Bark Collars

Bark Collar

Does Fido make a special announcement for every person that walks past? Does he bark in order to gain your attention, perhaps when he wants a treat or some playtime? When he is anxious or bored, is his go-to coping method barking? Whatever the reason, too much barking can be an annoyance, but it can also serve a purpose.

One of the most common complaints from parents of pooches is excessive barking, with a recent study showing 35% reporting it as a problem. So what can be done to tone down Tiger’s need to make noise? Much to our dismay, there is no simple, quick method to solve the problem, as with any unwanted behavior, proper training and time are needed. And most dog trainers and experts agree the preferred and most effective way of training your dog is to employ positive reinforcement, not punishment. But, there is one barking solution that some pet parents turn to hoping for a quick fix, and it has proven quite controversial – the bark collar, which produces an electric shock, an ultrasonic or audible noise, or an unpleasant spray to your canine companion when he barks.

Do they work? It depends on how you look at it. Since there are so many underlying reasons for your dog to bark and dogs use their bark as a language to communicate so many different things, a collar may or may not work. Some studies show the collars to be effective, but it depends on your dog’s temperament. While many dogs learn to associate their barking with the punishment inflicted (the shock, noise or spray), others will simply ignore the punishment and continue to bark. Dogs that are anxious and fearful often respond poorly as well, making them even more anxious when they are punished. The collar, which detects vibration or noise, has no means to differentiate unwanted barking from playful, happy barking, or barking due to anxiety or fear. So, no matter the reason, Tiger gets punished.

While these collars are readily available at your local pet supply store and online, and some pet parents find them beneficial, they don’t address the root cause of Tiger’s barking. While they may reduce the act of barking itself, they don’t reduce the stress or other stimulus that causes the barking.

Many times we unintentionally teach our dog to bark by reinforcing the negative behavior. If Tiger barks while he’s in the yard and you yell at him to stop, he has gotten your attention and may even think you’re joining in on the fun with your own silly-sounding human bark. Even looking at your dog while he barks can be seen as reinforcement of the act.  So, rather than invest in a collar that likely will not work long term, and can even be dangerous, try something as simple as ignoring the behavior. When Tiger barks, just walk away, or look away, and do not speak to him or give him eye contact. By doing so, he will eventually learn his barking does not yield his desired result. Now, bear in mind, the behavior will get worse before it gets better, so you must be persistent, consistent, and – most importantly – patient.

There are so many methods of training that rely on positive reinforcement (or simply not reinforcing negative behavior) that will produce better results and be less stressful for your dog than a bark collar.

 

 

2 Comments:

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