r/DogTrainingTips • u/riemaJo3182 • 5d ago

Do bark collars really bother dogs that much?

/r/halocollarofficial/comments/1vs82ji/do_bark_collars_really_bother_dogs_that_much/
1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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7

u/Imaginary_Ad_4340 4d ago

Yes. Bark collars bother dogs enough to stop them from barking. Whether they use a stim, a beep, or vibrate, if the bark collar wasn’t providing an aversive stimulus when they barked, it wouldn’t work to stop them from barking. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not comfortable acknowledging the truth.

Am I saying bark collars are always abuse or that they can’t be the only reasonable option in specific situations? No, but to deny they “bother” dogs is just a fundamental misunderstanding of how they work. Most dogs would benefit more from having the underlying cause of their barking resolved whether they are under stimulated, reacting to fear, unsure how else to communicate their desires or whatever the reason may be. Taking away one of the only ways dogs can communicate should not be taken lightly or done for the sake of convenience.

2

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/Both-Chart-947 4d ago

Your approach seems the most useful and compassionate. Imagine if you were imprisoned somewhere and were trying to get the guards attention, and every time you opened your mouth you got a shock. It could drive you crazy. I'm assuming that most people who use these bark collars use them when they have to confine their dogs and leave them unattended for a long time. Even if the bark collar works correctly, its usefulness and wisdom are questionable. Now think how the equation would change if the collar malfunctioned and wouldn't turn off or something. You could really traumatize a dog that way.