Barking at a specific dog

Question
Wendy,

I have had my ACD since she was a puppy.  She is now almost 8, mellowing
out, and very well trained.  She comes to work with me every day and we run
about 15-20 miles a week together.  She has a wonderful temperment, is
good with people and kids and most dogs - but not all.  She seems to choose
the dogs she likes vs dislikes along breed lines which I've always found quirky
but acceptable as part of the breed.  (For example, she's never met a cocker
spaniel or a pomeranian that she's liked.  She generally gets along well with
labs and german retreivers.)  She does better in social situations with other
dogs off leash than on.  

That said, this is my problem and I am at my wits end.  A new tenant just
moved into my apartment complex and he has two labs that she has decided
she hates.  Vehemenantly hates.  He lives upstairs and must pass by our
bedroom windown when he comes down to the courtyard with them.  I simply
CANNOT get her to stop barking at them.  It's not a happy bark either - if I do
manage to get her to settle down, she growls and rolls her barks in her throat
in protest.  He comes down in the middle of the night with them every night
and we are awoken to her barking in the house.  I have tried everything I
know.  I was able to teach her to stop barking at the mailman with the
command "QUIET" by rewarding her silence but it is not working this time.  
She also knows the command "TIME OUT" which also does not work in this
situation.  In most situations she will submit and be quiet in her time out
space (the back stock room when we are at work and the bathroom at home)
but she continues to bark through the door when these dogs are out.  I do
not want to continue waking up every night at 2 AM nor do I want to move.  
HELP!  I could not find anything online that is similar to this situation.  Thank
you!

Answer
Hi Lauren, Our ACDs also hate Poms, and certain other breeds. Usually, breeds that emit fear are the ones that our dogs do not like. They are basically good with most other dogs though. You really do have a tough situation. We are not at all in favor of bark collars.....some trainers would recommend that....but  we think it is inhumane to shock a dog every time it barks.The first thing I would try is to tkae a spray bottle and fill it with one half vinegar and one half water. Squirt her directly in the face and say "no' just as she is thinking about starting to bark at the Labs. This will startle her out of thinking about barking...and hopefully will condition her to stop this particular behavior. Be sure the bottle is adjusted to a "fan" type spray.Some dogs ...a small percentage will disregard the bottle and will continue to bark. This means she is a hard core case. Then, the only other suggestion would be to have her surgically "debarked". I know you are probably thinking this is a crazy idea......but we have been training dogs for 24 years.....and this solution is far better than a collar or getting rid of the dog...or moving! Two of our ACDs have been debarked. They still bark.....you just can't hear them(and neither can your neighbors). If you decide to do this....find a vet that uses a laser, as this is the best method and causes the least amount of trauma. It costs about $300.00. If you do nothing....you will end up continuously yelling at her...and neither she nor you will be very happy. Hope this advice is helpful.Let me know what you decide. Wendy