Any animal behavior experts ... how can I teach my dog not to bark so much?

[wannaBe1974]

As some may know I have recently aquired a new guide dog. He's a 22 month old lab retriever cross and for the most part he's lovely. The only one thing is that he barks, and it is doing my head in. Now obviously I realize that dogs do bark and that's what they do, but this one seems to bark at most things, the cats, sudden noises outside, the doorbell, the wind ... you get the picture. And sometimes if he gets a little over excited as well then he goes a bit nuts and barks as well. Oh yeh, and he barks if I go out and leave him. As my other dog never barks, other than the occasional woof if I'm in on my own, this is something that I am generally unused to. Obviously I'm not looking for the magical solution or to teach him not to bark at all, but a little bit less would be nice.

Currently if he barks then I put him on a lead and reinforce the fact that I am in charge and make him do little bit of obedience .. sit, lie down etc, for a couple of minutes, then let him go again, this does seem to make him forget what he was barking at, but I was just wondering if anyone else had any other ideas? He never barks when on a lead, only when just free in the house, I've only had him for just over three weeks so I realize that it could be a settling thing as much as anything but I really would like to have a dog that doesn't bark quite so much. Any tips gratefully received.

[LittleB]

When you are out you could try leaving a radio on for him, or leave him at the back of the house so he won't be disturbed as much. Sounds like a good idea to distract him from barking, but make sure he doesn't think he's getting rewarded for barking. You could try teaching him to bark on command and then a command to stop barking, you could use the stop barking command at other times.
You can also get collars that will squirt citronella (which smells nice to us but dogs don't like it) when they bark, or try spraying him with it or just water whenever he barks.
Hope something helps, good luck with him.

[nicnack2]

have you spoken to the trainer about it. My Mother is a guide dog puppy walker and i have always commented that the dogs dont bark as much.