How to Teach a Dog to Bark on Command

Generally, we tend to worry when dogs bark, though in reality their barking is part of their communication. They don't bark to annoy us, however much it may seem that way to the neighbours, and only in some cases does barking point to a behavioural disorder.

Either way, the usual thing is wanting the dog to stop, but, strange as it may seem, it can be a good idea to ask them to bark when we tell them to. If you'd like to achieve this, we explain how to do it in this SoyUnPerro article.

Controlling Your Dog's Barking

A good way to manage our dog's barking is teaching them to bark on our command. To do this, the first step is linking the bark to the word we'll choose to trigger it. It's fairly simple. With a little observation of our dog, we know in what circumstances they start barking. For example, when they hear the doorbell.

Also when they want to encourage you to play or go out, or spot a rival dog. At that moment we can say "bark" and reward them. The reward can be food, which tends to motivate them most, though it works better if they haven't just eaten. Another reward is strokes or enthusiastic words of praise.

By repeating this sequence in exactly the same way, the dog will learn that when we say the word "bark", or whichever we choose, as long as it's always the same one, they have to bark. To check whether the learning has worked, it'll be enough to say "bark" at any moment and see whether they bark or not.

How to Get My Dog to Stop Barking

When a dog barks, we can quieten them by distracting their attention, though it's always worth knowing what's causing the barking. Remember they never bark to bother us, but as a way of communicating something. For example, if they bark because they hear a siren on the street, ask them to do some command they know, such as "sit", "come" or "stay".

Reward them right away. This way you're ignoring the barking and reinforcing the positive behaviour you're rewarding. Because of this, they'll tend to repeat it. Try this move as soon as possible. Often the dog gives a growl before barking, or if you know they bark at the same time every day at the bin lorry, get ahead of it and distract them before the barking even starts.

They will bark — they're a dog — but it's not the same for them to do it three times as for twenty minutes straight. Even if sometimes they don't stop or bark at an inconvenient moment, try to stay calm and always keep insisting with the distraction move. It will take more or less time, but they'll end up stopping. Be patient and persistent.

Learning to Bark and Be Quiet on Command

It might seem counterproductive to teach a dog to bark in order to get them not to, but it can actually be a very effective method. Being able to trigger their barking with our command also gives us the chance to introduce a new word for them to be quiet. This could be "quiet", better than "shut up" or "enough".

Given the phonetic similarity of both words to the command "bark", the dog could get confused and think we're still asking them to bark, instead of to be quiet. So we can start by calling them and then telling them to bark. As soon as they do, instead of trying a distraction move with another command, we'll say the word chosen for silence.

At first it's normal for them to keep barking because they don't know what we're asking. That's why it's good to show them a reward — in this case, food will work better. Seeing it, they'll stop for a moment to sniff it. Right then we'll say "quiet" and reward them. After a few repetitions, they'll learn what quiet means and what we're asking of them.

How to Give Basic Commands

It's a good idea for every verbal command to be paired with a gesture done at the same time. For example, "bark" can also be indicated by raising an arm, and "quiet" could be paired with putting a finger to your mouth, just as we do to ask a person to be quiet. Say it clearly and firmly, always without shouting.

Excessive Barking

Sometimes we don't realise it, but without meaning to, we reinforce the dog's barking. If instead of starting a distraction move we shout, get nervous, or, on the other hand, stroke them meaning to calm them down, we actually end up increasing the barking instead of stopping it. With these examples, what we're doing is encouraging them to bark more.

If the barking is excessive, review your dog's daily routines. Every dog needs certain basic conditions for their physical and psychological wellbeing. Besides the obvious ones, related to food, hygiene or vet care, company, exercise, socialisation, training and stimulation are essential for them.

If any of these aspects is lacking, the dog can feel frustrated and show it through unpleasant behaviours such as excessive barking, destructiveness or aggression. In that case you need to change their routines and, if nothing works, contact a professional specialising in canine behaviour or an ethologist.

Bibliography Schlegl-Kofler, Katharina. Escuela de perros. Madrid. Tikal Ediciones.