Barking is a means of communication for dogs and normal behaviour unless it is excessive. No one wants to live next door to a constantly barking dog. If your dog is barking unnecessarily it can be stressful for the whole household and probably your neighbours too. Firstly, it helps to identify, or at least consider what triggers your dog’s excessive barking. Some common triggers are boredom, fear, anxiety, territorial behaviour and attention-seeking behaviour. These are all worth considering and addressing as best you can to reduce the reasons to bark.
Of course, seeking advice from your vet and ruling out any health issues is well advised for the welfare of your dog. As a responsible pet owner, you’ve done some research and maybe even tried some recommended training, and/or behaviour modification techniques to no avail. By now quite some time has passed and if the problem is continuing or possibly getting worse, further action is required. A neighbour may have complained and you’re worried the next step is receiving a knock on the door from a council inspector.
If you are an average busy family – both parents at work and the kids at school all week, then your dog is spending a lot of time home alone. You obviously don’t have loads of spare time to attend to training and monitoring the barking.
Ultrasonic and Static Shock bark collars are suitable for almost all dogs. Both these training collars are designed to stop excessive barking. Ideally, this should occur easily and painlessly over a reasonably short period of time. The type you select will depend on how severe your dog’s barking problem is and what you think best suits your dog.
All dog collars are designed to fit comfortably around your dog’s neck. Anti-bark collars are normally made from nylon. There is a mechanism at the front which is designed to release your chosen deterrent, sound or shock, to reduce nuisance barking.
Maybe you are thinking this method seems cruel? That is a reasonable concern, as perhaps many years ago there were some inappropriate control methods on the market. However, times have definitely changed for the better. New technology means there is no need to give your dog a severe electric shock to help them behave. These collars work simply and effectively, so let’s find out how.
Also known as sonic collars, these small units issue high-pitched, unpleasant sounds. Just like the other types of anti-bark dog collars, these are designed to prevent excessive barking. It’s important to understand that the sound released is only heard by animals. Given it is so high pitched, humans cannot hear it. Make sure that the sound is working by your dog’s reaction.
These collars only activate if the dog begins to bark or is making any other form of nuisance-related noise. This type of bark collar is conveniently rechargeable and usually totally waterproof, so it can be used outside. Please keep in mind that the sound can be unpleasant for animals other than your intended dog. So, if you have any other pets, you’ll need to take into account their reaction and consider if this collar and stimulus type is right for your situation.
These collars sit against the dog’s throat and, when prompted, release a static shock. At your dog’s first bark the sonic collar will let out a short warning tone only. Your dog might not understand what this means at first, but they will eventually!
Should your dog bark again, within 30 seconds, the warning tone will sound again – this time a little louder. If they bark yet again in the next 30 seconds, an even louder warning tone will be emitted along with a very mild shock (which travels through 2 small metal prongs). This is the first and lowest correction level. Each bark after this will cause the correction level to rise, only if it occurs within 30 seconds of the last bark. Within another 30 seconds, if your dog does not bark again, the collar’s system will automatically reset. These anti-bark collars have a built-in safety feature that causes the collar to automatically shut down if it reaches the seventh level of correction.
The shock is too light to cause any harm, yet strong enough to make an impact and help your dog understand that excessive barking will result in a light shock. It isn’t cruel. In fact, most manufacturers recommend that you test the shock on your own hand before using it on your dog; this will reassure you about what your dog will experience.
Even after reading this, you may not be sure which collar is best suited to your dog. All dogs are different in both size and temperament, which is why we encourage you to speak with a trusted and experienced dog owner or your local vet for advice.
Approach the use and introduction of the bark collar with your dog in a calm and reassuring manner. Ideally choose a time when you will be home for a couple of days, e.g. the weekend, so you are around and can monitor your dog with his new collar. You will then achieve good results as quickly as possible by helping your dog to get used to his new collar. Always follow the manufacturer’s guide that comes with each collar and use them only as intended.
You can expect a successful result for your dog if you maintain a consistent approach. Over a relatively short period of time, your dog will be able to learn how the anti-bark collar works on their barking problem. Make sure to encourage your dog for good behaviour by praising them after he stops barking (when the bark collar activates) you will obtain long term results.
Excessive barking will become a thing of the past and, in most cases, your dog will not need to wear the collar long-term. Remember to always take appropriate care and refer to our website for our full range of products, including anti-bark collars.
