Bark collars were invented as a solution to the frustrating problem of dogs barking all the time, for no apparent reason. Living in a neighborhood where one or more dogs display this behavior can drive you crazy in a very short amount of time.
Among the three types of bark collar, the static device was the first one to be invented. As with many new technologies, there were some unforeseen complications. These versions could not distinguish between more types of barking, and they reacted to all dogs within a certain perimeter, even if the dog wearing it was silent. There were a few reported cases of physical or extreme psychological harm because a dog was left unmonitored before finding out how it would react to the collar.
While the mechanisms have been developed, the basic idea of these devices stays the same.
None of these collars intend to harm the dog, but rather teach it not to bark all the time. (Not only these collars can correct excessive barking, but they can also teach the dog to avoid other annoying behaviors).
There are now three types of correction available: spray, sonic, and the already mentioned static. The bark collar in the first category use a strong scented citrus spray that annoys the animal and make it stop barking. This spray is not harmful for the dog. The sonic one uses high-pitched sounds only dogs can hear. Both of these styles are best used on ‘sensitive’ dogs; those that are high-strung or over-react to physical stimulation (spray collars are not recommended for scent hounds due to the sensitivity of their noses).
The static collar seems to be the most appreciated among all three versions. Static collars can be triggered by continuous barking for a certain period of time. The static collar only reacts to the barking of the dog wearing it. Also having a volume and frequency requirement helps prevent the collar from being triggered by fear, pain, or other vocalizations not tied to problem barking. These devices can be adjusted manually. In addition, they have an automatic shutdown period if the dog barks for a certain period without cease. The bark collar will also reset to a lower level if the dog is silent for a preset amount of time. This system helps in teaching the dog to bark only when needed.
Anti-bark collars work best when associated with proper dog training. They shouldn’t be used as a single method of training. Praise and play for good behavior, exercise to help reduce restlessness and anxiety, and activities to keep the dog occupied when alone are all positive items that can help reduce the perceived need to bark for attention.
When used for the purpose they were intended, bark collars are effective and much preferred to the alternatives- ‘debarking’ surgery that involves cutting the vocal cords (with all the risks inherent in any surgery), and having to find another home for what is supposed to be a forever friend
Even though the first versions of bark collar weren’t perfect, they have been improved in time. Most types of dog collars can be adjusted manually or digitally. If you want to find out more about different types of bark collar, click here.
Tags: bark collar, DachshundTags: bark collar, Dachshund
