Is there any way....

I would go for changing her response to noises by treating her every time there is a noise that scares her. It's exhausting to do at 3 am, but it works.

Our foster is afraid of lightening and we're doing this with him. He's gotten better with each storm, and now will bark a little, get his treat and then settle back in for the rest of the storm.

I think there was an article about this kind of thing in BARk this month too. That might be a handy reference.

 Bark? What is that?

Pit_Pointer_Aussie

I would go for changing her response to noises by treating her every time there is a noise that scares her. It's exhausting to do at 3 am, but it works.

Our foster is afraid of lightening and we're doing this with him. He's gotten better with each storm, and now will bark a little, get his treat and then settle back in for the rest of the storm.

I think there was an article about this kind of thing in BARk this month too. That might be a handy reference.

You have to be careful here that you don't reinforce the wrong thing "the barking".  I am sure others more verse in marker training can help but I would not treat unless the dog DIDN'T BARK.   Noise, no bark ='s treat.    I tell my dog "bed" or "lay down" she knows these commands and will stop barking and got to her bed.  I don't make a big deal of it, just go lay down.  I can tell when her bark is serious or just a knee jerk reaction to a noise.  Good luck

luvmyswissy

You have to be careful here that you don't reinforce the wrong thing "the barking".  I am sure others more verse in marker training can help but I would not treat unless the dog DIDN'T BARK.   Noise, no bark ='s treat.    I tell my dog "bed" or "lay down" she knows these commands and will stop barking and got to her bed.  I don't make a big deal of it, just go lay down.  I can tell when her bark is serious or just a knee jerk reaction to a noise.  Good luck

 That's actually what the article is about, and that in this case you wouldn't be reinforcing the bark because it's classical conditioning. I am doing a terrible job explaining it.

ETA: here is the name of the article:

[Behavior: Both Ends of the Leash]

Comforting a fearful dog can be a good thing.

By Patricia B. McConnell, PhD

You should be able to find the magazine at various dog stores. 

Also, here is the link to the BARk Web site: http://www.thebark.com/ 

 Um, and so you got an Aussie why?  As a breed, they tend to be very alert, and they let you know when something's "out there".  I agree that the time to mark and treat is after the dog has been silent for a few seconds.  Then, you add a cue ("hush", "quiet", "zip it", whatever...).  That way, you can let the dog do her job, but be able to cue her to zip it after a few barks.

 Hmmm

Well I do that when she barks at passer by's during the day. I say "thank you, that's enough" and give her praise. That has helped.

The only problem at night though is that she'll wake me up from a deep sleep! Hard to reward then.

I was going to suggest a fan but I see you don't want that.  I can't sleep without fan noise and in the summer we have a window fan as well as my "noise fan" right by my head.  When I took the window fan down I noticed that Coke was more alert to noises outside, once even jumping up at the window.  He's only barked in the middle of the night a few times since we've had him though (and once was a dream!) so not as bad as Lily.  The fan possibly helped prevent that, but if you don't like fan noise either I can understand that.

Jewlieee

 Hmmm

Well I do that when she barks at passer by's during the day. I say "thank you, that's enough" and give her praise. That has helped.

The only problem at night though is that she'll wake me up from a deep sleep! Hard to reward then.

Actually, if you have the cash, you could get a Manners Minder with a remote and reward her from your nice cozy bed!  It's the old "Treat 'n' Train that Sharper Image discontinued, and Premier is now selling it.  You can get one at www.petexpertise.com ( good site for other stuff, too).

 Start at home, anticipate a stranger walking by, distract her from barking.  Maybe even set up role playing with a friend, and teach quietness gets a reward and praises. (flamboyent 'good dog";)

 How about a low level of music (classical, soft rock, whatever) playing rather than a fan to dullen the simple nature noises that are making her stressed to bark at night while camping, or whenever she is waking to hear the sounds of the evening.