Are No Bark Collars for Dogs Ethical?

Today, there are three different methods that are used in no bark dog collars. All of them work, but there is some debate as to whether these collars are ethical to use. If you own a dog, you should know at least a bit about the type of no bark collar that you plan to use on your dog.

Citronella Spray Collars

Some no bark dog collars work by emitting a spray of citrus smell if the dog barks for a while. Because dogs really don’t like the smell of citrus, this can be very effective as a no bark collar. These collars often come with a design that makes them give out a hissing sound before they release the citrus smell, so a dog that stops when it hears the sound can avoid the release of the smell. Trainers and professionals consider the use of these collars ethical, as there is no pain inflicted on the dog.

Ultrasonic/Sonic Dog Collars

Ultrasonic or sonic dog collars will emit a high pitched tone if the dog barks. This tone is similar to the dog whistle sound. This sound can’t be perceived by humans, but it can be perceived by dogs, who learn to stop barking so as to avoid the sound. Again, experts and trainers don’t feel that these collars are unethical, as there is no pain or injury to the dog. All they do is create a bit of annoyance to the dog. To get better results, don’t use this collar for long periods of time, as dogs can get used to the sound and just ignore it.

Electric No Bark Collars

These collars give the dog a small electrical shock when it barks. The shock isn’t painful, it’s similar to what you feel when you handle fabrics or walk over a rug. Due to its name, people think that this type of collar is cruel and unethical and shouldn’t be used on animals. The main complaint is that this collar actually has a physical stimulus to the dog. Some people don’t like that. Does the electronic no bark collar work? Usually it works great – so consider it an option if you have a barking dog.

To deter a dog from barking excessively, you can choose from no bark collars that use citronella spray, sonic or ultrasonic sounds, or electronic shocking. Citrus spray collars and sonic collars are usually considered ethical, however, electrical sock collars are not universally accepted because some people think that they are painful to dogs. However, all three methods are perfectly safe for dogs.

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