I think a good solid sit stay is a great idea. I don't train using any aversives or spraying yucky things at my dogs. I don't like startling them or having them learn things in order to avoid something, but rather learn in the hopes of getting something they love. I think aversives confuse dogs. That's just my way. I'll just explain how I did it:
I don't say "no" because barking to me is not a no no. I like my dogs to warn me of unusual things like people coming up to my door. So, I don't like to pair the word "no" with something that is sometimes OK and sometimes not. So, I taught the cue "enough." I use that word and concept for other things too. The dogs will connect that the behavior is allowed but when I ask them to stop, they need to be quiet. And a little rough housing is OK inside, but when I tell them "enough" they need to stop now. Or licking me is OK, but now I've had "enough." Those are some examples of where this comes in handy.
First, don't try to train when someone comes to your door....not at first. Get someone in the family or a friend to help you or catch them when they're barking at something else that they won't be as likely to be so persistant about. A friend can knock on the door and won't mind waiting for you to work the dog as someone who happens to be coming to your door that you weren't prepared for.
Distract the dog by going to her, showing her something interesting. (it's always good to teach attention training before anything. This way it's much easier to get the dog's attention on you and off the other thing a little bit) The second she stops (she has to catch her breath sometimes anyhow) click and treat, if she's clicker savy. If not and you don't want to do it that way, praise with a marker word, "yessssss" and give her a treat. Do this several times. Then, start adding the cue word, "enough" WHEN she's quiet, even if only for a second or two. Be ready. You need to mark that second or two exactly when it happens. Do this for a long time before you start trying to give the cue first. If you give the cue while she's barking, she'll learn that "enough" means TO bark. You don't want that. Catch her during the second or two that she is quiet. Gradually hold her attention just a little longer. Only when she is reliable with that do you start to try and add the cue before. You need to make sure she has associated the cue word, "enough" with the stopping of the barking. Use high value treats. When it's time to increase the quiet time....the duration, use tastier treats yet. Practice a few times a day in a controlled situation. If someone comes to your door unexpectently, you'll just have to try to get her attention on you, interrupt her barking and answer the door. She may start up again but if you practice at other times with a helper, that will speed the process.
Dogs are going to bark when people come to the door. That is their job and their instinct. But we can teach them to temper it once we tell them "thank you, now that's enough."( I'll take it from here )sort of thing. I think the sit/stay is a good thing to do in conjunction because it further indicates to the dog that she is "working" and part of the job is working on the "enough" cue. It takes time and it may not be perfect, because this is such a strong thing with dogs. But it can be done. My dogs stop pretty well. Jose is my most persistant. Lyric and Chuli stop very well. Toker.....she's still a work in progress. And it's harder with multiple dogs because they get each other worked up.
