Hi
I have 4 dogs, 11, 10, 9 and 2 years old
They have always barked, as dogs do!  All bark at visitors, 1 barks with any exciting things happening, ie any family member coming home and 1 barks for no apparent reason, bless him, he's a bit odd.  1 barking for any reason can set the whole lot off so they bark quite a lot!
As they have got older the barking is getting worse and I would love to be able to train them to be quiet.  However, I have no ideas how to deal with the training with multiple dogs all kicking off at once.
They're not causing any problems with neighbours complaining or anything like that but I would love to be able to train them to be quiet just to see if we can do it really. 
I realise I should have dealt with this sooner.
I don't want to go down the route of spray collars or other "aids", its just an exercise to see if "we" can do it
So, any tips or advice for shushing multiple dogs would be greatly appreciated
Thanks

I have never had the patience to go through it with my lots (have a lot more than you!) but I know I CAN keep them quiet, and I'm sure if I persevered they would eventually learn. If at times I HAVE to keep them all quiet no matter what I grab a big tub of treats, make some noise or say something to get their attention, then start throwing treats for them all to catch -one at a time. They all shut up and anyone who isn't quiet doesn't get a treat. It definitely works, but would of course need repeating regularly to be learnt, with a command added.

Mine have all (except the youngest) have all been taught to 'speak' on command and then taught 'enough' for them to be quiet so if they do bark on their own a simple 'enough' usually makes them be quiet. They were all taught individually though not as a group although it does work for us in group situations.

I just shouted louder than they did.............

My dogs  were taught when the  word "ENOUGH"   was spoken, it meant the end of any unwanted behaviour...........  they learnt  over time the word along with my body language,   meant fun stopped!!

Find with my breed anyway that if you shout they just seem to think you are joining in and raise it by a few decibels much better to lower the voice and they stop to listen to what you are saying - however although they will respond to me saying quite in a normal voice for some barking the noise they make when excited by the thought of a ride in the car or food no amount of effort from me will make the slightest difference and I (controversially) use a squirt of water but although that works well for me and after a few times it is only necessary to stretch the hand out it seems that to day it is frowned upon so I am not saying try it but find out what others who would not use water do. 

> and I (controversially) use a squirt of water but although that works well for me and after a few times it is only necessary to stretch the >hand out it seems that to day it is frowned upon so I am not saying try it but find out what others who would not use water do

We were advised to use a 'shaky can' with Bramble when he would bark at visitors etc (and not be quiet). It worked really well and after quite a short time we only had to say 'shaky can' and he was quiet :) It doesn't work with all dogs and, I am sure, there are some dogs it shouldn't be used with.

We were advised to use a 'shaky can'

LOL Daisy - reminds me when I gave that method a try, my lot stopped came to me and started barking again having decided that the can contained biscuits, but then I suppose it is my fault for having Elkhounds. Was also advised to try this to stop counter surfing with much the same result they would check that the tin had not opened to reveal something that was edible when they found it was not they carried on surfing.

Not sure why a squirt of water works but it does, perhaps they know that you are displeased so stop their activity with just the threat of using the squirt bottle.

THB I think it depends on the dog, and I suspect it is not so much a case of just teaching them to be quiet but generally to keep a lid on teh excited behaviour, i'm guessing that it probably helps stop the jumping up and down and running around in circles too? (or is that just mine that do that! LOL)
What I mean is that deterrents will only work if the dog is aware of what it is doing (and only that)  and when it is barking with excitement it is probably more that the dog is just so overwhelmed that it bursts out rather than specifically barking for a purpose.

A shaky bottle, splash of water (prefer it to squirting personally) , clapped hands, rattling a treat pot or anything that interrupts them for long enough for you to praise and distract them will probably work.

OP: Also might help to offer an alternative behaviour, ie, teach them to go to a mat or their bed for a reward, if you can interrupt the barking and hten send them to lie down (or any 'trick') then they should be focussed on you waiting for a treat or another command instead of shouting. :-)
Just to clarify, some people seem to scream at their dogs and send them to their beds as a kind of punishment, I'm not suggesting that, just that my dogs love to go and leap on their beds when I tell them as that means its sweetie time!

My 14 week old pup has started barking with excitement when it's a meal time (hers not ours), this is a new move from jumping up at the counter top which I was able to stop by saying off and stopping getting her food ready. So I'm trying saying shhhhhhh and putting my finger to my lips and glaring at her and of course stopping what I was doing. Have to say its a work in progress. I've found that a good glare can be quite effective with some dogs.

Thanks everyone.  I have been trying the big tub of treats which is working ok, timing is everything tho as they are clever!  they sit quiet till they get the treat then barks then come back lol.  I think I need to set up some situations so that I'm prepared.
I will persevere!
Thanks again

An interesting question - got the same problem myself now with the puppy.  He seems to hear tiny noises in the evening and start yipping and my older one joins in.  She barks at all sorts - I don't want her to stop barking to alert me to someone coming to the door or someone about in the field behind but she just doesn't stop.  I tried calling her and giving her a treat - she takes it and then turns back to continue barking.  She never barked as much when she was young and now I am afraid the pup is going to copy.  I have taught the adult to 'speak' but there is no turn off switch for her - especially if she has just seen a cat.  I really would like a fool proof method to train a quiet!

Mine are okay when I am in the house but problem I have is when clients come down path(I am a dog groomer) and they all bark, howl and whine. As you say, its one that seems to start and the others copy. Luckiliy we have no near neighbours but goodness knows what my customers think to them selves. I could also do with suggestions for a solution.

My 2 1/2 year old has the habit of running out into the garden already barking at what she expects to be there (neighbours teasing cats sitting across the dividing weldmesh barrier fence to rest of garden), and our local pair of wood pigeons who wait on neighbours bird table or sit on our fence quite unfazed by my pack.

I find calling her back with cheery voice, and saying thank you be quiet interrupts the behaviour.

Oh the birds!  They just sit there on the top of the pole and tease!   Unless my Meg is totally crazed by the sight of a cat I drop my hand down to her nose to calm her.  Works sometimes but she has to have the last word.  When out in the garden I send her 'in' to the house but I have to get to be in front of her first which is an absolute nuisance if I have just gone to the loo or stepped into the shower!