If your dog constantly barks for hours on end, I'm sure you'd be trying to figure out a solution. The best anti bark device can actually make a world of a difference (and also, make things less awkward with your annoyed neighbors!). In today's post, I'll take you through the one I personally recommend and some of the most popular ones to choose from.
Reasons Why Your Dog Might Bark
There could be a number of reasons why your dog is barking. Before I explain a few, you should try and be learn your dog’s different barks. Once you know his barks, you will be able to identify what is wrong.
Warning
Your dog could give out a warning bark to let you know that strangers are nearby. He could also bark to let strangers know that he doesn’t want them to get any closer to you or him.
Anxiety
Anxiety barks are usually accompanied with shaking or whining as well. It is a high pitch bark and your dog could be doing it to soothe himself.
Excitement
This is probably the most common bark your dog will make. It usually occurs when you get home, during play time or when you mention going for a walk. They can also happen if your dog is outside and sees an animal or a car that excites him.
Communicating
Your dog will bark with other dogs to communicate. This can typically happen while passing another dog. As long as this bark doesn’t turn into a territorial bark, you should be fine.
Some Solutions to Try
Proper Training
Properly training your dog can take a lot of time and be difficult; but the end result is worth it. You can teach your dog to stop barking with just a single word or hand gesture. Remember that some breeds are harder to train than others. You might want to research better training methods for your dog’s breed.
Spray Collars
These collars either spray water or liquid extracted from citruses onto your dog’s nose. The two downfalls of this method is that your dog can have an allergic reaction or he can get irritated by the spraying.
Shock Collar
Although these are the most used method with dangerous and overly aggressive dogs, it should be a last resort. The collar picks up on your dog’s barking and will send a shock to make them stop. These can either harm your dog if turned too high or make them even more dangerous. Read my post on how and why you should use shock collars for your dog.
Best Anti Bark Device
Sonic Egg Bark Control
This product emits an ultrasonic noise that only dogs can hear. It can be used indoors and outdoors. It has three sensitivity levels. The microphone inside of it can pick up barks from up to fifty feet away.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Different levels for sound
- Works with all breeds of dogs
- It doesn’t harm your dog
Cons:
- If your dog has hearing impairments, it might not work
- You have to replace the batteries fairly often
- It sometimes will go off for other loud noises if the sensitivity is turned on high
CY Outdoor Bark Controller
This weatherproof bark controller can detect a bark from up to fifty feet away. There are four levels of sensitivities that work with dogs of all sizes and breeds. It requires a nine volt battery and has LED lights to indicate battery life.
Pros:
- Durable
- Weatherproof
- Looks like a birdhouse which is appealing to the eye
- Four levels of intensity
Cons:
- Have to replace the battery often
- Some dogs grow immune to the noise
UltraSonic Handheld Outdoor Bark Controller
Can pick up on barks up to five meters away. It is portable and you can carry it anywhere. It only weighs a little over an ounce and emits sound that only your dog can here.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Small size makes it easily portable
Cons:
- Price
- Low range
- Requires four AA batteries
SportDOG Bark Collar
The SportDOG bark collar has ten levels of intensity for the static shock correction. The collar is waterproof and can be under up to twenty five feet of water. The battery is rechargeable and takes around four hours to charge with a three to six month battery life. This collar is made for dogs that are at least eight pounds.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Detects bark and vibrating vocal chords
- Waterproof
- Ten different intensity levels
Cons:
- Dog can chew through the collar since it is made of plastic
- Your dog can retaliate by becoming more aggressive
Bark Stop Pro
This device comes with a remote controller to use it. You can also use this device on multiple species and animals. It is weatherproof so you can use it inside or outside. The company states that your dog should stop barking within two weeks of continued use.
Pros:
- Range of up to fifty feet
- Doesn’t harm your dog
- Can be used inside or outside
Cons:
- Works best if there is nothing between your dog and the device
- Price
- Does not affect some dogs
Petsafe Gentle Spray
This collar sprays either citronella or an unscented spray onto your dog’s nose when they bark. It is water resistant, but do not submerge it in water. Compatible for dogs that are six pounds or more. It uses a six volt battery and the collar holds about twenty five sprays while a refill can typically have about three hundred sprays.
Pros:
- Harmless to your dog
- Affordable price
- Water resistant
Cons:
- You have to refill it a lot if you use it frequently
- The spraying can anger your dog
Conclusion
If you would like to get your dog to stop constantly barking, you might want to look into a anti barking device. Make sure that you research the products and choose the best one for you and your dog. You can even start with the harmless ones and work your way up to a shock collar if need be.
