Dogs bark for several reasons. Your dog may begin to bark when a stranger approaches or if your house is on fire. Dogs that are in pain or frightened will also bark. They may also bark to get your attention or in an attempt to intimidate you or other people.
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Whatever the reason, we all agree that it can be extremely aggravating and seek ways to stop dogs barking. It is not unheard of for dog owners who have dogs that constantly bark to be reported to the police for disturbing the peace. Happily, there are many ways to stop a dog from barking for no particular reason.
Teaching a dog the appropriate times for him to bark is the most effective way to stop dog barking. A number of options are available, the best being the reward/reprimand technique. 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. When a dog barks, the collar around his neck is activated. The dog is startled when the collar emits a small electric shock. Over time, dogs begin to connect the unpleasant experience with their barking so they stop barking. I am of the opinion that the use of electronic collars to stop dogs from barking is both cruel and inhumane.
There are many reasons why electronic collars should never be used, the least of which is that some dogs don’t connect the pain from the shock with their barking. 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. As well, there are few examples where simply using an electronic collar will stop dog barking. Normally, the best results are achieved when obedience training is included.
Although electronic dog collars don’t really hurt dogs, some people think that they could be discouraging to dogs. For this reason, citronella collars are the choice of some people. Citronella collars produce a mist when dogs bark. The smell is disliked by most dogs. Gradually, dogs begin to connect the foul aroma with their barking and stop barking so they don’t have to suffer the smell. The success rate is approximately the same as with electronic collars.
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The majority of dog trainers and veterinarians feel that, while barking collars can be useful tools, they are definitely not a substitute for good dog obedience training. Also, obedience training for dogs does much more than just stop dogs from barking. It also helps with other dog behavior problems.
Surgery is the most drastic and, in my opinion, barbaric option to stop dogs barking. To stop dogs barking, tissue is extracted from the larynx. Occasionally, a dog’s bark will come back, making the surgery useless. Thankfully, most vets oppose the surgical method to stop dogs barking.
In closing, I hope we have managed to convince you that the most effective way to stop dogs barking is with good quality obedience training. If you use a shock collar to stop dogs barking, you will also not be woken up when a burglar enters your home. With the correct obedience training, your dog will protect your family but will also know when it is appropriate to bark.
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