bark, Bark, BARK!!!

Do you walk your dog before you leave? for how long?

What have you tried so far?

Is there an area inside where you can keep him until you can get the barking thing dealt with? Does he bark inside too (I know my guys barely utter a peep indoors but outside when they see interesting stuff, they have to let the whole neighborhood know)?

can you leave him inside?  my guys sleep inside all day when I'm gone.
 
Anti-bark collars aren't as nasty as they sound.
 
Does he bark continuously or is he just alert-barking at well, stuff? like the neighbor moving around?

Okay, let's see if I can answer all the questions...
 
Nope, he doesn't get a walk before I leave.  Just a long one in the evening.
 
What have I tried so far?  Nothing, while I'm gone.  When I'm home, I either use the spray bottle or get his attention some other way, then praise him for being quiet.  That hasn't really worked.  He still barks.
 
Can I leave him inside?  I could, but there's no way for him to get outside to go to the bathroom.  He's really good behaviorally inside, but he does like to climb on the couch and bark when people pass.
 
I don't know how much he barks when I'm gone, but according to the neighbor, he barks at her and her grandkids, as well as the mailman and anyone else who passes by.  So it's an alert bark, I think, but he doesn't stop with just one or two barks.  He continues until they're gone.
 
I think I've answered all the questions.  I just went to our local feed store (the closest Petsmart and such is 30 miles away), and they only had a shock collar.  I don't want one of those.  I've heard of other kinds, though, like ones that spray water or make a squeal when he barks.  I'd rather have one of those, so it's not hurting him.
 
More thoughts are gladly welcome!

I was just looking at the collars on this website.  What is "a harmless Static Correction"?  Is that a shock?

Couldn't you crate him while you're at work?

Leaving a dog outside all day long is asking for behavioral problems-like barking.  There's too much stimulation outside.

ORIGINAL: SquishyB
Nope, he doesn't get a walk before I leave. 

He should. The more exercise he gets before you leave, the more content helll be all day.

I could, but there's no way for him to get outside to go to the bathroom. 

Many people leave their dogs crated all day. Or perhaps a doggie door? A kennel that doesn't give as much access as does the whole yard?

How about a frozen kong with his morning meal in it? Some interactive toys to keep him busy...

But I really think exercising him well in the morning is going to be your best bet.

ORIGINAL: SquishyB
What is "a harmless Static Correction"?  Is that a shock?

Yes. A light shock.

I guess I could just crate him.  He's going to have to be crated during the winter anyway, because we get lots of snow.  So maybe it's time to just bring him back in.
 
If I do get a collar, which do you recommend?  What brand?  A shocker?  A citronella?  Or a noise-maker?  Since I use a "silent" whistle for training, would he not respond to a whistling collar?

Personally, I would not recommend a collar. I would try to correct the problem instead of treat the symptom. I'm sure some people have success with the collars, but I don't think that's the answer, fully realizing I could be wrong.   However, if I were to recommend one, I think I would go with a beeping one. "The Bark Stops Here" looks interesting. 

I read this thread because my boss's son just got a puppy and she had barking issues and we work where that can not be tolerated so in desperation they got Daisy, a border collie, a citronella collar.  The test came this weekend and we did not hear Daisy barking from the backyard behind the store.  She had been on the collar for 4 weeks or less.  The only time we did hear her some patrons had entered the gate into the backyard unnoticed and were quickly asked to leave, so it was a definite warning bark that she was willing to indure the citronella to warn us about intruders. []  Go Daisy!

ORIGINAL: FourIsCompany

ORIGINAL: SquishyB
Nope, he doesn't get a walk before I leave. 

He should. The more exercise he gets before you leave, the more content helll be all day.

Not only content but you will be burning the pent up energy that the dog has from the night before, some dogs bark to try to release that extra energy and people at the door give him a good excuse for that, if you walk him before you leave your dog will stay in "resting mode" and will be less likely to bark

I guess that means I have to get up earlier!  Yuck!  [:'(]
 
Ah, well, if it'll make my puppy happier and healthier, it's worth it.  []

I really would not be leaving the pup outside while you're gone. All kinds of things could happen - he could dig out under the fence, someone could come steal him, someone could let him loose because his barking is out of control, and so on. It's much safer to leave the dog inside while you're not home.