Dоg Trаining: Whаt shоuld I dо if my dоg wоn't stор bаrking?

If a dog is barking, something is bothering him or her. Like last Christmas when our shihtzu and toy poodle started barking at the Christmas tree. We just kept trying to stop them but they will eventually go on barking. When I stepped near the tree, I saw a huge rat right on top of the presents. I chased the dogs away and called my brother. We had to spend half an hour chasing that rat away out of the house. They can have rabies and the last thing I want is for my dogs to get bitten.