Anti Barking Dog Collar

In part one of our series describing dog training collars we looked at choke and prong collars. In part two we looked at the shock and tone varieties as we continued to review dog training collars. In this article, we’ll look at the anti barking dog collar and the gentle leaders.
 

No Bark Collars include shock, sound or scent corrections

Anti barking collars are designed specifically to teach habitual barkers to be quiet. Like the other dog training collars, this one is also a source of correction. No-Bark collars use shocks, sounds, or scents to discourage a dog from barking.

No-bark collars work a little bit differently than other types of training collars. These collars don’t rely on an owner activated remote control that sends a signal to the collar when the dog is doing something he shouldn’t. These collars are programmed to your dog’s specific bark. Other dogs will not be able to set it off. When your dig begins making noise, the collar will automatically administer the correction.

No-bark collars can use the same type of correction as other training collars. They administer a shock or emit a high-pitched sound. But some also use a citronella scent to discourage dogs from barking. Whenever your dog barks, this type of collar sprays a small amount of citronella into the air. Dogs hate this smell and as soon as he associates the smell with his barking, he should stop.

These products have one big advantage. Because they are programmed to respond to your dog’s bark, you don’t have to be around to give the correction. This will help keep your dog from driving your neighbors crazy if his habit is to bark all day while you’re at work. However, there are a few things to think about before deciding to use an anti barking dog collar.

Remember, barking is a natural activity for a dog. It’s the way they communicate. While excessive barking is a behavior issue, it is not wise, realistic or fair to think that your dog should be corrected every time he barks.

The other point to make is that there is often an underlying reason for excessive dog barking and using an anti barking collar – even if successful to some extent – doesn’t fix what is causing the barking in the first place. To stop a dog barking can be a bit more complicated.

The Gentle Leader Collars

Finally, in our review of dog training collars, we’d like to say something about the Gentle Leaders. Although these are also training collars (as opposed to day-to-day buckle collars) and they are designed to provide a correction, it isn’t a negative correction (like a shock, choke, tone or smell). In fact, we assess these training collars as excellent tools in humanely controlling your dog’s movements and would recommend their use any time you are doing leash training.

The Gentle Leader harness fits around the dog’s chest with the leash hooking in at the front. When the leash pulls, the harness tightens around the dog’s front legs. This is uncomfortable, but painless and won’t do any damage. Correction can be administered with a short tug (i.e. if your dog begins to pull, or go in a direction he isn’t supposed to).

The second type of Gentle Leader is the head harness. This provides the dog handler with much greater control over the dog and stops the dog’s ability to pull. And it doesn’t hurt one bit.

This harness hooks around a dog’s snout and chin. The principal is the same used for horses. With this rig, you control the direction of your dog’s head. The leash is fastened to the harness at the end of the dog’s snout and attached to the dog’s collar. By gently bringing the lead in or letting it out, you are actually controlling the way the dog’s head moves.

If he starts to pull, you bring the lead in and the dog’s head moves towards you. This immediately stops the pulling. These things are brilliant. Or course, you can still hurt your dog by yanking on the lead and thereby wrenching his neck. But there is no need for this because you will have control. Your dog will go where his head is pointing. It’s no anti barking collar, but it is about the best leash training tool there is!

If using a dog training collar, make sure you know what you’re doing

There are many types of dog training collars, including anti bark dog collars on the market. If this is a tool you think you need, do your research before buying one. You need to consider what your dog’s behavior problems are and how they will best be corrected. Over-correction can cause problems of its own, so you must ensure you’ve got the right one and that you’re using it correctly and only when you have to. Consult with a professional trainer if going this route and remember – your dog probably wants to do whatever it is you want from him. We just have to figure out how to tell them what that is.

Check out Sit Stay Fetch if you're looking for one book that contains everything you need to know to fully train your dog.

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