Anti-bark collar, there are many choices, which one to choose?

Electrostatic, vibration, ultrasound and citronella, you are spoiled for choice.

Here is a description of each type of device as well as some tips for choosing better.

Citronella anti-bark collar :

When the dog barks, the collar sends a small jet of citronella onto your dog's nose, which deters him from barking.

This jet can also be an odorless jet, it all depends on the type of refill you want to use, odorless or lemongrass, the result is likely to be the same.

Some dogs are less receptive to lemongrass and I would even say that some love lemongrass. Among the most intelligent dogs, some find a way to divert the spray until the collar empties, so they can continue barking without deterrence.

Also note that for many dogs, lemongrass is effective, but for a medium or short period, for some 2 to 3 months and for others 5 to 6 months, no dog is the same so it is impossible to tell. know in advance.

If you have a very young puppy or dog, it is best to start with the citronella anti-bark collar, if the dog continues to bark later, you can opt for an alternative solution.

This type of collar is recommended by the SPCA and most veterinarians.

Ultrasonic anti-bark collar :

The ultrasonic collar emits a shrill sound to the dog's ear when the dog barks, which deters the dog from barking.

Ultrasounds are most effective on small dogs, but some have had good results on large dogs.

This is not a foolproof solution, because many dogs are more or less insensitive to ultrasound, emitted by a collar or different type of interior or exterior casing.

It's hard to tell in advance if your dog will be insensitive to ultrasound.

If you have several dogs, this is not the best type of collar to use, because if one of your dogs barks the others will also hear the ultrasound, therefore receiving unnecessary correction if he was not barking. to bark. It would then be better to opt for citronella, vibration or electrostatic collar.

Anti-bark vibration collar :

The anti-bark vibration collar is an effective way to stop your dog's barking.

It sends random combinations of vibration stimulation, which distracts the dog's attention, making it stop barking.

The device which is attached to the collar, vibrates, for example: like a cell phone in vibration mode, therefore has no pain for the dog, only simple vibrations, but this type of collar is very effective on different types of dogs, small, medium or large.

For people who don't want to use a shock collar, the vibration collar is a great alternative.

Electrostatic anti-bark collar (shock collar) :

Electrostatic anti-bark collars, or more often called electric anti-bark collars, are among the most effective on the market.

There are different types of models, some adjustable in intensity manually and some adjustable in intensity gradually and automatically.

This type of collar sends a small static shock, it has absolutely nothing to do with an electric shock.

The electrostatic has the effect of surprising the dog and diverting its attention, most of these collars are also equipped with an audible warning which increases efficiency.

You must make sure to install the anti-bark collar very tightly around the dog's neck, but not too tightly either, you are not trying to strangle him.

There should only be one finger separating the collar and the dog's neck, this way we ensure that the contact points touch the skin.

If your dog has very long hair, you will need to use the long pins included with the collar.

It is sometimes also necessary to shave the hair at the neck to ensure good contact.

You don't have to shave down to the skin, just remove a little bit of hair.

If the pins do not touch, the dog receives no correction, so in other words, this collar will be useless.

Something else to know before buying an anti-bark collar.

How does the collar work?

Is it by a yelp or by a vibration of the vocal cords?

Collars with only a sound sensor are not the best, because if another dog barks near yours, he will probably trigger the collar and give a correction for nothing.

Collars with a vibration sensor, these collars are triggered by the vibration of the vocal cords when your dog barks, but be careful, some of these collars are more sensitive and less precise than others and they can be triggered when the dog short or even when he scratches his neck.

The best alternative to the low-end anti-bark that corrects your dog for nothing, choose a collar with new technology, like the  Petsafe Perfect Bark. 

SportDOG collar with dual detection:

This combination of sound and vibration sensor ensures that the dog is corrected only when the receiver receives both signals, so your dog can run and scratch without receiving unnecessary shock. If the collar detects a sound, but does not receive a vibration from the vocal cords, it will not trigger, the same thing if it receives a vibration, but no sound.

Occasionally the collar may let in 1 or 2 yips, but it's better to let a yip go by than to correct a dog for something he didn't do.

Some basic tips to remember

• So that the dog does not make a direct link between the collar and the correction, it is necessary to have a period of adaptation, that is to say, to put the collar in the dog's neck, without putting it in function.
• The ideal duration for the adaptation period, 7 to 14 days.
• Do not leave the collar on your neck for more than 12 hours a day.
• Be present during the first uses of the anti-bark collar.

See also the article: The Best Anti Bark Collar For Your Dog.