I do hope my dog isn't going to be traumatized

First of all, let me say I was warned:  More than one Schnauzer-owner told me, "They are 'barkie' dogs."  

Where we live, there isn't a lot of traffic for a dog to bark at, but Gabe barks at foot traffic too.  Not just when he thinks we need protecting... oh no!  He barks with pure joy when he sees Cliff coming to the house from the shop, or the next-door grandson happens to be walking around outside; in fact, I can just say Arick's name and Gabe will emit a small "woof".  Cliff wouldn't mind the barking so much if only the dog would shut up when he's told, but his enthusiasm cannot be quenched.  

Suzie

A couple of weeks ago we visited granddaughter Monica, who moved to our little town recently with her significant other.  She has a terrier-type black-and-white dog named Suzie that makes Gabe's barking seem like nothing at all.  Barking dogs can make enemies of a neighbor when you are living in a duplex or apartment, so Monica purchased a little object that makes a noise only dogs can hear; you push the button, the dog stops barking.  It works; I saw it in action.  

We have a shock collar I've used on Gabe one single time.  He was in the pasture behind the house, trotting in the opposite direction while ignoring my calls of "Come!"  When I zapped him, he ran past me to the back door and practically climbed up it, wanting in the house for safety.

I just couldn't do it again.  The shock collar has been on a shelf in a closet ever since.  But the idea of something that simply makes an unpleasant sound didn't seem so bad, so I ordered one.  The reviews were mixed:  Some said it worked great, some said their dogs got used to it after awhile, and some said it never worked on their dogs at all.  But I had seen my granddaughter's results with Suzie, so I ordered one.  When it arrived, the directions were in Chinese, but there wasn't much to figure out.  I put the four batteries in.  Gabe started barking when he saw Arick outside, I pushed the button, and we had instant silence.  After a couple more quick uses, the barking stopped and my dog disappeared.  

He had gone to his kennel, far in the back of it, and huddled in a corner.  At first he wouldn't even come out when I called him, but when he did, I petted him and hugged him and held him on my lap awhile.   

Shortly after, it was time to give the barn cats their supper.  I put the stinger in my pocket and invited Gabe out with me, thinking perhaps this would be a way to teach him to stop when he's running away, ignoring my calls.  He headed for the neighbors' horse pen.  I said "Come," he kept going, I pushed the button for a second, and he came running.  From that point he stayed very near me.  I praised him and petted him again.  He went in the barn with me, so when I fed the cats, I gave him a tiny piece of their food.  He stayed with me when I left the barn, and was doing so well staying with me I decided to see if he would obey the "heel" command; I've often made him heel when he's on a leash, but he never convinced me he knew what he was supposed to be doing.  But when I said heel, he closed in on my left side and walked along beside me.  When got a little too far ahead of me, I told him "heel" again, and he did.  Might have been a fluke.  I'll try it later today.

So far I'm impressed.  I'm trying to give treats along with using the "beeper" so it won't all be a negative experience.  This morning I let him come out with me, off-leash, and he paid attention every single time I called him closer, without my using the new dog-training tool.  

If this lasts, I might end up with the most well-mannered Miniature Schnauzer anybody ever had.  

Wish me luck.