Barking comes naturally to dogs, and training them over how to bark isn’t really all that difficult or necessary.
It
is in training them to bark on command or when told to so that’s
tricky, as well as training them to clam up when a command is issued.
If
you happen to be setting the concept of “on-command barks” into your
dog, here’s a quick step method hailed to work for most “on-command
barks” training sessions. Practice dedication and patience when putting
these training steps in action, and in time, your dog will get to bark
and shush down when told to do so.
1. Picking Commands
– pick a command word for “bark” and “stop barking” first, before
anything else. Use these words consistently during the training process,
so as not to confuse your dog. Alternatively, you can reinforce voice
commands with hand gestures, but world commands alone are often enough.
2. Quiet/Shush Routine
– in heading on with your dog’s training, a “shushing” routine will be
necessary. Every time your dog barks at something, acknowledge it by
addressing what he/she is barking at, then get his/her attention by
clapping your hands or snapping your fingers. Once your dog stops
barking, issue the “stop barking” command (say it well, clearly and
audibly) as you give your dog a treat.
The idea is to reinforce the command as a good thing, reinforcing your dog’s silence with a reward.
3. “Speak Up” Routine
– once your dog gets the hang of shushing when told, you can now train
him/her to bark when told to do so. You’ll have to utilize
“distractions” for this step, like getting a family member or friend to
ring the door bell or rap at windows. Once a “distraction” is up, say
your bark command following or flowing with your dog’s barks.
Do
this routine regularly, and as with the quiet/shush routine, give your
dog a treat every time he/she responds to your issued bark command.
Once
your dog gets the difference between your commands, you can then put
him/her training to the test, consequently issuing a bark then silence
command. Ensure that the treats you give to your dog as rewards are
tasty treats, in making the whole training process faster and more
instilled.
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