Dogs bark for a number of reasons, most of them legitimate. Some though dogs are very active or restless and tend to vocalize very often. Most of the times, they get agitated when they are left unsupervized for a longer period. The most affected ones are, as always, the neighbors.
Because there is no supervision whatsoever, it is difficult to control their behavior in this circumstance. At one time, this usually led to a difficult decision: have the dog de-barked, or send the dog away. These are not inspired decisions, but dog owners see no other solution.
Then came the no bark collar. These devices were not always as efficient as they are now. Older collars reacted at any type of bark, even the barking of foregin dogs or the barking that occured as a natural reaction to stimuli.
Since then, bark collars have evolved. Now they come in three versions – ultrasonic, static or with citronella spray. All three work on the same principal. When the dog produces sounds and vibrations within a certain range or frequencies, the collar starts functioning. Requiring that both systems be activated prevents the collar from reacting to another dog barking. They are so evolved that they can distinguish between barking and other sounds produced due to fear or stress.
Static bark collars give the dog mild shocks when it is noisy; those with citrus spray spread the substance and the ultrasonic collars produce an irritating sound that only dogs can hear. No mechanism included in dog collars can harm your dog. Many of the static bark collars have adjustable steps (and increasing levels of correction); and most have an automatic timed shutdown if the dog barks for an extended period without cease. They can also be switched to lower settings if the dog barks less often than before. This reduction reinforces the idea that being quiet has benefits.
However, even if you buy a bark collar, this does not mean you should not train your dog as well. You don’t need to let the collars on all the time. Use them only for as long as the dog needs them. It is important to monitor the first days when the dog wears the collar; if you cannot do it all the time, because you have to leave for work or school, you could ask a neighbor to help you. Usually, they will be happy to help, since they are the ones that must endure the noise. Make sure it is someone the dog knows and is friendly with.
Monitoring your dog constantly can be very useful. As with other forms of training, praise and play for correct behavior, and exercise to reduce anxiety and restlessness help achieve the desired behavior.
Instead of resorting to extreme solutions, consider purchasing bark collars instead. These devices can prove to be very efficient in educating your dog. If you want to know more details about these devices and the mechanisms they use, read more about bark collars here.
Tags: bark collar, DachshundTags: bark collar, Dachshund
