Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘bark control collars’

If your dog barks too much – and you’re ready to do something about it – you probably should get a bark control collar. Selecting the collar that’s best for your dog will depend on your dog’s situation.

Why So Much Barking?

The first thing you should do is find out why your dog is barking more than usual. The dog might be trying to indicate through barking that it’s ill, scared, or lonely. If such is the case, then a bark control collar isn’t a good idea. These situations have to be handled appropriately according to the case. But for dogs that bark just because they are bored, the bark control collar can help them break the barking habit

Choosing an Appropriate Bark Control Collar

Bark control collars come in three different types. And there are even some bark control collars that belong to more than one category.

The citronella collar emits a strong citronella (citrus) smell when the dog barks. Dogs really dislike this smell, and they will stop barking in order to avoid releasing the smell. Some citronella collars will also give a warning “hiss” sound so that the dog can learn to stop barking sooner.

There are also some collars that will give small socks to the dog’s neck whenever it barks. The shock is harmless and not painful, just like the one you get when you handle fabric, but it is enough for the dog to stop barking. Moreover, these collars usually shut off after a while in order to give your dog a rest.

Then, there is the sonic collar, which emits a high pitched sound that humans can’t hear but dogs can. The sound is emited when the dog barks so that dogs will stop in order to make the sound go away.

One benefit of a bark control collar is that the dog will be trained even when the owner is not around. It’s specially useful if you are away at work or asleep at night.

If the reason your dog barks is because it’s sick, hungry, or lonely, then don’t use a control collar. bark control dog collars should only be used when the dog is bored or spoiled. They work using citronella spray, sonic or ultrasonic sounds, or electronic static pulse.

A bark control collar may be used as a safe and efficient training implement for eliminating your dog’s annoying or persistent barking. Following are the most frequently asked points I’m asked to clarify from pet owners interested in learning more about no bark collars and how they are used.

Are bark collars humane?

There has been a lot of debate about whether bark collars are a humane training device. In my opinion, bark collars are very humane.

There are several different varieties of bark collars (Aboistop and Citronella collars, Ultrasonic Collars and Shock Correction Bark Collars). For the intention of this post, I’ll center on static correction since the majority of debate about safety and humaneness seems to concentrate on this variety.

Static collars work by delivering a harmless static shock to admonish your dog when he barks. Some collars detect barking by using a vibration sensor, some bark collars utilize a microphone to identify barking from sound; several versions of collars use a combination of both sound and vibration.

The shock correction that your dog receives is akin to the jolt you feel when you scuff across a carpeted floor in your socks and then come in contact with a metal object. Another example would be when you pull your clothing out of the clothes dryer during the wintertime and they have “static cling”. The resulting shock is startling, but isn’t harmful.

When used properly, along with uniform training, static correction bark collars can be a safe, harmless tool to stop excessive or annoying barking.

Which bark control collar will work best for my dog?

The answer to this question lies with you, and your dog of course. As a dog owner, you know your pet best. Factors to consider when purchasing a bark collar:

• Your dog’s age: Bark collars or remote dog trainers should never be used on a dog less than 6 months of age.
• Your dog’s size & weight: Your dog’s weight and collar size need to be considered when considering collars. A bark collar for little dogs will not work well for a bigger or stubborn dog.
• Your dog’s temperament: Is your dog very stubborn? Apprehensive and  timid? There are bark collars specially created for both of these extremes, as well as standard collars that will work for most dogs. A very timid dog may respond better to a Citronella Bark Collar or Ultra Sonic device. Likewise, a larger dog will in all likelihood be trained easier with a shock collar especially made for big dogs.

Do bark control collars always work?

The degree of success for bark collars is high, but its important to realize that they might not work in every circumstance. A sure way to help encourage success is to commit yourself to consistent training. Opt for the bark control collar that conforms best with your dog’s personality and size, apply persistent training, and you will be well on your way to quieter days.