Penny's Aunt
04-24-2000, 01:14 PM
Someone hinted that I should post some tips on training dogs to stop barking unnecessarily. Here is something you can try, but with chronic barkers, you just never know.
First, you have to start indoors, even if most of their barking is outdoors.
Next, you need to make or buy some small beanbags, about the size of a golf ball or so.
Place the beanbags in strategic places, where you can reach them fast. These beanbags are extensions of your hand. They smell like your hand. You throw them at the dog's side or fanny to TOUCH the dog; you are NOT throwing them to HURT the dog. (Also, they are never used as toys.)
To start, set up the dog by having someone else come to the door & knock or ring the doorbell normally. HAVE READY: a beanbag with your smell on it & some small treats in your pocket.
Let the dog "announce" the person with 3 or 4 barks, then say in a firm voice "That's enough!" (ONLY ONCE, NEVER REPEAT.) Give him about 5-10 seconds, & if he didn't stop barking, throw the beanbag at him.
He should stop barking & lean down to smell the beanbag, then look at you. ("Geez, Mom, you sure have long arms all of a sudden!")
INSTANTLY PRAISE HIM & GIVE HIM A TREAT.
Repeat at different times until he stops when you say "That's enough!" Always say the exact same thing.
WHEN HE IS DOING IT RIGHT ALL THE TIME, you can take the same technique outdoors. Let him go outside & wait for him to start barking. It it is possible, keep him in a small section of the yard. But don't do it outdoors until he is perfect indoors.
Wait until he barks 3-4 times, & say "That's enough!"
If he stops, INSTANT PRAISE & TREAT.
If he doesn't stop, throw the beanbag & do it exactly the way you did it indoors.
If you do any clicker training, use it here, too.
I hope this helps. It's the only way I've ever known of having a CHANCE of working without resorting to the use of one of those bark collars.
First, you have to start indoors, even if most of their barking is outdoors.
Next, you need to make or buy some small beanbags, about the size of a golf ball or so.
Place the beanbags in strategic places, where you can reach them fast. These beanbags are extensions of your hand. They smell like your hand. You throw them at the dog's side or fanny to TOUCH the dog; you are NOT throwing them to HURT the dog. (Also, they are never used as toys.)
To start, set up the dog by having someone else come to the door & knock or ring the doorbell normally. HAVE READY: a beanbag with your smell on it & some small treats in your pocket.
Let the dog "announce" the person with 3 or 4 barks, then say in a firm voice "That's enough!" (ONLY ONCE, NEVER REPEAT.) Give him about 5-10 seconds, & if he didn't stop barking, throw the beanbag at him.
He should stop barking & lean down to smell the beanbag, then look at you. ("Geez, Mom, you sure have long arms all of a sudden!")
INSTANTLY PRAISE HIM & GIVE HIM A TREAT.
Repeat at different times until he stops when you say "That's enough!" Always say the exact same thing.
WHEN HE IS DOING IT RIGHT ALL THE TIME, you can take the same technique outdoors. Let him go outside & wait for him to start barking. It it is possible, keep him in a small section of the yard. But don't do it outdoors until he is perfect indoors.
Wait until he barks 3-4 times, & say "That's enough!"
If he stops, INSTANT PRAISE & TREAT.
If he doesn't stop, throw the beanbag & do it exactly the way you did it indoors.
If you do any clicker training, use it here, too.
I hope this helps. It's the only way I've ever known of having a CHANCE of working without resorting to the use of one of those bark collars.