Dog bark collars are used in extreme cases of barking. Nonetheless, they are not recommended as the first choice for training. Almost 90% of dog owners who use bark collars are using them to prevent life-threatening habits for their pets.
It can be difficult to decide whether using a bark collar is the best method for your dog, and if so, how to properly and carefully use them. In this article, we will be discussing how long you can keep a bark collar on and how effective they are.
How long can a dog wear a bark collar?
When introducing your dog to a bark collar, it should be used consistently throughout the first part of the training to reinforce behavior. However, 12 hours per day is the absolute maximum time that you should leave a bark collar on; any longer than this could cause your dog discomfort and irritation around the neckline.
The ideal time would be between 8 to 10 hours. During this time, you should also adjust the collar frequently to prevent pressure sores.
Remember, bark collars should not be a permanent solution, nor should they be used to rule out barking altogether. If your dog is causing a nuisance with barking, then try out a bark collar for a month and see if their behavior has improved.
Barking is a dog’s main form of communication and a way of expressing themselves in different situations. Asking them to stop completely is like asking a person not to speak.
Will my dog stop barking by using a bark collar?
The answer here simply is that every dog is different. Each has different temperaments, personalities, and motivations for barking – all of which have an impact on the cause of the nuisance barking. Nonetheless, dogs are also highly intelligent and learn quickly.
If dogs only feel the sensation of the bark collar at times when they are barking, they will quickly relate the two together. As well as this, the reaction of the bark collar could cause enough of a distraction for the dog to forget about barking for a while.
It is fair to say that over time, bark collars will help to control excessive barking. How quickly the dog response will depend on the above. If you feel the barking has improved, attempt to remove the bark collar and see if the good behavior continues. If not, start using the bark collar again, but this time try it out for a couple of months.
It is important to make sure the collar is set to the correct sensitivity so that it will not pick up barking from nearby dogs and mistakenly correct your dog for it. This will confuse your dog and make it more difficult to train them.
Do bark collars hurt the dog?
Many view bark collars as cruel as they can cause pain to the dog, especially seeing as they’re placed right on the vocal chord. There have been many cases of mild to severe burns inflicted on the vocal cords caused by electric bark collars.
There are other bark collars available that are a bit more humane, such as vibrating bark collars and spray bark collars. If your dog does respond to other forms of training to prevent barking, then there is no need to use a bark collar.
While in the past, shock collars were more likely to hurt, the modern versions are designed to cause a tingle rather than a harsh zap. The aim is to give the dog a deterrence rather than pain.
Can dogs sleep with bark collars on?
Dogs should only wear a bark collar at night if they are not wearing one during the day. Before deciding which time is more beneficial, you’ll need to take a look at the triggers and the frequency.
If your dog has their worst barking episodes during the night, perhaps by being left alone while you go to sleep, then the bark collar should be used during the night rather than during the day.
With this, bear in mind that you will not be around to adjust the collar or keep an eye on any discomfort, so try to avoid leaving the collar on for extended periods of time. I.e. put the collar on last thing before you go to bed, and then take it off first thing when you wake up.
At what age can I put a bark collar on my dog?
Again, this depends on the dog. A lot of dog behaviorists wouldn’t advise using bark collars on puppies and instead opt for other training methods. If your dog’s barking is a problem from a young age, then you will need to personally assess whether you think they’re still too small or too young for a bark collar.
The earliest that you should start using a bark collar is from 15 weeks. Generally, this applies to larger dog breeds, who have broad enough necks to fit comfortably into a bark collar. For smaller dog breeds, you should wait until they are around 6 months old before introducing a bark collar.
As well as considering the age and size of the dog, you should also take their personality into account. If you have an outgoing, boisterous puppy, then they’re more likely to cope with a bark collar without fear. If your puppy is nervous or reserved, a bark collar will only cause added stress.
Conclusion
Bark collars should only be used if other methods of training have not been effective or if your dog’s barking has become a nuisance. Correcting your dog’s behavior with bark collars should not be a permanent solution, and once you’ve seen an improvement, the collar should be removed.
With puppies, other training methods are preferred, and bark collars should not be used on a dog who is too young, too small, or too nervous. Many owners are surprised at how quickly their dogs respond to bark collars and get fast results.
