Anti-Barking Devices: What Are They?
Dogs provide companionship and loyalty like no other creature. That makes it especially frustrating when your dog has a barking problem and you can’t figure out how to control it. Below, we go over the common reasons for continuous barking, as well as some of the options for controlling it, such as commercial anti-barking devices.
What Causes Barking Problems?
Although some dogs’ barking seems to have little rhyme or reason, it’s important to realize that most have a reason for doing it. That reason is not always obvious; it can include things that you don’t even think about, such as guarding territory from intruders, or simply a bad feeling about a visitor.
If it barks persistently without any apparent reason, your pet may also be stimulated by something in its environment. For example, it might be left outside in uncomfortable temperatures, or it could be fearful of other passing dogs. Believe it or not, chronic barking can even be caused by regular old boredom. If boredom is the cause, you’ll need to give him more attention, or at least find him a playmate. The upshot of all this is that you can often nip your dog’s barking in the bud if you can figure out why it’s happening.
Another Alternative: Anti-Barking Devices
If you’re unable to control the problem the conventional way, commercial anti-barking devices are another method you could consider. They are small units that hang around the canine’s neck and wait until they detect barking. When that happens, they produce a slight ultrasonic impulse or other discharge that attempts to prevent the dog from barking. For the most part, these devices are very mild, so the chance of harm to the dog is minimized. This means that an anti-barking device may be a reasonable purchase if you have trouble getting your dog to stop barking using other means.
But How Safe Are They, Really?
Some individuals have raised concerns about the safety of such devices. While the previously-mentioned regulations should ensure that they are not harmful, keep in mind that every dog is different. Since there are different varieties of these products, and since you won’t know how your own dog will respond to one until it’s actually on him, consider trying one out before you buy it so that you can be sure your pet won’t be too negatively affected by it.
In Conclusion
There are as many ways to deal with barking as there are causes of persistent barking in the first place. Among these choices are commercial anti-barking products, which are effective for many dogs. While they are not a panacea, they can be part of your arsenal for keeping an energetic dog on its best behavior.