Are No Bark Dog Collars Safe to Use?
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are currently three types of no bark collars commonly used on dogs. They are all effective in reducing barking, but some people wonder if using these collars are ethical. As a dog owner, you should know about the no bark dog collar you want to use on your noisy pet.
Citrus Spray Collars
Some no bark collars work by emitting a spray of citrus smell if the dog barks for a while. Because the smell of citrus is not pleasant for dogs, they will eventually stop barking. These collars usually give a hissing sound before releasing the citrus smell, giving the dog a chance to stop the barking and saving itself from the spray. Trainers and professionals consider the use of these collars ethical, as there is no pain inflicted on the dog.
Ultrasonic/Sonic dog collars
Ultrasonic or sonic dog collars will emit a high pitched tone if the dog barks. This tone is similar to the dog whistle sound. Humans can’t hear this sound, but dogs can, and they soon learn to stop barking so that the sound goes away. Is this considered ethical by the experts? Yes. Once again, there is no pain involved – it’s just a bit annoying for the dog. Note: This is the least effective type of no bark collar, as dogs can get used to the sound over time, so don’t overdo it.
Electric No Bark Collars
These collars give the dog a small electrical shock when it barks. It isn’t truly dangerous, and can be compared to the shock you can get from static electricity. Once again, mostly just an annoyance – but this is the type of no bark collar that some people believe is unethical. This one isn’t just an annoyance; it physically does something to the dog. And well, some people think that’s not ok. But does it work? Yes, it does; so condiser it an option if your dog tends to bark too much.
To deter a dog from barking excessively, you can choose from no bark collars that use citronella spray, sonic or ultrasonic sounds, or electronic shocking. Citronella spray and sonic or ultrasonic sounds are considered ethical, but electronic shock collars are sometimes considered unethical because of the shocking. However, all three methods are perfectly safe for dogs.
