How to Make My Miniature Pinscher Bark

Use treats to encourage a miniature pinscher to speak.

The miniature pinscher, according to the American Kennel Club, is a diminutive doppelganger of the doberman pinscher, and is known as the "King of Toys." The dog was originally bred as a German rat catcher because of its speed and agility. Today, some homeowners adopt miniature pinchers as watch dogs because of their distinctive, loud bark. Teach your miniature pinscher to bark on command with positive reinforcement -- and several dog treats.

Things You'll Need

• Dog treats

Instructions

1. Call your dog to you and show it a treat. Hold the treat over its head and utter the dog's name followed by "speak" in a happy voice. For instance, a dog named Sadie will hear the words "Sadie, speak" in a single phrase.

2. Continue to say the dog's name followed by the command "Speak" in the same happy, tone. Once the dog barks, give it the treat and a lot of praise.

3. Repeat the command several times, followed by a treat and praise if the miniature pinscher is successful, for no longer than 15-minute sessions. Any longer and the dog will become bored.

4. Continue to consistently train the miniature pinscher to "speak" on command until it barks without hesitation when it hears the command. Once this occurs, eliminate the rewarding treat, as the dog will now associate the word "speak" with the desired outcome.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the "speak" command to train a loud miniature pinscher to remain quiet. The dog will learn that it is only allowed to bark when it hears the command.

References

• Miniature-Pinscher-Care; Miniature Pinscher Training
• Pet Place; Teaching Your Dog to "Speak"; Dr. Amy Wolff
• American Kennel Club: AKC Meet the Breeds: Miniature Pinscher; February 1990