How to Train Your Dog to Not Bark When Playing

Hello Jeff, Work on teaching her the "Quiet" command and the "Out" command. Also, work on getting her really excited and then suddenly giving her a command. When you give her the command, stop all play and wait until she obeys. When she obeys, then reward her, and after a minute tell her "Okay" and start playing again. Do this to help her learn self-control and how to calm herself down. Check out the article below and follow the "Quiet" method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark To teach her "Out", toss a large treat several feet away from you, while with the same hand, you point to where you want her to go with your pointer finger. When she runs over to get the food, praise her. As soon as she finishes eating the treat, tell her "Okay" to indicate that she can come back toward you, and encourage her back. Repeat this often until you can point and say "Out" and she will go to where you are pointing before you toss the treat. When she does that, then toss the treat to her when she is in the correct spot, away from you, where you pointed. Next, transition to using it in real life. Whenever she disobeys the "Out" command, then get in front of her and calmly and firmly walk toward her until she backs out of the area you told her to get out of. Continue to block her and stand firm until she gives up trying to go back to where you told her to leave. If she tries to return to the area you told her to leave once you walk back there or away from there, then repeat walking toward her. Expect to repeat it a lot at first. The more consistent you are about enforcing her staying out of somewhere you have told her to leave, the more likely she is to respect your command. Practice in the kitchen, around things she wants to bother like plants, and finally, around other dogs. Start with calmer dogs first and work up to her favorite play buddies. Keep her out of the area you tell her to leave, until she is told "Okay", so that she will learn to learn and stay out of an area through your consistency. This takes repetition. Once she knows "Quiet", "Out", and how to calm herself, then when she is playing give her instructions. Tell her "Quiet" when she barks, and if she continues to bark, tell her "Out" and get between her and the other dog and walk toward her until she leaves the other dog alone, then give her time to calm back down. When she is calm, release her with "Okay" to let her play again. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Karly, Work on teaching her the "Quiet" command and the "Out" command. Also, work on getting her really excited and then suddenly giving her a command. When you give her the command, stop all play and wait until she obeys. When she obeys, then reward her, and after a minute tell her "Okay" and start playing again. Do this to help her learn self-control and how to calm herself down. Check out the article below and follow the "Quiet" method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark To teach her "Out", toss a large treat several feet away from you, while with the same hand, pointing to where you want her to go with your pointer finger. When she runs over to get the food, praise her. As soon as she finishes eating the treat, tell her "Okay" to indicate that she can come back toward you, and encourage her back. Repeat this often until you can point and say "Out" and she will go to where you are pointing before you toss the treat. When she does that, then toss the treat to her when she is in the correct spot, away from you, where you pointed. Next, transition to using it in real life. Whenever she disobeys the "Out" command, then get in front of her and calmly and firmly walk toward her until she backs out of the area you told her to get out of. Continue to block her and stand firm until she gives up trying to go back to where you told her to leave. If she tries to return to the area you told her to leave once you walk back there or away from there, then repeat walking toward her. Expect to repeat it a lot at first. The more consistent you are about enforcing her staying out of somewhere you have told her to leave, the more likely she is to respect your command. Practice in the kitchen, around things she wants to bother like plants, and finally, around other dogs. Keep her out of the area you tell her to leave, until she is told "Okay", so that she will learn to learn and stay out of an area through your consistency. This takes repetition. Once she knows "Quiet", "Out", and how to calm herself, then when she is playing give her instructions. Tell her "Quiet" when she barks, and if she continues to bark, tell her "Out" and get between her and the other dog and walk toward her until she leaves the other dog alone, then give her time to calm back down. When she is calm, if the other dog wants to play or she can be calm around the other dog now, then release her with "Okay" to let her play again. Be very consistent with this. Expect it to several repetitions of making her leave the area before she gives up. If the barking continues, even after she leaves the area, then purchase a small canister of Pressurized air, called a Pet Convincer. Tell her "Quiet" one more time. If she disobeys, then tell her "Ah Ah" while spraying a bit of air at her side, by her rib cage. Do not spray her in the face. The air is simply to snap her out of the barking, since barking is a self-perpetuating behavior, meaning that it is it's own reward. When she is calm and leaving the other dog alone or playing quietly with him, then reward her with calm praise and treats. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Leticia, First, I suggest teaching the "Quiet" command using the "Quiet" method from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, I suggest teaching an "Out" command - which means leave the area, to use when she needs a time out to calm back down, or if disobeys your Quiet command. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Once she knows the Out command, to avoid being bitten during the wrestling, I suggest keeping a drag leash on her that doesn't have a handle, so that you can simply step on the leash if she ignored your command, pick it up and lead her away from your husky to enforce obedience. Check out VirChewLy leashes from the link below for something durable that is less likely to get caught on furniture (only use the leash on her when you are supervising). VirChewLy leashes: https://www.amazon.com/VirChewLy-Indestructible-Leash-Medium-Black/dp/B001W8457I?psc=1&SubscriptionId=0ENGV10E9K9QDNSJ5C82&tag=lidotr-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B001W8457I Work on obedience with your Husky as well so that she will respond to commands and leave the area or become quiet as needed also. Be careful anytime you are trying to get between two dogs - use the right tools and precautions to avoid teeth, such as drag leashes. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Emmy, I suggest teaching her a command such as Quiet or Out - which means leave the area. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Out command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Work on those two command and also following the "how to use out to deal with pushy behavior" section of the Out article. If the barking continues as disobedience once you tell her Quiet or Out, then it's time to use a punisher carefully to interrupt her obsessiveness and calm her down enough to redirect her focus onto something more appropriate. You can use a Pet Convincer, which is a small canister of pressurized air sprayed briefly at her side to surprise her. Only use the unscented air and NOT citronella - which lingers to long .Teach her Out and Quiet first though, so that the discipline is for disobeying your command when she continues to bark, which helps her understand why she is being disciplined and how to avoid it in the future. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Moyra, I suggest teaching the "Quiet" command from the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Once she has learned what Quiet means, use that command when she barks and hide the ball until she stops barking. When she stops barking for even a second, throw the ball for her as a reward for barking. Once you have practiced that so that she understands that she is supposed to be quiet when told quiet and will be given the ball if she obeys, if she still continues to bark regularly after a couple of weeks, then I suggest looking into a high quality bark collar (NOT citronella). Do your research into brands and quality. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Destiny, Check out the Quiet method from the article I have linked below. That method details how to use door knocking to trigger barking at home. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Alexandra, First, be sure to give pup something to hold in their mouth while they play. Since pup it little it shouldn't be too heavy, and long usually works better for play to avoid puppy teeth. Second, feed pup their food via dog food stuffed hollow chew toys, like kongs, or other durable treat dispensing devices (make sure it can with stand chewing), such as puzzle toys and a long wobble. When playing fetch, play with two balls, so that you can command pup to drop the first one and have a second one hidden behind your back you can throw - minimizing needing to tug the first ball away from pup or pup having an empty mouth to bite you for long. Play games like find it - where you hide treats around and let pup search for them, or come games like round Robin and hide and seek - having pup sit and receive a treat when they get to the person, to teach good manners at the same time. Practice handling exercises - where you use pups meal kibble. Touch an area like their should while feeding a treat. Touch an ear, touch a paw, touch their collar, touch their back, touch their tail, gently open their mouth, touch their belly, ect...each time you gently touch give a treat with your other hand. Do this every day if you can. This prepares pup for kids, the vets, grooming, and social interactions in general, but can also help pup bite less when touched. Do this daily for at least six months, then at least a couple times a week for the next couple of years to ensure pup stays tolerant through adulthood. Again, when playing with pup, give them something to hold in their mouth during play - retrievers can be especially strong mothers because they were bred to use their mouths. It's normal, so give them another outlet for it, like holding a toy. When puppy bites you, check out the article linked below on puppy mouthing. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Also, know that when the biting gets really out of hand, pup might actually be over tired and need some quiet time to chew a toy and rest in the crate or exercise pen where its quiet. Puppies tend to get really wound up when over tired or if they aren't given mental or physical exercise. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Rylee, For the barking I suggest combining a few things in your case. First, you need a way to communicate with her so I suggest teaching the Quiet command from the Quiet method in the article I have linked below - don't expect this alone to work but it will be part of the puzzle for what I will suggest next. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Next, once pup understands what Quiet means you will choose an interrupter - such as a Pet Convincer or vibration collar. A Pet convincer is a small canister of pressurized, unscented air that you can spray a quick puff of at the dog's side to surprise them enough to help them calm back down. (Don't use citronella and avoid spraying in the face!). In situations where you know pup will bark or is already barking (catch them before they bark if you can), command "Quiet". If they obey, reward with a treat and very calm praise. If they bark anyway, or stop then immediately start, or continue to bark, say "Ah Ah" firmly but calmly and give a brief correction. Repeat the correction each time they bark until you get a brief pause in the barking. When they pause, praise and reward then. The combination of communication, correction, and rewarding - with the "Ah Ah" and praise to mark their good and bad behavior with the right timing, is very important. Don't correct while she is in the middle of playing with another dog because she might think the sensation was actually caused by the other dog. Practice this between you and her. Also, pause your play whenever she barks as well. When she is quiet again, tell her "Play!" Or whatever word or phrase you choose, to let her know you will resume playing with her now that she is calmer. You want her to learn that the quickest way to return to the game is to calm herself down, not bark at you more to demand play. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello. I have seen this many times. This is a behavior that is a bit tricky to correct, because in his brain, he is doing what he is suppose to do, and he's also just expressing himself! He's also getting all of his pent up energy out which is probably nice for you. But yes, other people don't seem to enjoy this from other dogs very much. There are a few options. Rarely do I give advice regarding correction collars, but this may be a route to think about. They make bark collars in a variety of forms. The typical shock collar that we are familiar with. A citronella collar, which I am not going to suggest in this setting because it could get on other dogs. And a collar that emits a high pitched sound when your dog barks. That is my suggestion. Those don't cause harm in any form, and are affordable. Another option is working on conditioning him out of his habit. This is a very long process, but can actually be used with the collar in hopes of speeding things up. Go to the park prepared and armed with treats. You may actually have to stand outside the gate, or in an area where other dogs won't go crazy over your treats. Once he starts barking, you get his attention. Give him a command such as "quiet". Call him over to you, make him sit. Give him a treat when he calms down. Then let him go. You will likely have to repeat this process a number of times over the course of a few months to turn it around. That is a typical timeframe for this type of behavior modification. I hope I was able to give you some insight into this problem you are having. Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for writing in!

Hello Jess, I suggest teaching pup the Leave It and Out commands and refereeing the dogs when pup is getting overly excited. You will also find that practicing regular obedience that's a bit hard for pup - like Place, Down, Leave It, ect... can help pup calm down too. Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Out - which means leave the area. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, Meg is at the perfect age to start obedience training. This will help to socialize her with other dogs and people, provide her with exercise, and tire her out somewhat so that she is calmer. You will also learn the skills you need to handle her on walks. Start the obedience training at home before starting classes: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-dog-basic-obedience. As well, Meg will benefit from being taught to heel while on walks. She'll be focussed on you and not pull or bark. This guide has excellent methods to try: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel. Start with training a few minutes each walk, working up to always heeling when on walks unless it's sniff and pee or poop time. Good luck and enjoy the training - she's a clever breed and will learn quickly!

Hello Eliza, I recommend teaching "Jazz Up Settle Down"...It's a bit like red light green light for dogs. First, away from the ball, start playing with pup until they are just a little excited, then suddenly freeze and give a command like Sit. Wait until pup calms down and obeys, even if that takes pup several minutes. After it's been five minutes, if pup hasn't obeyed, give the command again in case they forgot by then. Only use a command pup knows well. Once pup finally obeys, offer a treat that was hidden in your pocket, then tell pup after they eat "Let's Play!" or something similar to re-initiate the game again. Practice this after several days regularly until pup can immediately obey in the middle of play. When pup can obey at that excitement level, then gradually increase the excitement level pup gets to before you give the command overtime. Only increase the excitement level again when pup has gotten to the point where they can immediately obey at the current excitement level. Once pup can handle being really excited and still being able to calm back down, then start introducing the ball into your training, starting with the ball not bouncing, and gradually adding the movement of the ball more and more as pup gets better at this game. Once pup can obey your command quickly, use other commands like Out, Leave It, Down, and Place to direct pup while you play, and reward pup for obeying those commands and holding them - like staying on Place, for gradually longer and longer periods of time during your ball game. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, Frost is a vocal breed who loves to show excitement with his voice. He's young and will most likely grow out of the habit. In the meantime, you can teach him the quiet command. Practice it every day, not just when barking in excitement is an issue. Take a look here: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark. Use the Quiet Method, and once Frost knows it, you can use it in many situations. It will soon be second nature for Frost to quiet down when he hears the command. Then, you can apply it to playtime and you should not even have to raise your voice. In fact, keeping it at a normal tone will prevent Frost from getting rowdier. As for dropping the toy, try having Frost deliver the toy to your hand. Get him used to that way of playing and you may be able to revert him to dropping it without picking it up: https://wagwalking.com/training/deliver-to-your-hand. Good luck and happy training!

Hello Alexis, The growling with toys and when you get up are a form of aggression - but thankfully its early so you can begin addressing it now. Growling at people is likely due to fear, I highly recommend socializing pup as much as possible - since her breed can be more suspicious and sensitive about new people in general. Work on teaching Out, Off, and Drop It - rewarding pup for obedience with protest with a treat, and using a drag leash on pup to calmly enforce the command and move pup away while you are home to supervise, and make sure the leash doesn't get caught. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It section - practice Drop It often - trading pup a treat or another toy for obedience to build pup's trust with you, so they feel less defensive when you take things in real life. When you need to take something for real, give pup one of their toys instead. Don't mess with pup's food or them while they are eating unless you are rewarding pup with better treats for tolerance - that can cause resource guarding when done wrong. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-to-fetch/ Free PDF e-book, AFTER You Get Your Puppy, with great socialization information, that can be downloaded at the link below: www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads The nipping is probably normal puppy mouthing. A puppy class is something I would recommend for the socialization and biting - look for one that has time for off-leash play with other puppies to help with socialization and learning to control her mouth through play. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ Leave It and Bite Inhibition methods for the biting: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Check out the article linked below for some general ways to build respect gently over the next year. Practicing training and commands with rewards is also a great way to build trust and respect, and stimulate pup physically and mentally - which are all super important for sensitive, driven, intelligent breeds like Malinois. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you If you haven't done so already, I would spend a lot of time researching training specific to malinois and connecting with other malinois owners, such as facebook groups, dog forums, training clubs ect... Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello. Here is information on puppy nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.

Hello. Here is information on puppy nipping/biting. Nipping: Puppies may nip for a number of reasons. Nipping can be a means of energy release, getting attention, interacting and exploring their environment or it could be a habit that helps with teething. Whatever the cause, nipping can still be painful for the receiver, and it’s an action that pet parents want to curb. Some ways to stop biting before it becomes a real problem include: Using teething toys. Distracting with and redirecting your dog’s biting to safe and durable chew toys is one way to keep them from focusing their mouthy energies to an approved location and teach them what biting habits are acceptable. Making sure your dog is getting the proper amount of exercise. Exercise is huge. Different dogs have different exercise needs based on their breed and size, so check with your veterinarian to make sure that yours is getting the exercise they need. Dogs—and especially puppies—use their playtime to get out extra energy. With too much pent-up energy, your pup may resort to play biting. Having them expel their energy in positive ways - including both physical and mental exercise - will help mitigate extra nips. Being consistent. Training your dog takes patience, practice and consistency. With the right training techniques and commitment, your dog will learn what is preferred behavior. While sometimes it may be easier to let a little nipping activity go, be sure to remain consistent in your cues and redirection. That way, boundaries are clear to your dog. Using positive reinforcement. To establish preferred behaviors, use positive reinforcement when your dog exhibits the correct behavior. For instance, praise and treat your puppy when they listen to your cue to stop unwanted biting as well as when they choose an appropriate teething toy on their own. Saying “Ouch!” The next time your puppy becomes too exuberant and nips you, say “OUCH!” in a very shocked tone and immediately stop playing with them. Your puppy should learn - just as they did with their littermates - that their form of play has become unwanted. When they stop, ensure that you follow up with positive reinforcement by offering praise, treat and/or resuming play. Letting every interaction with your puppy be a learning opportunity. While there are moments of dedicated training time, every interaction with your dog can be used as a potential teaching moment.

Hello Peini, Check out the Surprise method from the article I have linked below. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Sarka, I am assuming by the sound of it that pup is barking while following your husband's bike down the trail. If that's the case, I recommend desensitizing pup to the movement of the bike gradually, rewarding quietness while the bike is moving. Check out the Quiet and Desensitize methods: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Once pup knows those commands, practice getting the bike out, rewarding whenever pup is quiet while you do so, stopping the bike movement and rewards if pup barks. Remining pup to be Quiet with the Quiet command if needed, then rewarding when pup stops barking and stays quiet for at least a few seconds. As pup improves, transition from practicing just getting the bike out, to getting on the bike, to peddling very slowly - you may need to hold onto another person to go slow enough for pup to stay quiet at first, to riding normal, to riding slowly on the trail, to riding faster, faster, faster, until you are back up to a normal ride with all of it's excitement. This will be a very gradual process, probably over the course of a couple months with practice around the bike for at least a few minutes several times a week, rewarding the quietness each session to create a habit of being quiet - that quiet habit needs to become very ingrained and strong for pup to maintain it in the presence of the very exciting, fast paced ride on the trail. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello! Your best bet is to reward him greatly for being quiet. Make being quiet when other dogs ignore him far more valuable than the attention he gets from barking at them. In the same vein, do you have a "focus" or a "look" command? If not, it's a good time to start working on one. That way, you ask him to focus on you, or look at you, then he'll be quiet and you reward that. Eventually he'll be looking at you all the time, just checking in on his own, asking you for guidance.

Hello Kathleen, For the barking, check out the Quiet method and the Desensitize method I have linked and the video series on barking below. Quiet method and Desensitize method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Barking videos: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA4pob0Wl0W2agO7frSjia1hG85IyA6a Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Gayathri, I recommend seeing if there is a puppy class that has time for moderated off-leash play, with puppies of similar age. It sounds like pup wants to play but because they haven't been around many dogs recently they aren't sure how to do so in a socially acceptable way and feel a little insecure about the interactions due to a lack of exposure. Puppies tend to learn proper social cues, confidence, and how to interact from playing with other puppies. Other puppies are also a safer way for pup to learn, with you and the class instructor moderating the interactions to make sure no puppy feels overwhelmed or bullied while playing. Check out the article I have linked below. You can also look for a puppy play group or get together with friends and their puppies. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/puppy-classes-when-to-start/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden