Bark Collars

[Yorkiemommy2013]

Looking for some advice/thoughts regarding bark collars? Thanks

[Biewer Guy86]

I don't use them because for me especially having a tight budget not worth it. We used the method of crating them briefly. However, we do own two Biewer terriers. They are not as barky as their cousins yorkies. Our little girl Biewer (shelby) is slightly vocal than our male (Gus Gus). Quick note I don't count whining as a form of barking.

Also, it is good to know why they are barking. For example, our male will only bark if a toy is out of his reach or if our little girl dragged it to the play pin area. I won't crate it when the situation can be easily fixed such as dragging out a small ball that rolled under the couch. If it persistently happens then exchange the toy for something else. If they don't like it give them a chew, and if that doesn't work then a brief timeout is best.

I would not recommend at all anytime they bark to crate them. You just got to know your dogs personality.

I have read other methods like using small diluted spray bottle of vinegar and water. Spray one small shot in the mouth and they will get the hint.

Another method I read is that when they stop barking is to treat them. Saying good quiet or sssshh(ie). Some might clap their hands instead.

Not all barking is bad which all trainers know that. Barking is there form of talking or signal that something is up. It is when they barking get super out of controller is the problem. Like I said earlier both of my dogs aren't the barky/ yappy type. This is not to say they are perfect they are far from it trust me.

This is my two pennies in the matter. People will agree and others will disagree with each other.

[Lovetodream88]

Are you talking about the ones that shock them? Those are not good for small dogs and can really hurt them.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Biewer Guy86

I don't use them because for me especially having a tight budget not worth it. We used the method of crating them briefly. However, we do own two Biewer terriers. They are not as barky as their cousins yorkies. Our little girl Biewer (shelby) is slightly vocal than our male (Gus Gus). Quick note I don't count whining as a form of barking.

Also, it is good to know why they are barking. For example, our male will only bark if a toy is out of his reach or if our little girl dragged it to the play pin area. I won't crate it when the situation can be easily fixed such as dragging out a small ball that rolled under the couch. If it persistently happens then exchange the toy for something else. If they don't like it give them a chew, and if that doesn't work then a brief timeout is best.

I would not recommend at all anytime they bark to crate them. You just got to know your dogs personality.

I have read other methods like using small diluted spray bottle of vinegar and water. Spray one small shot in the mouth and they will get the hint.

Another method I read is that when they stop barking is to treat them. Saying good quiet or sssshh(ie). Some might clap their hands instead.

Not all barking is bad which all trainers know that. Barking is there form of talking or signal that something is up. It is when they barking get super out of controller is the problem. Like I said earlier both of my dogs aren't the barky/ yappy type. This is not to say they are perfect they are far from it trust me.

This is my two pennies in the matter. People will agree and others will disagree with each other.

Spraying with vinegar and water can be very dangerous because dogs move so fast it could get in there eye and it's just not worth the chance.

[lovespandp]

I don’t think we should expect a dog to never bark, the thing you need to correct is the excessive barking. To train them correctly you first need to find out why he is barking too much.. Is it: Territorial/Protective, Alarm/Fear, Boredom/Loneliness, Greeting/Play, Attention Seeking, Separation Anxiety/Compulsive Barking.. each one of those has a solution based on the reason why.

If you have figured he is just excessive barking you can train him to stop, what you need to do is in a firm voice say “quiet” wait until he stops barking then praise him and give him a yummy treat.. something he wouldn't get all the time.. maybe a piece of boiled chicken.. little cheese something like that. Be careful never to reward him when he is barking. If you do this every time he starts barking excessively he eventually will learn when you say “quiet” he is to be quiet.

I would personally never use bark collars, spray bottles, cans of pennies.. etc.

[Yorkiemommy2013]

I definitely do not want to use anything that will harm/shock my Teddy. A bark collar was suggested so I looked up several collars on line and thought I would ask around.

Here is the problem which has just started probably within the last month. He barks when he hears my daughter open or close her bedroom door, when my husbands sneezes or coughs (lol), if he hears the door bell ring on TV, when the neighbors are outside, I guess any noise/sounds sets him off.

I have just started saying "quiet" in a low tone because if I yell at him he may think I am joining in..regarding treats because he is on a low protein diet (due to having multiple liver shunts) I cannot give him any treats other than a few kibbles from his own food....so he is really not getting a treat at all ugh!

Could it be due to anxiety..he does not have any behavior issues at the moment other than the barking at everything!!

[browniesmom622]

My Brownie has always been a big barker until the last year he gets an hour walk a day now and he doesnt even bark unless he has too. I would up your dogs exercise and see if it helps.

[lovespandp]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemommy2013

I definitely do not want to use anything that will harm/shock my Teddy. A bark collar was suggested so I looked up several collars on line and thought I would ask around.

Here is the problem which has just started probably within the last month. He barks when he hears my daughter open or close her bedroom door, when my husbands sneezes or coughs (lol), if he hears the door bell ring on TV, when the neighbors are outside, I guess any noise/sounds sets him off.

I have just started saying "quiet" in a low tone because if I yell at him he may think I am joining in..regarding treats because he is on a low protein diet (due to having multiple liver shunts) I cannot give him any treats other than a few kibbles from his own food....so he is really not getting a treat at all ugh!

Could it be due to anxiety..he does not have any behavior issues at the moment other than the barking at everything!!

How old is Teddy? LOL Peanut will bark when he hears a doorbell on the T.V too. He will usually just bark a couple times and that will be the end of it. It sounds like he isn't use to noise.. or at least isn't comfortable with it.

I would honestly start working with him teaching him “quiet” and then rewarded him..

The treats is kind of an issue, you will need to give him something to reward him. I understand he has diet limitations, however can you give him frozen peas, green beans, little pieces of carrots? All of those Veggies are a great treat source for him, healthy and cheap!! You can always give him his favorite toy as a reward.. not sure how toy driven he is so this may or may not work.

Like another member has mentioned you can up his exercise. How much play time is he getting now? How much walk time?

If he does have anxiety it could very well be from not getting enough play/walk time. He could just be bored and need more stimulating activities to do.. anxiety in a dog will lead to more behavior problems, so you want to nip this barking in the butt before it leads to something else.

Always remember a tired dog is a happy dog!!

[JunesMum]

More exercise could definitely help the issue and so can more mental stimulation! My Junie was an incredibly reactive little one - he barked at other dogs and any noises outside the front door INCESSANTLY. What I've done is put more focus on obedience training and this seems to have helped curb the excessive barking. I find that the extra mental concentration tires June out and makes him calmer over all. Now, instead of barking right away, he looks to me as if asking what he should be doing and how he should react. He's not perfect yet, we're still working on the barking at other dogs issue, but it will take time.

As for treats, I would try feeding various types of yummy veggies as lovespandp suggested. Or are there different flavours of the food you feed him now? You could try buying a small bag of a different kind of kibble or a different flavour of the same food and treat him with those. I'll use little food sample baggies as treats because it tastes different from his regular diet so he thinks he's getting a treat!

[GizmosDogShop]

Don't do it! When Gizmo was younger he used to have a huge barking problem and we got a bark collar and one time when my husband was out of town I was at my wits end with the non stop barking. I put it on him and he barked got zapped and jumped so high in the air I felt awful and burst into tears and he started running around like a crazy and barking more because it hurt and I finally caught him and took it off I was so upset. Needless to say he was babied and given so many treats for the next week because I felt so bad.

[JasmineNoelle]

I use a clicker with my three girls and it works well for us. At first, after they had barked a couple of times, I would say "quiet" and if they didn't, then I would use the clicker. Now I usually just have to say "quiet". I got it at Petco for a couple of bucks. Just an idea.

[Hrossen11]

I did use a bark collar but on my lab who used to constantly bark when outside. It was on the lowest setting and I tested it out on myself first. I would never use one on my little guys, I am trying to teach my bear quiet, which seems to quiet him down after his initial barks

[crystalsmom]

For a Yorkie, I would say 'no'. That is their job in life to protect you.

[jeane]

morgan is a barker when someone is walking on the bike path outside of our fence// I just go get him and make him go inside and tell him no// Iwould not use a bark collar

[bonitalou]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemommy2013

Looking for some advice/thoughts regarding bark collars? Thanks

I tried for five years to get mine to stop barking. I have tried everything, all the training commands, the praise when she would bark once, which was few and far between. Nothing worked. She barks uncontrollably. When someone rings the doorbell she will bark for ten minutes straight. She'll bark when she hears a noise, she barks if she hears a doorbell on tv. She barks when a car turns around in the driveway. She straddled the furniture repair mans leg when he came to the door. She goes ballistic if the ups or FedEx guy drives up. She barks at people walking their Dogs on the street WHEN SHES IN THE HOUSE looking out. So I resorted to using a bark collar. I only use it when I know someone is coming, then I remove it. I had to put it on her tonight with the kids were ringing the bell for trick or treating.

It's made for small dogs and it's a static feeling that they get.

Good luck on your decision.