Barking collars for dogs...any opinions?

[S n o w b a l l]

I was so close to buying a couple for my dogs until I did some research and now I'm hesitant. My sister has one for her beagle and it's made the world of difference and it doesn't seem to have hurt her in any way. But, the thought of it kinda breaks my heart.

I live on a golf course so there are always people out and I can't let them out for 5 minutes before one of them starts yapping. I've tried training them in all the other ways, but it's just not working.

Any thoughts or experience?

Thanks!

:hi:

[AlCzervik]

1. my neighbor has one of his dog Pongo, it seems to work but it makes me sad.

Pongo could have been called Barksalot and it would have fit but it's still kind of sad.

[S n o w b a l l]

5. I know :(

I'm thinking if I got the remote kind, where I controlled the shock, it'd be much better than the regular ones that shock them every time they bark. But, I don't know...it's so frustrating.

[AlCzervik]

11. he has the regular one and they do take it off him now and then but you can tell

he still thinks it's on and he's now always somewhat hesitant to make a noise. When my neighbors go on vacation i usually let their dogs out and take them for walks for over the past 7 years i've gotten to know Pongo and he really is a sweet dog, i think he barks because their other dog is much larger and tends to bully him, i think the barking is his defense.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

10. Ha, ha

We refer to our poodle as "Sir Barksalot." Big time barker in the car - pedestrians, bicycle riders, motorcycles, dogs in or out of other cars...

[MissB]

2. I personally wouldn't use one.

Have you tried the shaker can method?

[S n o w b a l l]

3. Seriously, I've tried just about everything...

my yard is fairly large though and by the time I run out, they're just looking at me thinking I'm running out to play. I don't even get a chance to shake the can. :(

[MissB]

I hear you.

Thankfully, I don't hear your dog.

I have a neurotic dog. I've tried everything, except a bark collar because it just strikes me as wrong. My solution is to allow her free reign of her enclosed yard when I'm home and to put her inside when I leave. That way if she barks, she doesn't disturb the neighbors.

[S n o w b a l l]

6. I never leave them outside when I'm gone...

but I can't even let them out when I come home from work or in the evenings without almost having a nervous breakdown. I'm so conscious of my neighbors...I know it's irritating to them...it is to ME!

[MissB]

8. When I have to kennel her,

(like for long vacations) I take her out to a very rural area to a wonderful kennel that doesn't have neighbors for miles.

I'm sorry. :( Mine only barks if there is a strange person or dog walking by. Luckily, I'm on the edge of the city so I don't have a lot of neighbors close.

[MissB]

4. I hear you.

Twice, apparently. Oops

[JanMichael]

7. try this

electronic collars are stupid and cruel:

http://www.seefido.com/html/anti_barking_collars.htm

This is a really cool idea, imo. I would NOT shock Scout.

[S n o w b a l l]

12. I saw that when I was researching...

not a bad idea. I may consider that first. I hear they get acclimated to it, but hopefully by that time, they'd be trained.

Thanks!

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Friend has one for her big Black and Tan Coonhound

A very big dog




The dog barks at everything...a big, braying bark...and he jumps like crazy while barking. He's a big, sweet, but kind of dense, doggie.

The bark collar has made a world of difference in his behavior, and the no barking constantly when people visit is nice. She doesn't leave it on him all the time, and is working on rewarding him for responding to commands.

Th dog WAS hers son's, but he didn't take care of him or bother to train him on anything, including potty training. So, my friend has made a lot of progress by controlling some of the dog's behavior using the bark collar. He doesn't jump all the time all over the doors and windows in or outside of the house anymore, and is starting to use his barking for really necessary stuff, like people knocking on the door. Before he would bark for hours just because the birds were sitting on the fence.

[S n o w b a l l]

14. Thanks whoa nelly....

I really was a believer when I saw the difference in my sisters dog. I keep her a lot and she was just obnoxious. The difference in her was amazing. But then I started reading all the stuff on the internets and it got me thinking and feeling squemish about it.

I can sure identify with the barking at the birds. :) My one just sits and barks at the air. It's just a shame cause I can't leave them out to enjoy the outdoors. Since I posted this, I've had to call them in at least 10 times. :(

Thanks so much for your input!

[Kali]

13. dogs are very adaptable animals

I don't think the collars are harmful - after all they are just a tool - as long as the dog isn't being neglected in other ways I don't see a problem. You said you have tired other things - this may be effective. You won't know until you try.

[S n o w b a l l]

15. Thanks Kali...

I know you know animals so I respect your opinion. :)

Thanks!

[MonkeyFunk]

16. I'd try everything else first....

you WANT your dog to bark under the right circumstances. This would teach him to never bark.

[S n o w b a l l]

18. I can't imagine ever having to worry about that but

I do agree.

[IDemo]

17. One other option

is a device, whether attached directly to a collar or not, that emits a high frequency audio tone that will quiet the dog. These can also be used to 'train' your neighbor's dog if they are unwilling to deal with the problem (and the dog isn't too far away).

http://www.ultimatebarkcontrol.com/

[S n o w b a l l]

19. I hadn't heard of that one...

thanks so much!

[Connonym]

20. Coincidently, I just started using one of these

We're only into day one so it's hard to say what the long-term results are but so far I'm really impressed. We've got 5 dogs and generally when someone comes to the door (even if it's one of us) they bark their heads off. I placed the device near the door and sure enough they each only barked once or twice and then quickly shut up. A LOT less noise. However, it seems to only work when the dogs are within 10-15 feet of the device and not when there's a wall in the way. I got mine at Petsmart,made by Pet Safe and the cost was between $30-40.

Good luck with your dog.