Most of the times, dogs bark for a justifiable reason. However, sometimes dogs over-react to situations or stimuli and become excessive in their vocalizations. Dogs are extremely attached to their owners and feel their absence; they usually become noisy when they are left alone in the house.

Because it happens when the owner is not around, it is also one of the most difficult to control. At one time, this usually led to a difficult decision: have the dog de-barked, or send the dog away. Of course, these are rushed decisions which should only be used as a last resort. Yet, if neighbors complain constantly, there’s not much the owner can do.

Fortunately for both the dog and the owner, anti-bark collars were invented for these situations. These devices were not always as efficient as they are now. They often mistook other dogs’ barking for the sound they needed to stop and started functioning even if it wasn’t the right moment. Others could not discern between a normal barking reaction and constant barking.

bark collars have improved massively since their beginnings. There are now three types available: spray, sonic, and static. All these collars use the same principle. When the dog produces sounds and vibrations within a certain range or frequencies, the collar starts functioning. The combination of vibration and barking makes the collar react only to the dog’s noise. Also having a volume and frequency requirement helps prevent the collar from being triggered by fear, pain, or other vocalizations not tied to problem barking.

Static bark collars give the dog mild shocks when it is noisy; those with citrus spray spread the substance and the ultrasonic collars produce an irritating sound that only dogs can hear. None is intended to harm the dog, but startle it, which will silence it. Some of the static collars can be adjusted and they also have an automatic shutdown system if the dog barks continuously for a longer period. Moreover, the bark collar can switch to a lower setting if the dog doesn’t produce any noise for a certain amount of time. This system is meant to encourage your dog to only bark when it has to.

However, even if you buy a bark collar, this does not mean you should not train your dog as well. It should not be left on all the time, and initial sessions with it should be monitored. If your pet only barks when you are away and there’s no possible means for you to control his training, ask for a neighbor’s help. Usually, they will be happy to help, since they are the ones that must endure the noise. Consider the friendliest neighbor you have, with whom your dog is already used.

Keeping the pet under constant supervision is meant to record whether it has a normal reaction to the collar. Dogs need much more than an anti-bark collar in order to learn how to behave. You must train them constantly, especially during their first year of life.

Instead of resorting to extreme solutions, consider purchasing bark collars instead. These devices can prove to be very efficient in educating your dog. If you want to know more details about these devices and the mechanisms they use, read more about bark collars here.