As much as we love our furry little friends, we can’t help but get annoyed at them when they start barking for no reason. The idea of training your dog not to bark can seem like mission impossible, especially since there are some times that your dog should, in fact, be barking. Fortunately for most dog owners, technology has advanced significantly in the past several years and you can now get an e collar, also known as barking collar to help you train your dog and stop its incessant barking habit easily. However, since there are many different e collar products on the market, finding the right one for your dog can take some careful consideration.
But before I get into the different types of e collar models, let’s discuss what these collars do. Basically, bark collars are devices that transmit signals or sounds to your dog every time it barks without a reason. That way, your dog will be taught to not bark for no reason. Contrary to popular belief, bark collars are completely safe to use and won’t harm your dog. This also includes the bark collars that send a small electric shock. Some collars emit a sound or a smell that annoys dogs, and those are considered to be more humane than electric shock collars. All of these collars feature a microphone that detects barks and responds to them.
With that said, not all collars are made the same. Therefore, you need to consider a couple of factors. The most common types of bark collars you’ll find nowadays are Citronella collars, electric collars, vibration collars and ultrasonic collars.
- Spray collars spray Citronella, which dogs absolutely hate the smell of, and are thus very effective in stopping barking. These collars are considered the most humane ones, and most models have proven to be very effective at stopping barking.
- Electric collars produce a small electric shock every time they pick up a barking sound from your dog. These collars are categorised based on the amount of shock they deliver. Keep in mind that the shock these collars deliver is static, meaning you aren’t hurting your dog with them.
- Ultrasonic collars produce a sound that your dog can hear and is very annoying. The high-pitched noise produced by this collar won’t harm your dog’s hearing, and is an effective way to stop your dog from barking.
- Vibration collars produce a vibration similar to the vibration of smartphones that won’t hurt your dog. These collars can also be remotely activated with the use of a button, and they aren’t as effective as other types of bark collars, especially not on larger breeds.
Regardless of what type of collar you end up going for, you need to consider your dog’s weight, simply because most collar manufacturers design the collars based on the weight. Additionally, you need to consider your dog’s neck circumference to ensure the collar fits your dog properly. Some dogs can be larger but have a smaller neck circumference. For that reason, you should look for adjustable e collar models. Furthermore, get a collar that has a false-trigger proofing, which is a feature dedicated to preventing false triggers, which can be a common problem for many barking collars. This feature also prevents the device from picking up barks from other dogs and punishing your dog as a result.
The most important factor you’ll have to consider, however, is safety. You don’t want a poorly designed or malfunctioning collar that can put your dog in danger. Luckily, you can make sure the product is safe by ensuring the company that makes it is associated with ECMA or PETT. Both of these associations exist just to ensure that bark collars are safe for your dog. Another way to ensure the collar is of good quality is by looking for a manufacturer’s warranty.
As briefly aforementioned, you need to buy an appropriately sized in order to ensure its effectiveness. If you purchase one that’s too small or too big for your dog, it won’t be effective, or it may hurt your dog. Most companies design collars for specifically sized dogs and they provide size charts which make sure you don’t make a mistake. Additionally, every collar comes with a manual that you should read to ensure you’re using the collar properly. And lastly, make sure you always start using the collar on the lowest setting. You don’t want to make your dog uncomfortable unless absolutely necessary.
And remember, you don’t want to leave the bark collar on your dog for extended time periods. That being said, get a collar that’s convenient for your specific circumstances. As you can tell by all of the information in this article, collars come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and types. Whether you prioritise waterproof collars, or adjustable levels, you’ll need to know what you expect out of the collar before you buy one. This ensures a positive experience for both you and your dog.
