Anti bark collar for dogs
Controversial subject, the anti-bark collar unleashes passions and is at the heart of the debates since a few years. An object of torture for some, an appreciable help for others... the anti-bark collar divides opinions and brings to the forefront questions about animal welfare. For or against? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of an anti-bark collar!
If some dog owners choose to use an anti-bark collar, it is mainly because it is an accessory more or less known by all and easy to use. Available in different types of models (spray, electrostatic, vibration, ultrasound...) for small and large dogs, the anti-bark collar is, in the collective mind, an effective way to stop the howling of our pets.
The main reasons that lead these masters to use this type of method are often related to the :
- Neighborhood: If you are regularly confronted with complaints about your dog's barking, the anti-bark collar is a quick solution to put in place in an emergency. A true sign of good faith to be used in front of the complainants and the authorities, it can help temper the dispute.
- Lack of solutions: Sometimes canine behavioral therapy doesn't work. This is where this particular "training" collar can be used as a last resort.
A questionable device
On the other hand, the anti-bark collar is more and more subject to criticism, both by some masters and by dog training professionals who advocate a positive education. The main targets are the electrostatic pulse educational collars. But the other types of stimulation (spray, citronella jet, ultrasound...) are not completely cleared.
Banned in Switzerland and soon in Great Britain, these accessories are more and more abandoned in favor of methods more respectful of the animal.
Main criticisms against the anti barking collar :
• Relative effectiveness: As each dog is not equally receptive to the stimuli of these anti-bark collars, the complete cessation of your dog's barking cannot be guaranteed, regardless of the type of model.
• Behavioral problems: Based on a punishment in response to barking, these collars can create stress, aggravate barking and be responsible for behavioral problems (aggressiveness, depression...).
• Risk of injury: As mentioned above, these collars can cause psychological damage. But their use can also cause physical pain (burns for example).
The opinion of the vets
If your dog barks, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian first. Indeed, it is important to determine the cause of your dog's barking (anxiety, hs-ha syndrome, etc...) in order to put in place appropriate measures. Anti-barking collars do not solve the primary cause of barking. They can actually aggravate the problem and lead to other behavioral problems by generating anxiety. As mentioned above, anti-bark collars should be reserved for extreme situations (disputes with your neighbors for example). In this case, it is preferable to choose a spray, vibration or ultrasonic anti-bark collar rather than electrostatic pulse collars (although these are the most "effective" in stopping barking because they are the most dissuasive for animals).
In the end, choosing this type of device is therefore possible, but you must nevertheless be aware that it is not a harmless device for the animal, if only for the anxiety-inducing aspect generated by the collar. These anti-bark collars tend to disappear in more and more countries.
