What Is A Bark Control Dog Collar?
In simple terms, a dog bark collar is a device that can detect your dog’s barking sounds and stop the behavior by delivering a negative experience such as vibration, beep, static shock, or unpleasant spray.
The canine collar goes off as soon as your dog starts barking. Modern dog bark collars are more advanced and come with sophisticated features and sensors that can differentiate sounds made by your dog from other sounds in the environment to prevent false triggers.
How The Dog Bark Collars Work
Most canine bark collars work by delivering a negative stimulant when the dog starts barking. The stimulant could be in the form of a small harmless electric shock or vibration just strong enough to remind the dog that it has done something wrong.
It can also be delivered as a warning beep that’s only audible to the dog when it starts barking. Some models use the smell deterrent method that releases a citronella spray when the dog starts barking. The unpleasant but harmless spray attracts the dog’s attention and stops the barking instantly.
Are Barking Collars Cruel To The Animal?
There are diverse opinions on whether static shock dog bark collars are safe or cruel dog training methods. For example, Michigan State University researchers have published a study that opposes the use of electric shock treatment in dog training in preference of other positive training methods.
However, if you look at these bark collars closely, you’ll realize that they are completely safe and harmless to the dogs besides providing an effective way of stopping your canine companion from unnecessary and often annoying barking.
The bark collars only use the shock remainder as a last resort after sending a beep or vibrating alert as soon as the barking is detected. They use a form of positive punishment to stop the dog from barking without necessarily hurting the animal.
Most modern bark collars even allow you to set the level of stimulation you feel is comfortable for your dog. The shock delivered is usually mild and completely harmless. It’s the kind of static shock that two humans feel when they come into close contact with each other.
Types Of Dog Bark Collars
There are many types of canine bark collars out there but the most popular versions include the following:
Electric Bark Collars
These electric versions work by delivering a small static electric shock to the dog when it starts barking. There are many types of electric shock dog barking collars with diverse features such as additional beep and vibration modes, intensity level settings, and much more. Most have a low shock level that can be increased when it’s not effective on your dog.
Citronella Spray Bark Collars
This type of anti-bark canine collar works by delivering a gentle spray of citronella as soon as your pooch starts barking. Dogs hate the smell of citronella and will stop barking as soon as they catch a whiff of the spray.
Spray bark collars are perfect for those who want to train their dogs without exposing the poor animal to electric shock or vibration. There are studies that show dogs respond better to citronella spray bark collars than an electric shock.
Ultrasonic Bark Collars
Ultrasonic bark control collars use high pitched sounds as an annoying weapon to stop the dog from barking. As soon as the dog starts barking, the collar emits a high-pitched noise that the dog associates with barking and stops the behavior completely. The sound is inaudible to humans and won’t hurt your pet pooch in any way.
Factors To Consider When Shopping For A Bark Collar
Here are a few things to consider when looking for the best bark collar for your dog:
The Weight & Neck Circumference Of Your Dog
The good news is that most dog bark collars outline the dog’s weight on the product description which means you won’t have a problem getting the right one for your dog’s weight.
Remember, puppies under 8 pounds shouldn’t use a bark collar.
Measure the circumference of your pooch’s neck and find a suitable collar that fits comfortably. The best option is to get a collar with an adjustable length to fit different dog breeds and sizes.
Adjustable Sensitivity
Get a bark collar with adjustable sensitivity. This ensures that your canine companion doesn’t get punished for sounds made by other dogs in the vicinity. Look for a device with multiple sensitivity settings for the best results.
Materials The Collar Is Made Of
The type of materials used in the construction plays a critical role in how comfortable the device feels to your pooch. Choose a bark collar made of soft comfortable materials such as leather, cotton, and nylon. Leather is a good material for dogs with sensitive skin because it doesn’t cause allergies.
Your Personal Budget For The Bark Collar
Dog bark collars come in a wide range of styles with different features and functionalities. Just like everything else in life, you get what you pay for but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you should overspend on an expensive bark collar with features you’ll never need or use.
There are many affordable options out there such as the DogRook Bark Collar that we reviewed above.
