Bark training collars (toy, barking, train, rescued) - Dogs - - City-Data Forum

RVAtoCNC · 06-26-2010, 07:49 PM

I am seriously considering buying bark collars for two of our three dogs. We live in a residential neighboorhood, and these two bark at EVERYTHING. and they bark very loud. They cannot be out back for 2 minutes without barking at something (squirrels, deer, turtles, people, etc) What are your all's thoughts? Do they actually train the dog, or is it one of those things where you have to keep it on them or they bark? I kinda hate doing this, but they cannot be trained, and the premises high pitch things don't work (well - they worked for about 24 hours) Are these bad? ok? and what brand/kind/features are best?

didee · 06-26-2010, 08:26 PM

I used a spray collar for one dog and it worked perfectly. I only used it at night, and it quickly got to the point where when I put it on her, she would not bark (knowing it would spray). She hated when the neighbors had their lights on, and would bark at their house (I know, crazy). With the collar, she stopped the barking because she hated the lemon spray.

My current dog will bark while wearing it. She is extreme with her prey drive and screams at squirrels, etc. The only solution for this dog is to catch her (not easy!) and remove her from being able to see whatever she's freaking out about. Otherwise, she will wear her spray collar and continue barking. I haven't and won't try an e-collar.

StarlaJane · 06-26-2010, 09:43 PM

Dog trainer Victoria Stillwell just had an episode of "It's me or the dog" that dealt with this kind of behavior. She very elegantly demonstrated in the ep that there are much more effective and humane ways to treat this kind of behavior.

Stillwell's advice was to use a whistle everytime the dog barked to get his/her attention to come to you. When he/she does, give them a training treat. I would do this with the dog who is instigating the barking. Once you get that under control, then the others will desist as well.

"Bark" collars will result in physical and pshychological trauma. Moreover, they do not work. Either spend your money on a trainer, spend the time to train them yourself or give them up to a no-kill shelter that will place them in a home that is willing to do what you are not.

RVAtoCNC · 06-26-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlaJane

Dog trainer Victoria Stillwell just had an episode of "It's me or the dog" that dealt with this kind of behavior. She very elegantly demonstrated in the ep that there are much more effective and humane ways to treat this kind of behavior.

Stillwell's advice was to use a whistle everytime the dog barked to get his/her attention to come to you. When he/she does, give them a training treat. I would do this with the dog who is instigating the barking. Once you get that under control, then the others will desist as well.

"Bark" collars will result in physical and pshychological trauma. Moreover, they do not work. Either spend your money on a trainer, spend the time to train them yourself or give them up to a no-kill shelter that will place them in a home that is willing to do what you are not.

I am not going to give my dogs away - the "instigator" was a very traumatized dog that we rescued, and he has emotional scars, post-traumatic stress if you want to call it that, and the barking is tied in with that emotional disturbance, so a trainer is worthless, but since you know it all, I won't go on.....

AZgarden · 06-26-2010, 10:59 PM

I just tried a bark collar today for the first time, on my barky barky terrier/poo mix.
Let me tell you, he FREAKED out and it was a shock collar, and he kept barking and barking and it kept shocking him over and over. I had to run after him and take the darn thing off. I felt so bad for him and never thought the shock was going to be that bad. I am going to try one of those whistles next. He is a big barker but I don't want to hurt the poor dog. He is a rescue, and I want him to be safe and feel ok in his new home.

freesiia · 06-26-2010, 11:17 PM

Bark collars that are activated by barking are not IMO fair. They'll go off on a dog if another dog is barking or a loud enough noise goes off. I do use Electronic Collars, if used correctly they are no more harsh than a choke or pinch collar. In fact less so. They are not "shock" collars as most think, they are a muscle stimulator that when activated gives the dog a muscle tick in their neck. When I use them its always on a low level and a reward (either praise, treat or toy - whatever makes the dog happy) is given for a job well done.

I do not recommend using any electronic collar, bark collar or spray collar without consulting a trainer first. As posted earlier, it can be confusing and traumatic for the dog. Any training collar (manual or electronic) should never be left on the dog while the dog is home alone.

dreamhunter65 · 06-27-2010, 12:29 AM

I was just looking at sonic no bark devices today, but think the whistle (dog whistle ) be better then treat... Mine like barking when people walk by or walk their dogs. Problem is I have one that if she hears one bark she barking through the house and out even without knowing what is there. Problem is if not home cannot use it so may think can bark when not home and no bark when are.

My old neighbor tried the training shock collar to keep dog home she shock him he just run faster away from her and when seen collar would shake until on or out of sight.

gold*dust1 · 06-27-2010, 10:07 AM

We tried using the outside kind you plant in the yard and one made for toy dogs around the Poms neck, in a bout of frustration. Neither really helped. So it was back to the ole training drawing board for us. A fly swatter tapped on a hard surface and using "shoosh" is helping outside. On walks we use a clicker.

kandle · 06-27-2010, 10:54 AM

One of my dogs barks incessantly and he has a deep voice and barks loud. I had enough of it, so I bought him the citronella spray collar instead of the shock collar. That worked for about a week or two and after that, he started running away everytime I tried to place the collar on him and started growling at the thing. To make matters worse, everytime he barked and the collar sprayed, he would try and attack the spray, and on top of that, he spent the time whining while wearing it. So needless to say, I don't put it on him anymore and am trying to find another method.

freesiia · 06-27-2010, 11:19 AM

I repeat myself, if you're going to use any electronic, spray or manual training collars.... a consultation with a trainer would be very helpful.

Your dogs are training you to remove the devices by running away, whining, growling etc. My dogs enjoy their e-collars because they know it means NO LEASHES. But then I consulted a trainer, and became a trainer in the use of electronic collars. :-)