- PetSafe Static Basic Bark Control Collar. …
- Sunbeam Little Sonic Egg Handheld Bark Control Device. …
- PetSafe Collarless Ultrasonic Remote Trainer System. …
- PetSafe Outdoor Ultrasonic Bark Control Deterrent. …
- PetSafe Elite Little Dog Spray Bark Control Collar.
The day I returned from work to discover a note saying, “Your dog is driving me crazy, please do something,” hanging from my front door is one I’ll never forget. ”.
My neighbors had apparently endured countless days of nonstop howling and barking, much to my surprise. My dog was showing classic signs of separation anxiety.
I was completely unaware of my dog’s unfortunate behavior, like the majority of dog owners. My dog was calm, collected, and perfectly content to snuggle up and watch the most recent season of Dog Whisperer while I was at home. He immediately switched gears and became a neighborhood threat the moment I left the house.
I was aware that it would take time, practice, and a lot of patience to reduce his separation anxiety. I was unsure of how much time I had left before my neighbors organized a movement to kick me out of the neighborhood, though. I needed to find a quick fix for the barking, which was the most noticeable aspect of the issue, while I worked on the more fundamental problems.
At that point, I realized there are a ton of options available for both people and dogs, just like me!
If you’re struggling with an excessive barker, you’re not alone. Ultrasonic bark control devices are one of the many bark control options that you can use to help lessen your dog’s annoying barking behaviors. Our top ultrasonic bark control device is the Bark Silencer.
Because dogs will always be dogs, they will always bark. Dogs vocalize to communicate with you and with each other, but there’s a big difference between a normal barker and a persistent barker.
Although it’s impossible to pinpoint the exact cause of a dog’s barking, most of the time it can be categorized into one of these six motives: attention-seeking, territorial, separation anxiety, frustration, fear, or excitement.
This gorgeous would probably scream for attention, if I had to guess:): Adam W
Your dog has learned that if they bark, you’ll pay attention to them at some point. Your dog knows that barking will get your attention when they want to play, go outside, or just get more attention, regardless of how you react to them.
Ironically, even by yelling “quiet!” from across the room, you’re unintentionally encouraging the dog’s barking behavior by paying attention to them.
It’s common for your dog to feel the need to defend you and your belongings. This is especially true for some breeds that were developed as guard or “herd” dogs. ’.
Therefore, if someone is passing by, approaching, or attempting to enter what they perceive to be their domain (home, backyard, etc.), they should refrain. ) or they consider you (their pack) to be in danger, they will bark to let you know. Territorial dogs will also warn potential trespassers that it is not a good idea to enter their property, claims the ASPCA.
The barking typically stops once the threat has subsided. But if the person or thing is taken away, this kind of barking is reinforced, much like attention-seeking barking.
Dogs who bark excessively often do so due to separation anxiety. It takes a lot of time and patience to correct, but I can assure you that it is possible with the right tools and training. Unfortunately, it’s one of the hardest types of barking to prevent because you’re not there to witness it.
Separation anxiety frequently coexists with other problematic behaviors, such as urinating in the home or damaging furniture or objects, adding insult to injury. The good thing about separation anxiety is that it’s usually fairly simple to spot.
A dog suffering from separation anxiety is experiencing a wide range of emotions and fits into almost every category on this list. They are unable to control their behavior because they are frightened, anxious, overexcited, and attention-seeking.
Dogs with separation anxiety behave similarly to dogs who bark out of frustration. The main distinction is that they act in this way whether or not you’re there. Have you ever been walking your dog when all of a sudden they go crazy and start barking at other dogs, people, or inanimate objects?
If so, you may have a frustrated or anxious dog. Bear in mind that anxious, excited, or aggressive dogs can exhibit similar behaviors. If you’re unsure of the cause of your dog’s excessive barking, it’s important to consult a professional.
A territorial bark and a fear-based bark can resemble one another or even be identical. Your dog will typically bark if they feel uncertain about a person, place, or object in the hopes that vocalizing will stop the person or object from approaching them or their territory.
My dog gets so excited while we are playing his favorite game, fetch, that he will actually bark at me to throw the ball. Dogs’ excitement can take many different forms, but the most typical way they express it is by barking. If the barking stops after the enjoyable activity is finished, you probably have an enthused barker.
Now that you are aware of the cause of your dog’s barking, you may be wondering what you can do to stop it. There are numerous options available, but there isn’t a single remedy that works for all dogs.
However, it’s always advised that you seek professional advice from a veterinarian and use these resources in addition to training your dog. You might find that one of the techniques listed below will work beautifully for your dog.
While some of these techniques or products have been incredibly helpful for dog owners who are having barking problems, others just flat-out don’t work for everyone. Keep in mind that no method or product is a one-size-fits-all fix and that there isn’t a thing out there that will magically (or instantly) fix all of your dog’s issues. Our main suggestion is to experiment with various approaches to determine which ones are most effective for you and your dog.
Remember that you shouldn’t be concentrating on the barking’s actual sound. The underlying problems that are causing your dog to bark excessively should be your main concern.
This method is a lot easier said than done. The good news, is it’s free. Ignoring your dog can feel a lot like letting a baby cry, which is bad news because it’s difficult. Your instinctive reaction is to take action because you want to both comfort and stop your dog from barking.
According to the Humane Society, letting your dog bark further cements the message that you won’t respond to their call. This is particularly true for dogs that are barking out of separation anxiety or to get your attention, as I had to learn the hard way.
Keep in mind that not all dogs will respond to this, so you should combine it with other training techniques. If you want to know if ignoring your dog is the best option, I suggest speaking to your veterinarian or a trainer.
One of the more recent methods available to calm an agitated or anxious dog are plug-in diffusers. I’ve used special pheromone calming sprays on a blanket to keep my dog calm during fireworks, even though I haven’t personally tried a diffuser, and it worked like a charm.
Similar to an air freshener, diffusers are plugged into an outlet and periodically release a calming, natural pheromone that is intended to mimic the pheromones a mother releases while nursing. A plug-in diffuser will calm your anxious or destructive dog if placed thoughtfully throughout your home.
For dogs confined to smaller spaces, plug-in diffusers are the most effective because, if they don’t breathe in the pheromone, it won’t have much of an impact on them.
This was the first piece of advice I got from friends and family after learning that my dog suffered from separation anxiety. A diffuser and a shock collar are somewhat similar to each other in a citronella bark collar. It provides more mobility than a diffuser and, in my opinion, is more humane than a shock collar.
The citronella bark collar works similarly to a shock collar in that it vibrates in response to your dog’s barking. However, the collar doesn’t shock your dog; instead, it emits a pet-safe citronella substance to stop your dog from barking.
Unbelievably, this is what put an end to my persistent barker. In fact, after just a few uses, I was able to put the collar on my dog without turning it on, and he stopped barking.
One of the more contentious ways to stop excessive barking is undoubtedly the use of a shock collar. We at Natural Dog Owner are opposed to their use. You can read about our stance on shock collars here.
Shock collars function similarly to a citronella bark collar, but rather than using a spray, they shock your dog when they bark by applying electric stimulation between two points on the collar.
As an aversive training tool, these collars will make your dog want to stop barking in order to avoid the shock. Not just barking, but a variety of undesirable behaviors are addressed by shock collars.
You might be wondering what an ultrasonic bark control is and whether it is safe. When I first heard the word “ultrasonic,” I thought these things were fancy shock collars. However, compared to a shock collar, this method of bark control is surprisingly easy to use.
When your dog barks, an ultrasonic bark suppressor detects it and immediately emits a high-pitched tone that is meant to distract your dog and get them to stop barking.
Only your dog can hear the tone’s pitch because their hearing is significantly better than ours. It’s also very unpleasant for them. They stop barking and the device stops emitting the sound. Your dog will eventually learn that barking produces an unpleasant high-pitched tone, so they won’t do it unless it’s necessary.
Diverging views exist regarding the safety of these products for pets. To ensure that their products are secure for all dogs, reputable pet brands like PetSafe have conducted safety-related research on a variety of dogs.
You should choose the appropriate ultrasonic device for your dog out of the many options available because you are the one who knows them best.
The Sunbeam Little Sonic Egg is this device, and we have a detailed review of it below.
Small to medium-sized rectangular or teardrop-shaped objects known as indoor devices are intended to stop your indoor dog from barking.
If you have a curious dog or want to blend the device into your décor, you should be able to do so without difficulty because they come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. The range of each device determines how far away the dog must be to activate it.
Most of these gadgets are programmed to turn on when a dog comes within range, but some have a manual feature that gives you more control. The battery life of indoor ultrasonic devices also depends significantly on how frequently your dog barks. To save battery life and prevent your dog from becoming sensitive to the tone, you should also turn the device off when not in use.
Remember that multiple devices might be required if your excessive barker has access to the entire house because ultrasonic sound cannot pass through walls. To ensure the device functions properly, you should also read the setup instructions.
Due to their small size, some indoor devices will also fall under the “handheld” device category. However, there are also ultrasonic bark control gadgets that are hand-sized.
These more compact gadgets are intended to stop your dog from barking wherever and whenever. Handheld devices typically include a lanyard or strap to attach the device to your arm, making it simple to bring them along for walks or outings to the park.
In contrast to indoor ultrasonic devices, handheld devices are operated manually by the user and can be turned on with the press of a button.
Similar to indoor devices, the range of these devices varies, so to make sure the device is useful for your dog, think about the activity or environment you’ll be using it in.
In that they can be worn and are activated by the vibrations of your dog’s barking, ultrasonic bark collars are comparable to both citronella and shock collars.
However, bark collars don’t shock or spray, they just make a high-pitched noise similar to other ultrasonic devices. You can attach a small battery-operated ultrasonic box to your dog’s current collar or purchase a collar that is already put together and sized for your dog.
It’s interesting to note that there are ultrasonic collars designed to reinforce both positive and negative behaviors. As a result, you can use a positive tone that sounds like a clicker to let your dog know that they are acting appropriately when you are trying to reinforce good behaviors like “sit.”
Because only your dog can hear the noise, ultrasonic collars are much more discrete than other collars on the market. However, other dogs nearby will be able to hear the high-pitched tone as well if you’re in close proximity to them. This is crucial to take into account if you’re in a park or a training setting with other dogs. While you might be telling your dog to stop an undesirable behavior, you might be upsetting another dog nearby.
When my dog struggled with separation anxiety, if my neighbors had known about ultrasonic outdoor devices, I’m sure they would have purchased one.
Outdoor ultrasonic devices initially appear to be adorable little yard decorations or birdhouses, so your unwary dog won’t realize that they actually emit an ultrasonic tone. Similar to their indoor counterparts, these devices operate in a similar manner, with the exception that they typically have a longer range and are stronger to withstand the elements.
These are more prevalent among neighbors whose barking dogs or dogs that are left outside for an extended period of time are out of their control. It’s important to use caution when thinking about this option because, similar to ultrasonic collars, your dog (or your neighbor’s dog) may not be the only animal that can hear the high-pitched tone.
Here is a fantastic video from Living On A Dime that provides a great, candid look at these gadgets, how they operate, and how effective they are.
Because it depends on the dog, the answer to this question is complex, but most dogs will have their barking reduced or eliminated when an ultrasonic device is used. This study by Petsafe. Using an ultrasonic collar reduced barking in all dogs in their test group, whose weights ranged from 8 pounds to 110 pounds, according to research by the website net.
However, there are a few factors you should take into account before buying a device for your dog.
Best E-Collar Bark Control Device For Sport
For dogs that train to hunt in the field and working dogs to develop sports training in all terrain and weather, SportDOG is the most cost-effective way to stop dogs from barking.
SportDOG systems allow for the customization of training sessions with beeping tones, buzzing vibrations, or 21 different levels of static stimulation.
Advantages: The DryTek Waterproof Technology is integrated and is waterproof to a depth of 25 feet.
Cons: If the collar is too tight and the probes rub against your dog’s skin, it could damage their skin.
The 3 best ultrasonic bark control devices
Here are our top three recommendations for these gadgets, which should help you better understand what they do and what breed of dog they suit.
The Bark Silencer 2.0 is our top recommendation for problem barkers. As with all of our recommendations for bark control products, the Bark Silencer 2.0 is 100% safe and humane for dogs. For us, that is the first and most important aspect of this product category. Yes, we want to curtail barking, but safety is our primary motivation here.
The Bark Silencer 2. The increased range of 0 is approximately 20–30 feet, though many factors can affect this, such as your dog’s sensitivity to the ultrasonic frequencies.
Additionally, it has a built-in flashlight for those late-night strolls.
Overall, we believe that this is the best value available.
The Zelers outdoor Anti-Barking Device is advertised as being a completely safe and humane way to stop excessive barking. Although the Zelers device initially has the appearance of a simple, small black box, its functionality more than makes up for its lack of aesthetic appeal.
An internal microphone allows the Zelers outdoor Anti-Barking device to detect a barking dog up to 50 feet away. However, there are four levels of operation available to reduce or increase range, as needed, if you’re worried that the device may unintentionally impact dogs in nearby yards. It is advised that you use the test feature to ensure that the microphone and speaker are working properly.
The Zelers device comes with a tough, weatherproof cover so it can be mounted or freely hung outdoors. It is actually a great option for keeping your dog from barking while traveling because of its small size. So, if you’re planning a camping trip and want your dog to join you on the adventure, the product is easy to pack and move around.
Although this device works for dogs of all sizes, it shouldn’t be used on puppies younger than six months old, it’s important to remember. Therefore, if you’ve chosen to spend money on ultrasonic bark control for a neighbor’s dog, you’ll need to ensure that it’s okay to do so.
The heavy-duty 9-volt battery that powers the Zelers outdoor device has an average lifespan of 5 to 6 months. Consider how frequently the device will be used to determine how often batteries will need to be replaced. Keep in mind that battery life is largely dependent on use. Unfortunately, batteries are not included.
Zelers provides a No Bark Guarantee because they are aware that not all pets respond well to ultrasonic devices. You can get in touch with Zelers to return the item if your dog (or the dog of your neighbor) is not responding to the device.
What customers have to say about the Zelers Anti-Barking Device:
Pros:
Cons:
Read more reviews and purchase the Zeler Anti-Bark device at Amazon.
What Types of Dog Barking Products Are Available?
You can purchase a variety of products to assist in reducing your dog’s excessive barking. They all apply unique methods to deter barking. However, they all work under the same principle.
Negative reinforcement is used to teach your dog that barking excessively is not a good thing.
Anti-barking collars come with a tiny gadget that delivers an electrical shock whenever it hears a bark. They work very similarly to that of invisible fences. The gadget itself is not very large, so it won’t restrict your dog’s movement.
Additionally, they frequently have two metal prongs that can penetrate your dog’s fur and make full contact with the skin.
Shock collars have a bit of a controversial past. Older models produced a significant shock. These collars had stronger shocks that dogs found to be very uncomfortable. If misused, older collars did more harm than good.
The dog would become frightened, which frequently results in more destructive behavior. However, modern collars are much better. The shock level is limited. The static shock is more of a surprise that teaches the dog to behave better rather than hurting them.
Sound emitters take advantage of the unique canine hearing system. Compared to humans, dogs can hear much higher frequencies.
Sound emitters will blast this higher frequency to catch your dog by surprise when he or she barks. The sound is not audible to humans but is definitely unpleasant for dogs.
Similar to contemporary shock collars, sound emitters operate at safe levels to prevent harm to your dog during the training process.
There are two different types of sound emitters available. The first is a tool that can be used both inside and outside the house. It employs sensors to recognize when your dog barks and then reacts appropriately.
The second is a collar. It resembles a shock collar but instead uses a remote sound emitter as the shocking mechanism.
Depending on your dog’s judgment, both types of devices can be adjusted. Some devices will automatically raise the sound levels if your dog barks through the ultrasonic noise. If you’re worried about it being too much, don’t fret. Your dog’s ears can still tolerate the measured sound level.
You can take a more proactive approach to changing your dog’s barking behavior. Sprays utilize a mixture of water and citronella. Dogs absolutely hate citronella. A quick spray to the face after they bark will give them all the negative reinforcement they need to learn. Sprays are available as standalone bottles or with collars.
These collars function similarly to the two earlier choices. They detect when your dog barks. The citronella mixture on them is different because it’s at the base of their neck. When your dog barks, the collar will automatically spray them.
This is the question on every dog-owners mind. Corrective behavioral training’s objective is to stop excessive barking, not to harm your dog. You’ll be relieved to learn that most gadgets are completely secure. Numerous tests have been performed on high-quality goods to ensure If you’re considering purchasing one of these products, look for appropriate certification and testing documentation.
While some may view corrective training methods as inhumane, they’re designed to grab your dog’s attention, not harm them. While older devices were a lot harsher, modern options are designed with the animal’s well-being in mind.
They act as a nuisance rather than produce pain. Having said that, it’s always a good idea to seek advice from your dog’s veterinarian before making a purchase. The methods may agitate certain health conditions.
FAQ
Do ultrasonic barking devices work?
When contacted by WTHR, all of the veterinarians claimed that their clients had not found ultrasonic devices to be particularly effective at reducing excessive barking. According to Rigterink, “some dogs may be bothered by it and stop barking, while others may be very agitated by the sound and bark more.”
What is the most effective bark control?
- Best spray bark collar: Petsafe Remote Spray Trainer Collar.
- Best vibration bark collar: DogRook Bark Control Collar.
- Best ultrasonic bark deterrent: Modus Ultrasonic Bark Control Dxevice.
Is there a gadget to stop dogs barking?
Static, spray, ultrasonic, and vibration stimulation are just a few of the communication methods available with PetSafe® Bark Control systems to help you stop your dog from barking.
What do vets recommend to stop barking?
Numerous tools are available to train dogs to reduce their barking. Most frequently, these are collars that cause your dog to bark while emitting an unpleasant stimulus. A loud noise, an ultrasonic noise, a spray of citronella, or a brief electric shock could all serve as the stimulus.