When trying to figure out how to get a dog to quit barking, the first thing you should do is figure out why the dog is barking.
Is it a warning bark, an alarm bark, a playful bark, or a need based bark? Most of these barks are easy to figure out and just as easy to stop.
Keep in mind, however, dogs do bark for a reason, it isn't always the best idea to stop all barking.
A warning bark is exactly what the name implies.
Its a warning to other dogs or humans.
Your dog is saying "I see you, stay away, I don't want to meet you".
This is usually the kind of bark you will see when a new dog comes into your dogs territory.
Usually it will start out as a low and quiet growl and then turn into a sort of howling bark.
The best way to keep this behavior from happening is to socialize your dog from an early age and keep doing it throughout their life.
You can socialize a dog after the puppy stage, but you have to keep a closer eye on him.
My preferred method of stopping this is correction.
When your dogs gives the warning bark, give him a short tug on the leash to the side, never pull back on the leash (that tells your dog to run!).
All the short tug does is snap his mind out of the "warning" mind set.
Alarm barking is when your dog can hear something but can't see it or doesn't know what it is.
For example, a car driving by, mailman dropping off mail.
Usually it will be more of a lower pitch "grunt" leading to a higher pitch bark/yelp sound.
This is your dog saying "I hear you, where are you, be careful".
The alarm bark isn't something you are going to want to stop unless your dog barks at EVERYTHING.
The alarm bark could very well save your life one day, it could alert you to an intruder trying to come into your home! If your dog does bark at everything try to figure out what exactly he is barking at.
If you can, remove whatever it is.
Another great method is the squirt bottle of water, when he barks give him a squirt.
It will stun your dog for a split second, after a while he will understand and quit barking at the blade of grass that moves with the wind (believe it or not, I've known dogs to bark at moving grass!!).
A playful bark is what your dog does at the dog park.
Usually it is just a bark and doesn't change.
It is a dogs way of saying "Hey, here I am, someone come play with me".
The playful bark is usually preceded by whats called the "play bow".
The play bow is when your dog extends his front paws and lowers the upper half of his body, usually he will show his teeth in a playful manner (think smile).
The play bow tells other dogs that anything after the bow is just for play "I'm not trying to hurt you".
There really is no need to stop a playful bark.
A need based bark is simple.
Once you figure out what your dog needs, be it water, food, attention, pee/poo, give it to him.
What happens is that at some point your dog has barked at you and you have given him food or pet him, that tells your dog that every time he barks you are going to do that again.
It is almost like your dog training you for a change.
Need based barks don't need to be stop as much as they need to be figured out.
I hope this helps you figure out why dogs bark and how to stop a barking dog.
Remember these simple tips and everything should go well!