Why have the static correction collars become so popular and what do you look for when buying one? If you rub your feet on the carpet and touch a door handle, you get a mild static pulse.
Well that's similar to what a dog experiences with a static bark collar.
The purpose of any bark control device and dog training is to train the dog to bark when it is appropriate, to an acceptable degree and not to overdo it.
When it comes to complaints about neighbourhood noise, excessive barking tops the list.
What if a dog is ignored when they really are barking for a good reason? A static bark collar when used correctly can be a very useful tool in training a dog to bark when it is appropriate.
The aim is not to stop the barking, the aim is to teach correct barking habits.
And that's what a static bark control collar has been designed to do.
How does a Static Bark Collar Work? Static bark collars usually contain some form of vibration sensor that will activate when it detects barking and the vibration from the vocal cords.
The unit is attached to a dog collar.
When it detects vibration it activates, a mild static pulse is released, this is used to distract the dog and discourage it from barking.
The key is to ensure the unit goes off at the appropriate time, in a consistent manner and is NOT going to stop the necessary barking.
How can you achieve all this? Advancements in technology and a greater understanding of dog behavior have been combined with the objective of training a dog to bark when appropriate.
This has seen some really fantastic features included in the design and operation of these devices.
Don't stop the barking - retrain to give appropriate barking.
Being consistent is the key to behavior modification, the long term effectiveness of the training and the comfort of the dog.
You would not expect the dog to have to wear any bark control device for ever, in fact this would not be the objective nor would it be acceptable.
Some static bark control collars can be manually adjusted to a level where the dog will feel the same static stimulation at each correction..
(Start training at the low levels and increase if you need to).
Others start at a low level and increase gradually if the dog continues to bark, and some combine both methods in combination.
This gives greater flexibility to adjust to most situations (the surrounding environment) and an individual dogs training needs.
Would you like a static collar that could indicate the number of times it was activated and allow you to alter the level according to the dogs training needs? When the activation count reduces over a consistent period of time the static correction can be lowered as the dog's behavior modifies.
How about a bark collar that starts at a very mild level, increased gradually and re-set itself automatically.
What if it included a small 'beep' at each correction? (Did 'Pavlov's dog' just come to mind?) This could assist in reducing barking at 'normal neighbourhood activity' but allow barking at unexpected or unusual activity.
The small beep and mild starting level would then just be a small reminder to the dog.
When looking at any bark control device it is important to look at why the dog is barking or what is the cause? What result are you expecting from the bark control device and what can we do to help with the retraining process.
It is always best to seek advise from a professional who is experienced with static bark collars.
It is essential to discuss your dog's particular circumstances and the possible reasons for the excessive barking in order to get the best help for you and your dog.