"Anti-bark" collars are designed to reduce undesired barking. An anti-bark collar should be put on the dog only at specific times when bark suppression is desired.
How they work:
These collars are designed to sense barking and to deliver an immediate, unpleasant stimulus, either electrical stimulation (shock), a spray of citronella under the dog's chin, or a high-pitched noise. Table 3.9 compares the first two types. The sonic collar is the least effective of the three, since many dogs quickly become used to the noise and resume barking.
Benefits:
The use of these collars can lead to a rapid decrease in barking when the collar is on. However, the first step in resolving a barking problem should be to analyze and to address the underlying cause of the barking.
Limitations:
An anti-bark collar should be used with caution if the barking is motivated by fear or anxiety. To suppress the barking may result in other undesirable behaviors such as self-injury, destructiveness, or escape. The dog's initial reaction to the collar's use should be carefully observed. This way, the trainer can remove the collar, modify its use or stop using it if the dog's reaction is extreme or undesirable (aggression, escape, etc.).
Electronic anti-bark collars that automatically escalate the intensity of the shock with repeated barking are unacceptable and inhumane unless this feature can be de-activated. Collars that do not limit the number of times a dog can be shocked in close succession are unacceptable and inhumane.
Risks and warnings:
Some collars may be activated when the dog is not barking, due to electrical signals from television stations, radio transmitters and other equipment. They may also be activated when a microphone-type sensor in the collar is triggered by other noises, such as barking by another dog. If this happens often, it is unacceptable and inhumane to continue using the collar. Collars should be chosen for reliability; some models deliver inconsistent levels of shock.
| Type of collar | How it works | Benefits | Limitations | Risks and warnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic | Automatically delivers shock to dog's neck when barking is detected. | May rapidly decrease problem barking. | May need to trim or shave hair on dog's neck to ensure contact points touch skin. | Shock may result in fearful or aggressive response to a person or other animal near wearer. Contact points may irritate skin, causing infection, so dog's neck should be examined frequently. |
| Citronella | Sprays citronella under dog's chin when barking is detected. Fit should be snug so that reservoir stays under chin. | May rapidly reduce problem barking. Not painful; less likely to cause aggression or fear. Sound of spray aids in bark-suppressing effect. | May need to trim hair on dog's neck to allow more odor to reach dog's nose. | In rare cases, a dog or person may be allergic to citronella. |
