How To Stop Your Dog From Barking ? Training Your Dog To Keep Quiet

Quieting a barking dog is a quick and easy process. Really. It also doesn't cost any money. But it's not an obvious process - witness the many dogs barking all the time in parks, backyards on street corners, with their owners tugging at their leash and yelling at them and the dogs completely ignoring their commands. My dog was driving me crazy until I learned how to stop his barking.

My dog barked and whined all the time, and it was a breed (husky), that was known for making a lot of noise. The situation was especially bad when the doorbell rang or he saw strangers. It was almost impossible to stop him once he started, and if there was another dog involved, forget it ? my dog would yap his head off until the dogs were separated and out of sight.

One weekend, though, my friend came over to visit. She worked at the Chicago Zoo and knew animals better than anyone I had ever seen. In an hour she had my dog completely quiet, and she taught me how to do it, too. One hour to solve a problem that was driving me crazy for the last three years!

The secret is not intuitive. First you teach the dog to bark(!) I thought my friend was insane when she told me this. Obviously my dog knew how to bark because he barked and whined all the time. But she explained that while my dog barked a lot, he couldn't bark on command. First she taught him to bark on command, and then she taught him to be quiet on command. The whole process took less than an hour. My dog is pretty smart, so it may take your dog longer, but still, it's an incredibly effective technique, and now, two years later, my dog still doesn't give me trouble. What a great afternoon!

There are two elements at work here: positive reinforcement and intermittent reinforcement. Positive reinforcement teaches the behavior, and intermittent reinforcement keeps the behavior permanent. Negative reinforcement is just not a strong inducer of behavior. Negative reinforcement like shock collars or saying "No" does work to a certain extent, but studies have shown it to be about 10 times less effective than positive reinforcement.

Everything she did was very clear and precise, which was much of the reason she got her results so quickly. Your results may vary, but the clearer and more precise you can make everything, the better. First, go on a long walk with your dog to get him a lot of exercise. Your dog can't learn when he's all riled up.

Teaching your dog to bark: Then get a box of treats. Then look at your dog. When he barks, immediately praise him and give him a treat. Don't let any time elapse between the bark and the treat. Pretty soon he'll be barking a lot. Right now, the behavior is coming before the cue. Shape the behavior first, and then add your cue.

Teaching your dog to bark on command: Then go away for a few minutes and come back. Ignore his barking and ignore everything else he does. Just stand there, doing nothing, not rewarding him at all, not even looking at him. It may take a long time, but eventually your dog will calm down, stop barking, and start doing his own thing. Once your dog calms down and stops barking, start working with him again. This time, only give him a treat when you say "Speak" and point at him, and then he barks. 1. Verbal command and point. 2. Bark. 3. Reward. Don't give him a treat for just barking on his own. This part will take a while, but he will eventually understand the command. You're rewarding him for behavior he already is predisposed to do, you're just associating a command with it. Teaching your dog to be quiet: Go away for a few minutes, and then come back. He'll probably be barking a lot when you come back, but again, stay totally still and don't reward him at all (no praising, no eye contact, nothing). Once he stops barking, count to five slowly to yourself. You may have to wait a long time before he'll stop barking enough so a full count of five, but it will happen eventually. Once you can count to five without any barking, then reward him with praise and a treat. Notice that at this point, the behavior comes before the cue. Shape the behavior first, and then add your cue.

Teaching your dog to be quiet on demand: Keep that up for a while until the behavior sinks in, and then add the command. When he's not barking, hold up your hand as if you're signaling someone to stop, and say the command "Quiet". If he's quiet, then give him a treat and praise. So the order is 1. Verbal command and hand signal. 2. Dog is quiet. 3. Reward. Soon your dog will know how to be quiet on demand.

After a while, the treats won't be necessary, and even verbal praise won't be necessary every time. The praise at irregular intervals is the intermittent reinforcement part of the picture, and is very powerful. Intermittent reinforcement works better than if you reward behavior every single time.

Soon you'll have a dog that will go totally quiet when you tell him to!

Any or all of this article may be copied or used for any reason, but there must be a link to my site "What Type of Little Dog Should I Get" - http://littledogonline.com - HTML is What Type of Little Dog Should I Get

---

Does Your Dog Have An Irritating Jumping Habit?

Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company... Read More

Using Electrolytes to Avoid Equine Dehydration

For heat dissipation and body cooling, a horse trotting at... Read More

Using Dog Leash Training to Control Your Pooch

Many pet owners don't like using a leash, for a... Read More

4 Ways In Which You Can Show Your Dog How Much You Love Him

Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More

Are Westhighland Terriers the Right Dogs for You?

You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More

Pet Owners Are The Majority Population In The U.S.

According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More

Canine Parvovirus

Canine Parvovirus, is a viral disease that attacks dogs and... Read More

How to Increase Your Fishkeeping Fun

Do you really get the fullest amount of enjoyment out... Read More

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 Donts Rules

A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More

Dog Lover Gifts

Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More

Three Important Safety Products for Your Dog this Summer

Keeping your dog safe is similar to keeping a child... Read More

Dogs: Buy or Adopt?

Buy or Adopt - That is the question.If you intend... Read More

Must-Have Know-How On Your Dogs Meal-Times

One of the best parts of the day for any... Read More

Our Pets

Having a pet is an experiance that I think everyone... Read More

Tips on Easy House Breaking Your Puppy

If you are lucky enough to get a 7-week-old puppy,... Read More

Dog Training Collars -- Proper Selection Leads To Training Success

The proper selection of a training collar can have a... Read More

Does Your Dog Need Puppy Prozac?

Is your dog up to dirty no good again? Did... Read More

4 Ways In Which You Can Spoil Your Dog Rotten

You spoil your pooch as close to rotten as you... Read More

Dog Crate Training: The Basics

Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways... Read More

Animal Communicator

I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More

How To Choose A Dog - There Is A Lot To Consider, But A Lot Of Help Too

Choosing a dog is a fun adventure. The search for... Read More

Dog Supplies: Whats Needed Versus What Might Be Fun to Have

Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the... Read More

Dog Training Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

Dog Training CollarsHaving a pet means having to provide for... Read More

The Secret That Keeps Horses Trainable!

As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More

Greyhound Adoption ? Great Dogs, Great Cause

HistoryThroughout the US and in many parts of the world,... Read More

How to Protect Your Dog and Family from Roundworms

Nearly every puppy in the world is born with roundworms.... Read More

Buy Dog Supplements Online

Dog SupplementsA good nutritional program of dog supplements is just... Read More

Is YOUR Child Ready for a Dog?

Are you considering buying a dog for your child or... Read More

Crate Training Dogs: The Right Way and the Wrong Way - Part One

Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More

Here?s How To Find The Right Pet Meds For Your Favorite Pet

Our pets depend on us for their every need, including... Read More

10 Reasons Why Your Cat Loves You

There are plenty of reasons why your cat loves you.... Read More

Caring for an Older Cat - Cat Health and Cat Care

Cats are living longer lives thanks to dedicated care from... Read More

5 Ways to Pamper Your Parrot

We are all busy these days and I know it's... Read More