Barking

First determine the cause, then act accordingly. Some cases of barking are breed specific, meaning some dogs were actually bred to encourage barking. i.e., hounds (beagles, coonhounds etc) and the Finnish Spitz (also known as the barking bird dog).

Fear - scare away offender
Protection - defend master/object
Aggression - no provocation/provocation, chemical imbalance, refer to aggression section
Play - mouth, noisy (tug of war or keep away)
Sport - excitement, games

There are several ways to curb barking. One method is to teach your dog “Speak” as a command. Once he will bark on command, add the “No Speak” command to stop him. Now he understands some English and has a better grasp of what you are asking of him.

Keep in mind your dogs thought process. If he is barking and you yell continuously at him, his interpretation is “Yea Mom, we’ll get him together!” That is why he barks more, your encouraging him.

The best approach I’ve found is to find a sharp noise that will startle him. ( A whistle, a clap, a tin can with a few pebbles in it or a stomp...) When he is barking, startle him. When he stops barking and looks at you to check out the noise, use that opportunity to praise him and distract his attention to something else. You want to thank him for his opinion, but now it’s time to be quiet.

If noises don’t phase him, a kids squirt gun will have a similar effect. Don’t over do it with the distraction or it will become an encouragement. Remember, all disciplines and corrections must be fast and then be done. Corrections are for shock value only, not to inflict pain.