If you want to effectively train your dog to use a bark collar, you must understand
why dogs bark. Dogs communicate with each other and with us by barking, grunting, howling, growling, and whining. Dogs bark when they want or need something. Dogs bark for a lot of reasons:
* They want to go outside or come in.
* They want to play or are hungry.
* They are bored, anxious, or frustrated about something and want to let you know about their feelings.
* They are trained to bark while performing certain tasks. Guard dogs, hunting dogs, and herding dogs are trained to bark while doing their jobs.
Dogs begin to vocalize very early in life. Young dog and wolf puppies mewl when they look for warmth and food. Puppies that are scared, frustrated, or hurt make louder, sharper noises. As dogs grow up, they use all the above mentioned forms of communication.
Howling, usually associated with wolves, is a long-range communication used in many circumstances. Wolves use howling to locate pack members, let others know the boundaries of their territory, hunt, and attract a mate. Dogs howl at sirens or other stimuli.
Growling can be used in many different circumstances. Dogs may growl to threaten or warn other dogs and to show their dominance as well as in defense and aggression. But, dogs growl in play as well. Aggressive growling is done by a stationary dog that stares or snarls at the object of its aggression. The playful growl is performed by a dog that is moving around, with a wagging tail and a play bow to show that it wants to play.
Grunts are used when dogs meet people or other dogs. A grunt is like a happy sigh from a person.
Whines/whimpers are communication for short/medium distances. Dogs often whine when they greet another dog. They may whine to show submissiveness or pain and frustration, or in defense. Whining is a good way to get attention; a puppy that whines at night when alone usually gets the attention that it wants. Wolves also whine, but not as frequently as dogs.
Barking is also more common in dogs than other canines. Barking is used to defend territory and warn others, to get attention or to play, to identify itself to other dogs, or because it is bored, frustrated, or has been teased. Or, as mentioned above, it has been trained to bark under certain circumstances like hunting.
According to surveys, approximately one third of dog owners reported excessive barking. When using a bark collar, you should understand that you aren't going to completely
stop barking; you will limit unnecessary barking. Some breeds have a higher need to bark than others. Below are some tips about what to look for and how to control unnecessary barking.
* Dogs that are left outside often bark excessively and require more contact and socialization. You will have to make an effort to provide those things.
* Both indoor and outdoor dogs benefit from longer exercise and play time. A well-exercised dog will be more relaxed and restful.
* Take your dog for a short car ride. Just driving to the post office will offer new smells and sights for your dog to take in; it's a mental workout.
* Don't yell at your dog for barking; this may actually increase barking.
It is better to ignore barking and then reward a quiet dog with play, food, or praise than to yell at your dog for barking. If you know that your dog barks at a particular stimulus, keep the dog away from it. You should learn what triggers your dog's barking and keep the dog away from them.
Electronic
bark collars offer immediate correction that distracts your dog from barking. Bark collars react to the vibrations of the dog's vocal cords when it barks and emits a mild electronic correction. The correction is similar to the feeling you get when sliding your feet on a carpet and then touching a doorknob. Your dog's barking is the only sound that causes a correction; outside noises will not cause an unnecessary correction.
When your dog barks, the collar emits a mild correction. If the dog continues to bark, it will receive a slightly more intense correction. When the dog has been quiet for a specific period of time, the collar resets itself to the lower level.
Electronic
bark collars teach the dog that excessive barking is bad behavior. Dogs learn quickly that barking leads to correction, and they learn to be quiet. Some dogs learn quicker than others. If you are patient and follow the above recommendations, you will successively control unnecessary and annoying barking.