Do Bark Collars really help ? This one is on the Amazon bestseller list at #14 They remain a popular product. Does it really help stop barking? Is it humane? After some research and conversation, I have a new-found knowledge of bark collars I would like to share should you decide it is for you and your pet. Knowledge is important, and it is up to your family if this will be beneficial to your predicament. An informed decision is a good one, whatever you decide.
Personally I have not considered using one on a dog. They have a reputation for being inhumane, and painful for the dog. True or not it has prevented me from even considering it. An electric fence works similarly to an electric collar. I have considered fences as we used to have an escape artist in the family. As it turns out, they use similar technology.
Was I too quick to judge a bark collar?
Bark collars are used as a deterrent for unwanted behavior. They can help correct unwanted behavior. They emit a static shock thru the collar to interrupt the dogs barking. You can start with just a small static shock to correct behavior, most have a dial that can be adjusted stronger. Some include a remote control so the bad behavior can be corrected from a distance.
THEY SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A PUNISHMENT, JUST AS A CORRECTIVE MEASURE
Even with the use of a shock collar, positive re-enforcement for GOOD behavior, has more long term benefits, than punishments. Remember, dogs aim to please, a positive reward system either small treats or lots of verbal praise, work well for training.
Are Bark Collars Safe ?
It depends on who you ask. The ASPCA ( American Society for the prevention of cruelty to animals) doesn’t recommend them unless used with the supervision or training of a behavior specialist. Preferably after other methods have failed. Organizations like the European Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals , is heavily criticize the use of collars as being cruel and inhumane.
Veterinary professionals question the efficiency of static bark collars. A study conducted at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine found that half of the dogs that were fitted an electric bark collar had absolutely no reduction in barking activity at all. Additionally there studies that confirm it can be mentally damaging to the dog.
Additional studies including The Humane society have demonstrated that shock collars have the potential to cause symptoms of distress in dogs. For small to medium-sized dogs, a shock could be painful to their little necks. They are not recommended for pups under 8 months of age or 8 pounds. Potentially, your pup might begin to associate the painful shock with people or other experiences, leading to fearful or aggressive behavior. That is counterproductive to solve the behavior you are trying to fix.
Static bark collars were originally used to help train hunting dogs in the 1960s, but some feel it is an antiquated training method. Today they are still recommended by some trainers in the states. Conversely, in 2020 they are banned in several countries. They are not allowed in Wales, England, Scottland Quebec, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Denmark, and a few areas in Australia. There is a bill on the books in Boulder Colorado to ban them. That alone makes me think twice about using them as a training method.
WHY IS your dog barking? How can we solve it?
Canines are pretty smart, some understand barking and the shock collar goes together so they stop the behavior. The problem is, some ONLY stop barking when wearing the collar. Again, a rather counteractive result of excessive barking. Bark collars should only be worn for a short amount of time per session.
Here is a checklist to assess the situation if you are home. Many times dogs bark for the following seven reasons.
Dogs are naturally territorial animals, which makes them a perfect guard to protect your property. However, if you are home feeling F-A-A-B ulous and your P-E-T is barking too much… there may be a reason.
Fear
Anxiety
Attention
Boredom
Pain
Excitment
Territory
Are bark Collars the best tool for solving the problem?
Knowing the motivation behind the exessive or inappropriate barking is a beneficial way of learning how to correct the issue effectively. Firstly, I want our household dog to bark when someone approaches the property for protection. Secondly, I don’t want her to bark ferociously at the same mailman that comes about the same time every day. Therefore, I need to understand why she barks and teach her when it is o.k. and when it is not.
When used properly with instruction from a trained behavioral specialist, bark collars can be used to solve an issue. If you feel though that a static shock collar is too aggressive, read on!
Are there other options besides a static shock collar.
There are other options besides a static shock option. Some collars also feature an
Ultrasound and or Vibration (or both) – In lieu of a shock, the collar emits a high pitched sound. A noise only dogs sensitive hearing will notice and it distracts the dog mid bark.
Citronella Spray – Instead of a shock or noise, a squirt of unpleasant oil gets strayed. In theory, this works. However, if another pet or you are standing to close watch out!
Zeonetax Recharging Citronella Bark Collar
In conclusion, it is a decision you will need to make on your own. There is a lot of argument against using them. However, they are still widely used and recommended by trainers to this day. More aggressive breeds like pit bulls and larger dogs like Great Pyrenees may respond to a more forceful training than a smaller more docile dog. If you decide that excessive barking is causing too much trouble and redirection or other retraining methods haven’t been successful, bark collars may really help.
It is important to get proper knowledge on proper use. Use of a static bark collar with a rescue dog is not recommended as you don’t know the dogs history. Having a well behaved furry friends is important and it leads to a peaceful relationship. It’s our responsibility as animal owners to teach good manners. There are many constructive ways to teach that don’t cause harm. Ultimately, you know your pet’s personality best. However, please make an informed decision about how best to train your best friend.
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