Thursday, March 31, 2011

Do Bark Collars Hurt The Dogs?

By Lewis Bodie


There are three different types of dog bark collars that are very popular at the moment among dog owners. All these types are extremely efficient, however people wonder whether they are ethical to use or not. If you have a dog that barks very often, then you must have all the information of these tools you can use on your pet.

Citronella Spray Collars

This type of no bark collars pulverize citrus substance under the dog's chin if it barks for too long. The citrus spray collar is very effective because most dogs dislike this smell. Some types of citrus spray collars make a hissing sound before spraying the substance, so that the dog can stop barking even sooner once it learns what the hiss means. The dog is not hurt at all by either the sound or the spray.

Ultrasonic or Sonic Bark Collars

The sound produced by sonic or ultrasonic devices is only heard by dogs. This sound is like the one created by dog whistles. When dogs learn that if they stop barking, the annoying sound will stop, they cease making noise. Even though the sound annoys them, most people cannot hear it. Experts say that the sonic collar is ethical. Dogs cannot feel any pain and the sound does not create a major discomfort. Sonic collars are not as efficient as the other bark collars because the dog can easily get used to the sound and ignore it.

Electronic No Bark Collars

An electronic bark collar reacts at the dog's barking by sending it a mild shock. The shock does not threaten the health of the dog and produces a discomfort comparable to the static shocks felt by humans. Some people condemn the use of this type of collar, considering it unethical. Because the dog can actually feel discomfort due to the shock, some consider it should not be used anymore. There are persons who do not approve with these devices. Nonetheless, the electronic dog collar is extremely efficient so, if you own a dog that barks all the time, you may consider it a viable solution.

As a dog owner, you can choose from three versions of no bark dog collars - the electronic one, the sonic or ultrasonic device or the citrus bark collar. All people agree with the use of citronella spray and the ultrasonic device; yet, many are against using the electronic collar because it produces shocks. Anyway, you can safely pick any of the three alternatives, as none is considered a real threat to your dog.




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