Dogs usually bark for a legitimate reason. There are situations though when dogs make a lot of noise due to stimuli people don’t always detect. Dogs are extremely attached to their owners and feel their absence; they usually become noisy when they are left alone in the house.

Since the owner isn’t at home, it is very difficult for him to be able to control his dog’s behavior. There are times when dog owners do not know what to do anymore, other than subject their pets to debarking surgeries or simply take them to a shelter. 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. They often reacted to the barking of another dog, and could not differentiate between the types of barks, so would correct the dog when it was responding as any dog would; and did not necessarily have a safety cut-off in case the dog was hurt or panicked.

Since then, bark collars have evolved. There are now three types available: spray, sonic, and static. All three types are based on the same idea. When the collar detects barking of a certain range of frequencies and volume (both audibly and vibrationally) for a preset number of times, it will then be triggered. 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. None of these devices can seriously harm the animal. The static versions can be adjusted according to the intensity and frequence of barking; if the dog does not bark for a longer period of time, they will automatically shut down. The bark collar will also reset to a lower setting if the dog is silent for a preset amount of time. This reduction reinforces the idea that being quiet has benefits.

Having a bark collar does not exclude proper dog training; these collars should be used only as adjuvants. 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. Choose a person whom your dog trusts already.

This monitoring is crucial in the beginning to ensure your dog reacts within normal parameters for effective training. Again, do not use the collars alone, without combining them with training. Use the training system based on rewards, rather than on force and constraint.  

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.