Barking is very normal behaviour for dogs. Some breeds are bred to bark; dogs may yap when they are feeling excited or bored, when there is a visitor to the house, or when they are alone. However, inappropriate barking can be disruptive, and cause fall-outs with the neighbours, or postman – leading many owners to question how to stop a dog barking. Some owners find the best solution is to use one of the humane dog collars designed to stop barking. Typically these deliver a vibration or a beep to distract your dog when he starts yapping.
Before jumping straight on this bandwagon, it’s worth working out why your dog is barking and how to manage certain situations or treat the cause. This may mean adaptations to your dog’s daily routine, providing him with more mental and physical stimulation, distractions and rewards. Consult a vet or qualified behaviourist if you want advice on dealing with disruptive barking.
Following a 10-year campaign by The Kennel Club, electric shock collars (e-collars) were due to be banned in the UK, following the example of Wales and France, in February 2024. However, the legislation has not yet gone through as of autumn 2024. Other dog training collars that deliver vibration or a sound/beep to correct unwanted behaviour are another option. These can work in tandem with a remote, so the handler can issue the vibration or sound from a distance. Anti-bark collars typically respond to the dog’s vocal cords vibrating to deliver the corrective signal. Some anti-bark collars deliver aversive stimuli such as a squirt of citronella or a high-pitched sound. The RSPCA is opposed to the use of these collars, however, and they are not recommended for those dogs who suffer from anxiety or are sensitive.
6 of the best dog collars for barking
(Image credit: creditUnknown)
Ihpukidi Anti-bark Collar
Size: One size fits all from neck circumference 5–22in/ 3.5–68kg
Power source: Rechargeable battery
RRP: £20.99
This collar has two humane training modes, vibration and beep. The vibration mode also has two options, vibrate and strong vibrate. Depending on your dog’s nature, you can set it on sensitivity levels from 0–5.
The collar contains a “4th-generation intelligent bark identification chip”, which is designed to detect a dog’s barking on a particular frequency and decibel, thereby only responding to your dog’s unique bark.
It can be charged in three hours for up to 15 days’ use.
This no-shock, anti-bark collar delivers sound and vibration. It has seven auto-progressive correction levels designed to stop your dog’s barking over time. It uses an advanced microchip to automatically beep and vibrate when your dog barks. The high-pitched sound is uncommon to your dog, and should stop the nuisance barking immediately.
It comes with an instruction ebook plus membership of support group, and the manufacturer claims “100% success rates when used properly”.
Size: One size fits all, all from neck circumference 9–22in/3.5–50kg
Colours: Blue, black or pink
Power source: Rechargeable battery
RRP: £22.99
This dog barking deterrent is designed to “teach your pup to be relaxed and trusting instead of terrified”. This no-shock anti-barking device offers a highly effective, pain-free, bark-training solution.
The collar combines two vibration modes and seven sound stages to deliver progressive bark training in the form of instant, automatic feedback to your dog. It also has five sensitivity levels, depending on whether you’re in a quiet or noisy environment.
Battery lasts for up to 14 days and is rain, snow and splash-proof, so can be used indoors and out.
This remote collar has three training modes: beep, vibration and spray. The non-toxic citronella spray has three levels, squirting one, two or three times. It has no electric shock or ultrasonic feature, so is considered more humane and safer, while being effective. The collar is fully remote, so it will not activate automatically when your dog barks, but can be used in response to unwanted behaviours.
The remote range is 300m and can pass through walls or trees. Waterproof in light rain or wet grass but not suitable for swimming.
Charges in three hours and the collar lasts for 11 days, the remote for 27 days.
Size: One size fits all, all from neck circumference 4–55cm/3–68kg
Power source: Rechargeable using one-touch magnetic charging technology
RRP: £25.95
Animigo’s collar has two modes: beep and beep + vibration. There are seven sensitivity levels and eight intensity levels. It is self-adaptive, meaning the intensity of vibration increases with every bark. You can manually adjust the sensitivity level according to the environment.
This waterproof collar uses no-shock, gentle sound and vibration technology. For maximum protection, if it vibrates more than seven times consecutively within a minute, it automatically enters rest mode and resets after a minute.
It also has false trigger technology, thanks to a smart barking detection chip, so it only responds to throat vibrations from your dog, and will not react to head shaking, other dogs’ barks or external sounds.
Rapid full-charge in 1½ hours to last for 10–15 days. Offers a 90-day money-back guarantee.
This portable anti barking device does not require a collar. It uses ultrasonic technology which pets can hear safely, but is out of the human range. When the dog barks, you press the button on the device, which emits an ultrasonic sound. You will hear a slight beep and see a green light to show you it is functioning. The dog should learn to associate his barking with this unpleasant high-pitched noise. Has a range of 16.4ft.
It is also useful for stopping other unwanted behaviours such as digging, whining, fighting and so on, and has proved a highly effective training tool.
Most importantly of all, the collars must be humane. Now that static shock collars have been banned, this is less of an issue although many people will see the collar and still assume it’s an e-collar. There are several ways of deterring dogs from barking thanks to these collars, from vibration and beeps, to sprays and ultrasonic sound, so we have given options for all of these. Some people will want to use the collar remotely, for instance out on a walk (it needs to be weatherproof too), while others need them for the home, and therefore want an automatic trigger. Others don’t want a collar on their dog at all, but still require an anti-bark device.
They all work on rechargeable batteries.
Do vets recommend anti- bark collars?
The underlying cause for nuisance barking should be ruled out and conventional training with positive reinforcement is always the best way to deal with a problem. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on the UK government to bring into force a complete ban on the sale and use of electric shock collars for dogs. While they do not have such strong guidance other bark collars, the BVA states that “evidence shows that reward-based training is not only the most effective training method for dogs, but also makes sure animals are protected from any pain or suffering as part of their training”. The association is calling for the government to “develop a code of practice and regulate the sale of other collars which deliver an aversive stimulus, such as anti-bark collars, to make sure that the potential adverse effects of use are highlighted to animal owners and trainers.”
The general veterinary consensus is that positive reward-based training is not only more effective, but from a welfare perspective more appropriate than any sort of aversive training.
Regarding e-collars, which still have their supporters: some farmers are opposed to the proposed ban on e-collars because they are thought to be a useful deterrent in preventing dogs chasing livestock. There is also a school of thought that says that fewer dogs would be in rescue if their handlers had available to them an e-collar as a tool.
Do anti-bark collars actually work?
Yes and no. They work for most dogs, who learn to associate the unpleasant or distracting noise, vibration or squirt with their barking, and so learn to stop. Some dogs, however, consider it their utmost duty to protect their family, home and territory, and these can be difficult to train simply with a collar. Likewise the extremely anxious dog. For these pets, seek the help of a professional behavioural expert. But for the average responsible dog owner, who is not a professional trainer, anti-bark collars can be a helpful tool in their training, however, they are open to abuse if not used appropriately.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
TOPICS
CATEGORIES
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on horses and dogs. Her reporting CV includes the Paris Olympics, European championships, Aachen World Equestrian Festival and World Cup finals. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs. Now, her constant companion is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.
