How Teaching Your Dog to Bark on Command Can Actually Stop Excessive Barking

It might sound backwards, but one of the most effective ways to quiet a noisy dog is to first teach them to bark on command.

Yes, really.

Dogs often bark because they’re overstimulated, anxious, or simply trying to get your attention. By giving them a structured way to use their voice, you can actually gain more control over when and how they bark.

Step 1: Encourage the Bark

Start by finding what naturally makes your dog bark—maybe it’s the doorbell, the hoover, or people walking past the window. Use this to your advantage.

• When your dog starts to bark, use a command like “Speak” or “Talk”.
• Immediately follow up with praise and a treat.

Here’s the trick: dogs can’t bark and eat at the same time, so the treat interrupts the barking. With repetition, your dog will start to associate the command with barking and the reward with stopping.

Over time, practice this until your dog can bark on command even without the usual trigger.

Step 2: Teach “Quiet”

Now that your dog has learned to bark on cue, it’s time to teach the opposite: silence.

• Pick a brand-new command, like “Settle”, “Quiet”, or “Hush”—anything totally different from what you’ve used before.
• When your dog barks on command, wait a moment and then give the quiet command.
• As soon as they pause, offer a treat again.

Just like before, they can’t bark and chew. Consistency is key here—reward the silence every time.

Bonus Tip: Support Their Mental Focus Naturally

Training a vocal dog requires patience—and a bit of brain power from your dog! Our Calm and Focus tincture is a gentle, natural support for dogs who get a little too excited, distracted, or overwhelmed. Ideal for training sessions, it helps encourage mental clarity and focus, so your dog can learn more quickly and stay calm under pressure.

With time and persistence—and a little natural support—you’ll be able to manage your dog’s barking with just a word. No shouting, no stress.