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by JWALKER on 23 January 2011 - 07:01
any good ideas out there on how to train my dog to bark on command.
by TessJ10 on 23 January 2011 - 11:01
The easiest way is to tease him with his favorite tug or toy. That usually does it. It helps to attach the tug to a long line so you can throw it near him and so you can more easily get it back - won't turn into a battle if when he does get it you have to chase him down to get it.
You can also have someone hold his leash, or else tie the line to a sturdy tree, while you encourage him to go for his tug that he can't reach. Does he bark while you're preparing his food? That could be another chance.
If your dog already barks well and you just want to teach him to do it on command, reward when you get the bark you want, like when it's a good "real dog" bark and not a high-pitched excitement squeaky bark.
If you dog is a shy barker and needs more encouragement, reward at first THE MOMENT there is sound, even the littlest woof or moan. Your timing has to be excellent. Immediately reward any vocalization, and gradually ask for better barking before rewarding until you get what you want. What "gradually" means depends on your dog. Maybe within a few minutes (keep your sessions no longer than that) or maybe over days. You reward by letting him have what you're using. If food, toss it to him IMMEDIATELY he vocalizes. If a tug, toss that or present it within his reach letting him grab it and do a victory lap with it in his mouth. Praise him and give the Out command to get it back. Or if he drops it himself, immediately jerk it back on the line out of his reach and make it dance around again.
Keep sessions short (no more than 5 minutes) to keep enthusiasm high and leave him wanting more when the session is done. He'll come to the next session with more eagerness.
As to the word, it can be anything you teach. Some people use "Guard" instead of "Speak." Schutzhund people often use the words "gib laut" as the command. Or "Pass auf" (Watch).
Make it happy and fun and exciting for the dog. Try it and let us know if you have any problems. Good luck! Bonus: teaching him to bark on command will make it much easier to teach him the "Quiet" command when you want him to stop barking.
You can also have someone hold his leash, or else tie the line to a sturdy tree, while you encourage him to go for his tug that he can't reach. Does he bark while you're preparing his food? That could be another chance.
If your dog already barks well and you just want to teach him to do it on command, reward when you get the bark you want, like when it's a good "real dog" bark and not a high-pitched excitement squeaky bark.
If you dog is a shy barker and needs more encouragement, reward at first THE MOMENT there is sound, even the littlest woof or moan. Your timing has to be excellent. Immediately reward any vocalization, and gradually ask for better barking before rewarding until you get what you want. What "gradually" means depends on your dog. Maybe within a few minutes (keep your sessions no longer than that) or maybe over days. You reward by letting him have what you're using. If food, toss it to him IMMEDIATELY he vocalizes. If a tug, toss that or present it within his reach letting him grab it and do a victory lap with it in his mouth. Praise him and give the Out command to get it back. Or if he drops it himself, immediately jerk it back on the line out of his reach and make it dance around again.
Keep sessions short (no more than 5 minutes) to keep enthusiasm high and leave him wanting more when the session is done. He'll come to the next session with more eagerness.
As to the word, it can be anything you teach. Some people use "Guard" instead of "Speak." Schutzhund people often use the words "gib laut" as the command. Or "Pass auf" (Watch).
Make it happy and fun and exciting for the dog. Try it and let us know if you have any problems. Good luck! Bonus: teaching him to bark on command will make it much easier to teach him the "Quiet" command when you want him to stop barking.
by Vom Brunhaus on 23 January 2011 - 13:01
Excellent reply Tess VB
by JWALKER on 23 January 2011 - 15:01
Tess
Thanks for that training advice. going to put it to work asap!!!!
Thanks for that training advice. going to put it to work asap!!!!
by alboe2009 on 24 January 2011 - 03:01
Good words Tess. Is this for training purposes? For work? Just to have him "bark/speak" on command? What is the scenario in which you want him to "barK'?
When I was training Reiker, (now @ 9) I wanted to train/reward only with praise. The group was mosty reward with food. My thoughts were what happens when there is no treats? Anyways ALL rewards were praise and at six months that guy was doing better than some at 1 yr. and 1 1/2 yrs. but for me he was to be a police K9 and a couple of "tricks" I taught him was to wink or click my teeth for him to go ballistic! On one hand it was great and on the other it was funny! I would be on the field and to see him light up for different reasons.
To make it happen? Find out what he really barks for or why and then go for consistency. Put the command, trigger word to make it happen then don't deviate. And use only that word, action or command for that AND NOTHING ELSE For Reiker I started by holding a tennis ball. He wanted it and so he barked. I would either put this ball in the crick of my neck or hold it behing my head. That way he would see my face and eyes. When he realized what I was asking for he would bark but when I wanted him to turn it up, he would be teeth slashing, spit flying, up and down exactly like a bark and hold. He would give me the same results. For a wink or a teeth clicking. Consistency, consistency. I try to tell people but all my all my dogs go to the bathroom on command. The way I was taught for service dogs. And doesn't matter in my eyes I'm still giving the command of "break" while they're going to the bathrrom even when they know the command. At times if someone else is watching them and they forget the dogs will be staring them down begging them to go to the bathroom.
When I was training Reiker, (now @ 9) I wanted to train/reward only with praise. The group was mosty reward with food. My thoughts were what happens when there is no treats? Anyways ALL rewards were praise and at six months that guy was doing better than some at 1 yr. and 1 1/2 yrs. but for me he was to be a police K9 and a couple of "tricks" I taught him was to wink or click my teeth for him to go ballistic! On one hand it was great and on the other it was funny! I would be on the field and to see him light up for different reasons.
To make it happen? Find out what he really barks for or why and then go for consistency. Put the command, trigger word to make it happen then don't deviate. And use only that word, action or command for that AND NOTHING ELSE For Reiker I started by holding a tennis ball. He wanted it and so he barked. I would either put this ball in the crick of my neck or hold it behing my head. That way he would see my face and eyes. When he realized what I was asking for he would bark but when I wanted him to turn it up, he would be teeth slashing, spit flying, up and down exactly like a bark and hold. He would give me the same results. For a wink or a teeth clicking. Consistency, consistency. I try to tell people but all my all my dogs go to the bathroom on command. The way I was taught for service dogs. And doesn't matter in my eyes I'm still giving the command of "break" while they're going to the bathrrom even when they know the command. At times if someone else is watching them and they forget the dogs will be staring them down begging them to go to the bathroom.
by ibso52 on 24 January 2011 - 04:01
As far as Schutzhund goes I think the "bark command" is essential. It is a key that opens mulitple doors.
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