door detailing specific instructions for guests on how to behave upon arrival.
The guidelines are straightforward: upon entering, expect a warm welcome from Lenka, but do not interact with her, talk to her, or make eye contact.
Adhere to these rules until further notice.
“Set your dog up for success by creating a predictable environment. Lenka’s instinct is to guard us. By establishing a scenario where she can anticipate behavior, we alleviate her anxiety and need to ‘guard’,” states the caption on a TikTok video posted by her owners.
And it proved to be effective!
After one year of following this plan, Lenka learned to manage her emotions much better.
“She is naturally quite anxious, so having predictability is vital. She needs to be ignored until she calms down; otherwise, she may accidentally hurt you,” Lenka’s owner shared with Newsweek.
Now, Lenka warmly welcomes guests at the door, sitting calmly and greeting them without any complications.
Who would have thought that such a straightforward approach could make such a significant difference for a nervous dog?
If you and your furry friend are encountering similar struggles, consider adopting Lenka’s strategy.
Perhaps it will be just as effective for you!
