I tried researching how to train a dog to stop barking on command, but all the online guides are like "Okay, so first, hold up a treat, then wait for your dog to bark, then say 'quiet'." But the thing about Toby's barking problem is, it just doesn't apply to food! He's such a gentleman when he's begging.
Of course I'm thankful for this (he begs for food A LOT, so it would be an absolute nightmare if he barked about it), but it also means those training guides don't apply to him. What he DOES bark at is basically any person or dog making themselves known anywhere near our property. For example, our next door neighbors have a dog, and when it barks, Toby barks even more than that dog does. And when anyone in our neighborhood is making any kind of noise, whether it's some kind of machinery or literally just talking in their backyard, Toby won't shut up about that, either.
And if someone is called to our house or yard to do some work, Toby goes BANANAS.
But again, when it comes to food, all that goes out the window and leaves behind a perfect little gentleman.
So, how do I teach him the "quiet" command if he barks at everything but food?
Of course I'm thankful for this (he begs for food A LOT, so it would be an absolute nightmare if he barked about it), but it also means those training guides don't apply to him. What he DOES bark at is basically any person or dog making themselves known anywhere near our property. For example, our next door neighbors have a dog, and when it barks, Toby barks even more than that dog does. And when anyone in our neighborhood is making any kind of noise, whether it's some kind of machinery or literally just talking in their backyard, Toby won't shut up about that, either.
And if someone is called to our house or yard to do some work, Toby goes BANANAS.
But again, when it comes to food, all that goes out the window and leaves behind a perfect little gentleman.
So, how do I teach him the "quiet" command if he barks at everything but food?
