Puppy Care

A bark control collar may be utilized as a safe and efficient Training tool for eliminating your dog’s annoying or persistent barking. Following are the top three points I’m asked to clarify from pet owners interested in learning more about no bark collars and how they work.

Bark Collars – Harmless or Harmful?

There has been much controversy about the humaneness of Training with a bark control collar. In my opinion, bark collars are very humane.

There are many different varieties of bark collars (Aboistop and Citronella collars, Ultra Sonic Devices and Static Correction Bark Collars). For the intention of this post, I’ll center on shock collars since the majority of controversy about reliability and humaneness seems to center on this variety.

Shock collars use a mild static shock to admonish your dog when he barks. Some collars detect your dog’s bark by using a vibration sensor, some collars use a microphone to recognize barking by sound; several versions of collars use a combination of vibration and sound.

The static correction received is exactly like the shock you feel when you walk across carpeting in your socks and then touch a metal object. You also may have experienced this when you pull your clothing out of the clothes dryer during the winter and they have “static cling”. Startling? Yes. Painful? No.

When used properly, along with consistent Training, static correction bark collars can be a safe, harmless tool to stop unreasonable or annoying barking.

What type of bark collar will work best for my dog?

There are some questions you should ask yourself to determine the answer. As a pet owner, you know your pet best. Factors to think about when shopping for a no bark collar:

• Your dog’s age: Shock collars or dog training collars should not be used on a dog younger than 6 months of age.
• Your dog’s size & weight: Your dog’s weight and collar size should be considered when considering collars. A bark collar for small dogs will not work well for a large or stubborn breed.
• Your dog’s temperament: Is your dog very stubborn? Apprehensive and  fearful? There are specialized bark collars that will help with either extreme, as well as standard collars that are appropriate for most dogs. An extremely shy dog may respond better to a Citronella Bark Collar or Ultrasonic device. Likewise, a larger dog will in all likelihood be trained easier with a bark control collar especially made for big breeds.

Will a bark collar work on my dog?

The success rate for bark collars is good, but its important to keep in mind that they might not help in every circumstance. One way to help promote success is to make a commitment to consistent training. Opt for the bark collar that fits best with your dog’s temperament and size, apply persistent training, and you will be well on your way to quieter days.