Let’s face it, dogs bark. But do vibration collars work for barking? Some more than others. It is in their nature to bark. But sometimes the barking can be excessive. Excessive barking can mean your dog barks at nearby dogs and children and the local squirrels! Therefore, some people decide to use a vibration collar for barking. So, today we are going to discuss- vibration collars for barking.
Vibrating collars are said to be a humane way of correcting a barking problem. A vibration collar is used to correct a dog from barking. And yes, if used correctly, a vibration collar can work for barking. It can also be used for communicating with a dog that is deaf. The collar will vibrate when the owner presses a button on the remote. This is done when a dog barks or the owner wants to communicate with the dog.
The vibration collar is a much more humane way to correct barking or communicating with a dog than let’s say the shock collar. Although most owners will stay away from the shock collar because they do not want to harm or make their dog uncomfortable.
I would not use any kind of collar that could hurt or make my dog feel uncomfortable, nor am I trying to sell these types of dog collars. This is for informational purposes only.
Let’s move on and find out if a vibration collar works for barking.
Purpose Of A Vibration Collar
The vibration collars have two purposes. One: to get your dog’s attention. Two: Correct a dog from barking. These collars are to be used ONLY for one of these purposes, not both combined, this can confuse your dog.
Some people use this collar for their dog, who is deaf. This helps you to communicate with your canine. Or perhaps you are training your dog for tracking, search, and rescue or hunting. So, you may have to give your commands from a far distance. This type of collar would work for that. Since these collars come with a remote, you will be able to use the remote control to give your dog signals while it is out in the field.
Maybe your dog is an excessive barker. Your dog may bark at everything that comes in its path like other dogs, children, and even birds. The collar will send a vibrational signal to your dog when it has barked if you use the no-bark feature. If you do not use the no-bark feature, then you will have to press the button each time your dog barks.
How The Vibrating Collar Works
Here is the tech behind the vibration collar. The vibrating component attaches to the collar. There is usually a pair of rubber or even metal prongs that stay in contact with your dog’s neck. Now, when your dog barks while wearing the vibration collar, the component will vibrate. You can set the collar to no-bark so that it will automatically vibrate when the dog barks. Or you can use the remote and press the button each time your dog barks.
Do Vibration Collars Work For Barking?
The vibration collar will work for a barking dog. You can use this collar to train your dog to stop its excessive barking. The vibration collar does not cause your dog any pain. That being said, your dog will not hate the collar as much as it would if it were a shock collar. But who uses shock collars nowadays? Shock collars, in my opinion, are not the way to train a dog. It causes pain and is really unnecessary.
The vibration collar sends a vibration to your dog to let it know it has barked and to stop. Most dogs will get used to this and will eventually stop the barking. However, there are some dogs that will just get used to it and not stop barking. So, you may have to take your dog to some dog training and or obedience classes.
Pros and Cons Of A Vibration Collar
Pros
- A remote vibration collar allows for corrective behavior training at a distance. Your dog can catch on quickly to commands when they are off the leash.
- Suitable for dogs who are not responsive to sound or voice commands.
- Provides instant notification to the dog of their undesired behavior
- Safe way to train aggressive dogs
- Can be used as a form of communication between an owner and a deaf dog
Cons
- Can fuel unwanted behavior or increase anxiety with an aggressive dog
- A dog may become fearful of vibration collar
- Not always 100% accurate. May not pick up every bark
- May cause discomfort if not adjusted properly
- Can cause skin irritation if left on for too long
- Dangerous to a dog if an untrained person applies the collar
- Can weaken the bond with dog and owner if dog associates collar with discomfort
- The dog may just get used to it and ignore the vibration signals
- Continue to bark
- Can be bulky and uncomfortable for small dogs
Better Solutions For Excessive Barking
There are other ways to stop your dog from barking excessively. Let’s take a look at some different ways to stop the barking.
Exercise
Your dog may not be getting enough exercise. So your dog is bored and restless. Dogs need daily exercise to keep them physically and mentally healthy. Take your dog out for at least three walks a day. If you are not home during the day, hire a dog walker to come in the afternoon. You should be able to take your dog out in the morning before work and just before bedtime.
A well-exercised dog is a dog that is less likely to bark all the time.
Socialization
Dogs that bark at other dogs, children, even the leaf crossing a dog’s path, means the dog has not been socialized enough. If your dog is barking at everything, make sure to introduce it to other people and dogs. Once used to the interaction, the dog will be less likely to bark. There are classes for socialization. Sign up for a class if you don’t feel comfortable introducing your dog to other dogs and people.
Mental Games
It is essential that your dog if mentally healthy. Try playing some games with your dog. Hiding treats in your dog’s toys is an excellent mental game. They play with their toy while searching for a treat. A good game of fetch is also an excellent way to keep your dog on its toes!
Music and TV
If you are gone for a good part of the day, then you should leave some familiar sounds for your dog. Your dog is probably used to hearing the radio or television. If you leave music or tv on for your dog, then the dog will not feel alone and may make your dog feel less anxious.
Barking Gets No Attention
Another way to get your dog to stop barking is to pay no attention to the barking. I know, you must be thinking, “what is she talking about”?. If you do not pay attention to the dog barking, they will eventually stop. Do not tell the dog to stop, do not approach the dog, and do not yell at the dog. Just ignore the dog.
Once your dog has stopped barking, reward it with a treat. Make sure to praise the dog as well.
This may not work for all dogs. So again, I would recommend taking training or obedience class.
Dogs That Don’t Bark Much
Maybe you are looking into getting a dog for you and your family. You don’t want a dog that barks a lot. Dog House Times has a list of dog breeds that don’t bark much. Take a look!
- Akita
- Basenji
- Bulldog
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chow Chow
- Collie
- Greyhound
- Newfoundland
- St. Bernard
- Shiba Inu
- Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Scottish Deerhound
- Whippet
All these dogs listed here are dogs that don’t bark much. If you’d like to find out more about these breeds, you can do so here. I can tell you that most of these breeds are very loving and affectionate. It all depends on what type you are looking for. Maybe you want a big dog because you have a lot of room for one. Or perhaps you are looking for a smaller breed because you live in a condo or apartment.
Conclusion
So we have learned what a vibration collar does, how it works, and if a vibration collar works for barking. They can be a good thing to correct unwanted behavior like barking. And, they can also be used to help communicate with a deaf dog. The collar sends a small vibration to your dog when it has barked if set on no-bark mode. It sends a vibration signal to a dog that is deaf. An owner can set the vibration for different commands.
There are also many other ways to get a dog to stop barking. I would recommend trying the other options first. You will most likely get better results. You don’t want your dog to be scared of you and weakening your bond with your dog because of a collar. If you don’t or can’t do the other options, then try the classes. You will have a happier dog if you go with the other options and not the vibration collar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Vibration Collar Hurt Dogs?
A vibration collar does not hurt dogs. It sends a vibration to your dog that is more of an annoyance than pain. Most dogs will get used to the vibration and eventually stop barking.
Is A Vibration Collar The Same As A Shock Collar
No, these two collars are very different. The vibration collar only gives your dog a small vibration. The shock collar sends an electrical stimulation of varying intensity and duration to a dog’s neck. It is said that shock collars can destroy the bond and relationship between dog and owner. I can not really say if that is true or not, as I do not use a shock collar on my dog.
Bibliography
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