Silence is Golden

We have three dogs that we love and enjoy having around. A yellow lab named Molly that is my husband's duck-hunting companion. She is an awesome retriever and has a very peaceable and sweet disposition. Molly is an outside dog (but we bring her into the garage at night). We also have a miniature dachshund (Annie) that is really more between a mini size and a regular size. She is very opinionated, nosy, but sweet. She is half outside dog and half inside dog. Our third dog is a springer spaniel named Samson. He is very smart and very sweet but stubborn. He is an outside dog and he, like Molly, comes into the garage at night.
Since we have moved into our new neighborhood, we have noticed Molly and Annie have been barking a lot. I don't know if it's because their fenced area is closer to the house or because our house is backed up to a wooded area with critters, but I have noticed the barking a lot more than before. It's almost as if one of them starts to bark which sets off the other and they just won't relent. We have discussed what to do about the barking, because it has become an annoyance. And we certainly don't want to disturb any neighbors; plus, it's really getting "on my nerves".
So, after much research and trying other devices, we have purchased and are now using "anti-bark" collars on the girls. Lest you think we are cruel, let me explain that the collar puts out a shock only if the dog is continually barking. Amazingly, both girls learned very quickly and I think maybe only experienced one correction each. I happened to be out there with them the other day and Molly was grunting as if she was getting ready to bark and I heard a high pitched beep. She immediately stopped. It was pretty amazing. I also think the collars have settled them down and made them less anxious overall. The premise is that when they bark, the collar will beep and if they continue barking they will experience a shock. The barking stopped within the first day!
All of that to say that it is nice to have animals that we can really enjoy again. Before, I found myself correcting and getting frustrated with them every time they started a barking tirade. Now, I can go out there and we can play and they seem much happier. Samson is probably happier too; the women in his life have finally "shut up".