Teaching the "Quiet Command"

[tychosnova]

I need some help teching the quiet command. Ty speaks on command, but has not yet grasped the concept of "quiet". I try whispering it to him, after his inital alert that ther is someone or something outside, and I have attempted to treat him when he is quiet, but as soon as he gets his treat, he starts up again.
Example: The garbage man...he comes every week, and its someone in our driveway, after Tys 1st inital alert I love him up with Good Boys, then ask him to sit and watch the garbage man, all the while whispering quiet. He is quiet for a second, gets a treat, and then starts the under the breath barking until it gets louder and louder. Any suggestions on how to make this a more effective command, or maybe a different way to teach than when his nemesis is in the driveway?

Thanks! Tychos Mom

 

[simmons]

I would also love to hear some advice on this!!! Our dogs bark all the time, anyone who walks by our house....it's a little annoying. So I started to teach him to speak and he also barks on command. My technique is not working either :(

 

[taryndanae]

I too am interested; however, I cannot seem to teach Cassius to speak or be quiet (any suggestions?)

 

[flowingangel]

Hi, just a thought here, but have you guys tried what we call "fine dining" your dog while the distraction is there? Fine dining is when you take a treat, (chicken wieners, cheese, chicken....., it doesn't have to be a huge piece) break it up into teeny weeny pieces and feed them to your dog while your having a grand old chat saying whatever pops into your head. You can even recite a poem if you want, just as long as you keep chatting it up and try to keep his attention on you while the distraction is there. You can even get his favourite toy and play with him. Make it a happy thing. This way he associates those distractions as good things and after a while you should be able to wean away the fine dining or whatever it is your using. If your stressed about the situation so will your dog. We do fine dining at school when there is a distraction, specially when a dog comes in late into class. While you are fine dining your dog the new dog isn't being stared and barked at by a bunch of other dogs. It makes it easier for everyone. The other dogs hardly notice this new dog walking in and the dog walking in isn't as stressed being the center of attention. You have to make sure that what you have as a distraction for your dog is better than what the distraction that is going on. You might have to up the ante. Maybe you can give this a try, but don't give up after a few tries, don't give up. Good luck!

 

[Slobberchops]

I usually say"ah,ah"loudly to get Waldo's attention,then a few shsh's,this usually works to tone his barks down to a muffled"grumph"