Originally posted by DOGLVR
I think I'd have to agree with "SLLEIPNIR" on this with the correcting WHILE she's barking. I don't see how a dog would understand about the "no barking" if you're trying to correct her/him when they're NOT barking???????????? Doesn't make since to me. I corrected my dog while the bark was in progress and guess what....IT WORKED! Same goes with potty training...catch them in "THE ACT" and you're more likely to see progress!!!!!!
I am not saying not to correct the dog while she is barking. I am saying the dog needs to know WHY she is being corrected. It is a natural instict for a dog to bark. Why would she think she is doing something wrong if you say ' STop barking and I mean now' or whatever phrase you use. Dogs learn from repitition and they learn faster from positive reinforcement for exhibiting wanted behaviors than being corrected negatively for unwanted behaviors. By teaching the dog to bark on command and creating situations where the dog will bark (ie. having someone come over and knock on the door or come into the yard - preplanned) you have control to work on ONE word commands and to positively reinforce so the dog can begin to understand what is expected.

In Potty training you set the dog up for success by taking them out frequently and praising when they go when told to so why not set the dog up for success with a barking situation? I hope this helps clear up what I meant earlier.