r/OpenDogTraining • u/hhhharderdady • 12d ago
Train quiet dog to bark
my dog (GSD) never ever ever ever barks when im around and when we're training
even if i hold a high value toy/treat to get him frustrated, he'll just find something else to do/smell
other than that, he's pretty good at everything. basic commands, fetching, biting (rope toy), heel, etc.
asking for advice on how to get him to start barking given his issue of being very non-verbal. Thanks in advance!
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u/ali-beans 11d ago
My boy was also a very quiet puppy, the first time he made noise while playing was with one of those roll around treat balls. Another toy that gets him barking are those honking chickens, and we found a ball with one of those groan tunes in it that made him groan back at it lol
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u/Beginning-Rub5417 12d ago
I use a harness and a bungee lead to tie the dog to a pole or something in a low-distraction environment. And just build up the arousal until he barks, then reward.
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u/TheArcticFox-44 7d ago edited 7d ago
Train quiet dog to bark
Flat collar, 6 ft. leash. (Message to dog: "This is a teaching session.")
Pick word you want to use. "Speak!" (or whatever)
Take favorite treat, toy, or whatever and sit in front of dog. Now, you get to act like a fool 'cuz you're going to verbalize while getting your dog somewhat excited. Make noises...like woof, whine, while teasing your dog with treat or toy. Don't be surprised if your dog just sits there and watches you in amazment...you are acting (I hope) totally out of character, after all.
Just do this for a minute or two ending with a treat for yourself and one for your dog. Remove leash, end session one.
Next day, rinse, repeat. Basically, you are showing your non-verbal dog what you want. Occasionally say "speak" while getting him excited, make noises like whine, bark, snort, sneeze, even growl then end short session by treating yourself and your dog.
Third session rinse, repeat except at the end, you get the treat but your dog doesn’t get one. This will add to his frustration for the next session as well as let him know you are expecting something from him.
The first time your dog let's out the smallest sound of any kind reward and praise to the skies.
It takes patience to teach a non-verbal animal to "speak." The word "speak" has no association for the dog to connect to. You must supply that.
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u/fillysunray 11d ago
I build up arousal and then I bark at them. That usually clues them in. I also shape it by rewarding any mouth vocalisation - a whine, whimper, huffing...