It doesn't take much time or effort to silence a barking dog. Really. As an added bonus, there is zero monetary outlay involved.
The many barking dogs in parks, backyards, and street corners, whose owners tug at the leash and yell at them while the dogs ignore them, show that this is not a straightforward process. Before I figured out how to silence my dog, he drove me absolutely insane. Read this article: 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Ignores Your Commands
There was constant barking and whining from my dog, and its breed (husky) was very noisy. When the doorbell rang or he spotted strangers, the situation became unbearable.
Once he got going, he was impossible to stop, and if there was another dog in the mix, forget it; my dog would yap his head off until the two were well apart.
But one weekend, I had a friend over. She was an employee at the Chicago Zoological Society and had more knowledge about animals than anyone I had ever met.
She calmed down my dog in less an hour and showed me how to do it myself. A problem that had been bothering me for three years was finally resolved in just one hour.
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The trick is not immediately obvious. When my buddy informed me you have to educate the dog to bark (!) I thought she was crazy. The constant barking and whining from my dog proved he had learned the skill.
She told me that even though my dog barked frequently, he wasn't trainable to bark when instructed. She first conditioned him to bark at her direction, and then silence himself. It was accomplished in just an hour's time.
It may take your dog longer to catch on because of how smart mine is, but I can assure you that this method works wonders because my dog still doesn't bother me two years later. Fantastic afternoon!
A combination of positive reinforcement and spaced-out reinforcement is at play here. The behaviour is learned through positive reward, and it is maintained through intermittent reinforcement.
Simply said, the power of negative reinforcement to change behaviour is minimal. Shock collars and flat out yelling "no" do have some effect, but research shows they are roughly ten times less successful than positive reinforcement.
Her actions were always crystal-clear and exact, which is why she was able to achieve her goals so rapidly. The more concise and exact you can make everything, the better, even if your results differ.
In the beginning, take your dog for a long walk to tyre him out. When your dog gets worked up, he loses his ability to learn.
If you want to teach your dog to bark, you'll need a lot of rewards. Examine your dog if you still doubt this. He should be praised and given a treat as soon as he barks.
Don't delay giving the dog its treat after barking at it. Soon he will be excessively barking. The action is now preceding the cue. Modify the behaviour before you try to add your cue to it.
If you want to train your dog to bark when you call it, you should leave the room for a few minutes. Don't pay any attention to him when he's barking or doing anything else.
Don't acknowledge him in any way, stand there doing nothing, and ignore him. Your dog will eventually stop barking, settle down, and do his own thing, but it may take a while.
You may get back to training your dog as soon as he stops barking. Only reward him with a treat when he barks at your command this time, and only if you say "Speak" and point at him. Read also: Dog Foods You Should Avoid
1. Pointing and giving verbal orders.
2. Bark.
3. Reward. If he starts barking, you shouldn't reward him.
It'll take some time for him to catch on, but he'll get the idea. You are reinforcing a pattern of behaviour that he is already prone to exhibit; you are merely linking a command with it.
If you want your dog to stay quiet, leave for a few minutes and then come back. Even though he'll be barking his head off when you return, you should remain completely motionless and give him no positive reinforcement (no praising, no eye contact, nothing).
If you want to calm down once he stops barking, try counting to five out loud. It may take a long time, but eventually he will stop barking long enough for you to count to five. If you can get him to go five minutes without barking, it's time to shower him with praise and a treat.
Read also: Treatment and Prevention of Dog Separation Anxiety
The behavior is preceding the cue at this stage. Modify the behaviour before you try to add your cue to it.
If you want your dog to obey your "sit" command, you'll need to reinforce the behaviour for a period before you can add the command. When he's not barking, signal for silence by raising a hand and saying "Quiet." Read also: Understanding Your Dog's Emotions for a Better Bathing Experience
He deserves some praise and a reward if he behaves. Thus, the sequence is as follows:
1. Instruct with words and a sign.
2. A calm dog.
3. Reward.
Someday soon, your dog will be able to obey your command for silence.
