Common Questions about Bark Collars

A bark control collar can be utilized as a safe and effective training tool for putting a stop to your dog’s annoying or excessive barking. Following are the most frequently asked points I’m asked to clarify from people interested in understanding how a bark collar works.

Bark Collars – Harmless or Harmful?

There has been much controversy about the humaneness of using a bark control collar. In my opinion, bark collars are definitely humane.

There are several different varieties of bark collars (Aboistop and Citronella collars, Ultrasonic Devices and Shock Correction Bark Collars). For the scope of this article, I’ll center on static correction since most of the debate about safety and humaneness will often center on this type of collar.

Static collars use a harmless static electric shock to correct your dog when he barks. Some collars detect barking by using a vibration sensor, some bark collars use a microphone to identify barking from sound; several versions of collars use a combination of both sound and vibration.

The static correction that your dog receives is exactly like the shock you feel when you walk across a carpeted floor in your stocking feet and then come in contact with something metal. You also may have experienced this when you take your clothing out of the dryer during the winter and they have “static cling”. Startling? Yes. Painful? No.

With proper use, along with uniform training, static correction bark collars can be a safe, harmless tool to put an end to excessive or annoying barking.

Which bark collar works best?

There are some things you should ask yourself to determine the answer. As a pet owner, you know your dog best. Some things to think about when purchasing a bark collar:

• Your dog’s age: Shock collars or dog training collars should never be used on a dog younger than 6 months old.
• Your dog’s size & weight: Your dog’s weight and collar size need to be considered when considering collars. A bark collar for little dogs will not work well for a bigger or stubborn dog.
• Your dog’s nature: Is your dog very difficult to train? Apprehensive and  timid? There are bark collars designed for both of these extremes, as well as standard collars that will work with most dogs. A very shy dog may respond better to a Spray Bark Collar or Ultra Sonic device. Likewise, a larger dog will in all likelihood be trained easier with a shock collar especially made for large breeds.

Do bark control collars always work?

The success rate for bark collars is high, but its important to realize that they might not work in each circumstance. A good way to help encourage success is to commit yourself to consistent training. Opt for the bark collar that conforms best with your dog’s temperament and size, apply consistent teaching, and you’ll soon be enjoying bark free days.