Bark collars

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by akck

They can be. Some training collars have a optional barking control function. Bark collars have only one function, to automatically control barking. We've used bark collars to control barking with our shepherds. Our current shepherd has some control issues that can escalate, so I decided to get a training collar. I was going to get a training/bark control collar, but decided against it because I wouldn't leave the collar on him when not in a position to train. Turns out he assumes the training collar is like the bark collar. He also learned quickly from the training collar, so now I can get him under control and to come with a beep and vibrate only.

My competition hound I want to be ale to bark freely.

The sound of thier bark is scored.

Rip did not develop his little "hiccup" while running on task until he was a late two year old.

[Francois]

Wow, I'd never heard of the citronella collars--going to stop by a pet store on the way home and look for one.

What about whining? Is that loud enough to release the spray? Our 9-YO male Golden has just started whining at night. He doesn't need to go out, is not in pain; it seems to be a separation anxiety thing because my husband let him in our bed one night after HOURS of the whining, and he instantly conked out and fell asleep. We've been trying some behavior modification related to being separated from them (not making such a big deal of it when we come home and see them, nor when we leave them) but I have to wonder if such a collar would shush him when he starts to whine.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by Francois

Wow, I'd never heard of the citronella collars--going to stop by a pet store on the way home and look for one.

What about whining? Is that loud enough to release the spray? Our 9-YO male Golden has just started whining at night. He doesn't need to go out, is not in pain; it seems to be a separation anxiety thing because my husband let him in our bed one night after HOURS of the whining, and he instantly conked out and fell asleep. We've been trying some behavior modification related to being separated from them (not making such a big deal of it when we come home and see them, nor when we leave them) but I have to wonder if such a collar would shush him when he starts to whine.

I don't think it would pick up on whining. Artie whines outside in the morning sometimes, too, because he knows that he can't bark, but it doesn't spray him for that. It doesn't even spray him when he sneezes, so I don't think a whine would trigger it.

ETA: Sometimes dogs "gruffle" in their sleep, so you wouldn't want the collar to be THAT sensitive, to spray them while they're dreaming.
ETA2: I don't think a collar like that is something that should be on the dog at night time, while he's sleeping.
ETA3: I wonder if your Golden's bed isn't comfy enough for him. Seriously, at 9 years old, maybe his bones or joints are a bit achy and he needs a bed that's more therapeutic. Just a thought...

[CaliTerp07]

Originally Posted by Francois

What about whining? Is that loud enough to release the spray?

No--the collars trigger on vibration. Otherwise when a second dog barked, the collared dog would get sprayed/shocked.

[NM posts]

Hot topic! Great to hear that the citronella works. Nora generally doesn't have this issue but keeping it in the back of my mind should I ever stop working from home.

The neighbor was totally making the dogs bark by throwing stuff at the fence - ugh! Why don't people realize the logic!

[Driller1]

I made a mistake yesterday.

We have never used a "bark collar".

I was thinking of training collars.

We tried one on Rip because if got lose he would run away........go hunting on his own.

[skins_fan82]

Originally Posted by DandJ

I bought a citronella collar (it sprays a light blast of lemon scent when the dog barks) for Artie so that I could let him out in the back yard in the early mornings to pee.

I never -- NEVER! -- thought it would work on my stubborn beast. But y'know what? Like a charm. It worked like a charm!

we bought the exact same thing for our little guy...it worked great.

[DawnMTL]

Originally Posted by skins_fan82

we bought the exact same thing for our little guy...it worked great.

Terrific!

Sometimes, when he's barking at the mailman, or at my husband when he hugs me, or at a leaf that the wind is blowing by the house , I just take "The Miracle Collar" (that's what I call it) out of the drawer and show it to him. Stops him in mid-bark.

[tamiznluv]

Originally Posted by DandJ

Terrific!

Sometimes, when he's barking at the mailman, or at my husband when he hugs me, or at a leaf that the wind is blowing by the house , I just take "The Miracle Collar" (that's what I call it) out of the drawer and show it to him. Stops him in mid-bark.

That is excellent! I'd call it that too.

[mgforshort]

Thirteen years ago we purchased a German Pinscher. The dog was extremely docile and well behaved, but had major issues with separation anxiety. No amount of training would help. He never barked unless we placed him outside and closed the dog door, then he'd bark non stop.
It came down to getting a bark collar or giving him up.
We put on the automatic bark collar, let him out, and closed the sliding glass door.
He barked once, then jumped really high.
He barked again, and jumped even higher.
He never barked again after that and the collar wasn't used, ever. And now he might bark once when someone rings the door bell, but that's it.
The automatic bark collar saved the dog and my sanity.

We have two dogs and two collars now which we use at times, for different reasons, these are activated by a remote control, not by the barking. There are 10 levels of "stimulation".
Some people think they are cruel. I tried all 10 levels on my left arm or my own leg, and level 8-9 is like touching the business end of a spark plug wire from a running car. It is definitely strong but no damage. Level 2-4 is just a gentle reminder to abandon reckless behavior, whatever that might be.
The dogs are fully aware when the collar is placed, and it doesn't need to be turned on.
I call it the "Angel Collar."