Dogs are lovable creatures, but they definitely have the capability to be a bit annoying on occasion. One of the most commonly cited annoyances of owning a dog is loud barking at unexpected or inconvenient times. Dogs are receptive to a lot of tricks, and teaching them to be quiet can be another trick you add to your repertoire. Since dogs bark so often, this trick does not involve teaching them something utterly foreign to them, like shaking a paw. This allows dogs to learn this trick rather quickly if you stick with it and provide support. Furthermore, you can simultaneously teach your dog the inverse – to speak!
Which Dogs Are Prone to Barking The Most?
Teaching your dog to be quiet and to speak are two tricks that can help give you more control over your dog’s behaviors. However, the ease at which your dog picks up each trick can change depending on their tendency to bark, which varies by species and individual.
- Dogs like chihuahuas, terriers, German shepherds, and huskies are well known for their barks and howls. They might bark because of boredom or distress or as a way to interact with their owner.
- Some breeds, like bulldogs and breeds descended from working dogs with high levels of discipline, might not often bark, if at all. For these pups, the training can be difficult because the behavior you are asking them to stop or begin is not a part of their everyday routine. Even though it might be more challenging, almost all dogs bark semi-regularly, so you shouldn’t think your dog is incapable of barking – or learning this trick.
Teaching Your Dog To Be Quiet
If loud barking keeps you up at night – or scares your visitors when they enter your home – teaching your dog to limit their barks and be quiet is likely your first priority. The simplest way to teach a dog to be silent is to reward them with treats whenever they take their focus away from whatever causes them to bark and quietly focus on you.
Using a clicker and a handful of treats, wait until something grabs your dog’s attention and gets them barking. Try to get your dog’s attention and reward them with a click and treat when the barking stops. It is important not to immediately reward them the second they stop barking. Over time, you want to increase the delay between the end of the barking and the treat so they learn that silence is the intended goal. You should also use a verbal cue in association with the clicker. This way, your dog can be stopped from barking even if you are not directly next to them or holding their attention.
Barking on Command
Some call it ‘speak,’ some call it ‘talk,’ but the goal with this trick is simply to make your dog bark on command. Dogs can bark from excitement, stimuli like a doorbell, and many more reasons unique to each dog. Find one that works for you and induce a bark in your dog before rewarding them with a treat and a click. As training continues, you must remove the initial barking stimuli and induce the barks on command. This way, your dog will learn that their barks on command are a trick for a reward and will not come looking for a treat when they bark at the mailman.
Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training provides professional dog training services to dog owners throughout the Sarasota and Bradenton area. Call today for more information on how we can provide obedience training and a fun, safe playcare environment for your furry friend.
