Does your dog bark at everything? Are your neighbours complaining? It may be time to get an anti-barking device to help with training them to understand what's acceptable and what's not.
Many dog owners will tell you that their dog is their best friend, but this relationship can be truly tested when the neighbours are constantly complaining about excessive barking.
The good news is that there are many anti-bark devices on the market, and the majority of them do not hurt or harm your beloved pet.
Take a look at our top 3 anti-barking devices so that you can get back to enjoying your pet without any worries.
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Important Notes on Using an Anti-Barking Device
Before you jump right into using an anti-bark device, you must first consider what other correctional training you have put in place to help your dog understand what is expected of them.
Anti-bark devices should be treated as a final option, not the first choice. It is also important to recognise that an anti-barking device should not be used to silence a dog by fear, or to remedy anxious or compulsive behaviour.
It is essential that you work out the root of the problem and cure this before buying an anti-bark collar.
An anti-barking collar works to produce a stimulus that is unpleasant or distracting when your dog starts barking. There are collars that come with sprays, noises, or even electric shocks, and they are meant to divert the attention of your dog just long enough to get them to stop barking.
These devices are used as a tool to punish a dog and show them that their barking is unwanted; therefore, it is essential that you have tried everything else before you resort to using one.
When the device is activated, and your dog stops barking, then you should always praise them when the device has stopped. Praising your dog is an important part of their training and should not be forgotten.
The Best Anti-Bark Collars
In our opinion, these are the anti-bark devices for dogs that are worth looking at.
We'd like to reiterate that these devices should be a last resort and we don't recommend their use in most cases.
Model | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | Petic Sound & Vibration Collar | - Uses sound & vibration - 7 settings - Fits smaller breeds |  |
 | OUR TOP PICK PetSafe Vibration Collar | - Uses vibration stimulation - 10 settings - Safety shut-off - Waterproof | |
 | PetSafe Spray Collar | - Uses citronella spray stimulation - Fits larger breeds - Refill cartridges | |
OUR TOP PICK
PetSafe Vibration Collar
The PetSafe no bark collar uses vibration to stop your dog from excessively barking all the time.
There are two key points where the vibration is used, and this pulsing helps to distract your dog without causing pain or discomfort, allowing you to train them to stop barking unnecessarily.
It can even differentiate between your dog's bark and other loud noises to prevent false alarms.
With 10 vibration settings, it's recommended to start low and then incrementally increase the vibration until you reach a point that has an effect when your dog barks.
It also has a safety shut-off mode to stop constant vibrations in the case of dogs that just don't want to stop barking. It's set to shut-off for one minute if your dog barks 15 times or more within an 80 second period.
Here's a quick look at the key features of the PetSafe dog collar:
- You can adapt your training through 10 different levels of vibration.
- It is suitable for use with any breed or size dog.
- A pain-free training method will help you get the results you want without hurting your pet.
- It can differentiate between your dog's bark and other noises.
- Adjustable strap can be fitted to your dog.
The durable unit is reasonably light at 260g which shouldn't bother medium to large dogs. It's also completely waterproof so you don't need to worry about rainy days.
At 7.7 x 15.75 x 15.87cm it's not small by any means so I wouldn't recommend getting this for smaller dog breeds.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: This anti-barking collar by PetSafe is a great option and works well if you are keen to only have a vibration option.
With multiple settings and a safety shut-off, in our opinion, this is the best anti-bark collar on the market.
Alternative #1
Petic Sound & Vibration Collar
If you don't think vibration is enough of a distraction for your dog then this collar from Petic uses sound too.
With seven progressive levels you can find a setting that has an effect on your dog.
The main features offered by this device include:
- 7 training levels to work through.
- Suitable for all dog breeds.
- No pain inflicted on your dog when using the collar.
- Reflective for use when walking after dark.
- Sound and vibration warnings to divert your dog.
- Fully adjustable strap to fit your dog.
At just 110 grams this collar is one of the lightest available. It's better suited to smaller breeds than the PetSafe model we recommended previously. Unfortunately, it's just water-resistant and not fully waterproof.
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: This dog barking collar from Petic is a great alternative if you feel your dog will need two stimuli two stop the barking.
It's also a great option if you have a small dog breed.
Alternative #2
PetSafe Spray Collar
This anti-barking device by PetSafe works to provide an instant spray of citronella to the nose of your dog when they are barking excessively.
This collar is rechargeable via a micro-USB and needs no batteries, making it stress-free and simple to use so that your dog can begin to reduce their barking as soon as it arrives.
This anti-bark product has a range of great features that include:
- Bark detection so it sprays only when your dog barks.
- Additional spray cartridges are included in the price with 35 sprays per cartridge.
- USB charging means no on-going battery expenditure.
- Safe, effective citronella.
- No pain to your dog when in use.
- LED notification lights – red for low battery and yellow for low spray.
Opting for this PetSafe spray device comes with many pros to consider as well as a few cons that you should be aware of before purchasing:
Pros
Cons
Bottom Line: This PetSafe citronella spray device is a good option if your dog is not overly excessive with their barking and needs just a quick reminder that their behaviour is anti-social.
This device will not cause harm but does need to be correctly aligned to work, and research does show that citronella is not the most effective way to distract your dog.
Conclusion
We have shared 3 very different devices so that you can find one that suits your dog’s needs the best; sound & vibration, vibration only, and citronella.
In our opinion, the PetSafe Vibration Collar is the best anti-bark device of the lot but every dog is different and some will react to different stimuli in different ways.
The citronella spray model is good option if your dog just doesn't pay any attention to sounds and vibrations. However, the fact it needs refilled is a bit inconvenient.
We must reiterate that these devices are a last resort and we recommend getting professional help from an expert in dog behaviour before purchasing one of these anti-bark collars for dogs.
Recommended: A waterproof dog coat with underbelly protection can keep your dog warm and dry in the winter months.
Buyer's Guide
We understand that purchasing an anti-bark collar can be difficult, with many shock collars posing as no harm devices when in fact the opposite is true.
Take some time to work through the tips in our buyer’s guide so that you end up with the best device for your pooch.
Types of Anti-Bark Devices Available
There is not one specific type of anti-barking device for sale, and so it is important that you know the difference between each type so that you purchase the right one for your dog:
Shock Device (Avoid!)
These devices are never acceptable to use and work by sending a sharp electric shock to your dog’s neck to stop them from behaving in a way that you do not like.
They can be harmful to dogs and will not help them to develop into happy, carefree pets.
Spray Device
These devices work to send a spray of citronella to your dog’s nose to distract them from barking. Typically, these devices are harder to use as they need to be well-aligned to get your dog’s attention. They are harmless and pain-free to use.
Recommended: An indoor gate for dogs can keep exactly where you want it.
Sound Device
There are many sound-based devices that provide ultrasonic sounds when your dog barks. These devices come in both automatic options as well as owner-operated devices that you can deploy as part of a healthy, training plan. The sound that comes from these devices cannot be heard by humans.
Vibration Device
A vibration device sends a pulse to the neck of the dog when they are engaging in anti-social barking.
The majority of devices come with different pulse levels so that they can be used to train your dog and reduced as they begin to learn when it is acceptable to bark.
How Do Anti-Barking Collars Work?
Whichever device you opt to buy, all no-bark collars work with the same logic in mind; to distract and redirect your dog.
If your dog barks excessively, you will often notice that there is very little that can be done to stop them if you are using voice commands, and this is where the best anti-bark collar devices come in.
When your dogs start to bark, you first need to work out if they are trying to alert you to something dangerous, show you they are worried about something, or are just behaving in an anti-social manner.
Anti-bark devices should only be used for anti-social barking and as part of a well-structured training program.
First, give your dog the voice command to be quiet, if they fail to follow this instruction, then you should deploy the device to distract the dog.
Once your dog is distracted, you can cease the use of the device and praise them if they remain quiet once the device has ceased.
It should not take a dog long to understand what you are teaching as long as you do it with consistency and praise.
Recommended: Keep your dog entertained with a paddling pool!
Are These Devices Effective?
As with any product, you will find that some are more effective than others and will depend on what your dog responds to. For example, if your dog is not bothered by citronella spray, then you may opt for a vibration or sound device.
Whatever you choose, you need to be prepared for it not to work and may need to try a different type of device.
Once you have found a device that produces results, the most effective ones are the ones that are used as part of training and supported by voice commands, praise, and treats. Overall, consistency is the key to stopping anti-social barking.
Are They Safe?
The majority of anti-barking devices are very safe and cause dogs no pain. However, electric shock collars are the exception to this rule. They often cause significant pain to a dog and are deemed to be harmful, unsafe, and inhumane.
If you do choose to use an anti-barking collar, make sure that you only ever opt for a device that is pain-free and kind to your pet.
Other Methods to Stop a Dog Barking
If you are looking for alternate ways to train your dog to stop barking then you can choose to use one of the following methods:
- 'Quiet' command training where you need to firmly tell your dog to be quiet. Once you have told them to 'quiet', you then need to gently hold the muzzle shut and say the command again. Continue this until he complies, and when he does, treat him.
- Use the ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ commands when your dog begins to bark and do not engage with them until they comply. This training is ideal for dogs who get overexcited when people come into their space.
- Train your dog to go to a specific spot; this could be their bed, their crate, or any other quiet corner in the house. When your dog begins the anti-social barking, send them to their spot, and do not engage until they stop.
