My Pet World: Tips for bringing out the best in a skittish cat
Next, have a friend ring your doorbell and give Nefret treats whenever she hears it. At this point, you don’t have to answer the door. You are just trying to build an association between treats and the doorbell. Repeat this process several times over several days until she begins associating the doorbell with food rewards.
The final step: When the doorbell rings, use your command word, then walk excitedly to the door to answer it. Practice the doorbell training exercises regularly and be consistent with your cues and rewards.
While she may not bark immediately, with time she should make the connection and learn that you want her to bark at the front door. When she finally does bark, shower her with praise and treats to reinforce the behavior.
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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
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