How do you stop dogs barking?

My dog is 2 and a half and won’t stop barking! We’ve tried for A G E S and he’s unstoppable!
Many people recommend bark collars. Done that with expensive and cheap collars, it doesn’t work. Others recommend lightly taping him on the nose when he’s inside but he tries to bite me. When he’s outside, he doesn’t do recall, he has “selective hearing.” He also barks an awful lot at the cats and chases them.

Anyone got any ideas on stopping his barking that doesn’t include expensive bark collars?

Thanks in advance

Dog Grooming?

I am interested in working with animals as a career. I really seem to like the Dog Grooming industry. I’ve heard its extremely physically demanding (and I should know I groom my own dogs which includes 3 115lbs bouviers and an aussie). I also have heard it can be extremely hardwork but i think I’m up to the challenge. Do you have any advice for me as a high school student on where i can get a job, reccomended schools to attend or any other information you could provide. Also if you can inform me about what i should do if i pursue this career and possibly start a grooming business with other services such as dog walking and pet supply?(Im willing to get certified as a dog walker as well) There is a shelter close by that I can volunteer at that also offers training courses for dog walking and registering CGC & therapy dogs if that matters. I appreciate any answers or suggestions for occupations within this field too. Thanks so much for any answers.

? About AKC registration and mix-breed dogs?

I have my first mixed-breed pup and have heard recently that it IS possible to get her registered (different type of reg. of course) and show her through AKC. I know for a fact my pup’s sire is purebred german shepherd and the dam is purebred australian cattle dog….Obviously she wouldn’t be eligable for breed-specific competitions like conformation but what i’m interested in is obedience/rally/agility. Does anyone know for SURE that this “limited registration” is possible to obtain titles? On AKC’s website it was unclear weather or not the limited reg. was only for purebred dogs that didn’t have papers or if they have something for mixed breeds as well.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff75/leann95757/DSC00810.jpg

Also, assuming this is possible, does anyone know how to go about getting an application? Cost? Limitations?
lol, I’m not an idiot, I know her parents being purebred doesn’t mean anything, my point was just that I know exactly what the mix is.

My understanding is, unless she’s registered somehow, she’s not eligible for shows/titles? I’m really only familiar with AKC shows.
Thanks! I wasn’t clear on the difference between ILP #s (doesn’t have papers for whatever reason?) and limited registration (although they have papers, breeders don’t want puppies bred?)…Am I understanding correctly?

How can I train my dog to be good at other peoples’ homes?

My dog is housebroken when he’s around me, or at my home. However, when I leave him with friends when I need to go out of town for a night or two, or when we are at a friend’s home, he has “accidents” in the house. I don’t understand why. Is there any way to train him not to?
My dog is a 2yo chihuahua/terrier mix.

When will my dog stop barking at my new kitten?

They both follow me around and it’s giving me a headache
It’s evil barking.

The kitten is a rescue and she does everything perfectly. She was found as a stray and probabaly hasn’t ever been in a house.

I think my dog’s conspiring to get rid of the cat.

She keeps making me open the back door and then not going outside, so the cat escapes and gets lost.

Hmm.

¬____¬

What’s your favorite agility training tool?

In about a year my family will be moving closer to the in-laws in Mississippi. My MIL breeds Australian Shepherd’s and has asked me if I wanted to start dog training with her, focusing on agility.

We are both new to agility training and I wanted to know what are some tools that you suggest and cannot live without?

*We will be building our course at home with the obstacles being the same as a standard course.

Thanks so much!