There are 3 steps to stopping a dog from barking. It does work. I use it on my Labradoodles all the time. My Yorkie is deaf now so it doesn't work with her anymore. She doesn't bark much anymore unless she hears my other two. She can hear them but not me. Hmmmmm. Do you think it's selective hearing?
Here is the drill.
Dog is barking at something.
1.) Thank you dog in a cheery voice. Dog may stop barking.
2.) dog still barking. Go over to where it is barking and look at what he's barking at, not at the dog. Thank the dog. Hopefully dog stops barking.
3.) dog STILL barking. Take dog away from the area and put him in another room where you or another family member isn't. Maybe a bathroom.
The premise behind this is that your dog is doing its job. He is alerting you to something he hears. You need to acknowledge it. If he doesn't stop barking, he obviously thinks you really should check this out. So that is when you go over to take a look and then thank the dog for doing his job.
If that didn't work. You already thanked the dog but he's still barking. You need to isolate the dog so you are telling him that, YOU know what is best.
You don't need to isolate very long. But the dog should be quiet for about 1 minute before you reunite with him.
I hope this helps. They do get it after a bit. It seems silly thanking your dog for barking but it works. Good luck!
Chewing: You're doing the right thing. Teach. "Leave it" (you see him going for something he shouldn't have) and "Drop it" (Offer something fun an appropriate that he can chew on or play with). These two commands are great and effective. Save "No" for really important or life threatening situations when your command really counts. He's still young so he'll want to play or do something or else he'll get bored.
Shelley