Hi all-
I am neck deep in exams but figure I can still do some training with puppy man. Barking seems easy-except to be honest, I have never tried to MAKE a pooch bark- in my life with dogs so far I was much more likely to be yelling "shut up, you fool!"
Puppy man barks like mad at the vacuum-so I have been encouraging this by saying, "Bark! Bark!" I think I sound like a idiot, I know there is a better command (I plan on trying schutzhund with him). Plus it only works when the vacuum is on-if i tell him "Bark!" when it's not, he just looks at me funny, then jumps on me-which is his reaction to most anything he doesn't understand but still interprets as friendly.
Downs and sits and stays are easy-I just gave a command over and over and manuevered a treat around him until he was in the desired position, then he got the treat. He does all those things now, more or less eagerly. He anticipates too often though. (good days, and then there are puppy days) But I can't get him to bark like that!
Also the vacuum as training tool is tricky-because sometimes he is rushing it while barking, getting ready to bite it, and I don't want confusion over which behavior I am encouraging!

Whoa there Nellie, For dogs A=B or stimulus-responce-reward. By using the command to bark when he is barking at the vacuum you're enouraging agression toward the vacuum cleaner.

Try using a ball or food with a bark or speak command. Enthusiam is the Key. Use a high pitch with a lot of inflection in your voice. Remember (stimulus) speak - (responce) bark - (reward) food or ball.

Ah...
Hard to get barks from him with toys-plenty of growls and um, noises? but no barkies yet. I do encourage the noises, and the growling, with the high pitched happy responses, but now I was reading on another thread something about the schutzhund judges don't like growling during biting so - heck.
I need a trainer. I have good intentions, but ...we all know where that road leads.

Alex : you can always use the crate as a barrier and talk to the dog and reward when he barks ,like you want out ,tell me .Barks reward,or i have used a baby gate between rooms,have the dog on one side and get him to bark .Then you get him to bark ,then they never shut up lol Peter

Considering all the crate issues you are already having with puppy man, I would not reccomend you do that.

Don't worry about it too much. My dog was HARD to get to bark as a young dog. Then when the light went off in his little pea brain it was all good.

Not to mention that once you start a habit of barking in the crate to "let me out". It's gonna be a real pain in the butt to get him to stop when you want the dog to be quiet in the crate.

I'm not a fan of encouraging barking for no reason.

My pup is being a pain in the butt with her barking. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Older dogs quite barking and she continues. Almost sounds like a coonhound on the tree. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Let's hope she barks as much when we do the Bark & Hold.

Becareful for what you wish for!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Does your pup bark when someone rings the doorbell?

Get someone to ring the doorbell and then say "speak" or "Bark" just BEFORE she actually barks (timing is everything) and then PRAISE.

Oh yea....
I taught my boy this at a young age......it is possible but make sure he does not look at it as an response to "win" everything. I utilized the crate.......but with your issues I agree to not do that.
If you tie him out you will get the same idea.....use toy, food...whatever works. Say the command you wish to use while teasing him..(I use geblout)...when he barks or makes a noise praise him "good geblout" or whatever. If he makes a noise usually you can get him riled up enough to bark. I would also stay away from encouraging it at the vacuum as he may be looking at the vacuum in a certain drive.....you dont want to encourage most likely.
Don't give up....keep it fun.
Pat
P.S.----Deanna....the new one is crazy though....sure it wont be a problem there.....maybe to stop it though...lol <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />