How to Train Your Dog to Not Bark When Playing

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How to Train Your Dog to Not Bark When Playing

Medium

1-6 Months

Behavior

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Introduction

Playing with your dog is one of the most fun moments of his day. He gets to release some of his energy, spend time with his favorite person, and play games that he loves. Sometimes your dog might get over-excited and start barking. While this is most likely because he's having fun, it can be annoying or even considered a nuisance by neighbors. While this barking behavior may be more likely displayed by certain dog breeds like Border Collies or Australian shepherds, it can happen with any dog that gets a little too excited about ball throwing or playing.

It is possible to teach your dog not to bark when playing, but it may take a few steps to make sure he understands that loud noises are not part of playing the game with you. With some patience and good training skills, you can help him learn that barking won't get him what he wants. This is a useful skill that will work just as well in a crowded park as it will in your home.

Defining Tasks

Barking is a natural behavior and your dog won't understand that it's undesirable for you at first. However, being able to signal your dog to stop barking is important to keeping neighbors, landlords, and other folks at the dog park happy and excited about your dog. Repeated loud barking is a sure way to get on someone's bad side, and it makes playing less fun for you. Some dogs will pick up on this skill faster than others. Herding dogs may have an especially difficult time learning not to bark because they have been bred to use their "voice" to communicate. With extra patience and consistency, they can pick up on the commands and learn to stop barking when you play. With this skill, you can make staying quite a fun part of playtime or even a signal that the game is over.

Getting Started

You won't need very much to get started, and you can begin anywhere you usually play with your dog. Changing a behavior that comes naturally will be difficult at first, so a large dose of patience will be most important. Consistency throughout your training is key. Here are a few props to have on hand when you begin the training.

His favorite throw toy, ball or a stick.
Dog treats you can reward him with.
A pouch to keep treats available and your hands-free.

Teaching your dog not to bark while playing will be well worth the time it takes to get him to stop. Each dog is different, so read through the three methods below to find the best option for your dog. Pretty soon play time will go back to being fun and engaging for both of you.

The Quiet Method

Effective

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Step

Teach your dog to bark

This may sound counter-intuitive, but teaching your dog to bark on command will help teach him to stop on command.

Step

Mark the bark

To begin, try to get your dog to bark. When he does, say "yes" and give him a treat.

Step

Introduce the "bark" command

When he begins to understand what you want, say "bark" after he barks and give him a treat.

Step

Test the command

Soon he should be able to bark when you say the word. Test him by asking him to bark and decreasing the number of times you treat him.

Step

Wait it out

Don't treat your dog when he barks before you give him the command. If he barks when you aren't asking him, ignore the bark. When he's quiet, say "bark" and give him a treat after he barks. This way he learns that he only gets treats when you ask for the bark.

Step

Introduce the 'quiet' command

Once he can bark on command, introduce him to 'quiet.' Ask him to bark and when he does, hold out a treat in your closed fist. As soon as he stops barking to smell, say "quiet" and then open your fist and give him the treat.

Step

Practice

Practice asking him to 'bark' and then to be 'quiet' until he starts to understand that when he stops barking he gets the treat. Practice this in different parts of the house, in the park, and in many other situations.

Step

Introduce during play

Once he's comfortable, introduce 'quiet' during playtime. When he starts to bark, stop playing and say "quiet." Give him a treat when he does. Soon he should stop barking when you give the command, even when he's excited about playing with you.

The Stop Play Method

Effective

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Step

Begin playing with your dog

Start off your training session like any normal play and wait for him to start barking.

Step

Stop playing when he barks

As soon as he starts to bark, stop playing.

Step

Turn your back on him

Turn your back to face away from him to make sure his barks are not rewarded.

Step

Wait three seconds

When he stops barking, wait three seconds and then turn around.

Step

Start playing again

Pick up right where you left off until he barks again.

Step

Repeat

Repeat this process each time he barks when you play, no matter what. With consistency, he will learn that barking is no fun and he should stop.

The Last One Method

Effective

0 Votes

Step

Begin play as normal

This works for dogs who demand you continue playing by barking at you. Begin playing with your dog like normal.

Step

Tell him "last one"

When you are ready to be done, say "last one" right as you throw the ball or stick for the last time.

Step

Stop playing

Stop playing with your dog and pack up.

Step

Ignore any barking

When he starts to bark to get you to play again, ignore him. You can turn your back or begin walking away.

Step

Be consistent

When you've said "last one" to your dog, do not throw the ball or stick again when he barks.

Step

Make it a habit

When you make this command part of your routine, your dog will eventually learn that "last one" means playtime is over, and he will stop barking. It could take a week or a few months depending on the dog, but once it's a habit for both of you, barking should not be an issue.

Success Stories and Training Questions

Training Questions and Answers

Question

Luna

Golden Retriever

1 Year

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Luna

Golden Retriever

1 Year

I rescued my golden Luna when she was 10 months old, and she already had habits like barking. She doesn't always bark at us but more when she wants to initiate play with my other 2 dogs. She won't stop barking until they play with her which gets very irritating!! I try like saying no but she doesn't care half the time. Please help

2 months, 4 weeks ago

Luna's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

147 Dog owners recommended

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

2 months, 4 weeks ago

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Question

Sam (female)

Labradoodle

3 Years

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Sam (female)

Labradoodle

3 Years

She barks like crazy during play (usually a tennis ball, but it's with all toys and play) with our other Labradoodle. It's hard to enjoy playing - that'show bad it has become. I need some tips, tricks and tools to train her not to do this.

3 months ago

Sam (female)'s Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

147 Dog owners recommended

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

3 months ago

Add a comment to Sam (female)'s experience

Was this experience helpful?