Has anyone ever used an anti-bark colar on their dog? Did it work? Did it hurt the dog?

Answer 1

On average, anti-bark collars only work 50% of the time because it's a form a punishment (which for all animals, including people is NOT the most effective way to train a behavior). Yes, the shock anti-bark collars are very very painful, and many of the "affordable ones" tend to shock the dog when they make any noise or when a noise went off around them. If you buy one, put it on, on the minimum setting and then increase it a little at a time and decide for yourself.

It is better to combine a noise or scent anti-bark collar with rewards. Like, reward your dog often for being calm and quiet and reward your dog for hushing on command. Barking is natural and dogs bark for many reasons, so before you do any training it is important to determine WHY your dog is barking. Is he barking at people or things (trying to warn you, or protect his space)? Is he barking when you leave (sign of separation anxiety, not badbarking behavior)? Is he barking when he's happy (excitement)? Many people who complain about barking have no idea why it's happening, and its not fair to resort straight to punishment when it might be something the owner did (or didn't do- like separation anxiety).

Answer 2

Had a friend whose dog loved to bark. He had a choice, get him to stop or be fined by the city due to neighbors filing complaints.

Conventional methods did not discourage the dog from barking when they were not right next to him. They chose a bark collar that did emit a current each time he barked. Yes, the dog does feel the current and you should follow instructions when programming the collar so the dog does not receive a current too strong for them.

My friend's dog learned that if he barked full volume he received the current. However, he didn't want to give up the pleasure he got from barking. So darned if he didn't learn to bark in a way that would not trigger the setting of the collar. So he merrily has continued barking with only the sound of air coming out, like a dog that has had its vocal cords cut. The dog is quite happy, because he still receives the pleasure of barking, minus the sound, and the neighbors are happy because they do not hear him barking.

Answer 3

i have not ever used such a collar. i think its so simple to train a dog not to bark there is not really a need. however behind me there are 3 dogs that amaze me they all live in the same house they get put out back and unlike all other dogs i have ever seen or heard of they stand there and bark at each other . they do this for hours on end.
i know the owner could train them not to bark by just saying no and giving them a tap on the nose but this owner does not do that.
for the sake of the dogs there i think a bark shock collar is a good idea. i know that i had to call the police one night on them as they had barked for 5 hours non stop. when midnight came i called the police it took them 3 more hours to come and the dogs had not stopped barking once in the 8 hours. . i suspect the owner gets mad at the dogs when the police come around and then has a fit yelling at the dogs who have no idea what the owner is on about . so it would be kind to the dogs in that rare case to have the collar.
i think that anyone who uses such a collar should put it on themselves and try making a barking sound about 6 times before they put that on the dog because i have seen vids where a young man tried it and he was really in pain when that thing zapped him after 3 barks. i got the impression it got worse from one to three and then started over again .

Answer 4

Yes, unfortunately I had to use one on my yellow lab. No matter what we did she wouldn't stop barking. Barked almost constantly . Muzzles don't stop them from barking as they aren't tight on the nose. Anything tight enough would interfere with the breathing. One isn't always standing near enough to the dog to spray them . We tried a collar that emitted a high pitched sound when they bark, but did nothing. Finally I got a "shock" collar. It gives off a short shock after the dog barks 3 times. Then resets itself. Bark, bark, bark, shock. It took my lab twice only to get the idea. Now I only have to use it as a reinforcement. Just put it on her and she settles down without barking. This works even when you are not home. Some dogs bark and carry on when you are gone. I'm sure it didn't tickle, but there were no signs of any lasting pain or discomfort either. No fear of us for putting the collar on her. Only respect for the power of the collar. Once trained they do not need to wear it. She is still a wonderful watch dog and barks when needed, stops when we tell her is OK.

Answer 5

I did use the sonic collar, from WalMart. I got a 6 month old rescue that was a stress barker..24/7..It was too traumatizing for her to keep scolding, and she wasn't trusting yet, at all..So I bought the collar for under $40 at WalMart. It worked instantly! All it does is sound a high pitched buzz after the second bark. The buzz became louder with each bark..In two days she had stopped barking. I left the collar on for two weeks, and she has never been an incessant barker since..She is an old dog, now..she barks appropriately, to warn of strangers..but that is all..
I loaned the collar to several friends, and all had good results with it..
It doesn''t traumatize the dog at all, and is better than constant discipline, especially for an unsocialized dog, or a rescue, such as mine..

Answer 6

Why waste the money and risk hurting your dog? It takes less than a week to teach a dog to start and stop barking on command and it doesnt cost anything.. I am not accusing you of anything but I am so tired of all the "quick fixes" people use on dogs.. it doesnt take much effort to train a dog not to bark with nothing more than your voice and hands. All you do is this.. Dog barks, grab dogs muzzle hold it closed and say "QUIET!", when dog is quiet say "good dog!" repeat repeat. Get a treat, say to dog, Speak! while making the movements and expression that makes them bark, dog barks, give treat.. dog learns "quiet" means stop barking, "speak" means start barking.. easy as that. No collars, no shocks no spray no ultra sonic sound required just good old fashion training. My dog was a barkaholic when I adopted her at 6 yrs, now she is perfectly trained to start and stop barking on command with words AND handsignals. She barks in the yard and all I have to do is knock on the window and hold my finger up to my lips and she stops immediately.. If I want her to bark all I have to do is whisper speak, or use body language and she starts and stops on command.

Answer 7

I have used an anti-bark colar on my dog..and no it did not work, the best thing to do would be get a muzzle.

Answer 8

A company called Aboistop produces anti-bark collars which spray water in the dog's face when they bark - sort of aversion therapy. They also sell remote versions and seem to be very effective.

Answer 9

if your talking about a shock collar then yes it does hurt the dog and its cruel. If you want him to stop barking then take his mouth nicely and hold it shut with your hands and say no. Basically what your doing with a shock collar is making him scared every time he barks and sending a huge zap through him. Teaching him its not ok to bark when his collar is on. If you teach him the slow but humane way it works better.

Answer 10

I have used electric collars in the past. They are very effective if used properly, and if not consistent or abused (shock is too high, dog being shocked at wrong time,) they can bring an even worse problem. And yes, they hurt. I would much rather give my dog a shock, however, than spray him with citronella because A) around other dogs, it means absolutely nothing and B) the punishment lasts longer. And yes I have tried both on myself!