2. Desensitize Them to the Sound
One sneaky way to calm your dog down is through desensitization. Start by playing doorbell sounds at a low volume during calm moments (you can find these online). Gradually increase the volume over time while giving your dog treats and praise. Over time, they’ll learn that the doorbell doesn’t always mean “time to freak out.” It could just mean “hey, it’s snack time.”
3. Positive Reinforcement
When your dog stays calm, reward them with treats or toys. This will help them associate the mailman’s arrival with positive experiences instead of a trigger for chaos. So, the next time your dog hears the mailman and stays calm, you can say, “Good job, you didn’t turn into a bark machine!”