Speak / Quiet

Difficulty: intermediate

Estimated time: 1-3 weeks

Prerequisites: None

Supplies: treats, controlled bark trigger

Age suitability: From about 5 months.

Physical suitability: Use in controlled contexts to avoid reinforcing nuisance barking.

Why dogs take to it: This puts natural vocal behavior under cue control.

Breed tendencies: Vocal breeds often learn speak quickly and need extra quiet work.

Verbal cues: speak, quiet

Hand signal: Open-close hand for speak; still hand for quiet.