How to shut up a barker
 

This fits in a little bit with the dicussion about resource guarding and I've been meaning to post it so here goes. It's taken from "The Other End of the Leash" by Patricia McConnell.

If you have a situation where your dog barks and you are there, you can teach your dog the "enough" command to shut him up. You need a lot of small, very yummy treats.

Whatever you do, do not yell, because your dog will most likely think you are joining in the barkfest and really go for it. Keep calm and quiet when you do this. And start out with situations where your dog isn't going crazy barking (like strangers pounding on your door) so the chances of success are better.

When your dog barks and you want him to stop, have the treats ready in your hand and say "enough." Go over to him and wave your fist right in front of his snout so he can smell the treat but can't get at it. If you are successful in getting his attention and the treat is good enough, you'll have distracted him from whatever was making him bark and now his attention will be on the treat.

Don't give him the treat though, lure him away from whatever was making him bark and after he has been quiet for a few seconds, say "good boy" (since after all he is no longer barking).

Since dogs can't bark and eat treats at the same time, this will work to teach your dog the "enough" command. As he gets better at shutting up, increase the length of time he has to be quiet to earn the treat.

If anyone tries this, let me know if it works, I think highly of Patricia McConnell (great book on dog training) and the method sounds good. She does say that it will take months so like most things no overnight success is promised.