Bark Collars. Do they work?

[i4wolves]

I used to sell bark collars when I worked at a petstore and I personally did not like them. They can work in extreme circumstances however the problem that I found was that sometimes (depending on the model) that the collar would go off even if it was the other dog barking or it was a loud sound. So one dog would get punished for what the other dog did and then you got very paranoid dogs. That did not happen with every model but there were models that it happened with. In addition, my dog (we think had a bark collar on) because he does not bark at all and he is afraid of collars. I also saw pictures of one dog's neck, after the shock collar would not turn off and kept shooking the dog until the dog's neck became so raw that they ended up having to put the dog down because the dog was in so much pain. I personal do not like them, as I have seen what they can do to a dog.

[Sheldonrs]

Bark collars work fine but make sure you and your partner agree on the safe word.

[Midorikawa]

In addition, my dog (we think had a bark collar on) because he does not bark at all and he is afraid of collars. I also saw pictures of one dog's neck, after the shock collar would not turn off and kept shooking the dog until the dog's neck became so raw that they ended up having to put the dog down because the dog was in so much pain. I personal do not like them, as I have seen what they can do to a dog.

Both of those sound like abusive situations. They aren't meant to be "set it and forget it" training. Ideally, you need someone around at all times the collar is on. If the dog gets repeatedly shocked, or shocked for loud noises nearby, there's someone there to take the collar off.

Yes, they can do damage, but so can a rolled up newspaper if used right. Both are not minor infraction punishments. Both are for worse offenses. I think the point that is trying to be made is that they CAN be used properly, are not to be taken lightly and if used at all, need to be treated with the same safety precautions you'd expect to use if a human were to be shocked like that.

[jedimaster91]

Well, we broke down and got a bark collar. After much research and reading of reviews, we decided on the Sport Dog NoBark 10r. According to the manufacterer, this collar requires both the sound of the bark and the vibration of the dog's vocal cords to set off a correction, so Ziggy *shouldn't* get zapped if Tag barks next to her. It also has a safety shut-off, has a rechargable battery (woo!), and is waterproof. I'm off from work this week, so I'll be around to make sure the collar works. I'm not putting it on her unless I'm there to keep an eye on it. Here's hoping the little darlin' gets the hint.

[shankyknitter]

Yes, they can do damage, but so can a rolled up newspaper if used wrong.

corrected for accuracy.

[draggar]

That doesn't look like a bad one - and it has both noise and vibration control (we borrowed one for Luna, for some reason my wife got one that will go off based on sound (yet we have our own kennel (vibration) ones?). We may use the manual e-collar for her excessive barking (remote control).

Make sure it is set to the lowest setting. Most will allow a couple of "warning" barks (strangers, etc.) and low "gruffing" but will correct with excessive barking (2-3+ barks).

Just to warn you - even on the lowest setting expect a blood curling yelp the first time the dog activates it.

[jedimaster91]

Make sure it is set to the lowest setting. Most will allow a couple of "warning" barks (strangers, etc.) and low "gruffing" but will correct with excessive barking (2-3+ barks).

That's another reason we went with this collar. One of the modes is called "Temperament Learning" which adjusts the correction level automatically depending on how often the dog barks and how long it takes for the barking to stop.

What I'm hoping happens is she gets it through her thick beagle noggin that Mommy and Daddy (but especially Mommy ) are tired of her barking at everything and that eventually I can put the collar on her with a dead battery and she won't bark.

[jedimaster91]

Well, that was unexpected

The collar came in the mail today. I got it charged up and it worked great. Ziggy barked, it corrected. She jumped about a mile in the air and took off to the other side of the yard. It sure startled her, but she doesn't seem any worse for wear and she was actually quiet instead of barking at the little dog next door. Hooray!

And then I let them in for the night and her collar was missing. Turns out, the strap is not all that sturdy and one of them (I suspect Tag) chewed right through it. The device itself is still intact, I just need to pick up a sturdier strap while I'm out tomorrow. I can't say I'm entirely surprised by this turn of events as this was a common complaint with a lot of the collars I researched, but I am disappointed that the design wasn't stronger.