[DodoBird27]

So about 5 years ago (wow, has it been that long?!) my family adopted a cute medium sized mutt. We think hes a lab/ridgeback mix. Hes great, always has been really well behaved.
Over the past 6 months or so he has been barking a lot more then usual. I understand that he is a dog and dogs bark, but we have to get up as often as every ten or twenty minutes to stop him. Sometimes he sees something in the street from the bay window (or sometimes nothing that we can see of xD), he could just be laying down and jump up, or whenever we let him out he just runs and starts barking most of the time. We try to be courtious to the neighbors and bring him in ASAP when he starts barking in the yard though.
Its getting really really old and I was wondering if there was anything we could do to make him chill out and not bark so much. We obviously aren't about to go get him de-barked but are there any training techniqes that anyone can share? We are even beginning to consider a shock collar, which is something we really don't want to use.
Any tips are much appreciated. Thanks guys:-?

[german sheep]

go to the vet and check out if ears and eyes are still ok.
because of:

Over the past 6 months or so he has been barking a lot more then usual

maybe he becomes deaf or can not see as good as he could (eye cataract).

Has anything changed in your life?
Next time, when he barks, praise him by caressing (clapping) his shoulder for two times, take him out of the situation and give him an alternative, something you would like him to do.
Take him on the leash in special situations in the house and watch if its behaviour changes through it. A leash should give a form of sureness. Maybe he needs this sign to know that the owner is still there and takes the responsibility for the safety within the pack.

LG
gs

[Lara's mom]

Some breeds bark more than others. My border collie never barks unless she senses a threat. My little JRT seems to bark just for the fun of hearing the sound of her own voice!

[Yogi]

as german sheep noted, you may want to have his eyes and ears checked. Anytime a dog changes its normal routine such as this, it is always best to seek professional advice from a vet. Lack of hearing will provoke a dog to randomly bark. This is generally due to the fact that it thinks it heard something so to be safe, it responds accordingly. Lack of vision also will provoke this as the dog being not able to see clearly will bark out a warning even when there is no threat. Good luck.

[lil mutt]

I'm with the vet check too. Sometimes, behavior change incorporate with health issues, let the vet take a close look at him. Also one time you can to leash him and go around the place you think he is barking, go together to investigate.

[mrandrei]

There are many ways to stop your dog from barking excessively. Training is one of them. Use positive reinforcement to reward your pooch when he is quiet. Socialization also helps a lot.

[danny14]

I think he is suffering with some pain.Its better t meet a veterinary doctor.He will find it out wats the problem is.

[woofah]

Another possibility is that he has found a way to get you fuss over him.

Try lots of exercise and play when it suits you and make sure he knows the meaning of the "No" word. When he barks just say "No" - don't jump up and go overboard with attention.

It'll take time.

[fidobuddy]

maybe he wants something which he can't get that's why he's barking. the best way it to really have him checked up and after hearing what the vet has got to say, then know what to do. i really hope you can lessen his barking since as you've said, he's getting older