Tucker was a really bad barker, too. He loved being squirted in the face and when I tried the penny can he thought it was a contest to see who could make more noise! I don't know if my trick will work for you, but here is how I cut him down to almost no barking. (Or if he starts, it's makes him stop)
I get down on his level and say "Thank you! Thank you for telling me (someone is outside, your ball is under the couch, I'm walking out the door, whatever). He learned to come to me and get loves and then he would go on his merry way. It was not easy, and took a lot of work, but it was worth it. The other thing that worked was using a closed fist (no! I didn't hit him!) and bringing it down very quickly to your side while saying firmly "Stop" He would stop because he was curious to see what I was up to. The second he stopped I would call him to me and give him lots of praise. That one still works, but I like to use the thank you one more. Hope this helps. Barking can be awful when it's to an excess! |