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. Most of the times dogs have real reasons to bark. They might be irritated by something, lonely for too long, hungry or thirsty. At times just being confined behind a fence is enough to stir their curiosity and make them want to know exactly what is happening on the other side of it.
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?
People who lack proper information have advertised the bark collar like it is some torturing device for an animal. The truth is that a bark collar can come in many options, of which none is so dangerous as you’d believe. If you consider purchasing such a device, then you should do some research oon all options available. You might want to know that bark collars do not have to be worn all the time and they are a less painful alternative to, let’s say, a debarking surgery.
This kind of medical intervention is rather invasive and consists of cutting off a part of the dog’s larynx that is responsible for creating the barking sound. After the operation, your dog will barely be able to produce a vague barking, which will not be loud anymore. Think about this for a minute. Your dog, or yourself even, might run into a dangerous situation at some point. 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. Moreover, even though the dog undergoes the surgery, there is no guarantee that the barking won’t come back. Sometimes these surgeries do not have long-lastiing effects.
The good news is that there is at least one anti-bark collar that is humane, very effective and safe. Among all types of bark collars, the one with citrus spray is the most recommended. It works because the dog really dislikes its smell and will tone down its barking when it smells the citrus. The hissing sound startles them and they are also not fond of the smell. Most dogs get the picture rather quickly and quit the annoying incessant barking. Studies have shown that these citrus collars are more effective than other anti-barking solutions. However, you alone will decide what kind of anti-bark method you prefer. A rough method such as the shock collar or just an annoying smell.
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.
Tags: bark collars, maltese terrier, puppies
