We mightehave the dumbest dog in the world. How do we train him to bark more.?

Question

My wife and I bought a pitbull when he was a puppy and he was the cutest little thing, but we bought him because they are known to be mean and aggressive and we want a dog to protect the house.

Charlie is a little over a year old now, but he never barks at anyone who comes near the house, not the mailman, not the ups mam..... Nothing.

We want him to bark and let us know when unknown people approach but instead he just stares at them, sometimes wagging his tail.

My wife and I put masks on the other day to try and simulate as if we were breaking into the house, but Charlie just kept wagging his tail and when we approached the gate he got down on his back for a belly rub.

Is my dog just dumb? Or is there a way to train him?

Answer 1

since barking does not come naturally to most pits and to many other dogs out there who have NOT an assertive nature, there is not much you can do if anything. you might try association with another dog who does bark demandingly, take them for walks together, perhaps if he hears or sees another dog barking he might do likewise.



however, your situation is well identified....long ago when I first attended dog shows there were old timers there who were breeding dogs years earlier, the silence of dog at shows was considered important in the declines of the nature of dogs and this was years ago...I heard and read again and again of the loss of the spirited barking once so common. in the future look for a dog who comes from sire and dam who have the spirit you desire.

Answer 2

Yeah pittbulls are some inbred mistakes of dogs. Pittbulls and Brindle copper bastard mistakes of life. This makes their brains off. They are off. Like lenny from mice and men. They will attack other people and that's the end of that. It's worthless if you can't control it.

Answer 3

Well, first, dogs are not dumb, even pit bulls have smarts.

Some dogs like PB or even rotties and dobbies are not much for barking.

Their behavior is all about their training.

The best dogs I had that were great protectors were a GSD, doberman, those hardly bark, but if they growl, they mean business. and a lab retriever, he was a little more vocal, but these dogs were well trained from pups.

Now pit bulls are very stubborn to train, but the right professional could work with your dog and have a good watchdog or protector. You don't want them to be just aggressive dogs, that can have serious repercussions.

Aggressive dogs make the worst for the task.

Answer 4

You are the dumbest owners in the world. If you wanted a guard dog you should have gotten one already trained by a professional.

Answer 5

You can not change its behaviour. But you can change it.

Answer 6

Yorkie's and Poms are LITERALLY KNOWN for barking so I would suggest them

Answer 7

dog owners like you is what gives the pitbull a reputation.

Answer 8

As the others have said, although some will guard, then Pit Bulls are not guard dogs. I have a guard dog breed myself and it's a completely different ball game.



I would not, and I mean absolutely not, try to make a dog mean, you could seriously mess up the poor thing and he sounds absolutely lovely. A Pit Bull is also a deterrent in itself, just put up on of these "beware of dog" signs and strangers will proably think twice about enteing.



What you can do is that you can teach him through fun and games to bark when people come to the house. It won't be because he's fierce, protective, or territorial, but because he'll think it's fun, but hey... to most people a barking dog is a barking dog.



Personally I wouldn't do it though, just enjoy your peace and your happy-go-lucky goofball. He's also still very young, if he has any guard dog in him, it can still surface on its own.

Answer 9

Pits do NOT make for good guard dogs. They tend to be dog aggressive & not so much human aggression. I would not have a pit for anything in the world. They have an unreliable temperament. He is just now coming close to the age that he will start being territorial & start letting you know when someone/something is invading his territory. He is a puppy until he is 18 months old & will not fully mature until he is 3 yrs old. So he is still just a baby. Not even old enough to breed.



Guard dogs need training so you have complete control over all they do. Quite costly but a Pit is not a breed to use as a guard dog. He could let the neighbor in but kill the neighbors dog. I don't trust a pit. Worked with a whole lot of them but I would never have one.



You pay $50 for a pit & then add $20,000 for its training, no. Get a good quality dog that would be trainable & put it through the Aggression/guard dog/personal protection training. $2,000 to $3,000 for a dog & the cost of the training.



If he does ever start showing aggression, remember you & he has NO controls over his behavior & could turn on you for no apparent reason, could even kill you in his rage. I don't trust pits.

Answer 10

Nope, dog not dumb, dog is behaving exactly like this type of dog is supposed to. If you had done even one lick of research, you would have learned that pitbulls are not supposed to be human aggressive. They are supposed to be dog aggressive and specifically bred to fight other dogs, but never to attack a human. Any pit that showed human aggression was killed, that was not a trait wanted in a fighting dog.



So, blame the owners, not the dog.

Answer 11

I got my female staffordshire bull terrier when she was 8 months old and had the same, and other issues with her. These breeds of dogs are very affectionate, loving, caring dogs bred for big game hunting and unfortunately, yes, fighting. It is their natural instinct to love, play, and wrestle/fight as well as defend who they love who loves them.



How I trained my furbaby to defend my home was pretty easy, she caught on quick but it took some time as well as me allowing her to mature and know and understand what her territory and home was. How I did it was repeatedly show her by making her sit at the edges of the property, pointing to a line or drawing one in the air and saying "gaurd", "home". Not just once in a while - every single time until she started getting it.



Charlie will naturally and instinctively get this too as he matures. It will help to wrestle with him and play ball with him, don't always throw the ball kick it too so he learns that us humans can also use our feet and he'll learn how to "milk shake" (defend and respond offensively when he needs to) to someone kicking at him. Right now he is still a puppy and will be until he's full grown when he's around 2 years old. Now is the best time for training. My girl is now going to be 6 but she's extremely intelligent, very affectionate, and because of how I repeatedly-every-single-time trained her she is VERY responsive to commands. If someone says the trigger words "Gaurd" or "Home" (I've also trained her with those words in other languages) IT. IS. --->ON<--- when she hears them. She will get up like a guard dog at the gates of hell and all-but take the door down when someone she doesn't know knocks, when someone new or a stranger comes within the boundries we set wheather she's inside or out it's the same thing - she lets them know she's there, lets me know they are there, and scares the soil out of them if she needs to but she also immediately quiets and sits on command.



Play with him. Playing is a form of training that teaches an animal how to fight, defend themselves, hunt, guard, and react to situations they come upon. Ever see Lions "playing"? Same thing. Use Pavlov's theory of repetitive response.



I hope this helps, and helps you all including Charlie become the family and dog you wish for. Pit bulls have a bad name because some people are just bad owners. Good or bad an animals behavior is not the animals fault, it is the owners.



There is also always the option of getting him professionally trained. Which really isn't all that expensive. Just, please, if you do entertain the suggestion of having him professionally trained, do your homework on the trainers your prospecting and do your research on that person thoroughly with #1 being Charlie's and #2 being you and your family's best interest.



I could go more in to detail and give you more detailed info of how I got my baby girl to be the way she is, she is absolutely amazing! I've actually started training her to sit and growl a few feet from the door now because the way I've trained her previously I realize now isn't the way I want her to act when someone knocks. I don't want her taking the door down because a package being delivered needs a signature. So I'm now making her sit (I started doing it by holding her there with one hand on her chest "stay" - now she's at the point after just a few times of doing it that she sits where I want her to with "Stay!") But I think you get it. Be Charlie's Alpha. And mold him into the dog you want him to and know he can be. Bull breeds are the best dogs in the world in my opinion, through experience. They are very versatile and adaptive.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull

Answer 12

A pit is a deterrent itself. Plus, they don't bark at random. When they get serious, they growl. Gustavo Woltmann

Answer 13

Try putting him in a washing machine, it works, partially

Answer 14

Sounds like YOU'RE the dumb ones. Did you forget that dogs have a powerful sense of smell? He knew it was his owners, moron. He can recognise your scent.



As for him not barking enough, that's not him being dumb. That's him being himself. Pitbulls aren't born aggressive, they're raised aggressive by abusive idiots. Pitbulls are NOT monsters. The dog you've bought obviously has a nice temperament, and is doing exactly what it's supposed to do.



All the stories you've heard about Pitbulls being naturally aggressive are ill-informed. Pitbulls like those ones are raised by ABUSIVE CRIMINALS who train them to be fighting dogs. They train those dogs to fight OTHER dogs. And they kill any dog that harms a human

Answer 15

You can't just make your dog start barking. He might just be very docile. Would not recommend trying to scare him and make him attack because if he does eventually attack you, you are going to be pissed.

Answer 16

They are not "known" to be mean and aggressive unless they were mistreated and not taught trust. Congratulations! You are an amazing pet owner and your dog is happy and secure. However, if you want to try to make him sound like he's mean, keep his favorite treat around and when he does bark, give him one. Maybe have someone come by and knock on your door a few times. He might be like my dog....a lousy watch dog, but she sure can fake it well for a piece of dried chicken!

Answer 17

Is he still a puppy? Try showing him videos on a big screen of other dogs barking. Search on YouTube videos of dogs barking or playing so your pup can see how it's done. Imitate a dog barking as well. Or try taking him to the dog park?



When my dog was a pup he never barked. It wasn't until I did those things stated above that he began to bark.

Answer 18

L

Answer 19

Your dog is not dumb. Not all dogs bark when someone comes to the house. We went thru that with our Lab. She would bark at other dogs being walked on the street in front of our house, but people??? Heck no - and we did originally want her to bark when people come (we lived on a farm).



There is no way to encourage your dog to bark. You can try playing videos on YouTube with real dogs barking but that's not a guarantee.

Answer 20

Seriously you chose a pitbull to protect your house?!! German shepherds are better.

OK, Charlie ain't dumb, you must know dogs are smart animals. It's more of your dog's individual personality. Let just say Charlie is a very sociable dude. He thinks it's better to make friends with people than to bark at them.

And here is the reason why your 'experiment' didn't work. Dogs are loyal animals and they are able to recognise their owners. Charlie knows it's you and your wife, even though you have masks. Dude, he can smell you.

Take him for training lessons.

Answer 21

probably take him to a trainer..

Answer 22

Pit Bulls are not Barkers he Knew It was by your smell Believe me if time comes for him to take action he will do it Just give him love and it will be Returned Do NOT be MEAN to HIM or you will PAY FOR IT!

Answer 23

I wouldn't say your dog is dumb. All dogs have different personalities and your dog is obviously more of a lover then a fighter.

Answer 24

No, the dog has two ******* idiots for owners. Surrender the dog and get an alarm system.



Jackass.

Answer 25

why ? be happy most people complain the dog barks to much

Answer 26

Sounds like you are stuck with a stupid dog. Dogs are givin the instincts of protection and barking and threats, your dog seems to dumb to know this

Answer 27

Use a German sheperd to "protect"

a small dog that'll alert when someone's is near is a maltipoo but it wont attack

Answer 28

If you want a dog that will bark and protect, get a Husky, Alaskan Malamute, or a Wolf/Dog Hybrid. These dogs, being the closest relatives of wolves, can be as equally dangerous as the pitbull, and they WILL attack intruders naturally without guard dog training needed. They still have the wolf trait of being aggressively committed to protecting their territory and pack. At the same time though, they can actually be very friendly towards the people they love. However, these dogs are still very much wolf like and aren't very new people or rambunctious children friendly. Especially towards strangers, but that's what you want anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLcDuydjjQ0

Answer 29

What you THOUGHT and what reality is on that breed are two very different things.

Answer 30

you were badly misinformed by media propoganda.

Pit Bulls are not guard dogs. They may be dog aggressive, and may have the drive to chase smaller animals, but any good one should not show any kind of aggression towards a human.

Answer 31

You should have done more research. Pitbulls are not barking dogs. You should have picked a German Shepherd, Pomeranian or Chiuhuahua if you wanted dogs that bark at strangers. You lucked out with a sweet tempered pitbull which means no lawsuits. please just love your dog

Answer 32

Dumb assess like you are why Pitbulls are put down and get a bad reputation.

Answer 33

wtf

Answer 34

Bark at the dog.

Answer 35

That's why there are professional dog trainers. They teach dogs to obey certain commands. Just be aware that the breed of dog you have chosen can be very vicious, and you are responsible for someone being injured on your property or if you take the dog onto public property. Many states now require a very expensive insurance policy to cover breeds like you own. Check out your laws for these breeds in your state/city, and then ask your veterinarian for a recommendation to a trainer who can solve your problem of a "quiet" dog.

Answer 36

Sounds like the dog is smarter than you

Answer 37

Wrong breed! Pitties were once called "nanny dogs" for a good reason, they are actually very people friendly (if raised right, as a family member, in the house with the family, not thrown in the back yard alone, on a chain which makes them literally go crazy) .

You can teach him "speak" when he barks give him a treat, then when the door bell rings tell him speak, he will bark, over time he will associate door bell with speak.

We have a St Bernard that is the same way he greets everyone at the door with a wag and a ball in his mouth.... but he will give one good bark when the bell rings, then go on a frienzed hunt for the dumb squeaky tennis ball.

Answer 38

i wouldn't complain my dog barks at everything and the dog would still know it was you even if you were wearing masks by your sent, body shape, way you walk, etc. some dogs aren't protective its not something you really train a dog to be its their personality.

Answer 39

No he is not dumb.

He is confident and does not see everything and all strangers as a threat.

Also he is still very young, and "may" become more territorial as he reaches full maturity.

You CANNOT change the genetic temperament and inborn personality of a dog and just have to accept them as they are.

For your information I own a male intact GSD who has been trained in basic manwork and will give a good show of aggression on command and when threatened by someone.

So he is no wimp.

But....he is a very confident natured dog and does not view all and sundry as a threat, and never barks at anyone who comes to my gate. Why would he? If they stand at my gate and do not show any signs of being threatening, why should he bark at them.

he usually just stands and looks at them from about 5 yards away.

Dogs that bark at all and sundry who come near their home are either very territorial or fearful and often if the object of their barking walks confidently through the gate, they will run and hide. Or do the same if threatened by someone.

Some dogs will bark but then greet you, depending on their temperament.

Just the sight of a Pit Bull or a large dog in the grounds of a house is usually enough to deter any trouble makers. A dog that just stands and "looks" can be more scary than a dog that is more predictable and barks its head off, because its impossible to know if its friendly or not and may be just waiting for you to walk in the gate before it has you.

In the UK its an offence to allow a dog to bite or even frighten legitimate callers like the postman and delivery men that come onto your premises.

I don`t know about US laws regards this issue.

The info on this site may interest you:>http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/25/owners-learn-their-watch-dogs-have-more-bark-than-bite-for-intruders/



By the way.....you dressing up in masks would not fool your dog...he was well aware it was his owners, by their smell and body posture.

Do not try and make your dog aggressive, it may backfire on you and you may end up with a very confused and unpredictable dog. Jmo.

Answer 40

It not the dog. Be glad you have a lovable dog. Get a security light and a alarm.

Answer 41

No your dog isn't dumb you are! Dogs should be treated like part of the family not an effing weapon! You should have saved your money and got an alarm system and let the dog go to a home where the people will actually give a $hit about him!

Answer 42

Pit bulls are not guard dogs. If you are trying to make it mean then you are just one of those people contributing to the pit bull's bad name. They are family dogs. If you want a guard dog get a Rottweiler or a Doberman, or even a Coonhound since their bay is enough to scare people. I've had success with those, protection comes naturally to them.

Answer 43

I'm usually a cat person and would want to turn every dog into sausage or cat food, but ... I love pitbulls.



I once worked at a club, entrance control, you know, and I had two seriously serious looking pitbulls by my side. I knew these two ladies since they were children, and a pitbull, when grown up in a caring family, will NEVER bite anyone. They are the cutest dogs you can imagine. I don't know why they have such a bad reputation, any chihuhawa or dackel is more likely to bite your leg or your finger than a pitbull.

Answer 44

Your dog is NOT the dumbest member of your family!! And nobody should buy a dog to be 'mean and aggressive'. Most dogs would sound the alarm on intruders, clearly not your dog, but I'd be thankful. Not only is expecting a dog to do that, putting him at risk of being done away with by anybody determined to get into your home, but Pit Bulls have a bad enough reputation as it is without anybody encouraging one to be aggressive. And if he did happen to bite somebody, he'd be seized, put down and you fined.



Be thankful you have a happy well adjusted dog.

Answer 45

I wouldn't recommend teaching him to bark. It gets SO VERY OBNOXIOUS. You WILL regret it.



Also, the aggressiveness has been bred out of pit bulls so there's no luck there...

Answer 46

Don't blame your dog for your mistake. Pitbulls were not bred to guard. They were bred to fight other dogs. So your dog will never guard you or your property. What you should have done is bought a German Shepherd Dog. GSDs have the guarding instinct in their genes and training to guard is not needed. Of course if you now acquired a GSD puppy your pitbull would kill him. Now, is your dog dumb or are you?

Answer 47

Put the dog down and try again.

Answer 48

because of the way you have trained and raised the dog, he has no need to be agressive. you have up to now rewarded his happy behavior. if you wanted a dog to guard the house you should have taken him to specialized guard dog training. also, buying a pitbull for their agressivity is a good way to have the dog bite someone they arent supposed to and then get put down.

if you have failed to train your dog as a guard dog up till now, you are not capable of handling a properly trained pitbull as a guard dog. it can be tricky keeping a dogs behavior on the thin line between protective and agressive behavior. if the dog goes past due to your lack of corrective actions, you can get in major legal trouble and the dog will be put down.



the best thing you can do now is just be happy that you have a nice dog and keep treating him nicely.