Bark Collars

All dogs are different. While some will respond very well to an annoying citrus spray or ultrasonic tone, others may require more persuasive measures. It really depends on a dog's personality and temperament.

If you are interested in a bark collar that delivers Ultrasonic tone correction only see the High Tech Hush Puppy, High Tech Super Hush Puppy, PetSafe Ultralight Sonic Bark Collar and DogTek NoBark Sonic Bark Collar.

Many manufacturers offer a bark collar with progressive static corrections; a very low level static shock is delivered at the onset of barking and if the barking does not stop, progressively higher levels of correction are delivered until it does. Essentially, a dog's barking behavior dictates the level of correction.

Dogtra makes two bark collar models that deliver a warning vibration before a static correction. It doesn't take most dogs very long to learn that their barking is directly associated with getting a static correction. The great thing about a vibration-warning is in case he or she has forgotten what they've learned. Usually the vibration-warning is enough of a reminder and the barking will stop before a static correction is delivered.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a bark collar

1. Most manufacturers do not recommend their bark collars for dogs under 6 months old. They also do not recommend them for dogs that are very aggressive. An aggressive dog could quickly become a flat-out dangerous dog with well-intentioned yet improper training methods. Aggressive dogs need to work with a professional trainer who may or may not utilize static shock correction collars.



2. Most manufacturers of bark collar products provide minimum weight recommendations for their products. It is important that you adhere to the recommendations otherwise you could be getting a product that is too powerful, or not powerful enough for your particular dog.



3. Static correction is delivered via 2 metal probes on a bark collar that have contact with a dog's skin. Be sure the probes make contact with the skin; if a dog has a very thick coat you can buy longer probes to ensure contact. Some people actually shave the fur where the probes make contact. Because of its antibacterial properties (non-porous) many people prefer stainless steel probes to other types of metal. This can help reduce or even eliminate the chances of a skin rash or a condition called pressure necrosis, which is similar to bed sores.
   
   Important: A bark collar is not meant to be worn all the time because irritation can occur. Be sure to read your owner's manual and adhere to the recommendations. Also be sure to keep the probes and your dog's neck clean.
   
   However, if you anticipate needing long-term wear you can purchase a 24-hour contact pad adapter to ensure the safety and comfort of your dog.



4. Technological advances often include reducing the overall size of a product without reducing effectiveness. This is also true of receivers on dog bark collars. Many receivers are small and can weigh under 2 ounces. However, if you have a small dog, be sure to check on the size and weight of the receiver on the bark collar. Will it be too large and awkward for your dog's neck size? Reminder: Be sure your dog meets the minimum weight requirement for any product you are considering for purchase.



5. The collar strap on most bark collars is quite long, even on a bark collar for small dogs. The long strap is intentional and is meant to give you the flexibility to trim it down to fit a small dog if necessary. If your dog is not yet full grown be sure to compensate for future growth and don't cut too much off.

America's Pet Store carries all the leading brands of bark collars including PetSafe, High Tech Pet, SportDOG, TriTronics, Dogtra, Innotek and others. If you have questions or would like assistance is selecting a bark collar that is a good fit for your dog's size and temperament contact our Customer Service Department.