Teaching dogs how to Quiet

[MericoX]

I'm wondering if someone could suggest ways on how to make a dog quiet down?

If someone is outside the house or they hear something, I like for them to warn me that there is "something not right" outside. But going on, and on, and on, and on is just really tiresome now. Usually I'd have to remove them and go lock them in my room. Any ideas?

As well as when we're out and about (more distractions) would the same thing apply? They see people and start barking, I dont know if its to warn them to watch out or what, because they are really friendly if that person gets close to us and they just want to be pet.

Thanks in advance! I'm really trying to make them into model k9 citizens. Recent events have shown me how out of control they are (especially together) and we're trying to change it for the better.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Here's a thread that talks about how to teach "quiet" on cue... so that your dog will bark at strangers, until you tell him to be quiet.

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77518&highlight=quiet

It's very possible that they're learning to bark at people, when they're barking in your house, and then when you get in public that practiced behavior converts to people in public as well. Are you doing clicker training? What I would do, is start with only one dog. When that dog sees a person, IMMEDIATELY click and treat, just for looking at the person. Eventually he'll figure out that looking at people is very fun. If he looks at the person and then looks back at you, click that as well. Keep in mind that it's going to be harder when the person is moving (walking, jogging, biking, etc.), so you might want to start out with people just standing - maybe at the cash register at the pet store, or standing at the water fountain at the park, whatever. Then progress to people walking, then to people biking and jogging. Anytime your dogs look at a person, click before they start barking, and they'll start to "forget" about barking at people.

 

[King Pup]

Sometimes this works with dogs who just won't quieten down and you've tried everything:

Take an old pot or saucepan and put a big-assed bunch of keys in there (if you have one). Shake the keys in the pot over the noisy dog's head. Make a real racket yourself. I've used this in dog runs to quieten rowdy dogs before. It's as if you're saying "I can make noise too, you know!"

 

[rayter]

Give her a benadryl...joke! Give your dog some treats or toys to distract him and divert his attention.

 

[bubbatd]

I've been lucky .... mine have all warned but stop barking when I check and tell them that it's Ok . May be silly . but I've always thanked them , tell them good dog and pat them on the nose . For some reason , a soft touch on the nose has always put mine at ease . I never was taught that , but all my females calmed their pups by mouth to muzzle . Yes, I'm weird !

 

[lizzybeth727]

sorry, wrong post