Constant Barking

When she is in her kennel, provided that it is LARGE enough since you did say her "little kennel", you ignore.  Flat out completely IGNORE.  And I know you've tried that, but a persistent dog can try the patience of a saint and THEY usually win and we at least hush them in frustration.  It's like a toddler in the grocery store....the FIRST time you give in to whining, you've set yourself up to fail.  Next time the kid whines, you continue to say no, so he whines longer and/or breaks into a tantrum.  You cave, and the next time, and the next and the next......kids are very much like dogs, they do what WORKS for them, be it to get the sugar cereal or out of the crate.  NEVER let her out until she is totally quiet, and you might have to be quick to catch her at that...and reward her either with a treat or just praise for GOOOOOOOD QUIET!
 
German shepherds are EXTREMELY vocal animals.  They talk ALLLLL the freaking time in one manner or another.  It's up to you to direct the language they use.  I'd personally rather hear a single bark at 5AM than all six of mine YODELING.  But they make all sorts of vocalizations and they do it frequently.
 
You dont' say how old your dog is, so I'm not sure I'd recommend a spray bottle or not, but if you are using one, add a bit of lemon juice or vinegar and shoot directly into that open mouth.  YUCK....but this is NOT for use on a pup who just needs to learn still.........

Thanks for the suggestion. and advice.
 
The kennel is Large enough for her to turn, lay down, even to flip herself over on her back, so theres no problem, there. She is 7months now. so just flat out ignore her? ok, I will try that. I've also started implementing the NILIF method for other things like going out, eating drinking, petting.

I think I will retry the Spray bottle method. and also just flat out ignoring her,

Ok, she's old enough to use the spray bottle IF needed, but first try the total ignore....and it might take a few weeks.  I suspect that barking has been her "get out of jail free card" for a little bit of time and it takes time to reteach a quiet habit.  When she starts up try to remember the kid throwing a tantrum in the grocery store and shaking your head at momma giving in to it.  Speak to one another in really low voices so she has to strain to hear when she IS quiet.....they always want to know everything that is going on.....
 
BUT you have to be totally consistent and NEVER let her out for barking.

I would not spray the dog while she is in her crate.  That's her safe place.  Besides, some dogs just play "gotcha" and the reward they get for barking is you coming to spray them - it's attention they are seeking, and you gave it to them, albeit in a negative way.
 I'd go with ignore....

You could try a citronella spray bark collar.  My dog's barking wasn't too extreme, but at the time I had roommates and sometimes at night he would just bark out of the blue.  I've read that these collars don't work on every dog but it might be worth looking into.  Be sure to condition your dog to the collar before turning it on.

The anti-bark collar I got for Xerxes was the one that generates a high frequency tone.  Some dogs will just bark right through it.  I got it for him on a Friday and worked with him all weekend to teach him that "bark" means "tone."  It worked, for the most part.  And the tone isn't too loud, to my ears.

Thank you all for the suggestion, I tried  the ignoring, and it worked for a few days but then I caved cause she wouldnt hush so Now I am at stop one again. so I have to start over. I usually have to remind everyone to ignore her barking which is really making it difficult.

but now  I have a new dilema, and concern.
this same Dog Peanut. Now is bitting my wife and sometimes nips at my daughter and this is a concern for me, she just recently in the last month or two has started this my wife says that she bites hard, she hasnt broken the skin yet but it still hurts. I havent experienced it, I dont know if its because Ihave the most interaction with them but I am concerned. as to what I can do I've taken her to training, and thru fault of my own after a few months after graduation  i stop working wth I still do the sit, and Stay with her, But I stop entirely for a few months I think prerhaps I need to put the leash on her again within the house. and start from point A again. Is this what I need to do? Or is there something else is it possible I need to retrain her, due to my careless ness of not practicing with her? I also have another Dog Penelope. but she does fine she doenst bite she jumps up but were working on that.

 thank you, and I apologize if I needed to open another pos or thread but didnt.

Terry Ryan's little book, "The Bark Stops Here" might help you figure out what kind of barker you have, and how to stop it)
I think you can get it at dogwise.com

ORIGINAL: peanutvoodoo

Thank you all for the suggestion, I tried  the ignoring, and it worked for a few days but then I caved cause she wouldnt hush so Now I am at stop one again. so I have to start over. I usually have to remind everyone to ignore her barking which is really making it difficult.

but now  I have a new dilema, and concern.
this same Dog Peanut. Now is bitting my wife and sometimes nips at my daughter and this is a concern for me, she just recently in the last month or two has started this my wife says that she bites hard, she hasnt broken the skin yet but it still hurts. I havent experienced it, I dont know if its because Ihave the most interaction with them but I am concerned. as to what I can do I've taken her to training, and thru fault of my own after a few months after graduation  i stop working wth I still do the sit, and Stay with her, But I stop entirely for a few months I think prerhaps I need to put the leash on her again within the house. and start from point A again. Is this what I need to do? Or is there something else is it possible I need to retrain her, due to my careless ness of not practicing with her? I also have another Dog Penelope. but she does fine she doenst bite she jumps up but were working on that.

thank you, and I apologize if I needed to open another pos or thread but didnt.

voodoo:

I think you are seeing the effects, with the barking and the nipping behaviors, of a dog that needs ALOT more exercise.   The nipping behavior is typical of herders, and while you're not going to teach her not to herd, you can keep her well exercised which will help out alot. 

Get her a treat ball or some other interactive treat dispenser that makes her work for her treats/food.  Start again and keep up her obedience training, perhaps even get her involved in some clicker training.  Your biggest task is to get her tired mentally and physically.  Doing this will curtail a majority of the behavior, if you can also give her a two or three or four times a week refresher on her obedience skills.

On a side note for lurkers:  Dogs need alot of exercise.  Daily walks are a must.  These walks accomplish two things, exercise being the first and stimulating their mind is the second.  A walk will allow your dog to smell odors of various passersby, perhaps leave a little "pee-mail" him or herself, and re-establish territory.  If the walk is interspersed between loose lead walking and a solid "heel" it will allow a working dog a chance to do what it has been bred to do:  WORK.  Working dogs want jobs, they need jobs.  If you don't give them a job to do, they will find one, one that you most likely will not like.

ETA:  Just letting a dog out into the backyard is NOT an acceptable substitute for a walk.  Even if you have a huge backyard, dogs have an urge to walk their "territory" every so often.

voodoo:

I think you are seeing the effects, with the barking and the nipping behaviors, of a dog that needs ALOT more exercise. The nipping behavior is typical of herders, and while you're not going to teach her not to herd, you can keep her well exercised which will help out alot.

Get her a treat ball or some other interactive treat dispenser that makes her work for her treats/food. Start again and keep up her obedience training, perhaps even get her involved in some clicker training. Your biggest task is to get her tired mentally and physically. Doing this will curtail a majority of the behavior, if you can also give her a two or three or four times a week refresher on her obedience skills.

On a side note for lurkers: Dogs need alot of exercise. Daily walks are a must. These walks accomplish two things, exercise being the first and stimulating their mind is the second. A walk will allow your dog to smell odors of various passersby, perhaps leave a little "pee-mail" him or herself, and re-establish territory. If the walk is interspersed between loose lead walking and a solid "heel" it will allow a working dog a chance to do what it has been bred to do: WORK. Working dogs want jobs, they need jobs. If you don't give them a job to do, they will find one, one that you most likely will not like.

ETA: Just letting a dog out into the backyard is NOT an acceptable substitute for a walk. Even if you have a huge backyard, dogs have an urge to walk their "territory" every so often.

Voodoo...I have to second everything that Xerxes mentioned.  This dog needs a lot more exercise and mental stimulation.

  My step son#%92s dog has had all kinds of problems because she wasn#%92t getting the crucial exercise and stimulation she needed. He is in the navy and gone for months at a time, leaving his college roommate to care for the dog.  We recently got him, his roommate and his sister to move into a house 2 blocks from us so that my step daughter can help care for the dog and Dh and I can help walk her nightly and work on clicker training.    

I knew it would help but it took less than 1 1/2 weeks of consistent routine with walks, mental stimulation (freezing kongs, giving treat balls, doing clicker work) for this pit mix to have a drastic turnaround.   I am sure that with some hard work and regular routine that involves exercise and mental stimulation, your pup will be a new dog!