Basic Training to Teach a Dog to Stop Barking

If you have a dog that barks more than they should, you will probably want to train a dog to stop barking. This training might be a good idea in certain circumstances. In others, it might be best to allow them to bark if they are doing so to help protect you and your surroundings. If you do want to train them, here are things you can do. Keep in mind that not all of these methods will work for all dogs.

Teach Command “Quiet”

If you can train your dog to respond to the command, “quiet” you should be able to use it when you need them to be quiet. This training can take a lot of time but can be done by taking your dog to a behavior class or working with them on your own. If you can train them to respond, then you have control over whether they will bark or not and can use that in different situations. If they are simply barking just to bark you can tell them “quiet.” But if they are doing so to keep a potential intruder away, they will still bark at them.

Removing Them

Another method to handle the barking would be to just remove them from the environment or places where they bark. If they always bark when people walk by your house, keep them in the back of your home. That way, they will not be tempted to bark. This doesn’t always work for every situation, but it can cut down on the amount of barking that they do.

Wear Them Out

A tired dog isn’t going to bark as much as a non-tired dog will bark. If you keep a canine moving and wear them out, you won’t have to worry about barking as much. You can do this by exercising your furry friend. You can take the canine on walks, playing with them or letting them run around your yard. The more active your dog is, the less likely they will bark because they are bored.

Some dogs also enjoy going to a dog park on a regular basis. Check and see if there are any parks you can take your dog to in your neighborhood. Then you can make the dog park a regular part of your routine with your dog.

Some people say that ignoring the barking is the way to go. Ignoring the activity isn’t always easy and isn’t an unfailing answer. Some dogs will bark for hours if nothing is done. If you know your dog is just barking for attention, this can be a way to handle it.

You can also hire a dog trainer to assist you with training your fur baby. There are trainers all around the world and specifically in the United States.  If you are in Arizona, your can find a top-rated Scottsdale dog training expert at Find Your Inner Dog Training.

In the end, find what works for your four-legged friend. This discovery could be taking them in for some extra training or trying something at home. If the barking is bothering you or neighbors in your area, you will need to do something about it. Many cities have barking laws and ordinances. Tickets, fines and even worse penalties can be given if the barking is out of hand and bothering neighbors to the point that they file complaints. Luckily you do have a lot of options so you can find out what will work best for you and your dog.

It is easy to assume you might not have the skills for teaching dogs basic obedience, but you won’t know until you try. Depending on the type of breed and your level of patience, it shouldn’t be too challenging to establish some of the fundamentals. And to help you, this article will outline some tips to get you there. And remember, you need to be confident and establish yourself as the pack leader. Otherwise, your puppy is going to wipe the floor with you. Just like they require love and attention, they also require a confident and authoritative voice every now and again for some guidance.

1. Get The Right Tools

Teaching dogs basic obedience are made easier with tools and some extra knowledge. In other words, do a little research regarding the breed of your dog, because this will tell you a lot about their personality. For example, some types are very playful and make it a little harder for owners to maintain control. Then you get breeds that are naturally good at listening and following orders.

If you know the characteristics of the breed, it will give you more insight on how to approach them. Also, other tools like healthy snacks (food reward system)can be incredibly helpful in keeping the dog motivated and focused.

2. How To Teach Sitting

Teaching your dog to sit is typically one of the first obedience commands because it is effortless and straightforward.

All you need is one of those “tools” mentioned earlier (doggy treat), and you are good to go. Now, hold the doggy treat a few inches from his or her nose. Then, gradually lift the treat and make sure they follow it with their eyes.

You’ll notice that when the treat gets a little higher than their head, they will naturally lower their back and move to a sitting position. And the moment you start seeing this movement, you say sit.

After a few times, the dog will associate the sound with the movement, and without the doggy treat, they will react to the command.

3. Lying Down

This obedience trick works on the same principle as the sit command, and it also starts with a doggy treat.

Place the treat on the floor, near the body of your dog, but not too close for him or her to reach. Now, while they are focused on the treat, pull it away slowly, still keeping it on the ground. And just like sitting, the dog needs to lie down for him or her to get the treat.

And just like with the sit command, tell them to lay down as they start going through the motions. If you do this regularly enough, the habit will sink in, and they will react to your command without the need for a treat.

4. Stay

What one thing dog owners usually struggle with is getting their dogs to listen while taking a walk. Their surroundings get them all excited, making it harder to maintain control.

However, there is a fundamental obedience lesson you can implement on your next walk, and it involves standing in place.  It is commonly referred to as the stay command.

For example, if your dog wants to go in a direction he or she shouldn’t, just stand in place and hold the leach. At the same time, you want to establish the “stay” sound. This means not following them where they want to go, but getting them to follow you. So, every time they lose focus and want to head in a different direction, just stop, tighten the leach, and tell them to stay.

Some dog owners like to use a “step back” as well, but this is up to you and your dog. The step back is sort of like a small punishment for going in the wrong direction. You want them to know that if they stray, they will be punished by losing distance. In other words, you stop and tighten the leash, then take two or three steps back.

5. Work With An Expert

Dog trainers can help you train your canine. You’ll want to look for a top-rated trainer so you can be sure you are working with someone who not only has experience, but also has methods that are supported by the owners of the dogs.

It is important to note the working with a trainer doesn’t exclude you as the owner from any work in the instruction process. With the exception of a few organizations, working with a trainer means taking the lesson with your four-legged friend and then reinforcing what was learned in between those lessons, at home with your dog. Arizona’s Scottsdale dog training expert Dianne Marcinizyn from Find Your Inner Dog is one of those top-rated trainers that you could work with in that effort.

Always Be Loving And Patient

The two things you should always remember when teaching obedience to your dog is to be patient and loving. Instead of getting them to fear you, let them respect and love you back.

If you go bird hunting, you need to train your dog to retrieve the bird correctly. However, many bird dog owners do not teach their dogs accurately, and this can lead to significant problems. There are crucial elements to the training of a bird dog that you need to know about to ensure your dog is safe and that it retrieves your birds correctly.

Focus On Obedience

Many bird dog owners do not place enough emphasis on obedience and steadiness when they train their dogs. It is essential that you take the time to educate your dog in obedience and non-retrievals. Non-retrievals are when a bird or dummy falls, and the dog does not run to get it. The trainer or another dog should get the bird or dummy at these times.

Most owners will train their dog to retrieve before doing anything else. This is incorrect as you will spend hours training your dog to recover only to end up trying to break this habit when teaching obedience. Teaching obedience first will ensure that your dog can listen to you and will not run off for retrievals when you do not want them to.

Coming On Command

When you are obedience training your dog, you need to ensure that they can come on command. If your dog is unable to do this, you should not take them out hunting with you. If you have a dog that is trained to come on command, it will listen to any direction that you give him.

To determine if your dog is well trained in coming on command, you need to give this command while they are distracted. If a distracted dog can follow commands, they will be able to do the same out in the field when you are hunting. To test this, you will need to wait for the opportune moment such as when the neighbor’s cat is walking past before issuing the command to come.

Reconsider The Use Of An Electric Collar

Electric collars are used by many hunters to train their dogs, but they can create more problems than they solve. When it comes to the use of shock collars, you should only use one if you can train your dog without one as well. If you rely solely on the collar for training, you will have problems because the collar does not impart knowledge or skill to the dog or the trainer.

Most people use electric collars to try and solve fundamental obedience problems. When this happens, they end up not solving the problem and making their dog scared of them or more aggressive. This is why you need to seriously consider the use of an electric collar when you are training your dog.

Consider The Breed Of Dog

Not all dog breeds should be used as bird dogs, and many people do not realize this. Labradors are one of the best kinds for bird hunting because they are genetically predisposed to have a soft mouth and offer good delivery to hand. This is why you need to think about the breed of your dog before you start training them.

If you have a dog breed which is known to have behaviors such as dropping birds, running off with the birds or mouthing birds, you should reconsider training them. While it is possible to teach these dogs to be excellent retrievers, their puppies will exhibit these behaviors. This will make it hard to keep a good line of hunting dogs.

Barn hunts are a fun competition for dogs that are looking to maximize their hunting skills.

Now, it is not an easy competition to win, and most dog owners don’t know where to begin. If you are in this position, it is time to start to look at training a barn hunt dog the right way. How are you going to go about this? You will need to focus on the four tips mentioned in this post.

A barn hunt dog will develop nicely as long as you follow this advice to a tee.

1) Recreate The Setting

You want to look at recreating the setting because that is a must in the long-term.

The dog has to get used to the setting before he/she can start to participate in the proceedings. If the dog is not aware of his/her surroundings, this is going to make it hard for him/her to build the appropriate connection. They will not know what to do when the setting pops up in front of them.

You want to work on this and make sure it is drilled into their head immediately for long-term results.

2) Emphasize Connection With You

This is one of those things dog owners don’t think about when it comes a barn hunt dog. You have to put in the time to build a connection with the dog. IF they are not able to associate the setting with your directions, it is going to be a long day out in the barn.

You have to make sure things are done based on what you are telling the dog to do.

This will come with time, but you have to emphasize this connection and don’t just assume things are working out because they can quickly turn on a dime.

3) Solidify Act Before Timing Dog

You want to make sure the action is focused on rather than the timing. It is easy to look at the clock and wonder if your barn hunt dog is going to get better. Yes, it is a competition, but that doesn’t mean you have to only look at the timer all the time.

You can take the next step and make sure you are focusing on building that act and making sure it is a part of what they stand for as a dog.

If you do this, they will start to do it quickly because it will become a part of who they are.

4) Socialize Dog

Remember, the goal is not to harm the rat, and that isn’t how the barn hunt is going to work.

This is why you have to train with a fake rat to make sure your dog understands this. It is going to take time for them to lose some of their natural aggression, but one of the best ways to do this is with socialization. By socializing them, they will focus on the action rather than harming the rat.

These are tips anyone can incorporate as long as they are willing to put in the time. You are not going to see results immediately because this is a new sport and it is going to take time to learn. You are going to need to learn it as well before you pinpoint what to do with the dog.

Go in with an open mind and make sure you are learning on the go as well.

This is how you are going to dominate with the dog and win the barn hunt as a partnership. Those who don’t focus on this will see inferior results.

Many hunters prefer to be accompanied by dogs, especially when they are hunting game that is far away and difficult to retrieve.  Gun dogs also make for very good company and can make excellent companions for trips when you are cut off from the rest of the world.

Hunting with dogs does not mean that you just take along any pet that you have. Dogs have to be trained for hunting, and when this is done with patience and persistence, the results can be very pleasing during your trips to the wilderness. Gun dogs require proper training before they are taken on a hunt, and all dogs may not even have the potential to turn into good hunting dogs. There are some breeds like retrievers, spaniels, and pointers which are naturally gifted to be good hunters, but even their behavior needs to be kept under control.

Any training has to start with making your dog learn specific basic commands like ‘sit,’ ‘heel,’ ‘stay’ and other things like knowing the behavior that is acceptable and that which is not. Reward good behavior and admonish the bad. Your dog also needs to be utterly loyal to you and must be able to follow your commands happily and without feeling cowed down or fearing punishment. You also need to familiarize your dog with nature and the surroundings that will be encountered during your hunting trips. Take him for long walks in the outdoors and the terrain that you will generally be in when hunting. Let the dog also be familiar with firearms and the sounds of a gun, as this can at times scare them. This familiarizing requires a lot of patience and a routine of outings that will make the dog used to the outdoors and natural surroundings, besides the hunting.

Things like duck hunting and other waterfowl will require making your dog familiar with water and the need to go into it to retrieve any game that you have shot. You can start with a wading pool in your yard before you get him to accept rivers and streams that will be a part of the hunting environment. Teach the dog to fetch sticks or balls that you throw in the water, and learn to do this at your command. Duck hunting often involves the use of decoys and dogs must learn the difference between them and the actual birds. They must be taught how to grasp the birds without damaging them. This differentiation and the retrieving is one of the most challenging parts of training a hunting dog and requires a lot of patience and innovation.

You also need to train your dog to be relaxed when you go out hunting and not be keyed up and eager. The environment for sporting can require you to set up blinds or to use boats, and it is essential that your hunting dog, be equally familiar with both and remain relaxed and be able to lie down. The dog must above all learn to be quiet and not excitable while you are waiting for your prey. Always ensure that you have sufficient food and water for both you and your dog, when you are hunting, as if this is not taken care of, the dog can go wandering looking for sustenance and will not be around when needed.

Hunting with dogs can be quite exciting and rewarding. The best part of this is their constant companionship and presence that can add to the thrill of hunting. Do not expect results on the first trip you make as dogs can take time to get familiar with the hunting experience and understand what it is you require from them.

Labrador Retrievers have been known to be fantastic hunting dogs. When it comes to choosing a breed for this purpose, you can’t go wrong with a lab. However, while many labs come by hunting qualities naturally, fine-tuning their hunting instincts, retrieval methods, and the behavior you want from them comes with a lot of training. Here are some tips to help you develop your masterful hunting canine.

Start training your hunting dog.

It is a significant step for a dog and is going to take a bit of time. Yes, dogs are built to retrieve and are good at it, but that doesn’t mean they will know what to do right away. You have to groom them to work in a particular manner, and that is going to take time.

You have to make a concerted effort to see what they are responding to.

Here are the tips that are going to give you a head start with the dog as you look to turn him/her into a proper hunting dog.

1) Socialize Early

The hunting dog needs to socialize with other dogs and humans.

If they are not being socialized, it can lead to a lot of trouble in the long-term. It is hard to get them to behave, and they might not respond to directions as well. This is key when you are out in the open because the wrong move can be dangerous depending on where you are as a hunter.

The goal is to make sure this socialization is in place, so they’re trained and ready to go.

Delays in this are only going to make things harder for you.

2) Prepare For The Water

Are they able to hang out in the water without losing a step?

The water is something that is common out in the open depending on where you are. If they are not willing to cross a small creek because they’re afraid of the water, you might not have much of a hunting dog at all! This is why it is essential to get him/her in the water as soon as possible.

This is a good thing to start as early on in their lives as possible.

If you do this, it becomes easier to get them to adapt to all conditions.

3) Take Dog Out Into Hunting Areas To Roam

Those who are not ready to take out their dog for a trip will be the ones in a boatload of trouble. The dog needs to associate going out into these areas as something that is a part of his/her life. If the association isn’t made, things are not going to work out at all.

It is hard for a dog to get used to open spaces or forests where the hunting may take place.

You want him/her to get used to this immediately, so they can retrieve as desired. If the connection isn’t made with space, he/she will get confused.

A hunting dog needs to learn that gunfire means it’s time to retrieve. If that connection isn’t made early or they become “gun-shy” you are going to find it difficult to make things work. Too many people end up in a situation where their dog never makes that connection.

A hunting dog needs to act immediately with the sound as that is his/her cue to go.

If the dog doesn’t go, the hunting relationship won’t work.

These are tips you have to incorporate as soon as you can. If the hunting dog doesn’t go through these steps as quickly as possible, it is only going to get harder for you. It is hard to train a dog that has inappropriate habits built in overtime because you were lazy in the beginning.

Get on top of this as soon as possible and make sure you are examining what is going on in his/her life. Addressing these issues is how you’re going to stay on top of their hunting development.