{ Home
{ About the Trainer
{ Contact
{ Services & Packages
{ Training Tips
{ Puppy Classes
{ Testimonials
{ Memories Gallery
{ Recommended Links

IACP Member
CGC Certified

One of the easiest ways to teach a dog not do something is to teach him to do it on command. Does your dog know to how to "Speak" on command? If not, that is where you start.

The next time your dog barks say Speak! Speak! Act all excited, clap your hands and get your dog into it. Make the dog really happy about speaking. When he's really going at it say good speak! Immediately play of his/her favorite games or give them a treat. Keep doing this every time your dog starts barking. Test him/her to see if they learned the command. While he/she is lying quietly or just following you around say Speak! Give lots of praise! If he/she doesn't speak then they do not know the command yet.

Another way to get him/her to speak on command is to play chase me by running around the house having the dog chase you. When he/she is really excited go into a room and close the door giving him/her the command to speak! As soon as he/she barks open the door and give them praise. After he/she starts speaking on command reliably you can bring the next step into the picture.

Teach your dog quiet. Now, the next time your dog barks say good speak! Ask him what are you barking at? Then get up and go see what he/she is barking at. His/Her job is to alert you of something amiss, so act alerted. When you look into the yard or wherever he/she is barking, try to figure out what he/she is barking at. My dog sometimes barks at the trash can if it happens to be in a new spot. Sometimes he/she is barking at another cat or dog. Other times, a car has pulled into our driveway. When you figure out what he/she is barking at say good boy/good girl that's the cat or whatever. If the dog continues to bark after this say quiet. If he/she does not stop say no quiet and grab his/her snout in a firm manner to show him you want to quit barking. Praise your dog for stopping. Remember always end a teaching session with praise. It will make your dog more willing to learn. Your goal is to get the dog to stop barking after 3 to 5 barks. Machine gun barking is what upsets people not 3 to 5 barks.

If you ignore the dogs barking your dog will bark less, as he/she has not been successful in getting your attention. Dogs alert other pack members by barking. You are the alpha of the family pack and it is your job to check things out and make sure everything is ok.

After a while you may be able to tell the difference in your dogs bark. He/She may bark differently when he/she is alerting you, playing or being bored. Give him/her the respect he/she deserves and check out the situation.