Do anti-bark collars really work to stop barking?

Question

Anyone have any experience with this device?
We have a Rottweiler that barks non-stop at a donkey that is in a pasture next to him. It's past the point of annoying...It's become an obsession and it's ridiculous.
We provide him with plenty of exercise, toys and chews galore as well as having another Rott as a companion.
There is no reason, other than obsessive barking that this dog is doing this...
Do these collars work or would I be wasting my $$?

The dog has grown up with the donkey, so it's not that he's being protective. It's simply become an obsessive game for the dog.

The dogs are in a solid fence 48' wide and 160' long. There are only 2 dogs in there, so there is plenty of room to run. They are on leash for about 40 mins each day when we go for our evening walks and off leash, playing in the lake and running through the pastures or being lazy in the grass as I garden or do other chores. They have a very nice lifestyle and are well cared for. This isn't a boredom issue... The dog in question is not yet 2 years old and our 4 year old Rott seems to be annoyed with the pups obsessive barking at the donkey as well.

I do have a shock collar system that I had to purchase to reinforce my commands NOT to kill the poultry. (high drive-was necessary) BUT I can't be there in the middle of the night...24/7 to correct.
If the anti-bark collar works at night and early morning before breakfast (7am)
I think (hope) it will help him realize that he has many better things to do.
I just didn't want to invest in something that wasn't effective.

The donkey could stand right next to the dog lot/run all day, ignoring the dog and that dog would bark at him. Or, he could be out grazing in the pasture and that dog would be focused on him there too.
This is past the point of crazy.
Moving the kennel isn't an option because I think he would do the same with the cattle or even the goats.
It's just an obsession he's become accustom to and is in need of breaking from real quick. :o)

Oh, and Ann.... You're correct, I DO inquire with others about a product prior to purchasing. I'd say that makes me pretty wise. :o)

Don't be so offended... Not everyone is going to think you're as intelligent as you think you are.
Bottom line is, "it is what it is"... right? :o)

Answer 1

I have had a couple it didn't work on but usually they work very well.

However; I don't consider it obsessive if you are leaving the dog outside in view of the donkey. I think you need to work with him to get him used to the "different" animal that he wants to make sure his famioly is aware it is still there.

Answer 2

I agree that it's not about an obsessive barking with the donkey next door. Your dog is just saying come here and let me check you out.

If a collar is still something that you want to try I suggest a citronella spray collar. It was recommended to us by our local pet shop. No shocking involved but rather a short spray of citronella from under the snout and that stopped our dog with one shot. It's harmless & just smells for a little bit. After ward I could make the sound of the collar & that would stop our dog as well. We haven't used it in years.

Answer 3

Electric bark collars work. They work when everything else has failed. I have the Tritronics one and there is no warning tone, no re-setting. Bark, stimulate, real simple. They are great and if they work on my malinois, they will work on any dog. Try them.

ADD: I cannot believe what I read here. Put the dog down instead of correcting him? Are people that far gone? The Electric collar works on the cause=effect principle. The dog decides to BS bark, he gets corrected, he stops, no more correction. The dog makes a decision on HIS own as to what to do. Please people, stop the crap and quit taking away the dog's inherent right to choose. That is, after all how we all learn.

Answer 4

It depends on the dog. We used it on one dog years ago, and he only got jolted twice before he caught on that when he heard that beep it was time to shut up.

We have a dog now that we used a shock collar on, and it didn't affect his barking at all. I thought the collar was defective or the battery was dead and took it off - he had been shocked so many times he had sores on his neck - I felt so bad about him getting sores, but he never even flinched from the shocks!

I'll never use one again, not after rubbing my baby's neck and having it all raised up with sores.

And I know a woman who used the citronella collar on her dog, and it had no effect at all. She said he'd empty the collar in 10 minutes because the dog would keep barking, and the collar would keep squirting, and on and on until the collar was empty.

Answer 5

My own personal experience with them, they did not work. I had a beagle foster that was a really bad barker. We tried everything and we went and got a anti bark collar. It was one where it would give a low shock to the dog. It would shock 3 times and then shut off for 15 minutes and reset itself to shock 3 more times. The beagle figured out that if he barked really fast so that the 3 times happened right away that it would shut off for 15 minutes. So needless to say, he barked until it would automatically turn off and then he would bark like crazy until it would reset. Then he did it all over again.

Answer 6

Yes they do work. My brother works 3rd shift and his dog barked and would wake him up. They bought one and the dog does not bark any more. As a matter of fact, they have removed the collar, after 2 years, and she still doesn't bark.

Answer 7

With my family's dogs, definately not.
Mostly just a piece of junk, and waste of cash.

But PLEASE, PLEASE,
Do NOT do something as cruel and insensitive as having him put to sleep for barking. That is not the responsible thing to do, and quite frankly, pretty sick, irregardless of how high on the 'annoyance' scale his/her barking may be.

Try a muzzle for the dog for times when his barking is excessive, but not all the time, as it can restrict him from eating, etc.

I personally have a dog that barks ALOT, so I know how bad it can be, [he barks at ROCKS,ALL day and night], but the dog does not deserve a cruel solution such as shock collers or permanent silence, if you catch my drift. He may see things, [like a doggy scitzo], and can not help his excessive barking. A vet might even have a better solution.

Answer 8

are you talking about the citronella spray ones or the electric shock ones?

the Citronella ones i have been told work OK for a little while but on all reports after a few weeks the dog is immune or ignores the scent and is back to usual pattern.

I have one friend and an aunt and uncle that has used the shock collar before and swears by it, i myself still cant quite come to that one but that is just personal oppinion on the conept.

Answer 9

If you buy a good brand and use it correctly it will work. I use Innotek brand e. collars. It has to be on tight and you may have to shave off some neck hair. Tri Tronics is another reputable brand. Try K V Vet or even E bay for lower prices.

Answer 10

i think they are CRUEL ist electricity zapping them i tryed it once by holding it, and it realy zap's, the more the dog barks the stronger it will get. so now! THAT collar is in the garbage. PS: please dont use that. for the barking part ask a trainer 4 advice or just use the net there's GOT to be a place like. i dont know vet.com or anny vet web site. if you cant stand it (put him to sleep) wont BARK no more. GOOOOOD LUCK.