Before enlarging on whether dog collars are ethical or not, we should first try to understand the reason why dogs bark in the first place. Sometimes they have very good reasons for barking (besides the obvious that they are dogs and that is what dogs do!) such as being left outside or perhaps they are lonely, bored, hungry or thirsty. Dog may bark simply because they are curious about what is happening on the other side of the fence.
Some dog owners even reward the barking with a treat or special attention. In this case, why do they expect their dog to shut up on command?
A bark collar is often regarded as something similar to a regular dog collar, that might hurt the dog by subjecting it to uncomfortable pressure. As I learned more and more about the variety of bark collar choices I began to breathe a bit easier when I discovered there were actually a few different types of bark collars and not all had even the slightest amount of “zap” to it. When you compare the different bark collars keep in mind a few things. You might want to know that bark collars do not have to be worn all the time and they are a less painful alternative to, let’s say, a debarking surgery.
Debarking surgery involves removing a fold of tissue which is on each side of the dog’s larynx which tightens and vibrates with each bark. After being subjected to the surgery, dogs will not bark as loud as before. Vets might present you this option in an attractive manner, yet you should carefully think about it. The barking of a dog is not always useless. Sometimes dangerous situations might require your dog’s intervention. What good is a whispering type bark going to do to call for help or defend your dog at that point? A mere whispering bark does not have nearly the aggressiveness that is called for as a mean growl or loud incessant barks. In addition, surgery isn’t successful in 100% of the cases and sometimes it only works for a few months. It is also an uncomfortable, even painful procedure.
On the other hand, anti-bark collars come in more varieties and you can find one that fits your preferences. Among all types of bark collars, the one with citrus spray is the most recommended. It works because the dog really dislikes its smell and will tone down its barking when it smells the citrus. Some collars make a hissing sound before spraying the substance, to alert the dog. This way the dog knows it is time it stopped making noise even before the spraying starts. Some university studies have proven the citronella barking collars are at least two times as effective as what are known as shock collars. You decide which is better. A rough method such as the shock collar or just an annoying smell.
There are situations where dogs use their barking as a defensive strategy. If you are annoyed by your dog’s constant barking, there are plenty of bark collar varieties you can choose from. Please click this link for emore information on bark collar models.
Tags: bark collar
