Choosing a No Bark Collar for Small Dogs

A no bark collar is a useful gadget for owners that want to train a dog to be less noisy. Small dogs tend to become even noisier than larger dogs, due to what owners often call the small dog syndrome. If your companion has become a source of trouble with the neighbors, it is time to change his barking behavior.

Before buying a no bark collar for your small dog, you should try to understand the causes of his barking and make sure he is affected by a health problem causing the aggressive behavior. Also, small dogs just as any other dogs, need to express themselves through barking, so you shouldn't aim at having a completely silent dog.

With no bark collars for small dogs the most important issues are safety and comfort. There are several types of no bark collars for small dogs, here are some tips on how to choose one.

No Bark Collars for Small Dogs

A no bark collar can work with ultrasonic sound, citronella or electric shock (this is called an electric collar on most sites). You can use any of these kinds of no bark dog collars for small dogs as well:

• Ultrasonic no bark collars work by emitting a high-pitched sound every time the dog barks. These collars have sensors that detect either the bark of the dog or the vibration of the vocal cords.
• Citronella no bark collars emit a spray of citronella when the dog barks. Although the smell is unpleasant to him, the spray is totally harmless. The smell, together with the hiss of the spray will startle the dog and eventually, as he understands that his barking and the spray are linked, he will stop barking.
• Shock collars (electric collars) emit a mild electric shock as a response to the dog's barking. The shock should not be greater than the static you would get from taking off a wool sweatshirt.

How to Choose a No Bark Collar for Small Dogs

Once you have decided what type of no bark collar to buy for your small dog, consider the followings:

• The size of the collar should match the size of the dog's neck. If you are buying it while your dog is still growing, make sure the adjustable belt is large enough for the expected size of your dog as an adult.
• When placed on the dog's neck, the collar should fit perfectly so it doesn't get caught in objects the dog is coming in contact with.
• You should be able to adjust the level of the correction signal, be it sound, spray or shock. A slight correction may be enough for your small dog. If the smallest level does not seem to work you will be able to increase progressively to the level that is strong enough for the dog, without causing too much stress.
• Make sure the collar only reacts to your dog's barking and not to other dogs barking around him or to any other strong noises in his environment.