Are anti barking devices harmful to dogs? A Complete Guide

These popular training devices may spell trouble for dogs.

Are anti barking devices harmful to dogs?

The way we live is often mirrored by how our companion animals live. One example of this the increasing electronification of our dogs and cats. Some of these electronic pet products are arguably quite useful, such as GPS chips in collars and nanny-cams, which can reassure us that our furry friends are okay while were away. Others, such as devices that allow us to video chat with our dog or car and electronic treat-releasers, are inessential but fun. But a whole segment of this electronic market poses significant welfare concerns for dogs and cats.

The commercial pet product market is saturated with electronic training devices. By far the most popular of these and also the most insidious, are electronic shock collars, often euphemistically called “e-collars” (which calls to mind “e-mail” and “e-shopping” and other benign activities).

The e-collar delivers an electric shock to a dog’s neck when a person pushes a remote-control button or when a dog steps over an underground wire “fence.” As electronic shock collars are increasingly understood to be cruel, another line of electronic products is flooding into the e-training niche and being marketed as a “harmless and humane” alternative: ultrasonic collars and “fences.”

What are ultrasonic training devices and how do they work?

These ultrasonic behavior deterrents work by emitting a high-pitched sound when activated. The anti-bark systems detect barking and emit a high-pitched sound in response. The barrier systems involve a collar worn by the dog and a device, which emits a high-pitched sound when it detects the collar within range.

These deterrent devices can be placed in areas around the house (the website for one such product shows a dog, adorned with e-collar, dutifully avoiding the couch), in the vegetable garden, or along the edge of a yard. One of the main selling points of these devices is that the deterrent sounds are inaudible to humans. (Sonic collars, in contrast, emit sounds within our hearing range.)

Manufacturers of these ultrasonic devices typically claim that they are safe and humane. But are they really?

The use of “aversives” on dogs

Is ultrasonic noise aversive to dogs? Of course. This is the basis upon which these products work. A huge literature dating back several decades explores the negative effects of unpleasant and unwanted noise on a wide range of species (including humans).

In laboratory animal behavior studies, ultrasound is one of a range of aversive techniques used to elicit a stress response. A study published as far back as 1990 confirmed that ultrasonic sounds were aversive to dogs (Blackshaw et al. 1990).

These ultrasonic devices should, thus, be classified as “aversives.” This is not how they are typically advertised, but this is how they function. They work by imposing an unpleasant sensory experience and they fall into the category of “positive punishment” — using discomfort to get a dog to behave in a particular way.

The evidence has been accumulating over the past decade that aversive training techniques are less effective than positive reinforcement and that aversive techniques and products can cause lasting psychological harm to dogs. (For a comprehensive review see, for example, Ziv 2017 and G. Fernandes, A.S. Olsson, A. C. Vieira de Castro 2017.)

I asked Rain Jordan, a professional dog trainer, who specializes in helping fearful and traumatized dogs what she thought about ultrasonic training devices. “The sound emitted from the devices is punishing dogs by startling and/or causing discomfort,” she told me in an email.

These devices punish any bark that comes out of a dog’s mouth and can’t discriminate between appropriate/happy/excited barking and “nuisance” barking. Barking is a perfectly normal, even necessary, dog behavior and is only a nuisance relative to human preferences.

When normal behavior is discouraged and suppressed, you “risk either learned helplessness, on the one hand, or aggression without warning on the other.” Dogs wearing e-collars don’t necessarily understand why they are being punished, and even if they do know why, they eventually habituate to the punishment and the “problem” behavior returns. Owners, then, are tempted to up the ante by increasing the volume button on the ultrasonic device or moving to something more extreme, such as a shock collar.

Although U.S.-based animal advocacy organizations do not yet explicitly mention ultrasonic devices, RSPCA Australia has taken a firm stand. In their position statement on the use of shock collars they oppose “the use of collars that deliver aversive stimuli such as sound or scent, including citronella collars and high-pitched sound-emitting devices.” In the second point of their statement, they note: “Electronic anti-barking devices inflict pain and distress on the animal and therefore should not be used.” (See below for their full position statement.)

There are better options

An article on ultrasonic bark collars in Canine Journal describes these devices as “more humane than other bark deterring options.” But why go with something even a little inhumane when you have humane alternatives?

Collaborative work with a dog using good, old-fashioned treats and praise can be mutually enriching, build a strong relationship between human and dog, and help a dog understand what we are asking and us understand how to ask clearly for what we want. The growing consensus among dog trainers is that aversive training techniques are less effective than those based on positive reinforcements such as food rewards, play, praise, and extra love.

We also need to have realistic expectations about what we can ask from our dogs. Dogs bark. Listening to some barking is part of living with a dog. If a dog is barking all the time, it may be that the dog is experiencing frustration and lack of stimulation and we should be looking for the root causes of the barking. Dealing with the problem barking, then, means looking at a dog’s life experience holistically and honestly assessing whether a dog is getting what they need physically, socially, and emotionally.

Here is the relevant section of RSPCA Australias statement:

J.K. Blackshaw, G.E.Cook, P.Harding, C.Day, W.Bates, J.Rose, D. Bramham. Aversive responses of dogs to ultrasonic, sonic and flashing light units. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 25 (1990).

G. Ziv. The effects of using aversive training methods in dogs—A review. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. Volume 19, May–June 2017, Pages 50-60.

G. Fernandes,. A.S. Olsson, A. C. Vieira de Castro. Do aversive-based training methods actually compromise dog welfare? A literature review. Applied Animal Behaviour Science Volume 196, November 2017, Pages 1-12.

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Are anti barking devices harmful to dogs?

Anti-bark shock collars use a small electric current to prevent your dog from barking. The shock is sharp enough to surprise your dog from barking, but it doesn’t harm your dog. They are usually considered a humane bark deterrent, but if not used carefully, some owners report that they can make dogs more aggressive.

It’s in a dog’s nature to bark. However, some dogs just won’t stop. If you have a barker, it won’t be long before your neighbors start complaining and someone eventually calls animal control or the police. So, in order to keep you out of the can, we researched bark control devices to see if they actually performed as advertised.

Anti-bark devices are a safe way to control unwanted behavior. However, they should only be used as a deterrent to excessive barking. They should not be used to stop all barking – you’ll end up doing more harm than good. Some pet owners may find it useful to consult with their vet about the appropriate device to get for their dog. It is also advisable to use the anti-bark device when you’re around. For instance, if your dog has separation anxiety, leaving him at home alone with the shock collar may cause more problems such as trauma.

Anti-bark devices were originally designed as a training tool for hunting dogs (dogs need to be quiet while on the hunt), but they are now used to train domestic dogs to be quiet. There are 3 main types of of bark stoppers: ultrasonic sound, electric shock, or deterrents such as citronella.

This anti-bark collar detects the bark of the dog through sophisticated sensors and releases a mild electric shock. It’s not just a typical collar, it’s equipped with three modes of learning, 10 levels of stimulation (static), and it’s waterproof. It can also shut itself off after 3 minutes. The device administers a shock starting from the lowest level, and it gradually increases when the dog persists in the excessive barking.

What They Do: Another variety of bark-deterrent collar is the spray collar. These work by emitting a spurt of air or citronella when they detect a bark. The hissing sound of the spurt, the blast of spray, and the smell of the citronella are all distracting and annoying for dogs. Therefore, the collar acts to interrupt and correct barking behavior. Look for a model with accurate bark detection that responds only to the dog wearing the collar.

How to Use Them: If you learn your dog’s barking triggers, you can provide a distraction toy before the trigger arrives. Then your dog may be so involved in getting the food that the trigger goes unnoticed. Toys are also great for keeping your dog busy when you’re out of the house. Your dog will be less likely to worry bark about your absence or bark out the window at passersby if there’s something else to do. You can also use these toys as rewards in a training program or to turn a time-out from a punishment into a chance to settle down.

While there are other kinds of bark control methods such as static correction, we recommend you consult with a professional trainer before trying this method.

What They Do: If you need to ensure bark control no matter where your dog is, consider a bark-deterrent collar. One variety is the vibration collar. These operate both by hearing a bark and by sensing the vibration in the dog’s throat. Therefore, only the dog wearing the device will trigger the vibration response. The vibration is designed to distract your dog and therefore stop the barking.

What They Do: Noise making machines produce high-pitched sounds in response to barking. The noise is ultrasonic, meaning humans can’t hear it, but dogs can. The tone annoys them, so it acts as a correction, and it stops when the barking stops. Therefore, your dog will learn that barking brings on the noise and silence makes it go away.

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Barking is natural for dogs. It’s how they communicate, and different barks can have different meanings. In addition, barking has many root causes. Your dog might be excited, anxious, frustrated, or even bored. Whatever the reason, excessive barking can become problematic, cause friction with housemates or neighbors, or be disruptive during times when we’re in need of quiet.

Successful approaches to nuisance barking will vary based on the dog’s motivation. For example, an anxious barker with separation anxiety needs to learn to feel comfortable alone whereas a bored barker needs mental stimulation and physical exercise. But dealing with these issues can take time. In the interim, there are many options to help keep your dog quiet while you work on the underlying problem.

What It Does: Although the devices above can curb your dog’s barking, they don’t let your dog know what behavior to do instead. By rewarding the actions you would rather see, you can influence your dog’s future behavior. This is known as positive reinforcement training. Ignore your dog’s attention-seeking barks yet lavish love, cuddles, treats, and toys for sitting silently, and you will soon have a much quieter dog.

Clicker training can be a method used with positive reinforcement training, making use of a small noise making device known as a clicker. You use the clicker to mark the exact moment your dog performs a desired action, and every click is followed by a reward. It can help to think of it like snapping a photo of the behavior you want. This can improve communication with your dog and help your dog learn faster.

How to Use It: Consult with a professional trainer for to get started with positive reinforcement training. To counter barking with positive reinforcement, you need to reward your dog when your dog is quiet. If a bark collar or noise device stops your dog’s barking, click and reward the silence. As your dog catches on, wait for slightly longer periods of quiet before the click and reward.

You can also use positive reinforcement to train alternative behaviors, preferably ones that are incompatible with barking. For example, your dog can’t bark with a ball in his or her mouth. So, if the doorbell triggers your dog’s barking, teach your dog that the doorbell means go get your ball so we can play fetch. You can also train calm behaviors, like lying on a mat, that are emotionally incompatible with the revved-up excitement of a barking frenzy.

What They Do: Toys are great for distracting your dog from barking triggers. They also provide mental stimulation and help conquer boredom. Look for boredom-busting dog toy varieties you can stuff with kibble or other food that require your dog to work to get at the treats inside.

These devices come in both indoor and outdoor versions. Both respond to barking from any dog as long as that dog is within range of the machine. This is a bonus if you have more than one dog and both are barkers. The outdoor machines are also great for shushing dogs in your neighbors’ yards which can prevent barking competitions between your dog and theirs. However, if you have multiple dogs and only one dog is a nuisance barker, take note that all the dogs will receive the device’s correction.

How to Use Them: Consult with a professional trainer for advice on these devices and your individual dog. These devices have a specific range, so placement is key. The machine should be facing your dog, and your dog must be within the detection area of the machine’s microphone. Finally, keep the area between the dog and the device clear so nothing blocks the ultrasonic noise. Be sure to turn the machine off when you aren’t dealing with nuisance barking otherwise your dog may get used to the tone.

How to Use Them: Consult with a professional trainer for advice on these devices and your individual dog. Be sure to fit the collar properly. You should be able to slip one finger under the collar along the back of your dog’s neck, and the vibration unit should sit snugly at the middle of the throat. These devices have intensity settings, so be sure to set the level only as high as it needs to be to interrupt your dog’s barking. Be aware that your dog may learn to associate the collar with the vibration, so may only stay quiet when the collar is on.

How to Use Them: Consult with a professional trainer for advice on these devices and your individual dog. Fit the collar so the spray apparatus is angled correctly. Take note these collars can only hold so many sprays at a time. You will have to refill them regularly, more often for frequent barkers. Just like the vibration collar, your dog may learn that the spray only comes when the collar is on. However, you should not leave any bark-deterrent collar on your dog twenty-four hours a day.

While there are other kinds of bark control methods such as static correction, we recommend you consult with a professional trainer before trying this method.