BarkingDogs.net

Remote, Sound-Emitting Anti-Barking Devices

Remote sound-emitting anti-barking devices are, essentially, noise-blasting machines. Fueled either by batteries or by AC power, they sense it when your dog barks, and respond by emitting a high-pitch sound that most canines find distressing, so much so that they would rather fall silent than be exposed to its irritating qualities.

Such devices emit one of two tones, or both, depending on the model you purchase. The first sound, being ultrasonic, can be heard only by dogs, while the second tone is fully audible to all living creatures.

Using a Remote, Sound-Emitter to Quiet Your Dog

You might very well be able to use a remote, free-standing, sound-emitting device to quiet your dog. And undoubtedly, as some of the manufacturers claim, you could also use noxious noise as an effective aversive for punishing your dog for engaging in any number of other undesirable behaviors. But the question needs to be asked, why would you want to?

It is easy enough to bark train your dog without using any sort of device at all. In fact, correcting your dog with your hand is far preferable, because it lets the dog know that inappropriate barking is improper, and it conveys to him the clear message that you don't want him to do it. In contrast, mechanical correction may make the dog sorry he barked, and it may make him want to avoid barking again while the device is activated. But it can never bring the animal to the realization that barking is wrong, the way your personal intervention can.

Also, getting the volume of a sound-blaster just right can be tricky. If you turn the sound down too low, it won't work. On the other hand, some of those devices are capable of such extreme volume levels that, if you turn it up too high, you run the risk of damaging your dog's hearing.

If you factor in that most experts believe that the electronic collar is more effective in any case, then it leaves you wondering why anyone would make a remote sound-emitter their first choice for quieting their own dog.

It is true that there are advantages to delivering punishment in a variety of forms, because any undesirable behavior can be stopped more quickly and extinguished more thoroughly if a number of different aversives are dispensed as punishment for engaging in that behavior. So at least in theory, it might make sense to alternate, and punish your dog sometimes by hand, and other times with a shock collar, and other times with a sound-emitter and/or cintronella.

However, when it comes to quieting your own dog, it probably does not make sense to employ a remote, free-standing, sound-emitter as your first line of defense. Nonetheless, for those of you who would like to learn more about such devices, we refer you to the links listed at the bottom of this page.

One last word of caution about using a remote, sound-emitting device to quiet your dog. If your dog barks with great frequency, then, if the emitter is going to succeed in silencing the animal, by the end of the third day, you will have seen a dramatic reduction in the rate of his vocal behavior. He may still be barking occasionally after three days, but if the emitter is going to work, you should see a steep reduction in his rate of barking by then. If it's not working for you by that point, then, it is unlikely that it will ever have the desired effect. So be sure to shut the device down right away, because the noise it is spewing out could well be driving the other dogs in the neighborhood crazy, not to mention the effect that it might be having on the cats and other animals living in close proximity to it.

Barkingdogs.net has no affiliation with any of the companies mentioned on this site and is in no way compensated for providing information about their products.

The Bark Stop
The Bark Stop is made to be used with your neighbor's dog and is also intended for both indoor and outdoor use with your own dog. It is capable of emitting two very irritating sounds, one that is audible only to dogs and another that can be heard by both dogs and humans.

The Super Barker Breaker
This device can be activated manually or set to go off automatically, in response to every bark. It is capable of emitting only a single tone, one that is audible to both dogs and humans.

We would very much like to hear about your experiences with the devices linked to above. Please email us at quiet@barkingdogs.net, and let us know how they did or did not work for you, so that we can pass that information along to our other readers.

The Dog Science Network also sponsors a course in dog training, featuring a free workshop in canine
socialization, as well as an advanced course in obedience training, street safety, and watchdog work.

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