Barking/Growling

Question
I have a 3 1/2 month old Papillion puppy.  I realize it is in the dog's nature to bark but I live in a town house and I would really like to minimize his barking as much as I can.  He barks whenever someone is at the door, if he hears the slightest sound, or when he is in the crate.  Just lately he is growling and barking at people that he knows.  I don't know if he is getting spoiled or what but he is getting more feisty.  I was just wondering if spraying him in the face with water every time he barks is okay or any other suggestions that might work would be great.  Thanks!

Answer
Spraying him in the face with a water bottle certainly will not hurt him.  Be sure your timing is so that you spray him the instant he barks so that he associates the barking with getting water in his face.

Some articles that might help:

http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Behavior/Handouts/BarkControl.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/barking.pdf