Dog Training Advice

[grandprixer]

Hi all! Silly question. We have a 1 y/o aussie/husky/great pyrenees mix who we love to death. Being part Aussie, he needs the mental stimulation of constantly learning, but let just say the husky makes things interesting (and noisy!).

I’m currently trying to teach him to speak. Every article I read and every video I watch uses a similar method - a super high value treat just held there until the dog is frustrated enough to bark. Well, I’ve either taught him too much slef control for that, or he’s not vaguely interested in my rewards. I usually use a rope while training, but I tried his rope, ball, kong, laser, beef trimmings, chicken, hot dogs, tuna, cheese, and plenty of packaged treats. I also tried asking him just before I fed, while he was his most hungry.

All this silly boy will do is gently sit down, and stare at me. No other response. He’ll glance away at noises or other people/dogs, he’s not even that intent on me or my goodies. Certainly no vocalizations.

Anything else we can try, in terms of better treats or a different method? He’s a Husky, he talks non-stop when I’m not asking him to. We have to lock him outside to sing happy birthday or the neighbors will complain lol.

TIA!

[clanter]

@grandprixer

pyrenees

try French or Spanish rather than English

[S1969]

I wish I could help you but I have a dog with the same problem. His father learned to speak and has been trained to speak loudly, or just whisper, depending on how I deliver the command.

His son just stares mutely and blinks. Forever. Once I tried to wait him out, figuring he would eventually make a sound. 90 minutes and not a peep.

I almost considered pinching him but that seemed too mean. LOL. Maybe I’ll try it once or twice and see if it inspires him to make a noise.

[BravAddict]

It sounds like you have existing cues for vocalizing, such as singing. You can layer the new cue on the existing cue, then fade out the old one. In this case, that would look like this…

You: “Fido, Speak! Haaaaaappy birthday tooo youuuuu”
Fido: “Awwooooo”
You: “Yes!” (or click, whichever marker you use) and treat, or run around with the toy

Lather, rinse and repeat until he starts to anticipate and vocalize on the cue you want.

[splitrockfarmnc]

If he talks and sings on his own, I would start giving the “speak” command and rewarding with whatever when he does that. It might take some time but eventually he should learn the association of talking/singing = “speak” = reward. Then it can become “speak” = talk/sing = reward.

My Dobie mix had nothing to say for a long time, except when someone would drive up or when my other dog would bark. I used YouTube videos of dogs howling to get them both fired up and talking, and then paired it with the command. That’s how he learned. He is still working out the difference between “speak” and “shout!” but he’s figured out that he has some range and he likes to use his voice now.

[Marla_100]

My GSD shelter girl was totally mute about everything in the beginning. And since I wanted her to protect the farm and be a good guard dog I had to figure out how to teach her to bark.

Don’t Laugh!! But I had to ‘show’ her by barking myself. Yup. Say speak. Then I BARK. as she studies this crazy woman.
I knew she could hear as she reacted to police/fire sirens on the streets and on tv. She did her coyote howl. At least it was a start.

I also did the “What’s That?” when I heard a noise and wanted her to bark and react. And I’d BARK loudly. Again, show them what you want.
It also helps if you talk to your dog frequently so they learn to pay attention to what you say. Now she barks on her own when she wants something and I’m ignoring her. It’s her last effort to tell me something.

My son had 2 huge wild and wooly Husky/GSD mixes and they were as independent and stubborn as any siblings I’ve ever seen- and he taught them both to speak. They actually had
utterances that practically sounded like word copying. Funny as all get out as they mimicked
your words. Yes they would sing too.
It just takes time and patience and repetition.