How do I make my dog bark?

Question

My dog, Jim, really has a problem with barking. When I first got him, all he did was bark until it became an issue with neighbors and I had to yell at him until he stopped. Now it's a few months later, and he only barks if a stranger is at the door and rings the bell.. Problem is, I want him to be able to bark when I tell him to as well, but he will not bark under any normal circumstances. Food doesn't get him, standing in a room with a closed door and asking him to come only results in whining, and IF I manage to convince him that there is a stranger outside, he will bark, and quickly ignore my praise and as soon as possible investigate the assumed stranger. If I am ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door, he refuses to bark.. He even has been known to accidently push closet doors shut after he's gone inside a walk in closet and be silent for 5 plus hours while we worry sick calling him and searching everywhere for him. He's very smart, and very loving, and he learns everything else I've taught him faster then other dogs I've had, but he absolutely cannot seem to grasp that I actually want him to speak... Unless there is a stranger at the door, in which case he joins me to bark at the postman while I sign for my package.. Any help would be appreciated, I'm about to give up since I'm starting to feel like I'm just confusing and frustrating him. I have managed to teach him growl, but he clearly doesn't like it as he doesnt wag his tail and almost seems like he's worried I'll be upset with him for growling at me, so we tend to avoid that one as it obviously upsets him. He was a rescue dog, but aparently he's lived in a kennel his whole life until I got him a year ago.

Answer 1

This is a fun case to work with and I'll be honest, you may not be able to make your dog bark on command. Juts like with a child, yelling at him will yield immediate results, but you run the risk of damaging the child socially and emotionally. This is what happened with your little doggy. You told him not to bark and now he doesn't want to bark around you unless he feels like he may be in danger. If he feels threatened by a sound outside he will bark and bark and not even care about treats or praise.



Here's what you can try. Get a clicker from a local pet store and give him a treat every time he hears the click. Do this for three or four days until he knows exactly what the click means. Then have a friend go to the door. Watch you dog because timing is everything if you want your dog to bark. You need to reward him before he even barks. Once he hears the friend coming to the front door and his ears start to perk, click and give him a treat. Do this for about two days. Then every time the don't reward him until he starts to stand. Click and give him a treat once he stands. Do this for a couple days and then don't reward him until he gives one bark.



If you do this tedious process your should be able to get him comfortable with barking in front of you and hopefully he will nejoy barking around you again.

Answer 2

Here is how I trained a 15 week old Staffy to "speak" on command.

This is the first exercise I trained her to do.



Find your dog's "tickle spot". ( That certain spot that causes a genuine excited bark when you tickle or pet it. My Staffy has a spot right under her jaw in center with a whisker. I tickle this in an upbeat (excited tone) to induce her happy bark.

Once you do this, tie another desired command with tickle/ pet/ praise routine so your pet associates your new bark command with the experience as fun to do.

I have taught my dog a dozen of verifiable responses to command to speak:

She can "say", out, feet, drink, beach,tiki hut, and other various locations she may wish to walk to.

Her all time favorite thing to say so far is " Biscuit", she also does a mean mountain lion impersonation.

Good luck

Answer 3

Some types of animals cannot bark. Such as a Cocker Spaniel has a smaller vocal cord than many other dogs. So this is what may be causing him not to bark and some dogs CANNOT bark at all. Or your dog may be sick. Sometimes there can be a sist on it's throat.

Answer 4

Every dog needs some type of training. The first class I ever took a dog to was https://tr.im/zkYaQ



It's a very basic kind of class. They will help you with your dog, and show you how to work with your dog at home.



They'll also answer any questions you have about your dog's particular problems and how to handle them. The most important thing in dog training is to be consistent and work with your dog at home on the lessons. The PetSmart class teaches sit, down, come, and the very basics every dog needs to know. They will also help socialize your dog. You are unhappy with an untrained dog, and believe it or not, the dog is actually unhappy to. You need to take your dog now, as the older he gets, the harder it will be to correct your dog's bad habits. Plus the classes are fun for you and your dog. My dog went from that first PetSmart class on to advanced obedience classes. You might also contact your local humane society. The one in my area offers obedience classes with a very good trainer at a reduced price.

Answer 5

bark at him & give him a treat each time he barks back. If that doesn't work then get him excited.For example, my 11year old German shepherd starts barking when we're about to take him on a walk. hold a leash to excite him.After he's learned the trick take him for awalk as a bigger reward

Answer 6

If he was kept in a kennel, isolating him probably won't make him bark as that is what he was accustomed to. I would be careful when trying to get him to bark because it may lead to an unpleasant habit.

Answer 7

you didn't say how old the dog is-if it's an older dgg set in his ways it will be harder.i've had many different kinds of dogs some are more prone to speaking than otheres -puppies often grow into it when there ready,this is one command that wasn't easy for me either

Answer 8

make howling noises..lol.