bark collars - spray or shock?

• 07-03-2008 9:01 PM

  rolenta Joined on 09-10-2007 Alberta, Canada Posts 1,069 Points 0

  bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact So, which collar is better, the spray collar or the electric collar?  I've heard people say the spray is more humane because it's not painful, and I've heard people say that the electric ones are more humane because the spray sticks to their faces, whereas the shock is over when it's over and doesn't last as long.  Which is more effective?  Are bark collars effective in general?  <P> Oh yes, and I would really appreciate it if this thread remained on the topic of collars themselves.  If you want to give me advice on barking or ask me personal questions, go to the "General" board and reply to my thread called "my dogs bark at my FIL".  This thread is just to discuss the collars themselves, their effectiveness, and their humaneness.  Heidi and crew: Tojo (shiba inu), Rakka (shikoku), Skella, (icelandic sheepdog), Hester and Ridley (cats)

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• 07-03-2008 9:04 PM

  In reply to rolenta

  Benedict Joined on 05-30-2006 England Posts 5,083 Points 770	Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact  I have zero personal experience with them but know someone who used a spray collar.  It took her dog only a few days to figure out that if she barked nonstop for a while, she'd use up all the spray and then she could bark to her heart's content without being sprayed at all.  Kate - Dog.community Administrator Jokers to the right.
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• 07-03-2008 10:02 PM

  In reply to rolenta

  cakana Joined on 09-10-2007 Cathy in Northern CA Posts 6,519 Points 360

  Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact I have experience with both types. We started with the citronella collar for our older lab, Buffy. Seemed to work well for awhile and then we'd come home every day and find that the spray was emptied. One time, I came home and the place reeked of citronella. Not a bad smell, but I finally saw what she was doing. She'd learned to bark and dodge right or left, so the spray wasn't bothering her - smart dog. For her, we had to go with the shock collar and even it hasn't been the answer to the problem. We then found out that our other lab was barking when we were at work, so we put the citronella collar on her. Honestly, she barked one time, was disgusted with the smell and it pretty much cured her. We only put it on her if we have to be gone and know that someone (gardener, pool guy) will be visiting next door. She's not a "live to bark" type dog though, so she was an easy fix. The other dog will bark if a leaf blows by, so results haven't been great with either collar. ~ Cathy ~

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• 07-04-2008 7:14 AM

  In reply to cakana

  ingemk Joined on 09-10-2007 Mississippi Posts 220 Points 60

  Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact  I have one for Dixie, my golden retriever. It stops her "real" barks, but not the nuisance barking. She learned to bark at a high pitch that does not set off a spray, yay. much better, lol. So, if you decide to get a spray collar, you might want to look at a remote controlled model. Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden

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• 07-04-2008 8:19 AM

  In reply to ingemk

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,358 Points 100	Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact the shock ones work far better than the sprays.
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• 07-04-2008 9:43 AM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 Northwestern Michigan Posts 11,375 Points 405

  Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact   I bought an ultra sonic "bark box" for my crew. It works very nicely on 5 of the 6. I've never tried collars, so have no experience with either variety, but the bark box thingee works quite nicely.  I've had it since March and it hasn't lost it's effectiveness. In my situation, being in the RV and needing to keep the crew quiet, and of course, if one barks everyone feels the need, this was a far more cost effective solution for me.  Little Theo barks at his own shadow, but he's always so close to me that all I have to do is reach down, touch him and say QUIET and he shuts up.  The others remember that box. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda

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• 07-13-2008 6:23 PM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  miranadobe Joined on 04-06-2006 Arizona Posts 4,041 Points 305

  Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact shock ones are better - TriTronics Bark Limiter works well.... I believe in my shock collar for training, but I'd avoid all bark collars until it's the last choice you have.  They are not fun - they're much "hotter" than training collars - the bark collars are designed to be advsersives - and they are good at that.  But you need to limit the time that dog wears the collar.  Unlike shock training collars, most shock bark collars have to be positioned the same way every time the dog wears it, so that the device is over their vocal chords and only reacts to THAT dogs barking - not ambient noise.  For that reason, the bark collars can rub a dog sore without the owner paying a lot of attention to properly caring for the skin on the neck, etc. Gracie - 5yr old Doberman, Jada - 4?yr old APBT, Achilles - 4yr old ACD Fight for your opinions, but do not believe that they contain the whole truth, or the only truth. ~W. Hamilton

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• 07-23-2008 8:58 PM

  In reply to miranadobe

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,940 Points 715

  Re: bark collars - spray or shock? Reply Contact The difference between the two is that citronella might be unpleasant, but it doesn't hurt.  In my opinion, you don't have to cause pain to train.  And, too many dogs are "one trial learners", which means that one traumatic experience may have long lasting effects.  One of the pre-eminent veterinarian behaviorists in the country, Karen Overall, has taken the "against" position, and I agree with her. http://www.hollysden.com/say-no-to-shock-collars.htm Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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