My little girl also got into a frenzied state of barking quite often. I finally broke down and bought a spray collar (it was hard finding one small enough, but I finally did). Squirting her with water is not the same. I tried that. We are not fast enough for them to fully get it. It's humanly impossible.
I bought the kind that uses lemon. They also have citronella. Worked like a charm. It did not take her long to realize that when the collar was on she did not want to bark. There are times of the day I don't care if she barks her fool head off so I left it off. But in the evenings when the neighbors are settling down (I love in a condo community) it was not OK. I put it on then and for walks.
In only a week I didn't have to use it anymore at all. It's gathering dust on the kitchen counter. On the rare occassion she seems like she may bark out of control, I only have to show t to her. It's been over a month now and life is peaceful.
I don't care if she "talks." She can grumble and bark under her breath all she wants - but she is not allowed to alert the entire neighborhood unless we are in real danger. She finally gets it.
