teaching the speak command

[tlc]

To be honest, it really doesn't matter to me, but my mother was really frustrated when she couldn't teach Gus to speak. :( We had GSDs when I was growing up and she taught them all how to speak and count their barks up to three. She would say speak twice and they would bark twice. I haven't done a lot of dog training, but I thought that was pretty impressive.

Gus is pretty smart. He knows all the basic tricks by voice command and hand signal, but she could not teach him how to speak!

Has anyone taught their dog to speak and how did you do it?

I would love to teach him and let him surprise his Grandma!!! :D

Thanks:)

[RogandBo]

The easiest way I know to teach a dog to speak is to put the pup in the sit-stay position, take a piece of snack and hold it up and tease the dog with it somewhat. When the dog barks immediately praise and give the snack. A few repititions and he/she should get the idea. By the way, I tease by simply shaking the hand the snack is in, if the pup doesn't catch on, I will let it sniff the snack and then tease. Most Rottweilers are food lovers so this shouldn't be hard to do, all of my dogs learned this at a early age. Good luck:)

[Sheenagirl]

Yes, I taught Sheena to speak. It was incredibily easy. I put her in a sit/stay position in front of me. Held a piece of her favorite treat where she could see it - and then said the word slowly that I wanted her to "say". She would study my mouth and open hers - at first nothing came out - then I kept saying the word and when she made a sound I would reward her with the treat. I tried again and again. I can't believe how much Sheena really tried hard to say the word. It was only a few tries with each word and she was saying it! Remember some Rottie's are more vocal than others. And, don't make him sit there for a long period of time each session.

Sheena says hello and ouch plainly.

Rottie's are incredibly smart - it's fun to work with them - they try so hard to please. :D

[pandora's daddy]

Here's how I taught Pandora:

First I would have her sit in front of me and my wife. Next I would say "Mommy Speak." and my wife would bark and I would give her lots of praise making sure to say "good speak." Next I said "Pandora Speak." If she didn't, then My wife would bark, and again with the praise and "good speak." I kept repeating this and within the 5th or 6th time, Pandora got it on her own. My wife and I also took turns giving the commands and barking. Once she got it on her own I gave her a treat. I would do a session or 2 per day, and sessions usually lasted for about 5 minutes, always ending on 3 successful tries in a row.

The best thing about teaching to speak on command is that once they know what speak means, you can then tell them "no speak" when they are being obnoxious.