I own a small terrier named Humphrey who has become very loud around mealtime. I usually feed him at 8 in the morning on my way to work, but he has started barking in our room even earlier before my husband and I get up around 6:30. He gets a second meal at dinnertime and has always received the same amount, so I’m not sure why he acts so hungry. The barking has gotten to be relentless and he often whines and wakes up the neighborhood until he’s fed. Do you know how I might be able to get him to quiet down? 

Sincerely, 

Hungry Humphrey

Dear Hungry Humphrey,

 

When I was young, my friend and I would relentlessly pester his dad to take us to Dairy Queen whenever we drove past it. “Oh, we want Dairy Queen! Take us to Dairy Queen.” His response was always, “Okay, but not today!” He said this so many times, we eventually stopped asking, and one quiet afternoon, he pulled us into the Dairy Queen drive-thru. I tell this story because Humphrey, if he were human, would probably be whining in the back seat. However, YOU are in the driver’s seat. 

 

I imagine after all that racket, you and your husband quickly get out of bed to shut him up with a big bowl of kibble, which means that tomorrow morning, Hungry Humphrey will strike again. In order to prevent him from waking you up in your room, try crate-training him so that he will have to wait for you to get out of bed and greet him. He will probably bark, but enjoy your morning anyway. Make some coffee, and eventually he will tire and quiet down. When he is finally calm, let him out of the crate and practice some basic commands of sit and stay. Make sure he is quiet for at least thirty minutes to an hour before he is fed, so that you don’t reward potential pushy behavior. If he is still particularly loud about mealtime, try feeding him only one larger portion later in the afternoon. He will eventually learn that he is on your schedule — not his!

Happy Training, 

 Dion

Dion and Tyler have graciously offered to answer your toughest dog training questions. Visit them at ancillaryk9.com or email them at info@ancillaryk9.com