I’ve got a 3.5-month-old beagle/sheltie mix, and he barks a lot. Like, he’ll bark even after he’s been fed, exercised, and had some mental stimulation. I’ve tried redirecting him, but it doesn’t last long—he stops for a moment and then goes right back to barking. It’s especially bad when I leave him alone for a couple of hours or if we’re separated by a door. He knows basic commands like sit, paw, and look/focus. Any ideas on how to manage this?
You might want to try teaching him ‘quiet’ and ‘speak’ commands. It can help him understand when barking is okay and when it’s not.
BeachPlizz said:
You might want to try teaching him ‘quiet’ and ‘speak’ commands. It can help him understand when barking is okay and when it’s not.
I hadn’t thought of that. How do you even start teaching something like that?
@GalacticGlider
Start by rewarding him when he barks on cue for ‘speak,’ then immediately follow it with teaching ‘quiet.’ Positive reinforcement works best!
Since he’s still a puppy, you might just need to give it more time. How often are you practicing ‘leave it’ with him?
Lucypiper said:
Since he’s still a puppy, you might just need to give it more time. How often are you practicing ‘leave it’ with him?
We’ve been working on ‘leave it’ for the last two weeks. Can I use it for barking too?
@GalacticGlider
Yep, it works for barking! Just be consistent and make sure to practice it in all the places he tends to bark a lot.
Some breeds are naturally barky, especially beagles. Have you considered a vibrating bark collar? It interrupts them without hurting.
lokielf said:
Some breeds are naturally barky, especially beagles. Have you considered a vibrating bark collar? It interrupts them without hurting.
I’ve seen those but wasn’t sure if they’re safe. Do they really work?
@GalacticGlider
They’re totally safe and just give a gentle vibration. Might be worth trying for persistent barking.
I had the same issue with my pup. Teaching ‘quiet’ while using a clicker helped us a lot.
PetProPaula said:
I had the same issue with my pup. Teaching ‘quiet’ while using a clicker helped us a lot.
I’ve heard about clicker training but haven’t tried it yet. Any tips on getting started?
@GalacticGlider
Start with simple commands he knows, like ‘sit,’ and reward with a click. Then move to ‘quiet’ once he gets the hang of it.
Don’t forget, he’s still young. With time and consistent training, the excessive barking should get better!
Dolph said:
Don’t forget, he’s still young. With time and consistent training, the excessive barking should get better!
Thanks for the encouragement. I just want to make sure I’m doing everything right!
@GalacticGlider
You’re doing great! Just keep working on those commands and stay consistent. He’ll get there. 