Barking All the Time

Howling, barking, and whining are dogs’ ways to express themselves and communicate with humans. However, excessive barking is a problem.

Teach Your Dog Quiet Commands

This training must be done 1 to 2 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes each session.

  • Choose a quiet command, such as “quiet,” enough,” or “hush”.
  • When your dog barks, briefly acknowledge the source by going to your dog or looking out the door or window. Then, get its attention with a whistle, clap, or any similar sound.
  • Immediately, after your pooch stops barking, say your command in an audible, upbeat, and firm voice while giving it a treat. Practice the command frequently, any time your dog barks, but keep the sessions brief 

Once your dog understands the quiet command, you can move to the voice command.

Teach Your Dog Voice Commands

  • Choose a bark command, such as “talk”, “bark”, or “speak.”
  • Create a barking situation. The best method is to have a family member or a friend knock on the door or ring the doorbell.  As your dog barks at the situation, say your command in an audible, upbeat, and firm voice.
  • After your pooch has barked 2 to 3 times in a row, say “good (talk, bark, or speech)” while giving it a treat.
  • Repeat the command process several times until your pooch understands.

Once your dog learns the “speak” and the “quiet” command separately, you can use them together – make your dog bark a few times, then tell it to be quiet.