Before becoming a dog parent, most people don’t realise that the package deal of a waggy tail, a wet nose, cute face licks and unconditional love can come with non-stop barking noise.

 

Barking is a canine behaviour. Dogs bark, it’s natural, but when the barking habit becomes uncontrollable, you must find an efficient solution. You might have heard about a shock collar,and it is understandable that you despise the option thinking it is inhumane. Fortunately, there are new electronic dog training collars on the market which are perfectly safe for your dog. However, confusion remains as dog owners still tend to use the terms shock collar or electric dog collar to describe the more innovative and safe electronic collars available today.

 

Needless to say, no one in this world ever wants to give their innocent dog a shock. However, most dog trainers and pet parents swear by a training collar. The demand for dog collars in Australia is increasing rapidly. Still wondering how that is possible? How can a dog lover ‘harm’ their beloved pet to control  barking? Is it even legal? What about the local laws and the Animal Welfare Act?  This post compiles all the useful information you need regarding the usage, efficacy and legality of a shock collar.

 

Cruelty: Shock collars are harmfuland illegal and must not be used to control barking. A shock collar is manufactured using cheap components that might deliver uncontrollable levels of electric shock and hurt the dog. You might have heard of this word because people use the terms shock collars and electronic training collars interchangeably.

 

Appropriateness: Wise dog owners steer clear of shock collars as they know the difference between an electric dog collar and dog-friendly products. A suitable option is a high-end collar device that emits an audible warning, vibrations and an adjustable electronic stimulus to control the barking habit.

 

Welfare: A dog anti bark collar is harmless if it doesn’t deliver electric shocks. Be mindful of the product selection and only choose a design featuring customisable correction settings and other safety features.

 

Legality: The use of electric collars can get you into trouble because they are banned in various Australian states. However, some states allow the usage of products designed with customisable electronic stimulation for specific requirements. 

 

Suitability: High-end products are designed with canine welfare in mind, and they are absolutely safe for all sizes, ages and breeds of dogs. These collars are safe to use after four months of age.

 

Training: A dog collar is a training tool that must be used with a consistent training protocol. You must practise consistency to expect results from the collar. You might contact a dog trainer or buy the training collar from a reputable brand, they will guide you on the correct way to use the collar.

 

Wear time: Never make your dog wear a collar for more than 12 hours a day. The collar should fit snugly; however, prolonged wearing might deface the fur or cause irritation to the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to keep rotating the collar every now and then and always use it sparingly. If your dog barks uncontrollably at night, then avoid using the collar during the day or vice versa.

 

Results: Behaviour modification is a gradual process, so don’t expect overnight results. Expect results within a few weeks.. Older dogs might need more time to get accustomed to the new training method.

 

To conclude, shock collars are inhumane and the term is often used interchangeably for a sophisticated and safe to use product. Explore the products available at Hidden Fence, to control the excessive barking of your dog. The network stocks the most efficient range of dog collars in Australia.