A barking dog is a normal dog. But when barking becomes a nuisance for you or the neighbors, it becomes a typical behavior that must be corrected.
Although excessive barking might sound like behavior deserving of punishment, it has to be corrected humanely. So, if you go for an anti-bark dog collar, you should choose the right one for your dog.
If you are a beginner, you probably just asked, “How do I choose the right bark collar for my dog?” Do not worry. I created this article just for you.
The article is a complete buyer’s guide with the 5 must-consider factors when choosing a bark collar for your dog.
1. Type of Collar
Bark collars come in different types. The types can vary depending on the correction or stimulation mode or whether they are remote-controlled.
Bark Collar Types By Correction Mode
Bark collars work by sending a correction stimulus to the dog when he barks. The stimulus deters the dog from continuous barking.
When purchasing a bark collar, owners with barky dogs can choose from these 4 correction modes:
- Static – Static bark collars have contact points that transmit bark stimulation to the receiver. Consequently, the receiver detects the bark and sends a slight shock to the dog. The shock discomfort warns your dog that continuous barking comes with an unpleasant experience.
- Vibration: Vibration bark collars release a tingling sensation when your dog barks. Most have vibration intensity levels, and you can adjust depending on your dog’s sensitivity.
- Sound: Also known as ultrasonic sound or beep collars. They produce a sharp sound that calls your dog’s attention when he barks.
- Spray: These bark collars release a spurt of liquid towards your dog’s muzzle. The spray distracts the dog with an abrupt spritz or its scent, usually citronella.
Remote vs. No-remote Bark Collars
Bark collars with a remote allow the owner or trainer to decide when to activate the correction stimulus. The collars have a restricted remote control range.
Instead, no remote bark collars automatically activate the correction stimulus when the dog barks.
Buying Tip:
Go for static collars if you have a stubborn or aggressive dog. If you have a deaf, sensitive, or a dog that’s prone to anxiety, opt for a vibration bark collar. Beep collars can be startling for small and sensitive dogs. Before using a spay collar, ensure your dog is not allergic to the scent.
As for remote or no remote bark collars, go for what works best for you. A remoteless bark collar works best if you have a barky dog home alone for some time.
Note that most bark collar brands combine two or more correction modes.
2. Efficiency
A bark collar is good only if it does what you intend it to. To be effective, your bark collar should come with some or all the following efficiency features:
- A long battery life – A majority of bark collars will indicate a 2-hour charging time and around 15 days of usage.
- Waterproof – Check your collar before buying to see that it has the common indications of IPx7 or IP67 waterproof.
- Auto-protect feature – This means your bark collar has a button you can operate to prevent it from punishing your dog unnecessarily. This feature is common in bark collars with a remote.
Remoteless collars may also have a protective feature that stops the correction stimulus for a minute or less if the dog continues to bark.
- Long remote range – This feature applies to bark collars operated remotely. A long remote range allows you to send the anti-bark signal to your dog even when he is a distance away from you.
3. Durability
Why purchase a bark collar if it will only work for a day? To avoid disappointment, opt for a bark collar with a strong neck strap.
For example, our favorite anti bark collar has a strong nylon strap that won’t unthread easily. Nylon is also waterproof, and so is silicon, another common bark collar strap material.
Durability applies also to the receiver unit and the remote when present. These should be of light and strong material that is waterproof and long-lasting.
4. Dog’s Comfort and Safety
An indispensable condition for the right bark collar for your dog is that it is comfortable and safe.
Comfort means you can easily adjust the collar to fit your dog’s neck size. Safety means the contact points are insulated to prevent neck injuries.
Additionally, the correction modes should not cause your dog unnecessary stress by producing harmful correction stimuli such as a strong shock.
Buying Tip:
If you are uncomfortable with shock correction modes, go for a vibration bark collar or consider purchasing one with an optional shock mode that you can opt not to use.
5. Value for Money
Value for money is a smart way to say budget. When buying a bark collar, consider how much you want to spend on the dog training tool.
The best way to think about it is to go for a bark collar with all the safety and efficiency features discussed above and an affordable price tag.
A Final Tip
You can correct excessive barking with a bark collar. However, the collar has to be the right one for your dog.
This beginner guide to choosing the right bark collar for dogs just told you the 5 features to look for before making a purchase.
An additional tip to buying the right bark collar is to read the confirmed buyer reviews for the product. That will give you an idea of the actual user experience with the bark collar. You can then decide for or against the purchase.
