How to Train Your Dog Not to Bark!

Dachshunds LOVE to bark. We have 3, so especially around dinner and treat time, they go crazy. They also like to bark at other dogs! Today's blog is from Chewy Com about how to train your dogs not to bark. We're going to give it a try!

  How to Train Your Dog Not to Bark!

  CHEWY.com Dec. 5, 2024

Teach “Hush” Training solution: helpful for territorial barkers and alarm barkers, as well as some excitement and play barkers.

Teaching “hush” can short-circuit a dedicated barker.

Follow these simple steps to help train your dog to stop barking:

Walk up to your dog while he’s barking with a high-value treat in your fist. Place your hand in front of his nose so that he can smell the treat but can’t get to it. Your dog will likely stop barking to sniff the goody, and once he’s quiet say “hush” (you’re “naming” the silence). Toss the treat a few steps away from him. Repeat the process until you can just say “hush”’ without needing the hand prompt in front of his nose, and then give him a treat.

Gradually ask your dog to do more in order to get the treat, like coming to you and waiting quietly. (This is the technique that I’ve used with my dogs, and they often police themselves; if one dog barks the other runs to me to get a treat for remaining quiet.)

(Photo: Barking at "3 Treat time" with guests Roxi and Myrtle) 

Ignore the Barking 

Management and training solution: helpful for attention-seeking barking, play barking, excitement barking and frustration barking.

What’s the secret ingredient that many barkers want? Your attention! Barkers who are trying to get a reaction from you, whether it’s to get you to throw the ball or hurry up and serve dinner, are looking for some sort of acknowledgement from you when they bark.

You can help your dog understand that barking doesn’t work. By doing the opposite of what your dog wants when they bark, you can train your dog to stop barking for attention:

Turn away, walk out of the room, drop the ball or put the leash down. Wait for a moment of quiet, or a calm. Sit, and then pay attention to your dog. With consistency, your dog will bark less because they understand that quiet works and barking doesn’t.

(Photo: Tyler, Dash and Cody getting a forest walk!) 

Add More Exercise 

Management and training solution: helpful for all barkers.

Nearly every dog can benefit from more exercise, both mental and physical. A dog who has had a good workout will be less likely to be on alert for perceived interlopers or feel the need to pester you for attention.

Take the time to wear your dog out every day with a game of fetch or tug, and get their brain activated by introducing mind-teasers like “find the toy” and hide-and-seek. Remember, a tired dog is a quiet dog!