Exciting - Jackson has learned the "quite" command

S

SheltieStar

Forums Regular
Today with the help of the mailman Jackson had a chance to show me just how well he could perform the “quite” command. We were in the backyard when the mailman showed up. The dogs spotted him across the street and started barking instantly. I stood in front of Jackson and told him quiet. He plopped his little behind right down and shut up, looking up at me as if saying “Okay, now where’s my treat?” He remained silent the entire time and soon the mailman was out of sight and forgotten. I was a proud mommy:biggrin2:
 
Oh, I'm sooooooooo jealous! Quiet doesn't seem to be in Meggie's vocabulary, and her little friend Lucy doesn't help at all.

Well done!
 
My chihuahuas have tought my shelties the bark command when mommy says no bark they say"Bark Bark Bark" all you can until Im crazy...The shelties understand when moms unhappy to call it quits but the chihuahuas end up getting time out they dont understand enough is enough! Wow can you give us any tips? My dogs are good dogs..even my little barkers but it would be nice if I could get them all to know this command! Thanks for any tips you may have!
 
Teaching Quiet

love2shelties said:
How did you teach the "quiet command?" My shelties, Tasha & Sheena need to learn this one! Help!
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I keep treats in my pocket at all times so I am ready whenever the barking starts. When Jackson barks I say, "Quiet" one time and then wait until there is silence and then treat. Eventually he makes the connection "Quiet" - silence - treat. Victoria Stilwell uses the 3 second rule. Treat the dog when there has been three seconds of silence. I’ve done it as soon as there was silence.

If the dogs are running around while barking you may need to get their attention first.

For some dogs this requires more patients on our part to teach. Jackson picked it up pretty quick. My mother, on the other hand, has a Norwegian Elk Hound who is a persistent and excessive barker requiring a lot of patience and ear plugs. I haven’t timed it, but I bet this dog could sit in front of you and bark 15 minutes straight without stopping. It’s an ear piercing bark too. I’ve tried working with her dog, but my parents can’t tolerate the barking and give in to the dog’s demands and treat the dog while it is still barking just to get her to stop – thus defeating the whole exercise and reinforcing the dog’s barking.

It is also a good idea to keep treats where they are quickly accessible so that you can reward and reinforce wanted behaviors too.
 
Very awesome!

When I lived with my mum, we had 5 Shelties all in the same area, so they also had to be taught the quiet command. Yell "no bark" (they're outside in the kennels, or just running around like idiots) and shake a can with pennies inside.
 
Boy, I agree. You should be very proud and what a good pup Jackson is. I've tried every form of training known to exist (even Bark Busters) but Spencer enjoys his voice so much, nothing works. Not that I'm giving up.
 
Jan244 said:
Boy, I agree. You should be very proud and what a good pup Jackson is. I've tried every form of training known to exist (even Bark Busters) but Spencer enjoys his voice so much, nothing works. Not that I'm giving up.
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While I’ve had good success with Jackson, April my one year old mix is more of a challenge in this area. She knows what quiet means, but when she sees a stranger approach the house or someone across the street or if she hears the neighborhood dogs barking she becomes frantic and goes ballistic. I do appreciate the fact that she lets me know when someone is around, but calming and quieting her down is still a challenge. I’m still working with her, and actually adding Jackson the family has improved April’s behavior. She is not barking as much and does seem to quiet down faster than before Jackson’s arrival. So, I’ll keep working on it. One thing I’m learning is that persistence and patience does eventually pay off.
 
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