What Exactly Is An Ultrasonic Dog Bark Control Device And How Does It Work?
To know how ultrasonic dog bark control devices work, it’s imperative to first understand what ultrasonic sounds are. Ultrasound tones are sound waves which when measured on human hearing frequency reach beyond 20,000 Hz. These are extremely high pitched sounds that humans cannot hear. Dogs can hear higher frequency sounds of up to 45,000 Hz, which is more than 25,000 Hz in comparison to what humans, with perfect hearing, can hear.
The ability of dogs to hear higher frequency sounds means that we can use ultrasound frequencies to train the animal without disturbing other humans. Ultrasound devices help to get a dog’s immediate attention and correct any unwanted behavior such as barking, jumping on people, scratching, and biting just to mention a few. These devices use high pitched sounds to train your dog to be calm and quiet.
The extremely high pitched sounds produced by ultrasound devices are irritating to the dog and when automatically or manually emitted when the dog barks or misbehaves, will help stop the bad behavior. The dog soon learns to associate the irritating sound with unwanted behavior. The devices help to prevent and stop continuous barking to give you peace and quiet in your home.
Are Ultrasonic Bark Control Devices Safe For Your Dog?
Ultrasonic dog bark control devices are 100% safe for both you and your dog. The sounds emitted by these devices cannot damage dog or human ears. The sounds will be unpleasant to your dog but will not cause them any form of extreme distress except remind them to stop their bad behavior.
Ultrasonic anti barking devices work as a form of positive punishment to attract the dog’s attention in a gentle and harmless way. The dog learns to associate the unpleasant sound or experience with barking or other bad behavior and eventually drops the unwanted habit.
Ultrasonic devices are more humane than other forms of anti-bark control methods such as shock and spray treatment. Ultrasonic sounds are safe and have even been tested by experienced professionals and vets and found to be harmless to pets and humans.
Things To Consider When Shopping For An Ultrasonic Bark Control Device
Finding the best ultrasonic anti-bark control device is not an easy task, especially when you are concerned about the welfare of your dog. Most customers are often worried about the possibility of the device to hurt their dog’s ears or cause distress or unnecessary anxiety to their loving pet. You may also be too overwhelmed by the many brands and models of ultrasonic bark control devices on the market today to know the right product for your dog.
To help you narrow down your choices, here are some of the key factors to consider when shopping for the best ultrasonic bark control device for your dog.
Type Of Device
The type of device you choose will depend on your dog’s barking behavior as well as how and where you intend to use the device.
For instance, if your dog is a frequent indoor barker, then you’ll probably want to get an indoor ultrasonic unit or a handheld model. If the dog is a loud neighborhood nuisance, then definitely get an outdoor ultrasonic unit designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
An outdoor unit, also called a birdhouse device due to its shape and design, will also need to have a good range of 50 to 150 feet. Indoor ultrasonic anti barking devices have a shorter range of between 10 and 25 feet.
Sound And Sensory Levels
A majority of ultrasound bark deterrent devices come with 3 sound and 3 sensory levels. You can increase sensory range by feet and stop your dog barks from a longer distance. Sound levels refer to the intensity of the sound that the device emits.
If your dog seems to not respond to low levels of sound intensity you can increase the sound intensity to a level that has the most effect. It’s therefore important to buy a device that allows you to adjust both sound and sensory levels.
Sensory Range
Different ultrasonic anti-bark devices have different sensory range distance but most come with a sensory range of between 20 and 50 feet. The range can be as little as 10 feet or as big as 150 feet. Your choice when it comes to the range will depend on your unique needs and situation.
For instance, if you spend lots of time with your dog outdoors or have a pretty big backyard then get a device with a long range. If your pooch spends most of its life indoors then a short-range device will suffice. For an indoor device, make sure it faces the center of the room so that the sensors can efficiently sense the origin of the bark.
Power
Ultrasonic anti-barking devices are powered by batteries. The device will need batteries to work so make sure to get a model with long-lasting batteries. Some models come with batteries included while others don’t. The batteries usually last as long as 3 to 6 months depending on how frequently the device is used.
If possible, get a model that has an automatic power saving mode. This feature turns off the device when it’s not being used to save battery juice. Most devices have an LED light that shows you when the battery is full and when it runs low. It will normally flash red when the battery is charged and red when the battery runs low.
PS: If you are looking for a stop-gap measure, here's a 15 hour playback of ultrasonic sound on Youtube.
