How To Teach a Dog To Speak on Command

Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee

If you live with a dog, chances are you talk to them all the time. But what if you could teach them to answer back on command? When you train your dog to bark on cue, it's more than a cute trick—it's a useful skill that can help deepen your bond with your furry friend.¹

Once you've decided to teach your dog to talk, it's important to train them properly. Barking on command is just like any other behavior in that it requires clarity, positive reinforcement and consistency. Learn all about how to teach your dog to speak on command.

Understanding the Basics of Dog Communication

If you've ever seen a dog wag their tail, you already know how much of their communication is through body language. However, dogs are also very vocal creatures with a large vocabulary. When a dog howls, growls, whines or sings, they're telling you something about their state of mind.²

The same goes for different types of barks. From high-pitched yips to deep woofs, each bark carries a different message. And the better you get at their language, the better you understand their needs.

For some dogs, excessive barking is a way to get attention or signal boredom.³ This can be a problematic behavior for you, but it could be a symptom of an unmet need in your dog. One of the benefits of training your pooch to speak on command is that it might curb frenzied barking. This is because when you train your dog to know the right time to bark, it's easier for them to understand when to be quiet.¹

Dogs respond to positive reinforcement, whether that comes in the form of praise, treats or a favorite activity,⁴ and teaching them tricks is a great way to build their confidence. When you train your dog to bark on cue, they'll enjoy the praise (and perhaps a treat) when you roll out this trick in a crowd.

Preparing for Training

Here are a few tips to gear up for training your dog to speak on command.

Be consistent

Be thoughtful about where and when your training sessions take place. Choose someplace with minimal distractions. Your home is a familiar place where you can control the atmosphere. The park could also work, but not near a dog play area.

Be clear

You want to demonstrate leadership when you train your dog, so make sure you're prepared with a clear command word and motivator (more on that below).

Be realistic

It's important to manage your expectations and be realistic about your goals. Your pooch won't be reciting the Declaration of Independence by the end of the first lesson—and that's normal! Persistence will get you there.

Selecting the Right Command Word and Motivator

Your command word is the cue for your dog to bark. You can use virtually any word or short phrase, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Choose a unique word that you don't use with your dog for any other action.
• The word should be understandable. While dogs can understand multisyllabic words,⁵ it's probably easier to keep things simple.
• “Speak" is a standard choice. Whatever you choose, remember to use it exclusively as a command to bark.
• Your motivator is what you'll use as a reward when your dog does well in training. Select something your pup values, like a treat or favorite toy.

Steps for Teaching a Dog To Speak on Command

If your dog doesn't already know any commands, you probably shouldn't start with “speak." Give them a solid foundation by teaching them the most basic obedience commands first. “Sit," “stay" and “watch me" are great places to start. Ready?

Trigger the bark

For many dogs, it won't take much to get them to vocalize. But if your dog is quiet, you might need to jump around or even make barking noises yourself.

Say "Speak"

As soon as your dog barks, say “Speak!" (or your chosen command word) and give them a reward.

Reward the bark

Be sure to reward the bark, not wiggling, running around, jumping up or other excited behaviors. Try to time it so you reward the single bark you've asked for, not random or repetitive vocalizing. As you progress, reduce giving treats and replace them with praise.¹

This will take time and patience, but with consistency and repetition, your pooch will come to associate the command “Speak" with their bark and the reward.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common snags you may encounter:

My dog won't bark

If your pup isn't vocalizing, the issue could be the motivator. Dogs that are motivated by food will want treats, while others might respond better to favorite items like toys. Your praise can also work.

My dog won't stop barking

Don't worry if your dog barks excessively—you haven't created a monster! There are ways to reduce barking or stop your dog from barking. To teach your dog “quiet," use the same methods of a command and a reward that helped your dog to learn “speak."

Also, consider that the barking could be a result of overexcitement. This is a good time to go back to “sit" and “stay" to establish a baseline of calm before trying other commands.

My dog learned to speak, but they seem to have forgotten

Training regression is common, especially in younger dogs. Causes are hard to pinpoint and can be as diverse as stress, a change in routine, a health issue or sometimes nothing at all. After reestablishing your household routine and checking with your veterinarian to rule out health problems, your best bet is to go back to the basics. Revisit simple lessons with your dog.

Adding Complexity

Once your pup has the basics down, you can work on variations. For example, try using a hand signal like pointing to your mouth to cue a bark. Add “whisper" to your commands and teach them to bark at a lower volume. It's especially useful to teach your dog to talk with specific triggers, such as when they need to go outside to urinate or if they sense danger.

Benefits of Teaching a Dog To Speak on Command

“Speak" is more than a fun trick. It's a useful tool in training your dog to communicate their needs and to behave properly in different situations. Plus, the process of training can strengthen the bond between you and your pup.

If you want a well-trained and communicative dog, try teaching them to talk. The process is no harder than teaching other commands, and the rewards are great: easier communication and a deeper bond.

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Sources/Citations

1. “'Speak!': Training Your Dog to Bark On Command," (6/2021), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/train-your-dog-to-speak/, accessed March 25, 2024.

2. “Canine Communication: Deciphering Different Dog Sounds," Jennifer Nelson (6/2023), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/canine-communication-deciphering-different-dog-sounds/, accessed March 25, 2024.

3. “Excessive Dog Barking: Reasons & and How to Stop It," Sassafras Lowrey (3/2024), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/excessive-dog-barking-causes-stop/, accessed March 25, 2024.

4. “Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: The Science Behind Operant Conditioning," Stephanie Gibeault (3/2024), American Kennel Club, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/operant-conditioning-positive-reinforcement-dog-training/, accessed March 25, 2024.

5. “Neural processes underlying statistical learning for speech segmentation in dogs," Marianna Boros et al. (12/2021), Current Biology, https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(21)01406-8, accessed March 25, 2024.