Should You Use a Bark Collar on Your Dog?
Excessive barking isn’t just disturbing to you. Often, your dog’s behavior can be troublesome to neighbors too. The noise your dog makes can easily disturb neighbors who work at home or can wake them up at night and deprive them of much needed rest. This can lead to strained relations and to frequent encounters with law enforcement agents.
There is always the option in enrolling him with a behavior program for dogs, but you may not have the time and funds for this. In this case, it would be better to opt for an anti-bark collar. There are many types, but their mechanism is similar- they pick up on the sound and vibrations the dog makes when he barks. This triggers whichever corrective measure is appropriate to that type of collar.
One of these measures is to spray the dog with citronella. This is a natural extract and insect repellent but it discourages the dog from barking because canines generally do not like this smell. When positioned properly, a little amount is sprayed near the nose area. The collars are not designed to hit the eyes, and citronella has been assessed and found not to cause any harm to the skin of the dog.
The second type of bark collar utilizes ultrasonic technology to emit a high pitched sound that only dogs can hear. This starts once he begins barking, and humans cannot pick up on this, so nobody in the vicinity will be disturbed. It is a pitch that dogs find irritating and will discourage them from barking.
A third bark collar gives a tiny electric shock to the barking dog. Many swear against this method, but dog owners who have tried it agree that their dogs are not really harmed in any way, because the shock is minimal. It is only enough to cause slight discomfort that gives the dog second thoughts about barking.
There are still many dog owners that do not agree with the use of the bark collar. That is because they think it is cruel to cause any degree of pain or discomfort to their pet. If this is your stand, you can opt for a behavior correction program instead. However, it will take some time before your dog is properly trained. It is also expensive and not a hundred percent effective.
Also, using a collar is actually more humane that what lengths other dog owners get to when dealing with a misbehaving dog. Some may have the dogs vocal cords surgically removed, or in extreme cases, even put the dog down. This is because some dogs become so uncontrollable that they become a nuisance to the community and authorities are alerted. In comparison, using a collar is definitely kinder on the dog.
Experts offer advice on collar use. If you absolutely have to use one, you at least have to make sure that your dog is big or old enough. Barking that is also due to such emotional causes as fear and anxiety should not be corrected through the use of collars. Otherwise, a dog can be permanently damaged emotionally.
Finally, find out which bark collar is best for your type of dog. Different collars work on them differently, and he might be more agreeable with one compared to another.
Buy the most effective anti bark collar for your pet and the most affordable home audio receivers for your home.