Bark , bark , bark ....

hmm..i went through the same thing with the vaccuum.

this is what worked for us: we would get the vaccuum out and put treats on it so he would see that this "loud noisy" thing was safe.

then once he got past the site of it we started turning it on briefly then giving him a treat also showing him that this "loud noisy" thing is safe...

i think u get the picture. as for the shovel and rakes you could try the same thing..?? im not sure but it sounds more like you could be makeing it worse by grabbing his mouth/scolding, you showing that kind of reaction to his just fuels the fire if u know what i mean. i hope that can help and im sure there may be a more resonable explanation from some of our more knowledgeable members

how old is your pup??

Hes just over 3 months old , and your right , when I say no or lay into him for it , he just gets even more fired up . Maybe ignorance is bliss is the way to go with it . He is fine looking at the objects but as soon as I use the shovel /rake or whatever he barks and barks . I guess probably a play thing to .

Sounds very much like play to me- and the desire to chase a moving thing- plus the noise!!!!!
You have a real herding dog puppy there who takes his job seriously.
One thing I would not to is punish in any way- holding the mouth closed, yelling at him....I think he will not understand and will just be frightened by it.
If it drives you crazy I would crate him while you vacuum- personally I think it's hilarious when Lucy does it.

Well , I think a person can always avoid the situation by putting him away when doing such things , but I beleive there must be a way to train him to adapt that he will cope with these actions silently . I could see if it was just the vacuum or whatever but its using any kind of tool such as rakes , shovels , and so on . I am sure through repetitive use with him around should eventually lighten his bark hopefully to none , but hoping for some useful hints or pointers to accelerate the learned behaviour I am wanting to acheive ..but thank you everyone for the comments you have made .

Well, you have a great advantage for teaching bark on command! I used the garden rake for my youngest.
Unfortunately, this will diminish with time. (I miss these harmless antics. - mine are 10 & 13 this year.)

I agree , Lucina , it is normal puppy stuff for sure and it does get frustrating but I make sure I keep my cool and end result is I do quit what I am doing and put him away . YOu are most likely right that at 3 months , I am probably expecting too much out of him and I am sure it is something that will diminish in time as he gets older.

Ha, my four year old still does this! I enjoy it and try to make a game out of it. Being older, she does know the quiet command and the leave-it command, so when I had enough I can tell her to chill.

Or I tie her up on a long line away from the area I'm working in so I don't get bothered, but she is still outside with me.