[Ellie May]

I can't remember when Ellie's problem barking started, but she did try to bark at someone while trying to protect me at about eight-weeks-old.

In my opinion, it is too early for a spray bottle. You never know, maybe just a "quiet" will work with him. I say start as nicely as possible. If he has only barked a few times, I don't think there is much reason to stop him because he has to be allowed to do it sometimes.

Have you been teaching the "speech" command?
If he knows how to do that, then you can teach "shhh" or "quiet".