Sheet: Teaching "Speak" — Jordan Mathieu

🎒 Preparation ▼

🍖

Treats

Very tasty, high value

🎾

Exciting toy

Favourite ball or a squeaky toy

📍

Quiet place

Somewhere the barking will not disturb anyone

💡

Starting position: The dog should be facing you, attentive and a little "awake". Choose a moment when they are receptive but not over-excited.

🎯 The capture phase (step by step) ▼

ℹ️

Unlike other cues, you do not lure the bark: you provoke it through controlled frustration.

Building excitement

Show the toy or treat to the dog without giving it to them. Make quick movements to build a little frustration.

Waiting

The dog will try to sit, to offer a paw, and then, out of frustration at not getting the object, they will end up making a sound (a little yelp or a real bark).

Marking

As soon as they make the slightest sound, say "Speak!" instantly in a clear, enthusiastic voice.

The reward

Give the treat or toy immediately after saying "Speak!". Repeat as soon as they vocalise again.

✅

Key to success: The speed of your reaction is essential. The word "Speak!" must come within a second of the sound coming out.

🗣️ Introducing the voice cue ▼

Once the dog has understood that "making a noise" earns a reward:

Anticipating the sound

Say "Speak!" (or "Talk", "Bark") just before they are about to yelp. Timing is crucial for building the association.

Adding a gesture

Pair it with a hand signal (such as a hand that opens and closes, imitating a mouth). The visual signal reinforces learning.

Praise and reward

As soon as they respond to the signal, say "Speak!" and give the reward immediately.

🤚

Tip: A very clear hand signal helps the dog tell this cue apart from the others, especially when excited.

🤫 Introducing "Quiet" ▼

⚠️

Crucial: It is essential to teach the dog to be quiet, so as not to create a compulsive barker.

Giving the stop cue

Once they have barked, say "Quiet" or "Shh" in a calm, steady voice.

Cutting the sound

Hold a treat under their nose without giving it to them: they will naturally stop barking in order to sniff it.

Rewarding the silence

Wait for 2 to 3 seconds of complete silence, then give the reward.

Building up gradually

Reward longer and longer periods of silence (5 s, 10 s, 15 s…) as the sessions go on.

💡 Final tips ▼

Do not reward over-excitement: If the dog gets too worked up or starts jumping on you, stop the session and pick it up again later when things are calm.
The type of sound: Some dogs "talk" with little growls or throat sounds. If that suits you, reward those sounds rather than loud barks.
Control first: Only use this cue if you already have good control over your dog. The idea is to teach them that barking is an action controlled by you, not a random behaviour.
Visual signal: A very clear hand signal helps the dog tell this cue apart from the others, especially in moments of excitement.

🎓

Reminder: Patience is key. Some dogs will take a few sessions to understand the link between the sound and the reward. Never force a dog to bark.