Barking is instinctual for dogs. It is never premeditated. Dogs oftentimes bark for the sake of the family. Labs and German Shepherds, for example, are bred to bark when strangers are approaching. Since a dog has little or no control over this reflex, it is really not fair to him if his owner throws a fit whenever a loud, "Whoof!" takes him by surprise. If you cannot stand the sound of a dog barking, either adopt a cat instead or consult a reference book for information on which breeds bark the least.

With that being said, I admit that incessant barking can be unbearable and must be curbed. Most people cannot live with a dog who starts up once every hour. It is also unfair to the neighbors and other local dogs who have endure the noise.

Humane Ways to Stop a Dog from Barking
Although you can predict the circumstances that lead your dog to bark, it is impossible to know when those circumstances will arise. Therefore, formal obedience training cannot include activities that deter barking. However, if you are present when your dog begins to bark incessantly, you should startle him by yelling, "Quiet!" Your voice must be loud enough to grab his attention. In most cases, a dog will pause briefly, and when he does, immediately pet and praise him. It may be necessary to snap and release his leash to really grab his attention. Gradually increase the amount of quiet time before the dog receives his reward.

It is unfortunate that some dog owners take the easy road and pay for surgery to remove their dogs' vocal chords. They do so at the expense of their dogs. Barking is a dog's most effective means of communication. Dogs recognize their own ability to bark as necessary for survival. When a dog tries to bark but cannot, he feels helpless, as if he has been cut off from the world. Using an electronic bark collar is a much more humane way to curb your dog's tendency to bark too much.