What You Must Know Before Buying a Shock Collar For Your Dog

Oct 13, 2019

1. What is a "Shock" No Bark Collar?

Bark collars are a specific type of training tool that is ideal for dogs with a natural tendency to bark excessively, or more than usual for any reason. Bark collars are designed to provide negative reinforcement in reaction to the unwanted barking behavior. Over time, the dog will learn to avoid the behavior in order to avoid the negative reinforcement.

While the use of bark collars has become controversial, it is not inherently a bad training method as long as the collar is used correctly and the training is administered as it should be. This guide is designed to address the concept of a specific type of bark collar, a "shock" bark collar which delivers an electrical pulse in reaction to the barking behavior. While there are other types of negative reinforcement bark collars, including collars that spray citronella rather than emitting an electrical pulse, but the electrical "shock" type of collar is the preferred method of training a dog not to bark through the use of a control tool.

Electronic "shock bark collars" are capable of detecting a vibration in the dog's vocal cords as he or she barks. When these vibrations are determined, a low level shock is delivered to the neck of the dog.

These shocks have been compared to the electric shock that is felt as a result of static electricity, when you touch a door knob after shuffling across a carpeted floor. Still, this type of collar has been criticized in the past as being humane or cruel. Some areas, such as Australia have outlawed and prohibited the use of electronic bark collars.

Some veterinary professionals also have questioned the effectiveness in these collars in the past, after a study conducted by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine has found that after significant testing, four out of the eight dogs tested with an electric bark collar had no reduction in barking.

If your dog's barking habit is beyond your control, before you consider any irrational options, you need to think about training methods. No bark collars are a solution that is well worth exploring, at least to determine whether or not it is ideal for your situation. No bark electronic shock collars are designed specifically to be quick, easy and humane in reducing a dog's barking habit. When electronic shock collars are used the right way, it can take only a handful of days to drastically reduce a dog's barking habit.

If you are just beginning to understand what shock collars are, this guide should provide the resources and information that you need to make an informed decision regarding whether or not to use one for your dog. The first thing that we will examine when it comes to shock no-bark dog collars is the pros and cons associated with training a dog in this fashion. By the end of this guide, you should be able to determine whether or not a bark collar is ideal for you and your dog.

2. Why Dogs Bark?

Your dog is likely barking for one of several reasons. Dogs bark as a response to a variety of different types of stimuli, such as when a strange person approaches, or when a foreign animal is in the dog's territory.

Dogs can also be urged to bark when other dogs are barking, which unfortunately reinforces the territorial response of the dog. This is the most useful type of barking for any human owner who is looking to keep a dog as a form of protection.

Dogs also tend to bark as a learned response to a number of stimuli. If a dog barks, and then as a result he or she receives attention from you, then he or she will learn that barking is an excellent way to get what he wants. If a dog brings his toy to you and then he barks to you, and you engage in playtime with the dog as a result, then the dog will learn that an excellent way to initiate playtime is through barking.

If this behavior causes you to yell or to scold the dog, he still may continue this behavior because all reinforcement is reinforcement, even negative reinforcement because all attention beats absolutely no attention. Barking is also a completely normal play behavior for a dog, and the dog may bark both to human and animal during play.

When barking for the purpose of seeking attention, dogs also tend to bark in response to the anxiety that they feel when they are not in the presence of their owner. This can occur just after the owner leaves, or it can persist for as many as several hours later until the owner does finally return.

While most of these reasons are cause enough to explore electronic bark collars, but there are also reasons for why bark collars should be avoided. For example, some dogs that are in pain will bark excessively. Dogs who suffer from brain diseases, deafness or cognitive problems may also bark excessively, and none of these situations should be dealt with through the use of an electronic bark collar.

It is important to take your dog to the veterinarian's office before you begin any new behavior modification program including a bark collar to rule out situations such as these.

Ultimately it is up to you whether you choose to use a bark collar or not. You are responsible of the well being and health of your dog, but you have to be aware of the needs and wants of your family and your neighbors as well. There are various methods of behavior modification that can be explored, but electronic bark collars are very fast and effective at delivering the desired results in only a few days in most cases. Your goal here should be discouraging barking that is unnecessary rather than discouraging all barking, because barking within reason is a natural dog behavior and should never be discouraged.

It would be ideal for you to learn how to recognize any and all triggers that will cause your dog to lash out through barking, because you may be able to eliminate or at least limit these stressors to a degree. Keep in mind, most importantly of all: There is no magic cure for such unsavory behavior, you simply have to show patience, and when possible, understanding as well.

3. The Pros and Cons of Using "Shock Collars"

The first thing to explore when it comes to implementing a shock collar regimen for your dog is the cons associated with this type of training.

Some people feel that using pain or discomfort of any kind in order to discourage unwanted behavior in an animal that may or may not understand is simply the wrong way to go about things. Good behavior should be rewarded rather than focusing on relying upon punishment as a method of training. The bottom line here is there are alternatives for training and not everyone should automatically resort of shock collar no- bark training.
Individuals who are not properly informed and educated on what it means to use a shock collar correctly may injure their animal, or cause the equipment to otherwise malfunction. Inexperienced, impatient, frustrated, angry or sadistic owners who do not have the experience necessary to operate them can cause more damage than they ever intended to.

Scientific research has shown that the shock from an electronic collar may be more than simply annoying or uncomfortable, and may have long term negative implications.
Experiments have shown in the past that the shocks associated with this type of collar can cause responses that are normally associated with distress or fear. These responses include hiding, biting, trembling, yelping, struggling, cowering, urinating or defecating and freezing.
If the microphone responsible for sensing the barking of the dog malfunctions in any way, a negative result can be caused. This is also true if another dog happens to bark, and the collar responds to the other dog's barking, punishing the dog wearing the collar even when it is not he or she that barks.
In some situations, dogs that already have a fear response can have that response worsened by bark collars. Some dogs can become more fearful or more territorial when this type of negative reinforcement is used.
There is a lot of controversy associated with these types of collars, as people try to determine whether or not these electronic shock collars are actually humane. Shock collars are an issue that everyone appears to have a unique take on, and there is no real telling which side is more popular of the two.
Now let us look at the some of the pros that are associated with the use of electronic no-bark shock collars.
When used correctly and by the people who should be allowed to use them, shock collars like these can produce excellent results in dogs who previously had issues with barking.
While it may be believed that the constant barking is too much, shock collars can produce results in only a couple of days, quickly convincing a problem dog not to continue with such a bad habit.
For many people, shock collars are the only real alternative out there, because other methods for stopping smoking have not worked in the past, or because the owner of the dog is otherwise having trouble nipping the problem in the bud.

4. Shock Collars and Market Research

When it comes to electronic shock collars and other dog training aids, the market seems to be leading in a very specific direction: The direction that this market is taking is moving toward creating products that deliver the same quick and efficient results for dogs that bark too much, while not providing too much discomfort for the dog. Many companies are coming out with types of electronic shock collars that do not hurt or cause as much discomfort as older models of electronic shock collars.

As the companies developing these collars continue to fine tune their products, they work to develop the perfect combination between creating a level of comfort for the dog, and creating fast results through what is still essentially negative reinforcement to prevent constant barking from occurring.

There are a number of primary brands out there that produce electronic shock collars, with new companies coming out on a consistent basis. While there are a few brands that dominate the market, the first company that is capable of producing an electronic shock collar that does not come with a healthy dose of controversy will probably dominate the market in the end.

5. Major Types of Shock Collars

Standard Bark Collars - These are some of the simplest and some of the smallest of all bark control collars that are available on the market today and they are available from a wide variety of different brands. When your dog barks, this simple anti barking collar will give a warning beep, followed by a simple and mild correction. If the dog continues to bark after this point, he will then receive a warning tone followed by what is a slightly stronger electronic pulse correction.

This process can continue for as many as six levels worth of electronic correction. The collar can sense the dog's throat's vibration, knowing the difference between regular vibrations and vibrations caused by barking. This is not a harmful type of shock collar and makes an excellent deterrent for dogs dealing with excessive barking problems. Here are some of the features associated with the standard bark collar -

These types of standard bark collars come with a lifetime warranty.
These bark collars have one of the smallest receivers in the business, available at a mere 2.3 oz.
These bark collars make use of sophisticated technology that provides a warning beep before a correction is given to the dog.
These standard back collars go through six different levels of progressive correction for dogs who are stubborn or who are not affected by the first couple of corrections.
These standard bark collars are not too strong for small dogs, or for dogs who are timid, but they still are strong enough to handle stubborn dogs and larger dogs.
These standard dog collars have an automatic shut off function if your dog should happen to continue barking more than 15 times during a period of 50 seconds, and then the bark collar can reset after a period of three minutes.

Ultralight Sonic Bark Collars - These are the lightest bark control collars available on the entire market today, weighing in at a single ounce only. These electronic bark collars are ideal for even the smallest dogs, though they should never be used on puppies.

These ultra-light sonic barking collars are from Pet Safe, and only weigh a single ounce meaning that any size dog, large or small, can wear one without worry. This sonic barking collar snaps right onto the existing collar of the dog, so another bulky collar does not have to be worn in order to deliver the outstanding results of this system.

This type of sonic bark collar has an adjustable level of sensitivity, allowing you to fully customize the experience for the unique bark of your particular dog. In order to deter excessive barking, the collar emits a loud sound that will startle your dog, disrupting his barking and discouraging him in the process from continuing. This is not a shock collar, but rather is a perfectly harmless and very effective way of getting your dog's attention and deterring it from the excessive barking. Here are some of the features associated with the ultra-light sonic bark collar -

At only 1.9 inches cubed, this is the smallest aid you can purchase to stop your dog from barking excessively.
This stop-barking aid can be attached directly to the collar of your dog as long as it is an inch thick or less. There is never any need for your dog to wear a bulky second collar, but you still get the same outstanding training results of this no barking aid.
This type of no - barking aid makes use of a loud sound that is completely harmless and has been proven to disrupt and deter excessive barking.
These types of ultra-light no bark collars come with a lifetime warranty.

Big Dog Bark Collars - These are bark collars that are produced by Pet Mate, featuring what is known as Patented Perfect Bark, technology that provides some of the most reliable of all bark detection in the entire industry. These collars are designed for large dogs, with an adjustable collar that can accommodate neck sizes as high as 34 inches, using a Quick Fit buckle. This big dog bark collar features ten levels of light touch bark correction, insuring that your dog will be a part of a training system that is both safe and effective.

This type of collar is both durable and waterproof, protecting the electronics and protecting your dog as well. What makes this an exceptional form of no barking technology is that it only is activated when your dog's own barking is detected and not when another dog barks.

A safety time out will shut the correction off for a full three minutes if the dog barks for more than fifteen times in a period of thirty seconds. This system also comes with a two color LED that shows when the battery is good or when it is bad. These types of big dog bark collars come with a limited lifetime warranty. Here are some of the features associated with the high quality, reliable big dog bark collars by Pet Safe -

The pet safe deluxe big dog bark collar works by being placed on your dog before he or she begins to bark. When your dog does decide to bark, a harmless correction will be emitted. There are ten different levels of correction, and the level of static correction is automatically adjusted by the collar to meet with the temperament of your dog. The temperament learning system utilizes truly sophisticated software to track how many corrections were needed to reduce nuisance barking, and then eventually to eliminate it all together.

There are ten different levels of light touch Bark Control Correction.
This type of collar comes with Patented Perfect Bark technology, producing some of the most reliable bark detection technology out there.
This collar is both durable and weatherproof, protecting the electronics and the dog wearing them.
This type of collar accommodates much larger dogs, with an adjustable collar that can accommodate neck sizes up to 34 inches with the Quick Fit buckle.
This type of collar has a two color LED to let you know when the battery is good or is running low.
This type of collar has a durable, 100 percent waterproof receiver.
This type of collar makes use of a vibration sensor that senses for vibrations associated with barking.
This type of collar also comes equipped with a complete operating guide to bark collars.

Little Dog Bark Collars - This is another collar created by Pet Safe and designed for little dogs. This particular Pet Safe bark collar makes use of highly reliable Nano technology, allowing it to be the smallest of all bark collars available on the market today. Nano technology makes this new and exciting Pet safe anti barking collar the smallest available. It makes use of patented perfect bark detection technology that makes sure that only your dog's bark is going to be capable of causing the correction to occur. If another dog is nearby and barks, the collar will be able to determine the difference.

The Pet Safe little dog anti-barking collar has ten different levels of correction, and a receiver that is waterproof and durable to protect both the electronics inside and the health of your dog as well. This system also comes with a two color LED that shows when the battery is good or when it is bad.

Here are some of the features associated with the high quality, reliable big dog bark collars by Pet Safe –

The Pet Safe little dog anti-barking collar works by being placed on your dog before he or she begins to bark. When your dog does decide to bark, a harmless correction will be emitted. There are ten different levels of correction, and the level of static correction is automatically adjusted by the collar to meet with the temperament of your dog. The temperament learning system utilizes truly sophisticated software to track how many corrections were needed to educe nuisance barking, and then eventually to eliminate it all together.
There are ten different levels of light touch Bark Control Correction.
This type of collar comes with Patented Perfect Bark technology, producing some of the most reliable bark detection technology out there.
This collar is both durable and weatherproof, protecting the electronics and the dog wearing them.
This type of collar has a two color LED to let you know when the battery is good or is running low.
This type of collar has a durable, 100 percent waterproof receiver.
This type of collar makes use of a vibration sensor that senses for vibrations associated with barking.
This type of collar also comes equipped with a complete operating guide to bark collars.
This collar is designed to best accommodate small dogs. Some bark collars can be too strong for small dogs, which is why this bark collar makes use of Nano technology, in order to accommodate small and fragile necks.

Ultrasonic Outdoor Bark Collar - If your dog barks too much, or even if your neighbor's dog is barking too much, there is a solution that works for all dogs, no matter where the source of the excessive barking is actually coming from. Excessive barking can really be a strain on a lot of things, which is why Pet Safe came out with an ultrasonic bark control unit that controls all out of control outdoor barking without requiring that any dog require a collar or deal with electronic shocks to correct the behavior.

The Pet Safe outdoor barking control unit was featured in the Wall Street Journal in August of 2007 by providing an alternative to shock collars that produces excellent results at eliminating loud and excessive barking. Is your dog barking too much, or is a neighbor dog barking too much? Pet Safe has released a decorative electronic bird house that is secretly an ultrasonic bark control system which is capable of controlling nuisance and excessive barking.

This Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit is powered by a simple nine volt battery, and can easily train your dog or another dog in the vicinity not to bark excessively. This unit is completely safe and effective no matter what breed the dog is, or how large or small it is. There are four different levels of operation that you can choose from, each a little more powerful than the last.

The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit is effective for as many as fifty feet away. The dog that is barking excessively will hear a high pitch ultra-sonic sound that is safe for the dog and completely inaudible to humans in the area. Because the sound is safe but unpleasant for the offending dog, over time the dog will learn no longer to bark excessively. Here are some of the features that are included in the Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit -

The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit uses ultrasonic sound in order to deter nuisance or excessive barking.
The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit can detect barking from as many as fifty feet away, meaning it can positively affect both your dog and any neighboring dogs.
The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit offers four different levels of operation, each offering slightly more power than the last.
The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit is completely durable and weatherproof.
The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit has a two color LED unit with indication of good or low batteries.
The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit is operated only be a nine volt battery, but the battery is not included.
The Pet Safe outdoor bark control unit has a lifetime warranty so if it does not work or stops functioning over time, Pet Safe will gladly replace it.

Deluxe Bark Collar - This deluxe bark control collar is one of the most advanced bark control collars out there. This is a collar created by the Pet Safe Company that uses patented "Perfect Bark" technology. This perfect bark technology senses both the sound and the vibration of the bark at the same time rather than simply the vibration. Only a combination of the sound and vibration together will be able to trigger the electronic correction that the collar is meant to emit.

This deluxe bark control collar can accurately detect the bark of the dog every single time. Some bark collars are only capable of detecting the barking of the dog using a microphone, and the collar activates based on sound. Because of this, these collars can be set off by a number of other noises in addition to the dog's bark. Some bark collars rely on only the vibration of the dog's bark, but these anti barking collars can be set off by jostling or motions. Only the technology behind the Perfect Bark technology can ensure bark detection that is completely fool proof.

Here are some of the features that are associated with the deluxe bark control collar -

The Deluxe bark control collar is one of the smallest electronic no barking collars available on the market today.
The Deluxe bark control collar provides a surprising 18 levels of electronic correction, which is more than a dozen more than most other barking control collars.
The Deluxe bark control collar has correction levels that can automatically increase when the dog continues to bark, allowing the dog to better determine what is appropriate and what is not.
The Deluxe bark control collar has five different position settings. You can choose off, correction or test modes, for example.
The Deluxe bark control collar has a two-color LED battery warning that lets you know when the battery is good, and also when the battery is not functioning.
The Deluxe bark control collar comes with a complete lifetime warranty.

Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar - The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar is one of the most advanced bark collars that has ever been created. This is a collar created by the Pet Safe Company that uses patented "Perfect Bark" technology. This perfect bark technology senses both the sound and the vibration of the bark at the same time rather than simply the vibration. Only a combination of the sound and vibration together will be able to trigger the electronic correction that the collar is meant to emit.

The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar will begin to stop excessive dog barking problems as soon as the collar has been placed on the dog. The bark collar will automatically adjust to one of eighteen levels of correction to suit the temperament of the dog. The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar features the same Quick Fit buckle that provides secure support in some of Pet Safe's other bark prevention collars, while still providing a quick release when necessary.

All Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collars are completely 100 percent water proof, and come with a lifetime warranty.

The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar senses the vibration in the throat of the dog and the sound of the dog's bark when he or she is barking excessively. This will prevent false corrections from other neighborhood dogs barking or other sounds or vibrations causing the collar to make an unnecessary correction. This will stop the dog from barking as he or she will learn that the only way to prevent the correction is not to bark excessively or without a reason.

The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar is recommended for dogs that are eight lbs or larger. They are durable and light weight, with 100 percent water proof protection. As long as the dog is at least eight lbs, the Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar is designed to be adjustable for any dog size. There are 18 different levels of corrections that are self-adjusting and can be adjusted to the intensity of the dog's bark.

Here are some of the features that are associated with the Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar -

The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar provides 18 levels of fully self-adjusting correction.
The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar has three different intensity settings that accommodate even the most sensitive and the most stubborn of all barking dogs.
The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar makes use of patented Perfect Bark technology that makes use of a combination of sound and vibration rather than simply one or the other.
The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar has an indicator light that lets you know if the battery is dying. The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar has an automatic safety shut off that will turn off if your dog barks more than 15 times in a period of 50 seconds.
The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar is a flexible collar, providing a comfortable fit and a durable and 100 percent waterproof receiver.
The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar is not to strong for small dogs or timid dogs, but is still strong enough to work well with stubborn dogs and other large dogs.
The Pet Safe Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar is adjustable between 8 inches and 28 inches with a Quick Fit and Quick Release buckle.

6. Major brands of Shock Collars

The most common brand for dog bark collars is Pet Safe, a brand that handles a number of different safety programs for dogs and cats as well. Pet Safe is constantly working to create new innovations when it comes to anti bark collars, and they create not only shock collars, but also citronella and sound producing collars as well. The Pet Safe company has produced a number of innovative technologies, including patented "Perfect Bark" technology which combines both the sound of a bark an the vibration associated with a bark in order to make sure that only the dog's individual bark can set the collar off, causing a correction.

Another popular brand for dog bark collars is called Innotek. While Innotek is not quite as popular as Pet Safe when it comes to producing dog bark collars, they are definitely up and coming in the industry as the company works hard to produce innovative dog bark collars.

7. Alternatives to Shock Collars

While there are a number of different alternatives to training collars in general, there is really only one other type of collar that acts as an alternative to the electronic shock collar. These no bark collars are citronella producing electronic collars, and these collars produce a spray of citronella in the face of the face of the dog, deterring him or her from continuing to bark. This type of no bark training collar is not usually nearly as effective as the electronic shock collar, and some dogs do not seem affected by the citronella producing collar at all.

Tags: Big Dog Bark Collars Deluxe Comfort Fit Bark Collar Little Dog Bark Collars Major brands of Shock Collars Ultralight Sonic Bark Collars What is a "Shock" No Bark Collar