A dog will bark for many different reasons. Dogs may bark to warn you that a stranger is approaching or an intruder is breaking into your home. Fear and pain are other reasons for dog barking. A dog may bark to intimidate you or your family members, or as a way to get your attention.
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Whatever the reason, we all agree that it can be very annoying and look for ways to stop dogs barking. It has been known for owners of dogs that bark all the time to be charged with disturbing the peace. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to stop dogs barking for no good reason.
To stop your dog from barking, he should be trained to understand when barking is appropriate. There are several options but the best technique is the proven reward/reprimand method. This method is both humane and effective.
Some dog owners try to avoid this training option by using an electronic collar, also called a bark collar. The dog wears the collar, which is activated when the dog barks. When the bark collar gives off a small electronic shock, the dog is taken by surprise. Eventually, your dog will stop barking as he connects discomfort with his barking. I am of the opinion that the use of electronic collars to stop dogs from barking is both cruel and inhumane.
Some dogs do not connect the shock with their barking, which is one good reason for not using electronic collars. They develop a tolerance for the electronic shocks and continue barking. In order for the collar to be effective, the prongs must touch the skin which may not happen if a dog has a thick coat. In addition, just using an electronic collar to stop dog barking hardly ever works. Usually, optimal results are obtained by including dog obedience training.
There are some people who believe that electronic bark collars can be discouraging to dogs. Because of this, some people use citronella collars which operate in a similar way to electronic collars. Citronella collars emit a mist each time the dog barks. The majority of dogs do not like the odor. Over time, they will associate their barking with the unpleasant scent and will stop barking in order to avoid the smell. The success rate is approximately the same as with electronic collars.
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The vast majority of vets and dog trainers believe that, although shock collars can be useful, they are no substitute for good dog training. It should be noted that obedience training is effective for solving and preventing most dog behavior problems. It also helps with other dog behavior issues.
The most drastic option (and, to my mind, most barbaric) is surgery to stop dogs from barking. A piece of tissue is removed from the larynx which prevents the dog from barking. Occasionally, a dog’s bark will come back, making the surgery useless. Happily, the majority of vets are against surgery as a way to stop dogs from barking.
In conclusion, I hope we have convinced you that obedience training is the best way to stop dogs barking. You need to know that a dog that is trained to stop barking with an electronic collar will not bark when your house is on fire. If your dog receives obedience training, he will look after your family but will also know the correct times to bark.
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