Barking is a natural dog behaviour, but excessive barking can be a real pain in the ear. If you have a four-legged friend who barks at almost every moving thing, understanding the root causes of this behaviour and taking appropriate steps to control it is crucial.

Training is probably the safest way to manage your dog’s barking. Although it requires patience and time, the long-term benefits are worthwhile. If training alone doesn’t do trick, you might consider adding some reinforcement. This is where no barking dog collars enter the picture.

What Are Anti-Barking Collars?

Bark collars work by sending mild stimuli to the dog’s neck, often in the form of sound, vibration, or static correction, to interrupt the excessive barking behaviour. It’s important to note that bark control collars are not designed to stop your canine companion from barking completely but to reduce it and prevent possible laryngitis.

One of the most common misconceptions is that barking collars are cruel. However, modern no barking dog collars are effective and safe. They don’t cause physical damage or lead to serious injury if used responsibly. It’s crucial to properly train your dog and use the bark collar as a reinforcement tool rather than a standalone solution.

Also, bark collars work best when combined with positive reinforcement training. For instance, you can reward your pooch with treats, praise or playtime to reward their pet for quiet behaviour and reinforce the desired outcome.

Furthermore, most barking collars have varying levels of stimulation to choose from to accommodate the animal’s size and sensitivity. It’s advisable to start with the minimum level of electrical stimulus to see a mild but positive reaction. If this is not the case, you can gradually increase the intensity, a small step at a time.

While anti-bark collars might not be a permanent solution, they can be helpful when your dog’s excessive barking threatens their safety and bothers other people. Most significantly, bark collars can be a simple and efficient option in situations where instant control is required, like during walks or in public spaces.

There are different types of barking dog collars. Selecting the right one depends on your pet’s size and personality.

Electric Collars 

Electric collars, also known as static shock collars deliver electric current to the dog’s neck when the sensors detect barking. When used properly and responsibly, electric collars can be useful in discouraging excessive barking.

Electric no-barking collars can be automatic and remote-controlled. With the remote-controlled models, you can adjust the intensity and the frequency of the shocks. Automatic ones, on the other hand, are activated by a dog’s bark sound and by the vibration from the vocal cords. 

Vibration Collars

Vibration collars send your dog a small, painless buzz to distract and correct their barking. Some vibration collars work automatically when the dog barks while others use a remote, allowing you to manually send the vibration signal. In general, these collars are recommended for timid, blind dogs and young puppies. Also, many pet owners with hearing impairments have luck with vibration collars for communication. 

Many parents of deaf pets have luck with vibration collars for communication Although these collars might not work as quickly as electric ones, they will get your pooch’s attention and distract them. 

Citronella Collars

If you’re not comfortable with exposing your pooch to vibrations or electrical shocks to correct their behaviour you may try a citronella collar. A citronella collar is considered to be a safe, humane and painless way to stop barking. It uses a safe burst of harmless citronella spray to mildly irritate your pet’s nose. 

The idea behind it is that the animal, discomforted by the spray will stop barking to avoid being sprayed in the face. What this means is that you can train your dog to bark less without hurting or upsetting them, which is especially important for pet owners who naturally wish to protect their animals’ wellbeing.

However, be careful. A large amount of citronella can cause stomach or lung irritation. If you notice that your furry friend is showing some symptoms of citronella sensitivity like it’s vomiting or a change in mood, contact your vet.

While there are citronella barking collars suitable for larger breeds, smaller breeds benefit immensely from these bark control devices due to their lightweight, comfy, and non-bulky design. Because they’re adjustable, your pet won’t experience any discomfort when the collar fits firmly around their neck. 

You may be confident that your small dog won’t suffer bodily harm from wearing a citronella collar. Even for tiny puppies, the natural and safe spray they use will make your dog feel a little odd, but not uncomfortable.