Thanks for your input guys it gives me somewhat of a baseline to work with. Hercules is overall a very vocal dog (likes to whine too to try and get what he wants from people
) so I'm not sure how much I could inhibit his natural tendencies overall.
With that said though, I think I'll keep working on getting him to stop barking at the neighbors. I think he's just learning the word knock it off so it will take a little time. The garden hose sounded like a good option
I'm particularly concerned about him barking at these neighbors since they have two small children and I don't want these people living in fear in their own back yard. Or any neighbor for that matter. He's never allowed to bark early in the morning or at night, and if he does I'm out there with him waiting for him to do his business and get back in the house. I know as a neighbor that would really irritate me, so that much I'm knowingly considerate of.
But I think he does have natural guard dog tendencies and I don't mind that to some extent since I'm a single gal living alone. There are a few instances of barking where it's absurd (motorcyle barking) and I'll continue to have to teach him to stop with that habit. Otherwise, he will only bark at things he doesn't recognize as the norm. I hope my neighbors can bare with me until he gets used to seeing them and I get him under control.
Of course, if I say "whose there" - his guarding insticts kick in and he starts wandering the house trying to listen to what it might be and starts with his little "boofs"
Rather cute really