Environment
Fact Checked

What is a Bark Collar?

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A bark collar is a corrective device used to discourage a dog's excessive or inappropriate barking. The dog's owner places the bark collar around the animal's neck and activates a battery-powered unit containing a small microphone. As soon as the dog barks, the microphone activates one of several methods for correction. The goal is to condition the dog to equate excessive barking with immediate negative feedback. No bark collar should cause permanent pain or injury to a pet, and should never be used if the barking is a symptom of fear or separation anxiety.

Dogs bark for a number of reasons- fear, separation anxiety, territorial invasion, response to other dogs, etc. This behavior is instinctual and should rarely be 'trained out' to the point of silence. But many dog owners find themselves at odds with neighbors because of night-time barking or excessive barking during minor events. Keeping a dog's barking under control may require some stronger measures than a squirt gun or shouted commands.

A dog that barks excessively might learn to stop with a bark collar.
A dog that barks excessively might learn to stop with a bark collar.

The bark collar considered most humane contains a spray can filled with a citronella-based fluid. When the microphone detects both loud barking and vibration from the dog's throat, a battery-powered sprayer sends out a burst of citronella towards the dog's snout. Dogs find the scent of citronella to be very disagreeable, but the spray won't reach the eyes or burn the skin. Dogs wearing a citronella-based bark collar soon make the connection between loud barking and a dose of foul-smelling spray.

A second form of negative reinforcement is static electricity. This is perhaps the most controversial form of bark collar sold today. A pair of rechargeable 6 volt batteries lead to a set of metal probes on the collar itself. The owner can adjust the level of stimulus from 1 to 10, starting with the lowest setting which evokes a response from the dog. When the microphone detects barking and vibration, the dog receives a quick jolt of static electricity. This would be the equivalent of a human touching a doorknob after walking across a carpet. The static electricity stings momentarily, stopping the unwanted barking and conditioning the dog to modify his or her behavior.

The third most common form of correction on a bark collar is ultrasonic sound. Once a bark is detected, a transmitter on the collar sends out a loud noise in a range only dogs can hear. This would be the equivalent of an owner shouting at the dog for correction. Of the three most common bark collar methods, ultrasonic sound is considered to be the least effective. Dogs can become accustomed to extraneous sounds and not feel compelled to modify their behavior.

Bark collars should not be used on puppies or dogs lighter than two or three pounds. If the barking is triggered by genuine fear or anxiety, other corrective methods should be explored first. Dogs should learn to ignore routine territorial invasions and common noises. If a bark collar becomes necessary for the sake of other humans, it should never be used for more than eight hours. If the dog's owner is in the house, other corrective measures should be used first.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular AllThingsNature contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick

A regular AllThingsNature contributor, Michael enjoys doing research in order to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity about a variety of arcane topics. Before becoming a professional writer, Michael worked as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.

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Discussion Comments

anon247111

One thing many people appreciate about bark control collars is that they are convenient and very easy to use. When it comes to learning the ‘how to” aspects of a bark collar, you generally put it on just like a regular collar and check for fit but do not attach a leash to it.

anon158821

I have tried exercise, chiropractors, acupuncture, a million NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants. Nothing helps except for massage and very hot baths, sometimes with Tiger Balm applied to the lumbar region and afterward bed rest. It helps to ease up my muscles and for getting through the pain/minor injuries that sometimes happen.

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    • A dog that barks excessively might learn to stop with a bark collar.
      By: Sergey Lavrentev
      A dog that barks excessively might learn to stop with a bark collar.