Before getting into the topic of bark collars and if they are good or cruel, perhaps a little background is in order as to why dogs bark in the first place. Dogs do not bark purposelessly. Sometimes their bark is actually justified; maybe they’ve been forgotten outside the fence or the apartment, maybe they are ill or have a wound, or they’re hungry, thirsty or simply got bored. Dog may bark simply because they are curious about what is happening on the other side of the fence.

Some dog owners even reward the barking with a treat or special attention. In this case, why do they expect their dog to shut up on command?

A bark collar is often regarded as something similar to a regular dog collar, that might hurt the dog by subjecting it to uncomfortable pressure. As I learned more and more about the variety of bark collar choices I began to breathe a bit easier when I discovered there were actually a few different types of bark collars and not all had even the slightest amount of “zap” to it. When you compare the different bark collars keep in mind a few things. You might want to know that bark collars do not have to be worn all the time and they are a less painful alternative to, let’s say, a debarking surgery.

This surgery is an invasive procedure that aims to remove a part of your dog’s larynx that vibrates with each bark. After the operation, your dog will barely be able to produce a vague barking, which will not be loud anymore. Think about this for a minute. The barking of a dog is not always useless. Sometimes dangerous situations might require your dog’s intervention. What good is a whispering type bark going to do to call for help or defend your dog at that point? A mere whispering bark does not have nearly the aggressiveness that is called for as a mean growl or loud incessant barks. In addition, surgery isn’t successful in 100% of the cases and sometimes it only works for a few months. It is also an uncomfortable, even painful procedure.

On the other hand, anti-bark collars come in more varieties and you can find one that fits your preferences. Among all types of bark collars, the one with citrus spray is the most recommended. It works because the dog really dislikes its smell and will tone down its barking when it smells the citrus. There are citronella collars that make a “hiss” before spraying. Most dogs get the picture rather quickly and quit the annoying incessant barking. Studies have shown that these citrus collars are more effective than other anti-barking solutions. You decide which is better. A rough method such as the shock collar or just an annoying smell.

There are situations where dogs use their barking as a defensive strategy. If you are annoyed by your dog’s constant barking, there are plenty of bark collar varieties you can choose from. Please click this link for emore information on bark collar models.