Lesson 2 for Luffy
Bark
Bark
Strategies to Reduce Luffy’s Barking
🎉 Hey Terence, welcome to Lesson 2! You’re making great progress with Luffy, and now we’ll focus on helping her stay calm around distractions, visitors, and unexpected noises.
Need a refresher on Luffy’s barking triggers?
How to Help Luffy Stay Focused and Calm?
These exercises will teach Luffy to shift her focus, manage her excitement, and respond more calmly to triggers.
Step 1: “Look at Me” – Building Focus & Reducing Barking
Luffy thrives when she knows where to focus her energy! Teaching her to make eye contact on command will not only strengthen your bond but also help her feel more secure, confident, and in control — turning distractions into opportunities for success!
📅 Practice: 3-4 times per week | 5-10 min per session
🕒 Best times: During walks, playtime, or when external noises occur (e.g., knocking, doorbell).
Step-by-Step Training Guide:
Create a controlled distraction – During walks, when Luffy gets distracted, or at home by playing a recorded noise at a low level.
Wait for Luffy to notice the noise – If she stays quiet, move to the next step. If she barks, lower the volume or distance from the sound.
Get her attention – Call her name in an upbeat tone.
Mark and reward – As soon as Luffy makes eye contact, say “Yes!” and offer a high-value treat.
Gradually increase difficulty – Start in a quiet setting, then slowly introduce more distractions.
🐾 Paw Tip: The key is rewarding Luffy before she starts barking. Catch her good behavior early!
🌟 Get the most from exercises
Just like us, dogs have food preferences! Discover which protein motivates your furkid the most.
Step 2: “Calm Greetings” – Teaching Luffy to Welcome Guests Politely
Luffy’s excitement during greetings is adorable, but we want to teach her that calm behavior gets the best rewards! 🏡✨
📅 Practice: Daily, as visitors come and go.
🕒 Best times: When guests arrive.
Step-by-Step Training Guide:
Ask visitors to ignore Luffy initially – No eye contact, no talking, and no petting until she’s calm.
Encourage sniffing instead of barking – Scatter a few treats on the floor to redirect her focus toward sniffing.
Reward calm behavior – Toss a treat onto the ground when she remains quiet or sits.
Gradually increase interaction – Once Luffy is relaxed, visitors can slowly give her attention, reinforcing that calm greetings lead to positive experiences.
🐾 Paw Tip: Some dogs take longer to calm down. The more consistent you are, the faster Luffy will learn!
Bonus: Keep Luffy’s Mind Engaged with Enrichment!
To help prevent barking out of boredom or frustration, try engaging Luffy’s mind with interactive activities:
🦴 Long-Lasting Treats & Puzzle Feeders – Keep her busy with a licking mat, stuffed Kong filled with peanut butter or a long-lasting chews at your choice!
🔍 Scent Games & Hide-and-Seek – Scatter treats around the house for Luffy to sniff out or try this nosework toy. Mental stimulation tires her out just as much as physical exercise!
🐶 How’s training going?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your progress, ask questions, or get personalized feedback on the exercises — we’re here to help with all things barking!
What’s Next?
In Lesson 3, we’ll tackle how to help Luffy stay calm with barking triggers. And remember, you’re doing an amazing job — keep it up! 🎉
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