Absolutely barking

I have a 19 month old red and white male Border Collie. I know collies can be vocal but he seems to bark a lot - if someone comes in, down the stairs or maybe just for what seems like our attention.
I realize somewhere we have probably responded to his bark hence why he does it.
Also he gets noisy in the car, on the way home, after his run when he's tired.
If I am out walking with my friend with her Alsatian, who's not really dog- friendly (except with my boy) he will bark nine times out of 10 at another dog which he doesn't normaly do.
If I do street walking on lead, he will make strange noises all the way until we arrive back home. I have tried clicker training, discs and many other things to no avail.
I hope someone can help as its quite frustrating
Denise Nicol, by email

Having lived and worked with collies for umpteen years, I can assure you that your problem is really common and I can fully understand how annoying it can be.
You are right; collies can be very vocal dogs. They will often bark, yap, whine or whinge at seemingly the slightest excuse, but particularly when they are excited, anxious or frustrated. This all a part of their highly reactive and excitable nature as a breed.
If you are not careful, however, to nip this kind of behaviour in the bud as soon as it starts, with appropriate training it can soon turn into an incessant neurotic habit, or a highly manipulative device. Or both at the same time.
For example, frantic yapping/whining, just before a walk or meal, is not just excited anticipation, but also a way dogs pressurise their owners into doing something faster. They will often do the same thing when you stop on a walk, perhaps to talk to somebody, or when they want you to throw them a ball. It is pure attention seeking, and controlling behaviour, and you have to realise this and see it for what it is. Otherwise your dog ends up calling all the shots in your relationship and thereafter will become less and less responsive to your commands or authority.
In many dogs the yapping/whining problem gets out of control only because the owners do not handle it correctly. They either get irritated, exasperated or angry and start shouting, which usually makes the behaviour worse, or they are far too inconsistent in their approach, ie sometimes they correct their dog for this behaviour, and other times let him get away with it. Or they try this gadget or that gadget but don't use any of the properly.
When you say, for instance, that you have tried clicker and discs training, I am just wondering whether this was done under the supervision of a highly experienced dog trainer or behaviourist? If not, be aware that if such devices are not used in an expert and knowledgeble way, with total consistency, correct timing and some real understanding of how dogs learn, they will not work, and may even make some problems worse.
Similarly devices like water sprays, or remote control spray collars may work for some dogs in solving the yapping problem. Others, however, will only be temporarily deterred and then yap on regardless.
Ultimately, when it comes to over-excited or unruly behaviour in any dog, there is simply no substitute for calmer, more resolute authority from owners twinned with far better training. You need, for instance, to teach your collie how to 'stop' what he is doing (ie barking), 'watch you' and 'be quiet', as outlined below. In the car he needs to be taught how to be 'quiet', then 'lie down' and keep still and settle ('wait').
It is best to start such training with your dog on a long lead or training line. Begin with exercises like 'stop!' and 'watch me'. As your dog walks ahead a little, stop him suddenly on the line. As he actually stops, say 'stop!'. As soon as he looks at you, then say 'watch me'. Praise him well for this and give him a treat or toy to play with. Practice this religiously until you can get your dog to 'stop' by himself, at varying distances from you, on command, and also get him to 'watch' you on command, off the lead/line as well as on it.
Now try 'sit' and 'watch me'. Reward your dog for sitting and watching you on command. Then try 'down' and 'watch me'. Reward your dog for lying down and watching you on command. Next try 'sit' or 'down' and 'watch me' plus 'wait'. Make your dog sit or lie down and watch you, then keep prolonging the time that elapses before you reward him. While your dog stays still, waiting for a reward, say 'wait'.
Teach your dog to be 'quiet' on command. First get a tasty treat in your hand and deliberately encourage your dog to bark, or wait for him to do so. As he barks, say 'speak!' and praise him, then show him the treat. As he stops barking to get this, instantly say 'quiet!' and give him the treat. He will quickly learn what 'quiet' means.
Such exercises, if sufficiently well taught, give you the tools to keep your dog calmer/under better control in any variety of situations. You can use them individually, or strung together - ie stop-watch me-down-wait.
Remember to always make eye contact with your dog prior to giving him a command. Remember to always remain calm, but firm throughout this training. Do not get cross, irritated, impatient or try to wheedle or cajole your dog into doing things. He will either defy you or switch off. And NEVER be the first to give in. Keep relentlessly but calmly applying your commands until you get what you want from your dog, no matter how long this takes, then go overboard with praise and rewards when you finally do. The more persistent and determined you are from the start, the less and less resistance you should eventually get from your dog.
Collies can be strong-willed dogs, which means that your determination to over-rule your dog's behaviour has to be even stronger. I am also thinking that your friend's Alsatian is a particularly unhelpful role model for your dog and vice versa. Your friend could clearly do with some behavioural help herseld, and both your dogs would benefit far more from the company of calmer dogs to walk with. Is there any way you could arrange this? Perhaps a local dog training club could help?
Meanwhile I wish you all the best for a quieter life!
Carol Price, dog trainer and behaviourist