Barking at people

Question
Dear Dolores:
I too am an Expert for this site in another category. I find myself needing some advice regarding my 2.5 year old female cocker spaniel. She is lovely in every way, eager to please, playful, bright but she has one huge flaw - she barks at EVERYONE other than our immediate family. Whatever we are doing, taking a walk, getting the mail, in the car, eating dinner with guests, she just barks and sometimes lunges at people. I have tried most everything and she has been through obedience training. I really want to quit this habit of hers. We are bringing in another puppy in about a month and really don't want to start dealing with it then. Please give me some indication of how to remedy this issue.
Thank you kindly.
Christine J.

Answer
Hi Christine,
I take it that this isn't "new" behavior and it's been going on for quite awhile?  I'm also assuming when she lunges at people that she's never bitten (or intends to bite).

The quickest way to solve it is to put a citronella anti-bark collar on her.  The minute she starts to bark she gets a shot of citronella up her nose.  Most big pet stores carry these or they can be ordered online.

The other technique takes a little more time but is less expensive.  Get a bunch of empty pop or beer cans...fill each one with 15 pennies and tape the top shut. Have them all over the place so they're within instant reach.

When she barks you pick one up and say NO and bring it down hard to make "one" loud crashing noise.  Keep eye contact (very important)until she walks away.  If she doesn't quit barking, you move a little closer and do it again.  You will say one word only and that's NO !

A dog's hearing is about50 times more sensitive than ours so this is a thunderingly unexpected happening that they really don't like.

I'd assess that she's being a bit dominant in the sense of "I don't like strangers on my turf or near my family".

Personally, I'd go for the can of pennies first since this is "you" asserting your leader of the pack role and most dogs react to this quite quickly and within days all you have to do is simply pick up the can and they'll cease and desist.
Best of luck
Delores