Bark

Teaching Ted to Stay Focused & Reduce Barking

🎉 Hey Joey, welcome to Lesson 3! You and Ted have been doing an amazing job, and now we’ll focus on helping him stay calm and focused when encountering dogs, strangers, or unexpected noises.

Need a refresher on exercises to reduce Ted’s barking?

Jump back to Lesson 2

How to Help Ted Redirect His Focus Before Barking

Step 1: Redirecting Ted’s Focus Before Barking

The goal is to teach Ted that when he sees another dog or a passerby, his job is to focus on you instead of reacting.

📅 Practice: 3-5 times per week | 1-2 minutes per session

🕒 Best times: Before Ted starts barking at a trigger (e.g., another dog or a stranger passing by).

Step-by-Step Training Guide:

Anticipate the trigger – Before Ted notices another dog or person, be proactive and call his attention.
Give a simple cue – Ask him to "Sit," "Look," or "Come" before he starts barking.
Use a reward – If he listens, mark the behavior (“Yes!”) and immediately reward him with a treat or favorite toy.
Increase difficulty – Start with low-distraction areas, then gradually practice in real-life situations.

🐾 Paw Tip: Timing is everything! Catch Ted’s attention before he starts barking — early intervention makes redirection easier.

🐶 Need a helping paw?

Get personalized guidance from Natalie at an unbeatable price!

✨ Just $15 for a 20 minute 1-on-1 consult – because every good dog (and owner) deserves great advice! ✨

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Beyond Training: Tools & Tricks to Support Ted’s Progress

While training is key, there are also practical tools that can help manage Ted’s reactivity:

🐶 Dogs Socialisation:

🐕 Structured Playdates & Training Walks – If Ted barks at other dogs due to excitement, controlled play sessions or structured walks with calm dogs can help him learn appropriate social behaviors.

🏡 Environmental Adjustments:

🔇 White noise machines or calming music – Helps drown out triggering sounds. Try out these relaxing bits: White Noise Sounds, Noise & Rain, Relaxing Piano Music, Lo-Fi Relaxing Music
🪟 Blinds or frosted window film – Reduces visual triggers from outside movement.
🐕 Interactive puzzle toys & treat-dispensing toys – Keeps his mind engaged, making him less reactive to external noises. We love Pawzler Innovative Modulars with their Smart Sets and this Feeder Dumbbell Toy!

🌿 Calming Aids

💨 Pheromone diffusers (like Adaptil) – Releases a calming scent that mimics natural dog pheromones.
🍖 Long-lasting chews or frozen Kongs – Gives Ted something soothing to focus on when noises happen.

Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Ted?

Ted is a smart, affectionate dog, and with continued practice, he’ll become even more confident in handling barking. Training takes time, so be patient and celebrate every little win!

🐾 Keep reinforcing calm behavior – Even after this course, keep practicing exposure training a few times a week to maintain progress.

🐶 Combine training with enrichment – The more mentally and physically fulfilled Ted is, the less likely he’ll be overly reactive.

❤️ Stay consistent – Training works best when everyone in the household follows the same approach.

Now that you understand Ted’s barking better, you’re ready to help him feel calmer and more confident. With patience and practice, progress will come!

We hope you loved this course — keep celebrating the little wins and enjoying the journey with your pup. 💛🐾