Automatic Anti Barking Devices

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What are automatic anti barking devices and do they help? 

As a dog owner, you no doubt, love your pet very much. However, a dog that constantly barks, especially for no reason can be very annoying. Not only to the owner but also to neighbors. Luckily enough, tools such as automatic anti bark devices help a great deal in stopping the annoying noises.

Different types of anti bark devices

  • Anti barking ultrasonic devices: As the name suggests, these tools use ultrasonic sounds to deter a pooch from barking. Humans cannot hear these sounds, and so while you may not hear them, your pooch will hear them loud and clear. The sound is irritating to dogs and will make your dog pause its barking in surprise. How do they work? They have sensors that are easily able to detect a dog’s bark and once the sensors detect it, the ultrasonic sound will be released. If the pooch fails to stop, the sound of anti barking ultrasonic device may increase until the dog stops.
  • Shock collars: Although these are fairly popular products for stopping dogs from barking, we do not endorse their use as we feel that they are not humane. Dog shock collars are like normal collars, except that they shock your pet to make the animal stop barking. As with ultrasonic ones, shock collars also use sensors or even microphones to detect a pooch’s bark. On detecting it, the tool will shock the pooch a little, surprising the animal into silence. You can regulate the intensity of the shock, depending on how stubborn your pet is.
  • Spray collars: This anti-bark device uses sprays, either scented or non-scented ones to deter a dog from barking. Scented spray collars use scents that dogs do not like, such as citronella. When the animal barks, the product detects it and releases a gust of spray that surprises and stops the dog from barking.
  • Vibration collars: These products stop a pooch from barking using vibrations. Basically, your pet wear the collar and when the sensors of the tool pick up the bark, the tool releases a painless vibration that surprises your dog and causes the animal to stop. 

Depending on the type you get, you may have an automatic one that does its thing when the dog barks without you having to do anything or a manual one that you will need to use a remote to control and release the buzz when your pet barks.

How to choose anti dog barking device – key features to pay attention to

Below are the things to watch out for if you want to get an anti-bark device for your pooch.

  • Spray, shock, vibration, sound, or ultrasonic devices: First, you need to be sure what type of tool you will like to use. As stated earlier, we do not endorse the use of shock collars, but spray, vibration and ultrasonic devices are good products to use. Some collars will use beeps in conjunction with spray to make a dog stop barking, while some will combine beep, spray, and vibration. 
  • Size of your pet: If you are getting an anti-bark collar for your pooch, you have to make sure that the size of the collar is okay for your furry friend. Collars that are too tight will be uncomfortable for your pet, and if the tool is too large, it may keep sliding off your pet’s neck. If possible, get a collar that is adjustable with straps. This way, you will be able to adjust it, and if you have more than one pet, you will even be able to use it for them. All you have to do is adjust the product to fit the pet that you are using it for at the moment.  If you do decide to get a non-adjustable collar, make sure to check the size and specification of the product, especially if you are buying online. Most sellers will give the specifications of the product you are buying on their pages and even give measurement recommendations.
  • Hands-free devices, handheld devices, or collars: There are both hand-held ultrasonic anti-bark devices and ultrasonic collars. With collars, you need to wear them on the dog, while handheld devices require that you hold and use them. Hands-free tools can be kept anywhere you like and they will work just fine provided the pooch is within range.
  • Level of sensitivity of your dog: All dogs are individuals and so they all have different sensitivity levels. Besides, some dogs are more stubborn than others are. If you are using an ultrasonic tool, you will want to be careful with it and set it to its lowest intensity if you are using it on a sensitive dog. Other more stubborn dogs will require a stronger intensity as they may ignore lower levels and continue barking. Luckily enough, these products are made in such a way that they will not harm the animals they are meant for. Always check the seller’s recommendation about what types of dogs the product should not be used for.
  • Automatic or non-automatic devices: Some of these products are automatic, meaning that they are able to work even without you being there to use or operate them. They pick up on a dog’s bark and administer the appropriate method to deter the animal. Non-automatic ones require that you are there to operate them when your dog begins to bark. Automatic ones are recommended if your dog is the type that barks in an annoying way when you are not at home, as they will work even in your absence. Some of these products will even turn off automatically by themselves after a programmed amount of time if your pet refuses to stop barking for the animal’s safety. 

Best indoor anti barking device

PetSafe Ultrasonic Indoor Bark Control

This tool is perfect and safe for indoor use (hand-held or table-top). It has a range of 25 feet within which dogs will be able to hear it. The product does not require your pet to wear a collar. Instead, you only need to place it somewhere and turn the knob to put it on, and then adjust the frequency, as it has three frequency levels.

  • Bark-detection range: 25 feet
  • Rechargeable: no (6V alkaline battery bought separately; average battery life is 2-6 months).
  • Material: plastic
  • Light signal: yes
  • Waterproof: no (for indoor use only)

Best outdoor anti barking device

PetSafe Outdoor Ultrasonic Bark Control Deterrent

Like the one above, this one does not require your pet to wear a collar. To use it, you set the device somewhere and turn on the knob for it to start working. It has three sensitivity levels. 

  • Bark-detection range: 50 feet
  • Rechargeable: No. You need standard 9-volt batteries to use it 
  • LED light: yes (2 lights for battery indication)
  • Weatherproof: yes (made for outdoor use)

Best portable anti barking device 

PetSafe Collarless Ultrasonic Remote Trainer System - the best anti barking device with remote

This handheld device has 2 buttons – positive and negative. The wrist strap of the product makes holding it to train your pet easy enough. The sound is capable of reaching up to 30 feet.

  • Working range: 30 feet
  • Rechargeable: no (standard alkaline battery bought separately)
  • Material: plastic
  • Portable: yes
  • Battery indicator: yes.

How to use an anti barking device

If you are new to using these tools, you have to take some precautions, although most of them are designed in a way that makes it safe for you to use them for your pet. 

For ultrasonic devices, it is not recommended that you use them for very young dogs. Also, you should not use the device for dogs that are aggressive. If your pooch is the very sensitive type, it is best to set the product to its lowest intensity. So that it would not adversely affect the animal.

Pets that are more stubborn may need a stronger sound intensity to stop barking. Ultrasonic anti-barking devices have different sound ranges. So your dog will have to be within the tool’s range for it to hear and be affected by the sound.

Can I use an anti barking device for my neighbor’s dog?

It is not uncommon for one’s neighbor to have a pooch that is a nuisance barker. In fact, you may have one that is a nuisance barker, and your neighbor could also have one. Sometimes too, the barking of one dog could trigger the other dogs in that vicinity. And they will all start barking in competition, even if they are in different compounds.

If you encounter this problem regularly, chances are that you are really frustrated and may have even gone to beg your neighbor to keep their dog quiet. An anti barking device will work for your neighbor’s dog in the same way that it would for your own pet. Provided that the animal is within the hearing range of the device. Be sure to check the range that the device that you want to get covers so that you can be sure that the device will work for your neighbor’s pet.

In fact, even if you do not have a dog, but your neighbors own is driving you crazy, you can get an ultrasonic anti-barking tool for the neighbor. Or introduce the person to them so that they can get one and stop their dog from barking so much.

Conclusion

It is a natural thing for dogs to bark. As it is their major means of communication since they can’t talk. However, some pets are nuisance barkers and will bark for practically no reason at all. If you have such a pet, you will find an automatic anti barking device very useful in stopping the animal from barking. They are far more humane than shock devices and are also very effective.