How to Train a Dog to Respond to Commands About Barking

Where is My Treat?

You have a dog you love but he barks constantly. His barking annoys you and you want him to stop.

Things You'll Need

• Bicycle horn
• Can of compressed air
• Can filled with a few rocks
• Whistle

Instructions

1. Understand that a dog barks for a lot of reasons. He barks to warn you. This is barking at the door when someone arrives. He barks to protect you. Barking is his first line of defense and is a warning to anyone approaching. This bark is accompanied with the hackles raising on the back of his neck and a lip-curling bark. He barks when he is nervous or excited. This bark is accompanied with a lot of jumping up and down and running in circles. He may nip when he is excited. Sometimes dogs bark because they are stressed. This is the neighbor dog that barks constantly when the neighbor is gone. You do not want your dog to stop barking completely. You do want him to respond to your command to stop barking. Train your dog to bark at the door by saying a short phrase, or you might just use the word "door." Once you are ready to open the door, then you train the dog by saying "stop."

2. If the dog barks inappropriately despite your voice commands, squeeze a bicycle horn and say "quiet" or "stop." You can use shaking a can of rocks, a dog whistle or spraying compressed hair in the dog's direction but not directly at the dog. It is the sound of the air the dog dislikes. You may have to try each one of these before you find a sound that works for your dog. Always say "quiet" or "stop" at the same time you use the device. "Stop" may be the desired word, since it will allow you to use the same command and get the same results for other behaviors that are displeasing.

3. If you use hand commands, use your hand command for "stop" at the same time you make the noise and say "stop." The dog will learn the hand command means "stop." Again, it will work in other situations once the dog learns the command means to stop the behavior. Some trainers snap their fingers, which works for some dogs.

4. 

   Make certain you do the same thing every time the dog barks inappropriately. If you let up, the dog will not learn to obey your command. Consistency is more important than the tools you use. Each time the dog obeys the command, give him a reward. For some dogs, praise is all the reward they need. For others, you may have to reward with a bit of food at the beginning, along with verbal praise. There are training treats available at pet food stores and at online pet supply stores. Once your dog is trained you can cease giving food treats, but always praise him for good behavior. Dogs want to please their owners.

5. 

   Once your dog is trained you can cease giving food treats, but always praise them for good behavior. Dogs want to please their owners.

Tips & Warnings

• Being consistent, kind and loving makes a dog a wonderful pet. If your pet cannot learn, you may want to go through a training course that will train you and the dog together. Some rescue centers offer free training if needed. Check with your local rescue center. It will know where you can acquire such training, whether or not it is free.

• The barking dog next door is your neighbor's responsibility. You may be able to train the dog to stop by using the same techniques, but offering a reward may not be wise. Unless the neighbor would like to train the dog himself, it would be wise to check with your neighbor to see if he minds you trying to teach the dog and offering treats. If you are dealing with a tethered dog, which is against animal regulations in some areas, you should be certain the dog can reach the treats you offer. Call your animal regulation office to ask what the rules are in your area for tethering dogs. If it is against the law, you might tell your neighbor in a friendly did-you-know type of question.

Resources

• A trainer's site with other articles of interest