Tibby's Tricky Tuesday!

Hello friends!

Today we will learn one of my very favorite things to do:

SPEAK!

(Owner Girl took a video
of me performing this
trick but silly her took it
sideways and can't turn
it. So we will have to
try to get a new one
at some point tomorrow.)

Here are the things your owner should do:

1. Remember the treats!

2. You should think of something that typically makes your dog bark - like the doorbell.

3. Say "speak" and then ring the doorbell (or do whatever it is that triggers your dog to bark) or have someone else help you by ringing the bell while you are inside with your dog.

4. After your dog barks once give him the treat.

5. If your dog is likely to run around crazily when the doorbell rings, try putting him on a leash before starting the training.

6. After a few successful tries, phase out the doorbell so that your dog learns to "speak" because of your command not just because of the doorbell.

7. You can also try using a hand signal (Owner Girl does one that looks like a duck quacking or... a dog barking!, I bet that's why she uses that one!)

8. In theory, teaching your dog this trick can help him learn to speak only when you tell him to. That didn't work on me though, I've got WAY too much to say! Owner Girl says we still have some work to do on that. But I am very good at speaking on command!

Oops, I have been forgetting this part the last couple weeks...
Difficulty: 2 Paws out of 5
This trick is pretty easy for most dogs to learn but if you want it to help keep your dog quiet at times when you're not asking him to speak, it may be more difficult depending on your dog and his personality.