Do Dog Bark Collars Work?

According to studies conducted by Petsafe.net, bark collars have been shown to be effective in reducing nuisance barking in dogs. There are a small variety of bark collars available for purchase. The type of collar may impact the efficacy of the collar.

  1. Function

    • Nuisance barking in dogs is a common problem that impacts not only the owner but also anyone able to hear the dog. Utilizing a bark collar may decrease the time it takes to train a dog not to bark. Regardless of the type of collar one uses, the overall function of the collar is to discourage barking by creating an unpleasant stimulation following a bark.

    Types

    • One type of stimulation elicited by a bark collar is the well-known "shock" collar. When a dog barks, it will receive a shock either by a remote operated by the owner or automatically by the collar. Another type of bark collar is one that produces an ultra-sonic sound after a bark. Finally, a bark collar may spray the animal in the face with water or citronella.

    Features

    • Electronic bark collars can be manually controlled or automatically set off. Having the ability to manually activate the electronic stimulation has been proven to be effective in two-thirds of cases in a study conducted by PetSafe. Citronella or spray collars illicit a spray when the device is triggered by a bark. Selecting the right collar depends upon the conditions of the dog's barking.

    Benefits

    • A bark collar is effective because it teaches a dog to associate its bark with a negative consequence, such as a spray, scent or feeling of vibration. This type of behavior modification training comes from Ivan Pavlov, a well-known psychology pioneer (Nobel Lectures, 1967).

    Theories/Speculation

    • While the electric collars can indeed harm a dog, if used properly they can be harmless and effective, per PetSafe.net. It is important to follow the directions of any type of collar. Do not use the collar for punishment and always use the lowest effective setting.