Both of mine bark at anything approaching their property comfort zone (i.e. anything in sight/ear shot
). I do not wish to curb this because it's what they're supposed to do - however, I do not allow it to go on incessantly. I tell them both "good", "it's okay", and then tell them to "stop now". We're still working on the "stop now" part but they are getting much better with practice. I had Rocco trained pretty well last year but with the addition of Perle he's following her lead. She is quite the guard dog - she circles the perimeter of the yard each time I let her out and gives little "humrphhs" as she goes.
She's 4 and I got her from the HS in December so I have no idea what her history is...she's turning out to be a GREAT dog, tho!