Before getting into the topic of bark collars and if they are good or cruel, perhaps a little background is in order as to why dogs bark in the first place. Sometimes they have very good reasons for barking (besides the obvious that they are dogs and that is what dogs do!) such as being left outside or perhaps they are lonely, bored, hungry or thirsty. Dogs are curious creatures. If you challenge their curiosity, hide something from them or there is an intriguing event happening outside the fence, they will definitely want to find out what’s going on.

Some dog owners even reward the barking with a treat or special attention. In this case, why do they expect their dog to shut up on command?

A bark collar is often regarded as something similar to a regular dog collar, that might hurt the dog by subjecting it to uncomfortable pressure. As I learned more and more about the variety of bark collar choices I began to breathe a bit easier when I discovered there were actually a few different types of bark collars and not all had even the slightest amount of “zap” to it. If you consider purchasing such a device, then you should do some research oon all options available. One is that this is not something that will necessarily need to be worn by your furry friend 24/7 and it is a far better option in my opinion than putting your dog through what is known as debarking surgery.

This surgery is an invasive procedure that aims to remove a part of your dog’s larynx that vibrates with each bark. After being subjected to the surgery, dogs will not bark as loud as before. Vets might present you this option in an attractive manner, yet you should carefully think about it. The barking of a dog is not always useless. Sometimes dangerous situations might require your dog’s intervention. What good is a whispering type bark going to do to call for help or defend your dog at that point? A mere whispering bark does not have nearly the aggressiveness that is called for as a mean growl or loud incessant barks. In addition, surgery isn’t successful in 100% of the cases and sometimes it only works for a few months. It is also an uncomfortable, even painful procedure.

The good news is that there is at least one anti-bark collar that is humane, very effective and safe. Citronella collars are the most popular anti-bark solutions. They only release a mild citrus scent whenever the dog barks. The animal dislikes this smell and stops making noise. There are citronella collars that make a “hiss” before spraying. This way the dog knows it is time it stopped making noise even before the spraying starts. Some university studies have proven the citronella barking collars are at least two times as effective as what are known as shock collars. However, you alone will decide what kind of anti-bark method you prefer. a zap or a sniff?!.

There are situations where dogs use their barking as a defensive strategy. If you are annoyed by your dog’s constant barking, there are plenty of bark collar varieties you can choose from. Please click this link for emore information on bark collar models.