How to Make Your Dog Bark on Command

Excessive barking is annoying to dog parents as well as their neighbors. Barking is one of the top behavioral problems of dogs. However, a dog barking might not be all that bad. It can serve as an alert and might even be a fun party trick if you can make your dog bark on cue. How to make your dog bark on command? You might want to teach your dog to bark on command without encouraging annoying and excessive barking. Teach barking as a trick and not a bad habit.

Top 4 Ways to Make Your Dog Bark on Command

How to Make Your Dog Bark on Command

Have treats ready

The first step to train your dog to speak or bark is to have treats ready. You might also want to use their favorite toy. The point of the training is when your dog barks, you should immediately follow their barking with the command and then offer the treat.

Encourage your dog to speak

This second step might be easier for some dog owners. If your dog is already vocal, there might be plenty of occasions when they bark. The point is to get your dog stimulated so they will start barking. If your dog is the quiet type, you might want to run and jump to excite your dog so they will be motivated to start barking.

Reinforce the barking

Once your dog starts barking, immediately reinforce the behavior with vocal commands such as speak. Afterward reward them with a toy, praise, or a treat. If you are utilizing the clicker training method, make sure to apply a click as soon as your dog barks. Continue reinforcing and rewarding the behavior until your dog learns how to bark on command.

Use a hand signal

Once your dog learns your verbal command of speak or bark, you can utilize a hand signal as well. A hand signal commonly used in this case is an open hand with the palm up. Close four of your fingers pressed to your thumb. Once your dog has learned this signal, you can use a spoken command with the hand signal to reinforce the desired behavior. It will help your dog consistently speak or bark on command.

Tips for training

How to Make Your Dog Bark on Command

In contrast to training your dog to shake hands, barking is an instinctual behavior of dogs. It might be a bit trickier to train them. You don’t want to confuse your dog and encourage annoying barking. The secret is consistency. When you train your dog, only reward the barking when you command your dog to.

Besides, you might only want to reinforce a single bark. You don’t want your dog to think that your command means a barking frenzy.

Finally, be mindful of your neighbors when you train your dog to do this trick. If you live in an apartment area or live close to your neighbors, you should know that other people might not find your dog’s barking amusing. Make sure to train them in short sessions.

Using the speak command

The speak command is often utilized as a simple and fun trick to amuse friends and family. However, it has other purposes. For example, you can train your dog to bark or speak when they need to go outside and do their personal business. Moreover, by teaching them to speak or bark, you can even train your dog to whisper, which is barking at a lower volume.

Another useful offshoot of teaching your dog to speak is you can train them to be quiet on command utilizing the same system of reinforcement and rewards once your dog exhibits the desired behavior.

How to Make a Dog Bark

Make sure to mark the behavior you want and offer them a reward that can excite them, such as their favorite ball. Offer your dog a treat for barking on cue. If he starts barking, but you haven’t given any command, don’t give them a reward. After several repetitions, he will begin to learn that he will receive a treat when he barks on command.

You can also encourage the barking by doing something frustrating for your dog. One method is to bounce a ball beyond his reach, such as behind a baby gate. After you utter the command, you can give your dog a reward by giving him the desired toy. Repeat this method of rewarding your dog when they bark on cue. Once he learns these commands, minimize the treats offered and space them.

Another command that you could teach is speak. Keep in mind that dogs really don’t understand this word. They only learn to associate it with barking. Because of this, you can invent your own trigger word or phrase to get your dog to bark on command. You might also use the word speak.

How long does it take to train a dog to bark?

Each dog is an individual. It is crucial to know the unique traits and characteristics of your dog. Some dogs are more vocal and learn quickly compared to others. Overall, after a few training sessions, there should be significant results. Dogs can pick up a little more quickly since barking is a self-rewarding behavior. They can learn in a few weeks since the desired behavior is not very complex. How to make your dog bark on command?

The training period will depend on how much training history a particular human and dog had together. Consistency is a secret to successfully training your dog to bark on command. Meaning you must continuously repeat the trigger words and offer your dog rewards for doing the desired behavior. If you are inconsistent at any point, your dog will not learn to associate your command with the desired behavior.

However, you might be encouraging your dog to speak a little too much, which can cause problems. In this case, un-training your dog will depend on the dog in question. You need to apply the same methods of training. But in this case, you need to reward your dog for being silent after uttering your trigger word: quiet.

During training, it is crucial never to yell or shout at your dog when they are barking. Don’t reprimand them even if they are barking inappropriately. Similar to human altercations, it will only become heated and unproductive. You will reinforce the barking by paying attention to it. Instead of shouting, try to identify the stimulus that caused the barking and mitigate it or eliminate it.

Training Your Dog to Speak or Be Quiet on Command

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Things to prepare

How to make your dog bark on command? When you begin training, you will need several tiny pieces of delicious dog treats. You might also want to use your dog’s favorite toy. It is crucial to reward them immediately. It would be best if you made the training worth it for your dog. Make sure you have liver treats, chicken pieces, and other flavorful treats on hand.

You also need to utilize the stimulus, such as a doorbell or an assistant who will knock on the door.

Training your dog to be quiet

How to make your dog bark on command? It is a good idea to start training by teaching the quiet command. Make sure your dog learns this before moving on to the bark command. Some trainers like to teach the two commands together. It is your choice. As a trainer, you must know your comfort level and confidence as well as your dog’s trainability. Apply your best judgment. There is a tendency for dogs to become excessive barkers, and they might need to learn the quiet cue first.

Decide on a simple word for the quiet cue. This word should be easy to remember. Use it consistently. Good words are enough, quiet, and hush.

How to make your dog bark on command? Create a scenario that will trigger your dog to bark. The best way is to ask someone to ring the doorbell or knock on the door. It will get your dog excited enough to bark. In some cases, seeing the presence of another dog can incite barking.

Once your dog starts barking, make sure to acknowledge it by examining the source. Check the window or door. Afterward, please return to your dog and get their attention. Have a toy or treat on hand.

After your dog stops barking, offer the toy or treat

Make sure to repeat these steps and increase the time-lapse before offering the treats. How to make your dog bark on command?

Once your dog remains quiet, begin teaching them the trigger word you have chosen. While your dog is barking, you can utter the quiet command in a firm and authoritative voice while having your reward ready. Offer the reward when your dog stops barking.

You must practice the quiet cue consistently. You can do this every time your dog starts barking. Make sure to keep training sessions brief.

The bark or speak command

How to make your dog bark on command? Once your dog learns the quiet command, it is time to move on to the speak or bark command. Choose a simple word to trigger the barking. The word must be easy to remember, and teach it to your dog consistently. Good word choices are: speak, bark, or talk. You can even come up with your own word or phrase. However, make sure that the word is distinct from other trigger words as well as your dog’s name.

Allow your dog to bark naturally.

When your dog barks, utter your trigger word in a clear and authoritative voice.

Praise your dog verbally and offer them the treat or toy.

How to make your dog bark on command? Repeat the speak command method a few times until your dog learns it.

Once your dog is trained in the speak and quiet command separately, you can combine them. Have your dog speak or bark several times and then tell your dog to be quiet.

Top tips:

It is crucial to be patient and consistent. Some dogs will need weeks to learn these commands.

How to make your dog bark on command? Training the speak command will only work with dogs that bark. If you are teaching a puppy, you should wait until it has fully developed and had a desire to bark. Keep in mind that some breeds have unique barking behavior. As an example, the Basenji doesn’t bark. Instead, it produces a yodeling sound.

Utilizing clicker training is also efficient when teaching your dog to bark or be quiet. How to make your dog bark on command?

To know if your dog has learned the new skills, practice these commands in areas outside your home and in various situations such as the park or inside the car.

Clicker training

Clicker training is an effective method to reinforce the behavior. In this method, you utilize a sound, a clicker, to signal to your dog they have exhibited the desired behavior. Clicker training is extremely effective since it produces a consistent and unique sound that is different from your voice. You might also want to utter good or yes as a trigger word if you don’t have a clicker handy. How to make your dog bark on command?

Make sure your clicker is loaded. Have a treat ready. If your dog approaches you and tries to snatch it away, close your hand. Click and give it to your dog. Repeat this method a few minutes after. Continue until your dog comes to you expecting the treat.

Excite your dog

How to make your dog bark on command? When your dog is excited, they are likelier to bark. Play a game that can stimulate your dog, such as fetch or tug.

Have a reward ready

Now that your dog is ready to bark make sure to have a reward on hand. Allow your dog to see it. Then conceal it behind your back.

Reward the barking

Make sure to reward your dog for barking. Hopefully, your energy and your dog’s excitement plus the treat is enough incitement for them to bark. If it fails, you may need to reveal the treat again. You might even want to hold it out to them, but don’t let them take it yet. It might confuse your dog, which can lead to barking. Be prepared to wait. It may take five minutes and even more. Once your dog starts barking, press the clicker, and reward your dog with the toy or treat. How to make your dog bark on command?

If your dog refuses to bark, you might want to try barking to encourage your dog to bark.

Name the behavior

How to make your dog bark on command? Once your dog learns that they will receive treats when they bark on command, make sure to name the behavior. Use trigger words such as speak or talk before they bark. You might also utilize a hand signal since dogs learn more effectively with visual cues rather than spoken words. Make sure to utilize the same tone and volume when you utter the trigger word you have chosen. They will know the command by your tone, making it easier for them to learn.

Final Thoughts – How to Make Your Dog Bark on Command?

A dog barking on command is a funny trick that makes your dog seem intelligent. Aside from the amusement you can get out of it, this trick has a functional purpose. It helps you communicate with your dog more effectively. Your dog will bark when they need to get your attention to something important. When you train your dog to bark on command, it is crucial to train them to be quiet on command. It helps mitigate excessive barking and reinforces appropriate barking.