chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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Bark collar as symbol of cultural erosion? My goodness, the end is near and it is Cabela's fault!
I am guilty as hell, when I want silence from barking dogs, I want it NOW!
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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The Texan wrote:You evidently did NOT read my original reply to the OP. It worked very effectively with our dog and has not been around her neck in over a year, because it was used in conjunction with verbal training, not just as shock therapy. I stand by my original post, that they do work when used with verbal training.
Texan is right the ORIGINAL use of bark collars where for training gun/hunting dogs where they were 'out of ear shot' for verbal only 'training' commands simply due to the nature of their sport. They have been sold for years in the sporting stores for 'training' gun dogs. It was used in conjunction with verbal training.
Then someone got the idea to sell them in the box stores as a 'quick fix' to silence pets instead of training them not to bark. 
Like I said before 20 people come into OB class almost each and every one of them barking.......by the end of class all of them have a VERBAL command into them NOT to. So I am not an advocate for bark collars.
If you don't want your kid to scream in the house you 'teach' them not to, you don't throw a shock collar on them do you?
It's the same damn thing with a dog, you 'teach' them not to.
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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Well, I'll add my few "yaps" here:
I LIKE our no-bark collar. My Cattle Dog is obedient; and always shuts up when told to. I'm talking a soft command of "Jack, shhhh". He does NOT have a "training issue" or dominance thing or is unbalanced or any other name you want to call it.
BUT: once in a while, when he has not been invited to go with us...he will wait until we are 100' away, then bark his head off in anger. How do you discipline THAT?? If I return to "correct" him, I'm doing exactly what HE wants (and he shuts up anyway) I could play that "game" with him all day and not accomplish a thing except wear myself out and reinforce his barking.
So the No-Bark collar reinforces the training. The last thing I say to him is "no barking" as I leave. He understands what the collar does - and most days I don't even have to turn it on. We call it the "I.Q. Booster".
So *IF* your dog is well-trained, and stops barking when told to - the collar is a Godsend, particularly to your neighbors....LOL!!!
Deb
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Tvov
CT
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Joined: 07/19/2003
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RES1749 wrote: I have (my DD dumped on our laps since she can't take care of her anymore) a 18 mos old Boxer/Bulldog mix that's so playful and hyperactive. She would bark at dogs (not @ people) that would pass by our camp site even when she's inside the MH. Oddly, when we walk her around the campground and see other dogs she would not bark.
We have a boxer. She does not bark when we are camping -- she doesn't bark at other people, she doesn't bark at other dogs or any animals, she doesn't bark at anyone or anything when we go for a walk... The ONLY times she barks is when she is playing with someone, OR--- is when she is alone, or thinks we are leaving her. In talking with other boxer owners, this is common. Boxers LOVE people, and want to be around them ALL the time.
At first thought, my suggestion is that a boxer is not a good dog to have if you will be leaving her in your camper. We basically cannot leave her in the camper for any amount of time, she starts barking right away (and jumps all over the inside of the camper...). This can work to my advantage... when the the wife and kids go off to explore an area, I will regretfully volunteer to stay behind to watch the dog. And then promptly fall asleep in the chaise lounge with a book in my lap.... 
Anyways, yes you have some training to do. Bark collars, as with all things, are just a tool that can be used during training. If you choose to use a bark collar, don't put it on and walk away, assuming that is all you have to do. Far too many times I have seen people do this with "training aids" -- they assume the equipment will do all the work. This is why so many other people consider such things to be "inhumane", because of the way some people have improperly used them.
Another thing to consider when walking your dog is to get a "gentle lead"... This is the dog "bridle" to use instead of a regular dog collar or body harness. A Gentle Lead works the same as a horse bridle (without a bit). I would not suggest a body / shoulder harness -- if you dog is at all like ours, the dog will be able to drag you around like a feather. I personally don't like choker collars.
Good luck. Boxers are wonderful dogs. They are active, fun loving, people loving dogs. They are also a "handfull"!
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2008 F-250 CrewCab 5.4L,
2004 21' Forest River Surveyor
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RES1749
Bremerton, WA
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Joined: 09/29/2007
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An update with the collar - we went out this weekend and used it first thing Friday morning. One bark and she felt it - jumped off the co-pilot's seat where she always watch people (and dogs) passing by. The second time, it also happened when she was at the co-pilot's seat, now she's associating the seat as the source of the shock. Every time she gets the "treatment", I always followed it up with the "No Bark" command. And for just three days use, I'm convinced that it work and hopefully, I won't have to use this as long as required.
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TomW2
Southwest Washington State USA
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Joined: 05/23/2005
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I've got two dogs, a 45# terrier mix and a 25# Fox Terrier. Some will say they are cruel but I have one of those that gives a them a jolt. It starts low and if the dog keeps up it ramps it up. I've purposely set it off while I was holding it and you definately know you have been zapped. But I've also had static discharges as strong.
The first time I put it on the larger dog he yipped at the first jolt and very quickly learned to not bark when wearing it. It doesn't phase the smaller dog in the least.
Do they work? From my experience I'd have to say yes & no. It depends on the dog.
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