We've all seen outtakes of kids and pets making cameos in video meetings. We laugh when it's not happening to us. When it does happen to us, it's so frustrating. (Especially when you're a dog trainer and it happens to you.) Sometimes it feels as if we're in hostage negotiations, begging our dogs to stop barking and be quiet. Even so, I tell my dog, "I do not negotiate with terriers." 

Tactical tips for keeping your dogs quiet during conference and video calls. 

1. Stuff and freeze several food puzzles for the week. Make an assembly line and get the kids involved! Don't have a food puzzle? You can also fill ice cube trays with canned pumpkin, peanut butter, or meat broth. It’s also helpful to have bones and chewies at the ready for the next call. 

2. Take 10 minutes before your call to play with your dog. Play tug, fetch, chase, even hide and seek. If appropriate, have the kids help! 

3. Close the blinds and curtains. Block your dog's view from things that trigger barking. 

4. Play white noise or Through a Dog's Ear through your smart speaker or music streaming service. This will help attenuate sounds outside which could trigger your dog to bark. 

5. Just before your call starts, give your dog a bone or frozen food puzzle. One tablespoon of canned dog food, peanut butter, yogurt, or cream cheese smashed into a lickimat goes a long way. 

By being proactive, we can stop our dogs from being reactive and barking. Share your stories about your pets making cameos in your video calls!