In this Omaha dog training session, 11 year-old Laso Poodle mix Larry (left) and 13 year-old Westie mix Dixie are taught to refrain from barking at the wrong time, like when their owner answers the phone.

Unwanted Dog Barking

Dixie is the more vocal of the two dogs; whimpering or whining to get attention and barking when her guardian gets on the phone. Many dogs bark when their owner is on the phone, this is the dog’s way of trying to their attention. And like many dog guardian’s Dixie’s mom would shush her when she barked while she was on a call. While we want our dog quiet at times, saying no isnt the best way to stop barking.

Any attention to dogs is rewarding, so this attempt to stop the dog from barking when her human was on the phone was actually reinforcing and rewarding the unwanted behavior.

Instead of trying to correct a dog from barking when you are on the phone, it’s much better to teach your dog that being quiet when you are on the phone is rewarding. You can learn how to train your dog to be quiet when you are on the phone by watching the free positive dog training video below.

This is an easy way to stop any dog from barking when you are on the phone. It just takes some practice and patience. I’d like to see the guardian practice this secret to getting dogs to stop barking when we are on the phone 3 times a day for a week. If she gradually increases the duration for these “practice calls” it shouldn’t be long before the dogs are quiet when their guardian is on the phone.

Tackling Resource Guarding

Another issue was Larry’s habit of taking out his frustrations on Dixie by physically going after her. Luckily nothing bad has happened, but it was obviously a concern for their guardian. We witnessed a little dust up when Dixie showed interest in my treat bag.

To stop this resource guarding issue, their guardian will need to learn to watch for warning signs, especially from Larry. We went over what to watch for as well as show the guardian a targeting exercise that will allow her to redirect one dog to touch her hand and the other dog to touch her foot.

I’d like to see the guardian practice this exercise 3-4 times a day, in different locations, with about 10 treats each time, to develop a strong response.

Improving Dog Behavior

By the end of this training session, Larry and Dixie demonstrated notable progress in reducing barking tendencies, especially during phone calls. Prioritizing positive reinforcement strategies, their guardian is equipped to foster a quieter environment.

Addressing Larry’s resource guarding issue proactively contributes to a safer and more harmonious coexistence between the two dogs. With continued dedication and practicing these lessons, Larry, Dixie, and their family can cultivate a quiet and loving atmosphere.

When trying exercises to improve a dog’s behavior, remember to keep training sessions short, and always end them on a positive note.

We covered a number of other dog behavior tips in this in home Omaha dog training session. We summarize it all in the roadmap to success video below.