A bark collar is designed for dogs that tend to bark constantly. Bark collars negatively reinforce the barking, usually causing the dog to abandon the behavior altogether. Numerous circumstances do not necessitate bark collars; some dogs can get trained to minimize barking. However, some owners may lack the time or enthusiasm to carry out this tedious task, and thus opt for a bark collar. If your dog creates a nuisance for you and the neighbors, it is advisable to get a bark collar. With this, there is a higher chance the dog will learn to bark less. Bark collars come in several types, and each has its merits and cons. As a dog owner, you should check out the best bark collar reviews to decide which collar is most appropriate for your dog.
1.Electronic Bark Collars
Electric bark collars raise the most controversy since they work by shocking the dog whenever it detects vibrations from a bark. Those against these collars claim that shocking dogs is inhumane; the collar is even banned in some countries like Australia. However, the electronic collar delivers a low-level shock to the dog, completely harmless, when the dog barks. The shock administered is likened to a standard static shock that hits a person. The shock is said to limit the dog from barking. However, further research has yielded that electronic bark collars are not very effective in reducing barking; most dogs with electric collars show little to no reduction to their barking habits.
2.Ultrasonic Bark Collars
Ultrasonic collars are an alternative to electronic collars. These collars have a microphone that emits high-pitched sounds undetectable by humans, but highly irritating to dogs. When a dog barks, the microphone picks it up and releases the noise that irritates the dog to silence. Ultrasonic collars have numerous designs, some have the multifunction capability, where good behavior is rewarded, and wrong is punished. Also, some ultrasonic collars come with electronic shock mechanisms for redundancy if the sound does not dissuade the dog from barking. An ultrasonic collar would be a suitable alternative for individuals who hold inhibitions about electronic bark collars. Further, ultrasonic collars have one problem; if the microphone malfunctions, it can pick barks from other dogs and deploy the punishment mechanism, which would be unfair and confusing to the dog who is not barking.
3.Citronella Bark Collars
The most popular bark collar in use is the citronella collar. These collars, like the ultrasonic ones, have a microphone in the collar to detect a dog’s bark. However, instead of producing high pitched noise like the ultrasonic collar, this collar releases a citronella fragrance into the air. The scent is plant-based and has yielded positive results for a majority of customers. The success of citronella collars makes them accessible not only in domestic settings but also in dog shelters and adoption centers. Like the ultrasonic collars, citronella collars may get malfunctioning microphones that will punish the wrong dog. In shelters, especially, this flaw is common because there is frequent barking from numerous dogs.
