Not sure whether you should try anti barking devices on your dog? Find out what are the pros and cons of these devices and which one you should get in this article. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding these products and what was said about them in the past doesn’t help their case either. However, they do work and they are safe for your dog. You can read about every aspect of anti barking devices below.

 Video showing Anti Barking Devices

Before thinking about which kind of anti barking device to get for your dog you should first try to determine why is it barking in the first place. If you can’t find any possible reason why your dog is barking then by all means try to make it stop. But whatever you do, don’t expect your dog to stop barking immediately. Dog discipline is only achieved through continuous training and the anti barking devices achieve that in the most humane and efficient manner.

How do anti barking devices actually work?

There is no one universal anti barking product that will work with every dog. There are actually several types of anti barking collars and other devices that you can try on your dog. The success of each type of barking collar is determined by a set of factors such as surroundings, circumstances and the adjustments that can be made on the device. Therefore we have Citronella collars that work by releasing a citronella scented spray when it picks up dog barking, a no scent spray collar that works identical to the citronella collar but the spray is not scented. A bit different but also very effective is the Static Electronic Shock Collar which works by releasing tiny electrical shocks on the dog’s neck and last but not least there is the Ultrasonic Bark Collar which emits a high frequency noise that only dogs can hear. Some devices work when they pick up dog’s barking while others can be activated with a remote control.

A different set of anti barking products are the ‘area’ devices. These are just as effective in putting a stop to annoying dog barking but if you have several pets in the house then they too will be affected by this device. If that is the cast then individual barking collars would be more recommended.

Are these anti barking devices harmful in any way?

Although the shock collar was considered inhumane for use in dog training some years ago, modern shock collars are totally safe to use. The shocking sensation that dogs receive is more of a tingling sensation and does not cause them any pain. The purpose is to disrupt their barking pattern, not to inflict pain when the dog is barking.

However, you will need to pay attention when purchasing anti barking devices. Although any breed of dog that needs to correct its behavior may wear a barking collar, you may want to choose a device that is more appropriate for the breed and size of your dog (the spray collar seems to work best on smaller dogs). It is not recommended to use anti barking devices on pets that are under 8 lbs and less than 6 months old.

If you have decided to get a shock collar then you would do best by choosing one with several training modes so you can set exactly the electric shock strength that will be administered to your dog’s neck. There are also shock collars that will adjust themselves in relation to your pet continuing to bark or not.

How long do you have to train your dog using anti barking devices?

Most dogs will stop barking in as little as two days from the time you first start using a barking collar. You only need to do sessions of about 10 to 30 minutes every day to see improvements. However, these results may greatly depend on the pet and other circumstances. It may take longer or it may very well take less time to train your dog.

If you try a barking collar and see no improvement then you should probably try with another type of anti barking device. If you are unable to make it stop using these devices then your dog may be suffering from a disorder in which case you should seek professional help. The general rule though is to be patient and try to work with your pet.

You shouldn’t need to keep the barking collar on your dog for more than 8 hours at a time, even if your dog has gotten used to it. You can’t completely stop your dog from barking but if you are trying to only control the bad barking situations then you can use a remote control anti barking device and decide when your dog should receive a shock or be sprayed.

Once you have completed training your dog to stop barking you may need to repeat the process from time to time. It’s not a certainty that this will happen but if your dog realizes that there is no collar to keep it from barking then you may very well need to.

How NOT to use anti barking devices

I guess it goes without saying that you shouldn’t abuse of the anti barking devices. When first wearing an anti bark collar your dog might be stressed. Allow them some time to accommodate and do not use these devices excessively (especially the shock collar) or inadequately.

You also shouldn’t replace your dog’s walking collar with a bark collar. Use their normal collars when walking them. Let your dog know that you are always in control, not just when the anti barking device is around their neck.

So just how effective are these anti barking devices?

Some barking devices may be more effective than others but again, it very much depends on the dog breed and circumstances. Most dog owners have found the citronella bark collar to be the most effective anti barking device. It is also the most preferred method for calming excessive barking from dogs and many dog owners agree that it is also good in allowing your dog to get accommodated with it around its neck.

Using anti barking devices is the best solution available to stop your dog from barking. Bark collars can at least reduce your dog’s barking if not to eliminating its bad behavior completely. Take some time to review each device thoroughly and choose the one your dog will be most suited with. Remember that you also need to work with your dog. The anti barking devices are only part of your dog’s training.