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Quick and Easy Spray Bottle
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Dogs dislike getting water sprayed on their faces. An easy solution to barking is to use an aversion approach with a spray bottle. Fill a small spray bottle with water and each time your dog barks, pump a spritz at its nose with a firm ̶0;No̶1; command. This will take repetitive tries, but eventually your dog will relate the bark to the unwanted spray. You might also try adding a small bit of vinegar or lemon juice to the water for added effect.
Drawbacks to the spray bottle method are that you need to be present when the barking occurs and you must be consistent with the response.
Dog Training Collar
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In cases where a dog barks when left alone outdoors or the owner is absent, a dog training collar can be an effective tool. Some dog training collars work with a shock, but many feel this is potentially harmful and not as effective as a spray collar. Researchers at Cornell̵7;s College of Veterinary Medicine found collars that spray either a citronella or lemon mist at the dog̵7;s snout are more effective than electric shock. The spray collar is battery operated and is fit with a bark microphone, which detects the bark and emits the spray.
After fitting the collar to the dog̵7;s neck according to manufacturer̵7;s directions, you should begin training for short periods of time, being nearby to reinforce the effect with a firm ̶0;No̶1; or ̶0;Quiet̶1; command. The first few times the dog barks and spray is emitted, your dog may respond with further barking because it is startled or surprised. Most dogs make the connection between bark and negative response quite quickly. In few cases, a dog may become anxious and get into a barking cycle with the spray. Calm the dog and soon it will see it is only when it barks that the spray emits, and it will soon adapt.
In most cases, this reflex conditioning works within a few days and barking is reduced. This is not, however, the end of training. Dogs, like children, will test their limits, and, in the first week or two, barking may even increase temporarily. Once the dog figures out that each bark will be met with an unpleasant response, you (and your neighbors) should enjoy the positive, peaceful results.
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What Can I Spray to Get My Dog to Stop Barking?
If your dog̵7;s bark has you (and your neighbors) frazzled, you̵7;re not alone -- between 13 and 35% of behavior complaints reported are due to nuisance barking. A dog's barking is its way of communicating; but when it becomes excessive, often due to loneliness or boredom, it̵7;s time to nip it in the bud. If you̵7;ve missed the puppy training period (when silencing a bark or any other pesky puppy antics is easiest) there are a few safe and effective options you can try.