I have a problem with my GSP barking at people and other dogs. She'll ignore leash correction and a verbal command to 'No Bark!' and just carry on and on and on until I'm thoroughly embarassed and have to remove her from the area. The bark doesn't seem to be aggressive or fearful and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to who she chooses to bark at. Sometimes she'll stand barking at a family member with her tail wagging. Not particularly excited, just barking.

She's been to the vet and there's nothing wrong with her eyes so I'm at wits end.

For now I think I'm going to try a bark collar and see if I can create an aversion that way. I'm looking at the Sportdog SBC6. Does anyone have any experience with this collar? Is it accurate detecting barks?

I agree with pixie on her analysis.

pixie suggested: " Send them to the kennel at the first whimper or give an obedience command - sit,down,etc. " You could also try squirting bitter apple in her mouth when you issue the No Bark command. I use that on my puppies when I train obedience if they insist on barking while training. I have to teach them barking is not acceptable because I compete in obedience and if the dog barks you lose major points. Another option if you are out with your dog on a leash is to turn and walk away when she starts barking at something. You don't have to say anything, just walk a way and give her a jerk on the leash if she does not come with you. Another thing I did with my girl when she started the barking when we were doing retrieves for obedience (I never threw the dumb bell fast enough to suit her) was any time she barked I picked up the dumb bell (that is what we send the dogs after in obedience) and grabbed her by the collar and we walked away from the training area and I put up the dumb bell and we sat on the sidelines. I would make her sit and we watched everyone else having fun. I never said a word to her, didn't show any emotion at all. She quickly learned if she barked the fun ended. Those are just some things you can try.

As for the bark collar, it will probably solve your problem with the barking and the SportDog is a good collar. However, you may still find you have an underlying problem with your pup which may manifest itself in another undesirable behavior, or it may not. Just something to think about.

Good luck and if you have more questions, just ask.