This is what I think of electronic collars. Doritos Super Bowl commercial. My favorite, what do you think?
Super Bowl Commercial is Right About Electronic Shock Collars
By ,
February 7, 2010 at 8:03 pm
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There are both humane ways and inhumane ways to use any training tool, and a bark collar is no exception.
Some years back, I had a Terrier breed of dog that was, alas, a barker. Not just once a day at the mailman, not just when roofers were on top of the house next door, and not even just when a squirrel was making faces at him from the other side of the fence. If there wasn't a good excuse to make him bark, he'd just conjure one up.
And it wasn't because he didn't have anything else to do. I had two other dogs at the time, that he could play with indoors and out. I took my dogs for long walks every weekend, and even during the week whenever I had a chance. His complete list of titles included an AKC UDX (AKC Utility Dog Excellent) and MACH2 (AKC Agility Champion x 2), and he didn't exactly get those by being ignored. And no, there was nothing medically wrong that would make him bark!
Since I have very dog intolerant neighbors it was essential that I did something to shut him up. An electronic bark collar proved to be a humane solution. It had a number of settings so I could adjust it only to the level of intensity needed to silence the barking. Other loud noises, including other dogs barking, did not set it off (this is VERY contrary to the inaccurate information that was portrayed in the commercial). He could still run around the yard, chase critters, play with the other dogs, and dig to his heart's content when he wore it. He lived until almost 13 years of age, eight years of that wearing a bark collar whenever he was in the yard.
What would have been other solutions for this particular dog, had I not been open-minded enough to use a bark collar? Find a different home for him "in the country"? Relinquish him to a shelter and hope that an adopter with dog-loving neighbors gets him? Never let him be outside in the backyard? Seizure by the Village's Animal Control officer? Euthanasia?
And what will be the fate of those inveterate barkers for whom nothing else works, if their owners have been persuaded by this commercial that bark collars are inhumane and cruel?
While I'm sure they meant to be funny, this ad is VERY deceptive. Bark collars are a humane way to keep dogs from barking when their bark is bothering neighbors. I do terrier rescue, and occassionally get in dogs that like to bark for no reason. There are plenty of other dogs here for them to play with, they get tons of exercise, but they DO need to go outside once in while, too. So, for the ones who bark too much, and can instigate all the others to bark as well, they get to wear a bark collar. I've tried it on myself, just to make sure it wasn't inhumane, and while the sensation isn't pleasant (not supposed to be, the whole idea), I didn't hesitate to silence these dogs for the sake of the other dogs here, for the sake of my neighbors, and for me, too. The collar does not react to noises from other dogs or any loud noises in the vicinity, as portrayed in the commercial. I guess I could have left the dogs at the shelters who called me to take them, but these dogs would have been euthanized, and I like the option of giving them the opportunity to find someone who lives where barking isn't a problem.
Funny commercial! I would not recommend a bark collar to someone unless it was an absolute last-ditch effort- and after trying humane citronella collar. Living in the city, a dog that barks when you're gone can get you kicked out of your condo, apt, or townhome, or more likely the dog will be kicked out! New law in Chicago if you dog barks for 10 minutes straight any time of day neighbors can call police and you can get a ticket. Some dogs, like terrier mentioned above, have a very high drive to bark and are very vocal. What can you do if you're not home when it's happening?
Lack of exercise and stimulation may be a cause. Also, if it's any type of separation anxiety the root of the problem must be addressed and a bark collar is not appropriate. But if the dog is just overly vocal- If you've tried exercising, training, playing music when you leave, bones, treat dispensing balls, AND citronella collar, and the dog is still barking, what other options are left? Some dogs truly do not even notice a citronella collar. A good bark collar slowly raises in intensity for each correction, (does not start off strong on the first correction) and has a reset where it will stop shocking if the dog did continue to bark, they also sense vibration from the vocal cords, not just noise of another dog's bark. I have read about these features on gundogonline.com's website. The cheapo bark collars, who knows, they are probably awful. I think a major misconception is that the dog is constantly being shocked-- in reality, most dogs will get the shock once, maybe twice, and will very quickly associate the cause-and-effect and stop. If not, it could be damaging to the dog, and that is why I don't like them. Never have a bark collar on a dog outside in the park, it's not necessary for when you are there.