Bark

Strategies to Reduce Snooffles’s Barking

🎉 Hey Sharon, welcome to Lesson 2! You’re making great progress with Snooffles, and now we’ll focus on helping her stay calm around distractions, visitors, and unexpected noises.

Need a refresher on Snooffles’s barking triggers?

Jump back to Lesson 1

How to Help Snooffles Stay Focused and Calm?

These exercises will teach Snooffles to shift her focus, manage her excitement, and respond more calmly to triggers.

Step 1: “Look at Me” – Building Focus & Reducing Barking

Snooffles 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 Snooffles gets distracted, or at home by playing a recorded noise at a low level.
Wait for Snooffles 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 Snooffles 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 Snooffles before she starts barking. Catch her good behavior early!

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Step 2: Desensitization and Counterconditioning Towards Dogs Outdoors

Snooffles’s excitement when seeing other dogs may cause repetitive barking. This exercise helps her associate other dogs with calm behavior instead of reacting impulsively.

📅 Practice: 4-5 times per week | 5-10 min per session

🕒 Best times: When dogs or people are visible at a safe distance.

Step-by-Step Training Guide:

Start with distance – Begin in an area where Snooffles can see another dog but isn’t overwhelmed (e.g., across the street or at a park’s edge).
Observe her reaction – If she remains calm, reward her with a treat before she starts barking.
Gradually decrease distance – Over multiple sessions, get slightly closer while reinforcing her calm behavior.
Engage her with an alternate behavior – If Snooffles starts fixating, ask for a “Look at Me” and reward her attention shift.
Repeat frequently – The more she practices calm behavior, the more she’ll learn that staying quiet earns rewards.

🐾 Paw Tip: If Snooffles barks, increase distance and wait for her to relax before trying again.

Bonus: Keep Snooffles’s Mind Engaged with Enrichment!

To help prevent barking out of boredom or frustration, try engaging Snooffles’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 Snooffles 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!

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