By their nature, dogs bark at many things around them. The doorbell ringing, children playing, other dogs and animals running nearby or even something on TV can get your furry friend sounding off.
Frequent barking can disturb your home’s relative peace over time. Bark collars are an effective way to discourage your dog from barking. They come in different styles with optional corrective modes, safely guiding your dog and your home into a quieter existence.
What are the different types of bark collars?
There are four types of bark collars based on the mode of deterrent used to discourage a dog from barking.
Vibration bark collars use a gentle vibrating response to your dog’s barking that is safe for its skin. They work better than static collars but are usually most effective on short-haired dogs that will feel more of the vibration.
Ultrasonic bark collars use a high-frequency sound only dogs can hear to discourage barking. Though humane and safe for your dog, they can be set off by other surrounding noises. Some dogs eventually get used to the sound.
Spray bark collars spritz a small mist at the dog, usually with an unpleasant citrus odor. They are safe, but you should direct the spray away from the dog’s eyes. Some dogs eventually learn how to deplete the solution with rapid barking.
Static bark collars, also known as shock collars, send a low-level electrical pulse to the dog when it barks. Most veterinarians discourage using this type of collar since it can confuse the dog or even cause it to bark more. There is also a debate about whether the pulsations cause tissue damage over time.
What are the best sensors?
Most bark collars use either vibration or sound sensors to determine when a dog is barking and then activate the deterrent. Vibration sensors are not always the most sensitive, and sound sensors can be too sensitive by activating when other sounds are detected.
Look for bark collars that have safety features to prevent premature activation. Some collars even learn your dog’s voice over time.
Dual sound-vibration sensor bark collars are more expensive, but they are the most accurate.
Are there other ways to stop dogs from barking?
Talk to your veterinarian or a certified dog trainer about alternatives to bark collars. There may be ways to use voice commands to keep your dog quiet. Keeping dogs busy and occupied may also help since many dogs, as pack animals, don’t like to be lonely.
Best bark collars
iTecFreely Dog Training Collar
This versatile training collar has three training modes for adjusting the stimulation level. It features two channels and separate memory for training two dogs simultaneously. A security keypad prevents accidental operation.
Educator E-Collar Humane Dog Training Collar
This training system covers up to a half-mile using a Pavlovian tapping sensation that mimics a vibration. There are 100 levels of stimulation with 60 more levels of additional boost. It includes a dog collar, a …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
