There are many tips and tricks out there that swear you can teach your dog to talk in just a few simple steps. While we’re not sure if these tips and tricks to teach your dog to talk will work for every dog out there, we wanted to feature them just in case one person out there can use them.
While many dog owners have taught their dog to bark on command, known as teaching your dog to speak, we’ve noticed many dogs saying real words on YouTube videos, and so it must be true that one can teach their dog to talk.
Here are some simple tips and tricks to help you inspire your dog to find their voice.
Keep it Positive
Your dog will work best if you keep the training sessions positive. Don’t punish your dog if they make a mistake, but do reward for good responses. Make training sessions short and sweet since your dog will get bored or frustrated beyond 10-15 minutes. Always end the training session on a positive so that your dog will be more inclined to try their lessons at a later time.
Get a Clicker
You’ll want to use a clicker so that your dog associates the clicker with getting a treat. You’ll want to use the clicker without starting the training so that they know this clicker will provide a reward. This helps your dog prepare for the next steps of training.
Try to Capture the Moment
Using the clicker you’ll want to watch your dog throughout the day and start using the clicker to reward them whenever they’re responding in a way that you want. This is helping to train your dog to do things on command and could start with something simple such as teaching your dog to “speak” which means “bark” on command as a starting point.
Pay Attention
Now that your dog is prepared to know that the clicker will sound when they’re doing something you want them to do, it’s time to pay attention to their responses. If your dog says something that sounds remotely close to the word you’re trying to get them to say, reward them. This will help your dog understand what’s expected.
Be Patient
Lastly, you’ll want to be patient with the process. Not every dog breed can speak like a human, chances are your dog may not be able to say the word you’re trying to teach them. Consider adjusting the lessons to one-word options to encourage your dog to master at least one human word. You’ll want to take your time and continue lessons in short intervals each day.
Using these tips to teach your dog to speak may work for some dog breeds, such as huskies, but may not work with other breeds. It’s fine to give this a try with your dog, to see if they will speak human words, but always watch cues from your dog that they’re stressed or uninterested in the lesson so you don’t frustrate them.