Bark Collars UPDATE and UPDATE TO THE UPDATE.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

In light of the two recent discussions about bark collars, we went to the store to get one for each of our doodles. Sadly, one dog triggers the others so even our non-barking Springer will do some barking now.  We let the salesman talk us into an e-collar (static?) rather than citronella because he said that the citronella one can be triggered by the other dog's bark so......  The PetSafe Static Correction collars we got have 6 levels of correction that are not controlled by us but by the barking.  The static strength increases for each bark w/in 30 seconds up to the 6th level.  It automatically turns off after 3 minutes.

Now, after reading the directions, we are still unsure if either this collar, or the citronella one can meet our needs.   

Christine and Gina, did you deny access to the outdoors unless you put the collar on?  Have you used it when you were not home?  Did you have your dog wear it for hours at first so that you could catch them when barking? 

When we are home our dogs go in and out as they please through our dog door.  They run outside and  bark when a neighbor moves trash cans, or enters their yard or house from the sidewalk; when a cat or ? runs through our yard or hill. They don't continue to bark forever, but it can go on while the incident is happening.  When we are home, we call to them and they almost always stop barking and come in. They bark when someone comes to our door.  In our RV they might bark (Ned growls too)  as people walk by but once we stop them the first time on a trip, it happens only when people actually come to our door or when we return from being out. For this we shake a can of coins and a command.  The real problem is when we leave them alone in the RV.  They bark at passersby.  They bark at other campers in the sites next to us.  Three dogs barking is LOUD and annoying and occasionally complaints have been made (depends upon the campground).  Personally I HATE barking, and if my dogs never barked - ever in this lifetime - I would be extremely happy.  My goal with the collars though, is to have them NOT bark when left alone in the RV. (Can you imagine what our RV will smell like with citronella collars spraying????) 

One complication that I see to these collars is that Ned chortles when he greets us, Clancy moans and groans when he plays with his toys.  Will these noises set off the aversives?

Should we be going for total non-barking and have them wear the collars most of the days - at home and in the RV to train them not to bark? Should we take the 'static' buzz collars back and get citronella ones?

Just so you know, we have tried white noise, blocking them seeing outside, those devices that emit a high pitched noise when triggered by barking.

I would appreciate feedback.  We have to try something because we are starting NOT to go in the RV or not to leave the RV to sight see and this is not okay.

UPDATE

It only has been a couple of days but last night both Ned and Clancy had their SHOCKING epiphany moment. My dh knocked on the wall while sitting on the couch and the dogs barked and ran for the door.   Clancy had a burst of 3 barks and at the end of the 3rd one he got shocked enough that he gave a cry (not like he was hurt just surprised) and ran over to Mom for some support - crawling up on the couch and onto my lap.  Even though Ned continued to bark. Clancy just stayed on the couch with no interest in the barking.  Ned kept running back in to see why the other dogs weren't following his lead.  My dh and I wondered why he wasn't responding until I checked and found that it had fallen off in the other room.  Well, we put it back on nice and snug and........ knock knock and Ned took off for the front door barking and got his epiphany moment!  After a girlie foo foo squawk, he kept silent also.  We left for camping today, put the collars on and so far - no barking.  The real test will be when we 'pretend' to leave and see what happens.  Hopefully one bark will do it!

SECOND UPDATE ON THE E-COLLAR FOR BARKING:WE HAVE HAD THE COLLARS FOR A WHILE NOW AND THEY HAVE MADE MAGIC FOR OUR CAMPING TRIPS. THE DOGS WILLINGLY COME TO GET THEIR COLLARS ON.  I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ASSOCIATE THE COLLAR WITH THE CORRECTION, BUT I DON'T ACTUALLY CARE AS LONG AS IT WORKS. WE HAVE USED THEM ALL SUMMER IN OUR RV AND THE BARKING, IF THERE IS ANY AT ALL, STOPS AT ONE BARK - EVEN GORDIE WHO DOESN'T HAVE A COLLAR ON CALMS BY THE NON-BARKING OF THE DOODLES.  IT IS AMAZING.  THE UPSIDE IS THAT THE DOGS ARE ALSO CALMER. THEY DON'T GET IN SUCH A TIZZY WHEN PEOPLE WALK NEAR OR THROUGH THE CAMPSITES.  WE HAVE USED IT AT HOME IN THE LATE AFTERNOON AND EVENING IF THE DOGS DECIDE TO BARK AT STUFF -LIKE THE TRASH CANS BEING MOVED NEXT DOOR, THE GARDENERS NEXT DOOR, THE DOGS ON THE HILL BEHIND US.  THE COLLAR FITS CLANCY MUCH BETTER THAN NED AND HE RARELY EVEN GIVES ONE BARK WHEN HE IS WEARING IT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS BECAUSE NED IS SMALLER YET HAS THE SAME SIZE COLLAR (ADJUSTED) OR WHETHER IT IS BECAUSE NED HAS MORE OF A POODLE BUILD WHILE CLANCY HAS  THE STURDIER RETRIEVER BUILD. I WOULD RECOMMEND ANY OF YOU WHO ARE HAVING BARKING PROBLEMS GIVING IT A TRY.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Here is my experience.......I have one dog who has been somewhat of a problem barker at "stuff" for a while.  Our second dog, a rescue  never barked or made a peep at anyone or anything.  Unfortunately he has now learned that bad behavior from our first dog.  

We used the citronella color on Wilson before Woody (rescue) arrived.  I would often times let him be without it but the minute he barked and wouldn't stop or barked at something inappropriate, I would put it on him.  It only took two sprays and learned very quickly that he can't bark.  Now he is collar-smart and the mere sight of the collar halts his barking.  He only wears it IF he barks.  I always give him a chance first and I won't leave it on him unattended.  

When Woody started barking, I did the same thing and he responds similarly.  

They often times aren't wearing them at the same time, mainly because Wilson generally starts it and is generally the only one who needs it.  But with that being said, I haven't had one collar go off if the other one is barking and "punishing" a non-barking dog.  Perhaps ours aren't that sensitive?  Or maybe because they are worn rather snugly combined with the fur, it really insulates the sound.  

I probably wouldn't leave bark collars on dogs unattended.  If a dog perceives that the spray or shock is the result of another dog in the home, what if he goes after that dog?  Or what if the collar is defective?  (We had one that was!  It would go off for no reason - I sent it in and it was replaced.)  

For those times when you aren't around, how about one of those ultrasonic bark control devices?  I have seen a few - don't know how well they work.  

I understand your frustration!  Our cottage is actually a condo in a resort community.  And we can't just leave the dogs "free" inside, even though they are totally trustworthy.  One has to be crated and the other closed in the same bedroom - all because of the barking.  Drives me insane! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Lori, I really appreciate your input and it is good to know that one dog's collar didn't set of the other one's collar.  We did not have this barking when our old alpha lab mix was around.  I didn't realize how well he kept the others in check as this barking mess has been a gradual escalation.  We can control the barking in the RV when we are there, but the real problem is when we leave so we are going to have to have them on when we are not around. The ultrasonic things do NOT work - some dogs don't even hear it.  Ours did work when our old guy was around because he heard it and it stopped him which stopped the others. Hopefully we will only have to use the collar a few times and they will learn not to bark????

[Christine & Camus]

I tried an ultrasonic device with Camus.  I know he heard it, because he stopped barking for a moment, looked around, barked again, then went over and tried to get it!  He couldn't reach it so he walked away and just started barking again.  I watched all of this from a window and couldn't help laughing.  I think he thought it was a new toy.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Silly Camus! :-}  Our three just ignore it.  We just put the batteries in their collars and are watching to see what will happen.  Of course, not one bark yet.

[Christine & Camus]

Good luck!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We put the collars sans batteries on Clancy and Ned and let them walk around. After a few hours we put the batteries in.  It was a calm, no excitement evening   Each dog ran out the back door once - Clancy gave a bark-bark.  Ned ran out and gave one bark and quit.  That was it. I assume we need more practice.  Today they are getting groomed so we will put the collars on when we get them home again.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Fingers crossed....

[Christine & Camus]

Sounds like a good start!

[Enid Ferner]

My dog Jasper is very well behaved in every way except he chases my ponies... Once he starts running after them there is NO way I can call him back, it's just far too exciting for him. This had become pretty dangerous for him because he had a lot of close calls with either getting trampled or kicked and I just didn't
know what to do because I had tried every trick I could think of to discourage him from doing it.
Anyway, after a lot of researching I ordered an e-collar. Wish I had done it sooner!! It has 6 shock levels and one vibrating level. The first time he started to chase them, i told him NO and then vibrated it... He stopped in his tracks then started after them again, so I vibrated it again. He then came right to me and I praised him. He has never chased them since and I've never had to use the shock mode.
I still put it on him when my ponies have the run of the yard but he's good as gold when it's on.
I think in the right hands they are totally humane and I consider it to be a godsend! I am considering using it on Millie as well because she always goes to the top of our property and barks.... We live on acreage so it's hard to be right there to tell her "no".

[Darcy & Millie]

I realize this is an older post, but I'm wondering if the e-collar is still working out?  Our Millie is chasing our chickens, and I am wondering if this would work for her.  I can't trust her outside with them anymore.  :(  I feel it's just a matter of time before she gets one.

Also, I googled e-collar, but I'm not getting anything.  Could you please send a link as to what you bought.  Thank you!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I will post an update to the update right now.  Thanks for asking.