How do you train a dog to be less vocal?
Sydney Pacocha
2025-06-27 04:25:48
Count answers: 8
To teach your dog the quiet command, have a supply of small, yummy treats at the ready. You can teach quiet by rewarding the dog with a treat between barks. You want to be clear that you are rewarding the quiet, not a bark, so use a marker — a clicker or your voice saying yes — at the quiet moment. Start by rewarding a quiet moment, and then reward for longer and longer periods of quiet. Add a verbal cue once the dog is consistently giving you the behavior you want. If you start giving the verbal cue before the animal is doing the behavior, the dog might not associate the cue with the behavior.
If done correctly, this is an easy way for the animal to learn that a particular cue is associated with a particular behavior. Your dog will learn that if you give the cue quiet, they will only be rewarded if they don’t make a sound. Furthermore, you must be aware not to reward your dog for barking all the time as a way of requesting treats. Ignore any unsolicited barking by turning your body away or walking away.
When you teach a dog to speak on cue, this can actually help to stop excessive barking.
Addie Yost
2025-06-27 02:42:29
Count answers: 6
To train your dog to be less vocal, it is a good idea to start with the quiet cue and make sure your dog knows it before moving on to the bark cue. Choose one simple word for the quiet command, this cue word should be easy to remember and used consistently, good choices include "enough," "quiet," and "hush." Create a situation that will cause your dog to bark, then, go back to your dog and get its attention, after the barking stops, give your dog the toy or treat. Repeat these steps and gradually wait for slightly longer periods of silence each time before giving the treat. Once your dog has remained quiet a few times, add the cue word you have chosen, while your dog is barking, say your quiet command in a firm, audible, and upbeat voice while holding up the reward. Practice the "quiet" cue frequently, you can do this anytime your dog barks, but keep training sessions brief. Be patient yet consistent, some dogs can take weeks to master these commands.
Read also
- How do I desensitize my dog to sound outside?
- How to stop a dog barking at every noise outside?
- How to train a dog not to bark in the backyard?
- How to stop dog barking in garden in the UK?
- What is the quiet command for dogs?
- How do I train my dog to be calm outside?
- Why do dogs bark when they hear a noise outside?
- Why does my dog bark every time he goes outside?