Anti Bark Collars: The Ideal Way to Stop Excessive Barking

Dogs bark. It’s just what they do to express themselves. And until they adopt a new method of communication or until we develop some kind of interspecies telepathy, we will all hear some more of that barking.

Maybe you are wondering if your dog’s barking is excessive? How to tell what is the acceptable level of barking, especially if this is your first pet? Well if you don’t know, your neighbours will be the first ones to report it. And since no one wants to have beef with their neighbours you’ll have to solve the issue.

The primary reason dogs bark is they sense danger or they fear for themselves (or for you). So, it is normal for them to bark at a target they consider a threat. You need to worry if the barking continues despite the target being out of sight and well under way. A bark that seems to never end is a source of concern. Forget the neighbours, a non-stop barking dog will drive you mad.

Sometimes the uncontrolled barking comes from a traumatic experience rooted in the past – this can be the case with rescue dogs. It can also come from a pet with anxiety, for whatever reason. Or it is just a bad habit that is overdue for some well-deserved behavioural correction.

Source: houndhouse.com.au

What Can You Do?

When verbal reprimendation hasn’t work and your pet still barks excessively, non barking dog collars can put an end to the unwanted behaviour. You can look at them as another highly effective dog training tool. The exact manner in which you will use this tool depends on your training style and personal preference. Non barking dog collars are available in several varieties – electroshock, spray, static and ultrasonic collars and all have their unique benefits.

Electroshock Bark Control Collar

The most prevalent barking control method is attaching a shock collar to the dog’s neck. These collars have probes (usually two) that make contact with the dog. They are fitted with bark sensors, electric charge (from batteries) and interface to choose the appropriate mode.

They can be specifically designed for a certain breed of dogs, or for a type of personality. Stubborn and smart dogs require static shocks that come in a different manner than what will work for docile and subservient dogs. Professional trainers use collars that can be manipulated at the push of a button from a considerable distance. They can also handle training more than one dog at once. And for those that have a busy life, there are smart collars on the market too. These types of collars can be programmed to apply behaviour altering stimuli even if you are not around.

It is quite simple actually. When the dog exhibits the undesired behaviour they receive negative reinforcement. If it’s a collar with a sensor, the chock is administered according to the mode that is switched on. The collars that can be manipulated from a distance are slightly more convenient. They allow you to control the force and the duration of the shock with a remote.

Pros and Cons

The control over the charge is the main advantage of shock collars. You can adjust them to your training philosophy and that makes them a great tool. They also allow you to refrain from other inhumane behaviour control methods, such as pulling the leash and other forms of corporal punishment.

Unfortunately, if you’re not careful shock collars can inflict damage to the dog. Continuously exposing the dog to a shock that is too strong for them to bear leads to increased aggression and learned helplessness.

Source: thedogline.com.au

Liquid Squirting Collar

Apparently dogs are not fond of liquids being sprayed onto them, especially if they have a citrusy smell. That being said, spray bark collars have a reservoir of citronella, lemon juice or water that is released when the bark sensors are activated. The build is very similar to the other collars, the only major difference being the type of stimulant that is used for behavioural control.

Now, this is a method generally considered effective with smaller dogs. If your dog has grown big or is of a stubborn breed, you might not get the desired results with this piece of gear.

Pros and Cons

Spray barking collars are considered a more humane way to train dogs. And they are a good tool. Even if the dog tries to ignore the squirted liquid the scent that remains in the air is uncomfortable and this has its purpose during training.

As with the other ways to suppress the dog’s natural instincts, when overdone, this method can make your dog indifferent.

Source: thesprucepets.com

Ultrasonic Anti Bark Collars

Using high-pitched sounds that are unpleasant for the dog is also used as a negative reinforcement during training. Ultrasonic anti bark collars emit these sounds until the dog stops barking.

Pros and Cons

Anti bark collars are a silent method, at least to you. They have been found to be some of the more effective bark control collars available.

However, proper calibration of these devices can be a potential issue. You can not register the sound, so the potential for things to go wrong is high. This method of bark control is also more time consuming as results are not to be expected until six weeks of training. And just because you don’t hear the waves it doesn’t mean they are not present. For example, if you have bees on the property, this can affect them adversly.

Static Bark Control Collar

These type of collar works by sending a vibration through the dog, which causes them to stop barking. It is considered a more humane method than sending an electric shock through their body.

Pros and Cons

Despite being more humane, these devices can be also turned off at will. So if you have an intruder, you can switch the collar off and your dog will be free to launch its voice in full force. They are an intermediate level solution. It will not over-stress the dog, but at the same time, it might just not be enough for it to be trained.

The static bark collar requires a nuanced approach. If you dive head on into training with static collar, your dog might develop a fear of the vibration. And as a result, you will have a dog that doesn’t bark. Ever.