As with everything, it pays to get a bit of information before buying an anti bark collar for your pet. Which type of collar is best for your dog? What are your choices? Do all barking dogs need an anti bark collar?.
Types of anti bark collars
There are three main types of anti barking collars: citrus spray, sonic collars, and electrical collars. All of which are safe and perfectly harmless to use while you’re training your pet to reduce barking.
A citrus spray (citronella) works by spraying the muzzle of the dog when the dog starts to bark. Because dogs hate the smell of citrus, they want to stop being sprayed with the citrus smell. Very often, collars of this type will hiss before releasing the citrus spray, so that they eventually learn to stop the barking before the spraying.
Sonic or ultrasonic collars use sound. These collars emit a very high pitched sound that humans can’t hear but dogs can; just like on TV. Eventually, the dog learns to link the sound to the barking and that by stopping the latter, he can stop the former.
Lastly, anti bark dog collars that are electrical give out small, harmless shocks to the dog’s neck whenever it barks. This could be compared to the static electric shock you might get after walking across carpet. That is, it doesn’t hurt and it isn’t painful, but it really makes you pay attention.
What Else to Consider?
There are even some collars that use more than one of the mentioned anti barking methods. They might, for example, release a citrus smell while emiting a sound when the dog barks.
There are some models that let you adjust how strong the stimulus is. It would use a quiet sound, or lower levels of shock, etc. The level would gradually rise until the barking ended. In any case, the dog will associate the barking with the negative sensation. With time, your dog will learn to behave without the use of the collar.
It pays to do a little research on your options on anti bark collars for dogs. Collars can work by using citronella spray, sonic or ultrasonic sounds, or electronic shocking. All types are safe for your dog, and they will keep the barking to a minimum.
It’s always a good idea to learn more about anti bark collars before getting one. In addition, you’ll feel more comfortable when you make your dog wear one. Just ask your local pet store for more info on anti bark dog collars.
