My dad used the Sonic noise trainer thing for his 2 dogs. And it definitely began working. It unfortunately died after a month of having it and we never replaced it, but it was definitely working.
Their rescue dog, Buddy, has an issue with barking at strangers in the house.... even if they have been there for 2 hours, the minute they get up and move off the couch, etc, he barks. Well they would just point the Sonic remote thing and say the word 'quiet' and then give him a treat and praise when he was quiet and listened. I think that's the key, like you said, you have to use it just as a training tool, and not over-use anything. You can't just expect to be pushing the button all day every time they bark and expect miracles. You have to TEACH them what you want them to do and why you want them to do it.
Eventually, we only had to start saying 'quiet' most of the time and it would work. It's a shame we stopped with the training when we did because it had just begun being successful. But yes, it definitely worked. I don't think it would damage their ears, but you do have to use it at a far distance away. I think 10ft. |