Should I use an Anti-Bark Collar for My Puppy?
Confused on whether you can use an anti-bark collar for your puppy? Read on to find out!
Written by Sarah Connor - Pet Nutrition Expert. Updated on 27/07/2023.
Should I use an Anti-Bark Collar for My Puppy?
Positive trainers recommend waiting until your puppy is 6-9 months old and has had basic obedience training before using a no-bark collar. Dogs bark for numerous reasons, including lack of exercise, boredom, territoriality, and even when anxious or alerting to danger.
Always understand that it's up to you to figure out why your dog is barking excessively in the first place before using a no-bark collar and to know how to use an anti-bark collar correctly before using one on your dog.
In this blog, we'll look at the benefits of bestselling anti-bark collars like the Bark Beyond Anti-Bark Collar V1 for adolescent puppies and the best ways to positively train puppies with a no-bark collar to stop excessive barking.
Written by Sarah Connor, an experienced canine trainer and nutritionist for over a decade. Her positive reinforcement methods and passion for pups make her a go-to for dog owners.
Positive Puppy Training
Dog training has revolutionized with science-based positive training in recent years. Training your puppy is one of the most important things you can do, which is best started with puppy training classes.
These classes teach you how best to communicate with your new puppy and also allow your puppy to socialize with other dogs and people. That said, when combined with positive training, anti-bark collars and e-collars are known for their effectiveness and technological advancements today. They can be used safely and humanely when used correctly and when your adolescent puppy is ready.
What are No-Bark Collars for Puppies?
Remote e-collars and bark collars allow for greater flexibility and control when training. E-collars like the Bark Beyond E3 e-collar can deliver a correction from a distance via a remote, whereas no bark collars like the Bark Beyond V1 anti-bark collar curb unwanted behavior like excessive barking and allow for corrections at that very second. This allows for optimal training without having to do the correction physically.
The Bark Beyond anti-bark collar is an easy-to-use product that empowers pet parents to train their dogs via gentle beep and vibrate modes. Pet parents can use the lightweight and waterproof bark collar with positive training and rewards for optimal training.
Key Features to Consider When Choosing a Puppy No Bark Collar
When choosing a suitable collar for your puppy, consider various factors, including the adjustability of the collar, the material it is made from, its safety features and functionality, and whether it's lightweight and waterproof.
It is also necessary to consider the environment in which it will be used, the physical requirements of your puppy, and how frequently it will be used. Bark collars work well for pet vacays and travel and help to curb excessive barking in hotels, airports, and during travel.
If you spend plenty of time outdoors with your pup, bark training collars like The Bark Beyond anti-bark collar are waterproof and can be used in all weather conditions for training and during dog sports, swims, and outings in rough terrain.
How to Use the Anti-Bark Collar for No Bark Puppy Training
For effective positive training, correctly utilizing the puppy anti-bark collar's features is key. Before using a bark collar, it is essential to understand the correct way to use it to ensure the safety and well-being of your dog. Read manuals, watch YouTube videos, and work with a trainer first!
Firstly, when choosing a suitable bark collar for your dog, you should consider factors like the dog's size, breed, and temperament. Once you have selected an appropriate lightweight puppy anti-bark collar, familiarize your puppy with it by allowing them to wear it without activating it for a few days. This helps in avoiding any negative association with the collar. Always turn off the bark collar after training.
Setting Up The No-Bark Collar
Setting up the collar correctly is a vital step. Follow the setup instructions detailed in the manual that comes with the collar. You can find setup guidelines on websites such as Bark Beyond. Make sure that the collar is not too tight or too loose. You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your dog's skin for a comfortable fit.
Monitor Your Dog's Response Closely
Moreover, monitoring your dog's response to the collar is key. Start with the lowest correction level and gradually increase it if necessary, observing your dog’s reactions to prevent distress.
Using the collar in conjunction with positive reinforcement training is recommended, rewarding your dog for quiet behavior, thus encouraging them to associate silence with positive experiences.
Lastly, remember that bark collars are not a solution and should not be used alone. They should be part of a broader training program that addresses the underlying causes of excessive barking, such as anxiety or boredom.
Consulting with a professional dog trainer can provide guidance on integrating a bark collar into a positive training plan. Remember, the goal is to use the bark collar as a training tool to foster a happy and healthy relationship with your dog while ensuring their safety and well-being at all times. Bark collars are a temporary solution and not a permanent one!
Bark Beyond Anti-Bark User-Friendly Features
The Bark Beyond Anti-Bark V1 Collar is a leading no-bark puppy training collar that stands out as one of the best in the market today. It's equipped with three advanced training modes that are humane and efficient.
The distinct modes include a beep alert, a gentle vibrate function, and eight adjustable sensitivity levels, allowing customized training that suits your puppy's temperament and learning pace.
This no-bark puppy training collar offers a broad range of settings to tailor your puppy training approach. It ensures that the process is humane, focusing on positive reinforcement without causing any distress to your dog.
The transition between the modes allows for the most effective way to communicate with your puppy and adjust the sensitivity levels as needed to enhance the learning experience.
Benefits of No-Bark Collars for Puppies
Positive trainers say that no-bark training collars work best on adolescent puppies that are 6- 9 months old and only after they have undergone basic obedience training.
The takeaway with using a no-bark collar like our best-selling Bark Beyond V1 e-collar on an adolescent puppy is that this e-collar features integrated technology that focuses on the safety and comfort of your puppy. The Bark Beyond Smart AI no-bark puppy collar ensures efficacy and humane use via vibrate or beep modes and no use of shock.
Positive Training With the Beep Anti-Bark Collar Mode
Redditors add that you must train when using these collars and that if you have a high-energy barker, you can use a verbal warning "quiet" with the beep as a warning, and when your dog is quiet for 5 minutes, he gets a reward.
Some Redditors explained that the anti-bark collar also helps anxious dogs and prevents their anxiety from escalating. You can train with the anti-bark collar in low-intensity mode.
That said, it's best to start using an anti-bark collar by working with a positive dog trainer to prevent mishaps. Puppy-friendly bark collars don't hurt your dog but can be used as a reminder together with a verbal cue to reduce excessive barking.
Safe Bark Collars for Young Dogs
Our Smart AI No Bark VI e-collar at Bark Beyond can discern between your dog's barking and other dogs' barking, avoiding unnecessary stimulus triggers. Today, the best no-bark collars for puppies come with gradual stimulation via beep and vibration mode, allowing the user not to employ the shock mode.
Unwanted Adolescent Puppy Nuisance Barking
No bark collars allow for distraction from unwanted excessive barking instead of punishment and have shifted toward a more humane approach.
Watching YouTube videos on using a no-bark collar and working with a positive trainer is crucial to avoid potential mishaps through incorrect use.
Read manuals and thoroughly understand each sensitivity level by trying it out on yourself before using the no-bark collar on your adolescent puppy.
Enrichment Options for Puppies
If your adolescent puppy has a regular exercise schedule, puppy obedience training, and appropriate exercise for his breed and age, he may not need a no-bark collar.
Although these collars have the potential to curb excessive barking, there are many times that you need to look into your home environment to see if there's enough mental enrichment, puppy training, socialization, and plain fun in your dog's day-to-day life. Keep in mind that social enrichment is key to a happy dog!
Problem-Solving Skills
Products from Nina Ottosson, like treat puzzles, are good ways to help with boredom and anxiety and are beneficial for mental stimulation and fun. They also help with problem-solving skills, believed to stem from a dog's experience in an enriched and safer environment.
Dog TV features scientifically produced content and helps to improve dogs' lives by alleviating stress and creating a calm, relaxed environment throughout the day.
Non-Shock Training Collars for Puppies
With the vast array of no-bark collars today, no-bark collars are designed to be fully adjustable, safe, and efficient, focusing on communication instead of pain.
The Bark Beyond V1 anti-bark collar as a puppy bark deterrent collar features beep and vibrate modes with a no-shock option. In this way, you can combine positive training to discourage excessive barking without hurting your dog.
Waterproof Anti-Bark Collars for Puppies
The Bark Beyond V1 anti-bark collar delivers a mild correction, like a mild static vibration or shock, to deter a dog from barking. We like this no-bark collar for adolescent dogs because you can opt for gentle corrections via the beep and vibrate modes.
The Bark Beyond no-bark collar features Smart AI technology and has a light and comfortable fit, which is easily adjustable for all dog breeds 10 lbs and over.
With its sleek and stylish design, best trio pack value deals, and IP67 water resistance rating, the Bark Beyond anti-bark collar only activates when your dog barks.
Adolescent Puppies and Positive Training
This is the most challenging time when raising a puppy, around eight months to two years. The American Kennel Club (AKC) says that it's during this time that stubborn behavior occurs."Some noticeable changes include becoming larger and stronger, exhibiting "stubborn" behavior and a desire to begin exploring outside a previous comfort zone," adds the AKC.
When it comes to dog training, understanding the root cause of unwanted behaviors is key. Employing a positive training approach, complemented by rewarding good behavior, often yields the best results. Utilizing the Bark Beyond V1 collar can be valuable in instilling the "quiet" command into your dog's repertoire of understood commands.
Why Does My Puppy Bark So Much?
Puppies and adult dogs communicate by barking, and vocalization is essential in their lives. There are a variety of vocalizations and changes in inflection which contribute to a dog's communication repertoire.
Barking sometimes conveys a threat, expresses boredom, warns of an intruder, and can also express sadness and loneliness. All dogs bark when excited, but many breeds tend to bark more than others.
These include herding breeds, toy breeds, and terriers, which are quick to bark at sudden movements and sounds. Some breeds don't bark at all but make yodeling sounds, like the Basenji. Here are some other breeds that tend to bark excessively:
- Chihuahua
- Cairn Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Scottish Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Beagle
Puppy Whining
Whining is a familiar sound that dogs make when they want to get your attention. Dogs will also whine if hurt, frightened, or frustrated. They often complain if they want you to give them a tidbit of food from the dinner table or a favorite toy when they're excited. Whining is usually a puppy behavior that persists into adulthood and works really well to get our attention.
Puppy & Adult Dogs
- Medical Issues: Always rule out medical causes for sudden or increased whining in puppies and adult dogs. Some dogs will whine due to hip dysplasia and arthritis. Chronic pain or discomfort can lead to vocalization in older dogs.
- Age-Related Anxiety: As dog's age, they might experience anxiety, sensory decline, or cognitive dysfunction, which can result in whining.
- Attentional Whining: Some adolescent pups and adult dogs might use whining as a way to get attention. It's essential not to reinforce this behavior. Instead, manage it by ignoring the whining, rewarding quiet moments, and using obedience cues.
- Excitement: Dogs, especially adolescent pups, can also whine due to extreme excitement. In such cases, staying calm and offering alternative behaviors or distractions can help.
Puppy Howling
Lonely adolescent pups and dogs howl, most especially when left alone for long periods. Howling can often become a group event, and most dogs will howl when they hear another dog howl.
Some dogs will also become encouraged to howl when a human mimics a howl and encourages them to howl. Sirens and ambulances are also triggers.
Dogs bred to howl trailed game for long distances through thick vegetation. Howling allowed hunters to keep track of their dogs even if they could not see them.
When a dog's tone changed and the sound stopped moving, hunters knew their dogs had cornered game. In this way, hunters could catch up to their dogs. Breeds that howl include the following:
- Dachshund
- Beagles
- Bloodhound
- American English Coonhound
- Bluetick Coonhound
- Basenji
- Finnish Spitz
- Basset Hound
Reading Your Puppy and Adult Dog's Body Language
One of the best ways of reading your dog is through body language. Postures and movement will express your pup's rank, mood, and intention. Sometimes, a dog's body language can become confusing to pet parents.
You will need to look at your dog's body language and try to understand the reasons for your dog's excessive barking, howling, and whining. These different vocalizations may indicate a variety of emotions, and each of these serves a different communication purpose.
A 2019 study about sound sensitivity in dogs published in Plos One demonstrated that fearful dogs displayed various signs. These included the following:
- Restlessness
- Panting
- Increased startle response
- Trembling
- Hiding
- Arched posture
- Salivation
- Destructiveness
Should You Use an Anti-Bark Collar for Puppy Howling, Growling, and Whining?
Once again, we combed through Reddit and found that many trainers found that ignoring the whining or howling was the best thing to do for puppies and adult dogs.
Experts suggested finding out the reasons for the whining was the best way to go. Whining and howling are ways that puppies and adult dogs express themselves, and understanding the whine or howl of each individual dog is key to building trust and bonding with your dog.
Redditors' Comments About Excessive Whining
We have a terrific comment from a trainer who responded to a Lab owner complaining about his dog's excessive whining. The Redditor said the following: " Teach him to communicate with you differently. He is just trying to tell you what he wants, but he doesn’t know any other way. Put some bells on the door and teach him to ring the bell if he wants to come in/out.
- If he is as smart as you say, he could be whining because he is not getting enough stimulation.
- Why are there times when you can’t take him for walks?
- How much time are you spending with him on training and activities to stimulate his mind?
- How long do you walk him for? Do you go to different locations or just around the block?
- I think dogs whine a lot when they are frustrated. What is your daily routine with him like?
"How frustrating. Instead of focusing on how to stop it, focus on redirecting the energy he spends on whining to something else. The whining is such a habit, his brain might not know any other way to live. And no, this will not make him whine more for attention because you will provide him the attention he needs," adds another Redditor.
Redditor's Comments About Bark Collars Via Vibrate Mode
"The bark collar doesn't preclude positive reinforcement training. If you are willing and around to train him, do so, even if he's also wearing the collar," explains one user.
"My two commonly use methods, depending on the triggers, are preempting the barking and teaching alternate behaviors. Barking at people, animals, cars, etc. I would mark and reward when the dog noticed the trigger, but before barking started. I like to teach an alternate behavior for the doorbell and other specific triggers and use the trigger as a cue. E.g., teach go-to place on the ring of the doorbell."
One trainer said the following when discussing how best to train dog breeds like adolescent German Shepherds on how best to stop excessive barking." You can work on other impulse control activities if you’re not already. I also have a nine-month GSD, and it helped us so much. Things like “leave it” games of increasing difficulty taught her more impulse control and dropping it. Also, adding bigger distances to “wait and stay.” exercises to that part of the brain that also controls the rewarding barking behavior."
Another user added, "Whether or not any kind of bark collar (shock or otherwise) is successful is hit or miss. I know some dogs they have helped and others where the collar has done nothing or made it worse."
Aggressive Behaviors
You should never use a bark collar to curb growling or aggressive behaviors. If the barking is combined with lunging and growling, working with a positive trainer is best. Observing your dog's body language and environment can help assist the reasons for aggressiveness.
Puppy Training Goals
Puppy training is an important part of puppy parenting to mold a well-behaved, happy, and well-adjusted adult dog. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through positive reinforcement, which involves adding pleasant stimuli to encourage desired behaviors, fostering a strong bond between the pup and pet parent.
Pet parents must understand the quadrants of operant conditioning, as it guides practical training, helping to create a problem-solving dog that connects rewards with good behavior.
To make the training process more efficient, it is advisable to have short sessions ranging between 3 to 5 minutes to keep the puppy's attention and prevent burnout.
These training sessions should be distinct from playtime, which is more free-form and less structured, allowing the puppy to explore and enjoy without particular rules or goals.
Moreover, keeping track of each new behavior the puppy learns is a proactive approach. You can format a weekly guideline for training, listing various behaviors to work on and strategies to reinforce each repetition effectively.
Personalized Training Charts
Creating personalized charts based on your pup’s specific needs and the behaviors they still need to learn can be beneficial. These charts will help monitor the progress and adjust the training regimen as necessary, aiding in a more focused and successful training program.
Remember, the key to a successful training regimen is to act promptly, ensuring that treats and praise are given immediately to create a clear connection between behavior and consequence. This approach guarantees a smoother learning process, fostering a healthy, happy, and well-behaved puppy.
FAQ's Should I Use an Anti-Bark Collar For My Puppy?
Q: Why do so many dog trainers use e-collars?
A: Dog trainers say anti-bark collars should only be used on adolescent pups older than six months. Many trainers prefer these puppy no-bark collars around nine months after the dog is introduced to obedience training.
The no-bark collar delivers minor corrections via beep and vibrate mode when combined with positive reinforcement. You can also make vocal corrections together with the anti-bark puppy collar. Always reward immediately with treats and praise when your dog stops barking!
Q: What is the best way to keep a puppy from barking?
A: Adolescent pups and adult dogs need regular exercise, mental stimulation, socialization, and off-leash runs. Puppies also do well with puppy kindergarten classes, where they will learn their basics in training and interact with other people and dogs.
When learning the basics of sit and down, your puppy will also learn to focus on you and understand what you're asking him. Positive training via puppy classes also allows you to talk to your trainer about any behavioral issues your puppy may have.
Q: Should I ignore my puppy barking at night?
A: Trainers say the best thing to do is ignore the barking. A certain amount should be tolerated, but if your puppy barks a lot at night, you should try to understand why.
Adolescent puppies need to visit dog parks and beaches and be taken to different places to experience new places, hear different sounds, and see other things.
At 6 to 12 months, you can even take your puppy camping and on hikes. Puppies of this age may need an increase in exercise and mental stimulation. This will allow for less barking.