How do you teach a quiet dog? A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Train a Dog to Speak

Before you teach the cue “speak” or “talk,” find a surefire way to get your pup yapping. Ideas include using a recording of other dogs barking or of a siren.

If your smart dog knows it’s a recording, try standing at the door and knocking on it behind your back; or simply bark or howl yourself.

“You’ll be surprised at just how many dogs naturally join in,” Becker says.

Use a word like “speak” or “bark,” and follow up one second later with the sound you chose, whether it’s a ring, a bark or a siren.

How to Teach a Dog to Be Quiet

Say “speak” or “bark” and play the sound that gets your pup yipping. Let her bark a few times.

Calmly say “quiet” while you hold out a higher-value toy or treat reward than the one used for getting your dog to speak. (Think bacon or American Journey’s turkey jerky treats.) Your aim is to get your dog to close her mouth to investigate what is in your hand

Note: If you’ve been using “Quiet!” without much success, try swapping it for something else like “hush” or “shush,” Becker says.

Ask your dog for an incompatible behavior

When your dog starts barking, ask them to do something thats incompatible with barking. Teaching your dog to react to barking stimuli with something that inhibits them from barking, such as lying down on their bed.

Toss a treat on their bed and ask them to “go to your bed.”

When theyre reliably going to their bed to earn a treat, up the ante by opening the door while theyre on their bed. If they get up, close the door immediately.

Repeat until they stay in bed while the door opens.

Then increase the difficulty by having someone ring the doorbell while your dog is in bed. Reward them for staying in place. You may need to keep a leash on your dog so you can help guide them to their bed when visitors come in.

Make sure your dog is getting sufficient physical and mental exercise every day. A tired dog is a dog who is less likely to bark from boredom or frustration. Depending on their, age and health, your dog may require several long walks as well as a good game of chasing the ball and playing with some interactive toys.

How to Teach your Dog to Bark and STOP BARKING!

Heres a list of six techniques that can help reduce your dog or puppy’s barking. While all can be successful, you shouldnt expect miraculous results overnight and what might work for your pup may not work for another. The longer your dog has been practicing the barking behavior, the longer it will take for them to develop other means of communication or to become desensitized to the things that cause their barking now. Understanding why your dog barks is critical to choosing techniques that may work best for your particular situation.

Whether youve just adopted a new adult dog or it’s your first week with a new puppy, keeping your dog busy and exercised will help reduce barking and prevent them from practicing it. Notice what your dog or puppy barks at and use the tips below to reduce the frequency of barking. Barking is normal dog behavior and puppies won’t grow out of it, but you can take positive steps to reduce it and teach your dog alternative ways to communicate. Barking can be a really important tool to learn what scares your dog or makes them uncomfortable. Remember, your job as a pet parent is to advocate for your dog, which means not putting them in situations that make them overly stressed. If your dog is barking incessantly, they’re trying to tell you they have an unmet need or need to be removed from a scary or overwhelming situation.

Your dog gets some kind of reward when they bark. Otherwise, they wouldnt do it. Figure out what they get out of barking and work to remove it.