Barking

A dog barks for a variety of reasons, but some can take this behavior to an extreme which annoys everyone around it. It is a simple matter of putting the bark on queue, to bark when you ask, and then later teaching the dog when not to bark. Once they understand what you call this behavior it is easier for them to understand what you mean when you say "Quiet!".

If you can excite your dog into barking do so and offer a reward. You can call it anything you like, bark, speak, tell me, etc. With some it may be more difficult to induce them to bark so more patience is in order. When the dog does bark, reward enthusiastically. As the dog begins to understand what has you getting so excited it will become easier to get it to bark when you ask. Woof at it if need be. Work on this until your dog demonstrates that it clearly understands what it is you desire.

The next stage is teaching the dog to stop barking on command. When it barks, say quiet or stop that, it doesn't matter what command you chose. Just pick something that comes to mind readily for you. When the dog is quiet, reward. If it barks again, repeat and reward when it is quiet. Work on this step until you are certain that the dog now understands that not barking will earn it your approval. If it reverts and gets silly with barking, back up and patiently rework this area until it regains control over itself.

Now the fun begins! You and your dog can enjoy an exciting game of Simon Says. Ask the dog to bark and get it really wrapped up in the job, then ask it to be quiet. When it is quiet reward like the gates of heaven just opened up. Your dog has the idea!

You'll need to proof this behavior in the presence of distractions, things it liked to bark at before. If it only works at home it won't be of much use to you when you really need it.

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