Doorbell / knocking alert

About this task

Dog alerts handler when someone rings the doorbell or knocks.

How it helps: Alerts deaf or hard of hearing handlers to visitors at the door.

Required foundation skills

Attention. Touch.

Training steps

1. Have a helper ring the doorbell or knock
2. Immediately cue and reward dog for touching handler
3. Repeat until dog starts going to handler at the sound before cued
4. Add the lead — dog touches handler then leads them to the door
5. Practice until dog alerts spontaneously and leads handler to door
6. Generalize to different knocking sounds and ringtones

Proofing criteria

Once your dog reliably performs this task at home, proof it in these environments and situations:

1. Alerts to doorbell reliably at home
2. Alerts to knocking reliably at home
3. Leads handler to the door
4. Alerts to different doorbells and knocking sounds
5. Alerts in different rooms of the home
6. Does not false alert