Yap dog, please help.
- Thread starter renegade7
- Start date
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Decide on a command gesture that will mean "quiet"--you could use the word 'quiet' as well, but talking might make him think you are joining in the barking as well, which will just escalate things. When he barks, wait for him to shut up for a few seconds. Then make the gesture and toss a treat/give a reward (but I would avoid verbal praise). Repeat every time he stops a barking session for a few seconds.
After awhile you will be able to make the gesture first and get him to be quiet (but don't be surprised if this takes time--the dog needs to puzzle out what it is you are expecting of him). Then after you make the gesture, you can start waiting for longer periods before you give the reward. Eventually it should click in his doggy-brain that when you make that gesture, you want him to shut his trap.
But really, this is no different than training a dog to do anything else. Reward the good behaviour, and don't let him get rewarded for bad behaviour. Be patient, keep things simple enough for him to understand, and be consistent.
After awhile you will be able to make the gesture first and get him to be quiet (but don't be surprised if this takes time--the dog needs to puzzle out what it is you are expecting of him). Then after you make the gesture, you can start waiting for longer periods before you give the reward. Eventually it should click in his doggy-brain that when you make that gesture, you want him to shut his trap.
But really, this is no different than training a dog to do anything else. Reward the good behaviour, and don't let him get rewarded for bad behaviour. Be patient, keep things simple enough for him to understand, and be consistent.