Speak Superstar Speak!
Posted on July 22nd, 2008 by Cynthia D'Amour
Speak for a treat.
I’ve been working on teaching Raindrop to speak on command.
- She barks a lot.
- We live on a corner.
- She likes to say “hi” to everyone.
According to the pros, the best way to teach a dog to not bark is to teach them how to speak on command.
It’s been a trip.
At first I had to catch Raindrop barking and give her a treat.
- She was shocked.
- She stopped barking immediately.
- She’s quite a food dog.
Then it became a game.
- Raindrop would bark.
- And look at me for a treat.
- Didn’t always work.
I’ve incorporated nodding my head into asking Raindrop to speak.
- She’s pretty sharp and barks if I just nod.
- She also barks if I nod and ask something like, “Raindrop, are girls smarter than boys?”
- I’m excited about the cool party tricks we are going to do together…
We haven’t made it to the quiet command yet - and Raindrop is changing.
- She’s barking less on her own.
- She’s happier when she does bark - treats work wonders.
- She seems closer to me due to working with her - a neat side benefit.
I’m wondering about the cross application to people who talk too much…
- Could asking them to speak make them quieter?
- Would they feel closer to me too?
- What do you think the treat would need to be?
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you train your volunteers to speak up when appropriate?
Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Savvy Leadership
