Anti-Bark Collars?
Discussion
We're having some problems with our 7 month old Miniature Schnauzer at the moment. She's always been a bit happy, as any puppy is but she's getting worse.
Every time we take her to the park she barks and yaps constantly. She also does the same thing at home a lot of the time for no apparent reason. She's got a very high pitched, piercing bark which goes right through you! It's also causing a bit of a problem as our neighbour has said he's getting a bit sick of it when he's out in the garden.
Is it worth trying an anti-bark collar? Do they actually work? Is there any better way to try and stop the barking?
Every time we take her to the park she barks and yaps constantly. She also does the same thing at home a lot of the time for no apparent reason. She's got a very high pitched, piercing bark which goes right through you! It's also causing a bit of a problem as our neighbour has said he's getting a bit sick of it when he's out in the garden.
Is it worth trying an anti-bark collar? Do they actually work? Is there any better way to try and stop the barking?
Please don't use an anti-bark collar 
They are really horrible and can have some nasty fall out and cause behavioural issues.
Do you know why she is barking? If you know that then you may be able to do something about it. Boredom? Frustration? Do you need to do more with her in the way of play, fun training and interaction? Is she left out in the garden alone?
You may find the barking stops if you address the reasons why, but I would also be rewarding her for NOT barking. I use clickers so I would be clicking her the instant she stops and rewarding her. Once she gets the hang of it you can build duration by waiting for 1 second before clicking and treating, then 2 seconds, then 3, etc, etc.
They are really horrible and can have some nasty fall out and cause behavioural issues.Do you know why she is barking? If you know that then you may be able to do something about it. Boredom? Frustration? Do you need to do more with her in the way of play, fun training and interaction? Is she left out in the garden alone?
You may find the barking stops if you address the reasons why, but I would also be rewarding her for NOT barking. I use clickers so I would be clicking her the instant she stops and rewarding her. Once she gets the hang of it you can build duration by waiting for 1 second before clicking and treating, then 2 seconds, then 3, etc, etc.
I'm going to put the opposite point of view.
Certainly, do not resort to an anti-bark collar until you have tried other methods, but we have had to resort to using on on one of our dogs and the results were favourable.
Before getting flamed by the bleeding hearts, I ought to say that the owner (my girlfriend) is a very, very experienced animal keeper and trainer; her first job was as a kennel maid, then she progressed through a number of other animal related jobs including stints working with a company that trained and supplied animals for the TV/film industry (lots of stuff with Johnny Morris, Blue Peter, the 'Babycham' advert etc.) and at several zoos looking after everything from coatis and skunks up to pumas, bonobo chimpanzees and orang utans (she still has the scars from hand-rearing pumas at home).
We eventually came to the conclusion that the dog in question basically had an attention-seeking/status issue when left alone with the other three dogs we had at the time and other, more conventional techniques were unsuccessful because they created a reaction and confusion amongst the other dogs.
Anyway...
Certainly, do not resort to an anti-bark collar until you have tried other methods, but we have had to resort to using on on one of our dogs and the results were favourable.
Before getting flamed by the bleeding hearts, I ought to say that the owner (my girlfriend) is a very, very experienced animal keeper and trainer; her first job was as a kennel maid, then she progressed through a number of other animal related jobs including stints working with a company that trained and supplied animals for the TV/film industry (lots of stuff with Johnny Morris, Blue Peter, the 'Babycham' advert etc.) and at several zoos looking after everything from coatis and skunks up to pumas, bonobo chimpanzees and orang utans (she still has the scars from hand-rearing pumas at home).
We eventually came to the conclusion that the dog in question basically had an attention-seeking/status issue when left alone with the other three dogs we had at the time and other, more conventional techniques were unsuccessful because they created a reaction and confusion amongst the other dogs.
Anyway...
- Yes, it worked. Almost instantly - astonishingly so.
- No 'nasty fall out' or 'behavioural issues'.
- Once the dog had learned the effect of the collar, any sign of recurring 'problem' barking (which did re-emerge from time to time) could be cured by fitting the collar without the battery or even by just showing the dog the collar and warning it 'be quiet, or the collar goes on'.
- The effect of the unit (I tried it on myself) is very much like getting the sort of static shock you get when you touch a metal object after walking on a synthetic carpet; yes, it's unpleasant, but it's the surprise and suddenness that is unpleasant; the 'pain' is actually negligible. It's certainly not like touching a 12V electric cattle/horse fence (yes, just to upset the bleeding-hearts a bit more, we use those too, for the horse...) where the belt you get will leave your arm muscles throbbing for a few seconds... the collars use a 1.5V calculator-type battery that simply doesn't generate anything like enough power to cause pain.
Edited by Sam_68 on Wednesday 27th July 23:16
She's a miniature Schnauzer, nearly all that I meet at work these days are exactly the same. High pitched incessant yapping/ ear piercing barking that is non stop. It is seriously not fun!!
Do you let her off the lead at the park? How much exercise does she get. They are tough little dogs with a lot of energy, they can do a fair bit of exercise.
As for the collar. Are we talking about the ones that squirt out a bit of citrus as they bark. If it is I have seen them work, without any behavioural fall out and I have seen them make no difference at all! I Do not agree with ANY method that involves an electric shock!
I would be very cautious and maybe talk to your vet first. It is possible that they will have a nurse who have behavioural qualifications (like we do) and be able to help you without the collar.
DO NOT USE THE COLLAR unless other ideas have been tried first plus dogs do get used to them. My old boss used one for his barking GSD, it worked the first few times then the dog got used to it and started to ignore it!
Do you let her off the lead at the park? How much exercise does she get. They are tough little dogs with a lot of energy, they can do a fair bit of exercise.
As for the collar. Are we talking about the ones that squirt out a bit of citrus as they bark. If it is I have seen them work, without any behavioural fall out and I have seen them make no difference at all! I Do not agree with ANY method that involves an electric shock!
I would be very cautious and maybe talk to your vet first. It is possible that they will have a nurse who have behavioural qualifications (like we do) and be able to help you without the collar.
DO NOT USE THE COLLAR unless other ideas have been tried first plus dogs do get used to them. My old boss used one for his barking GSD, it worked the first few times then the dog got used to it and started to ignore it!
bexVN said:
As for the collar. Are we talking about the ones that squirt out a bit of citrus as they bark. If it is I have seen them work, without any behavioural fall out and I have seen them make no difference at all! I Do not agree with ANY method that involves an electric shock!
As a human I'd sooner have someone give me a shock off a watch battery, than spray citric acid in my face! The shock would be like static, bang and gone. Citrus must hang around for a good few minutes being quite unpleasant. Particularly if they have a better nose than a human. No. If I was to have one fitted, from the 2 options presented, I'd go for the shock.Munter said:
bexVN said:
As for the collar. Are we talking about the ones that squirt out a bit of citrus as they bark. If it is I have seen them work, without any behavioural fall out and I have seen them make no difference at all! I Do not agree with ANY method that involves an electric shock!
As a human I'd sooner have someone give me a shock off a watch battery, than spray citric acid in my face! The shock would be like static, bang and gone. Citrus must hang around for a good few minutes being quite unpleasant. Particularly if they have a better nose than a human. No. If I was to have one fitted, from the 2 options presented, I'd go for the shock.I empathise on the high-pitched barking; our EBT pup still has her "puppy bark", which pierces my brain!
I should think you'll be able to work out why she's barking, and not have to resort to any kind of shock therapy. Most barking is frustration or boredom... some can be attention-seeking... it might also be a fright-reaction to stimulus when she's outside. All of which can be trained out.
My first port of call would be as Bex and Mrs Grumpy suggest - increase her exercise time and quality - make a larger proportion of her exercise an aerobic work-out. Also increase your interaction with her; games and training, one on one. Tired dogs bark less!
Hope you see some improvements... I don't envy you at all with constant barking!
I should think you'll be able to work out why she's barking, and not have to resort to any kind of shock therapy. Most barking is frustration or boredom... some can be attention-seeking... it might also be a fright-reaction to stimulus when she's outside. All of which can be trained out.
My first port of call would be as Bex and Mrs Grumpy suggest - increase her exercise time and quality - make a larger proportion of her exercise an aerobic work-out. Also increase your interaction with her; games and training, one on one. Tired dogs bark less!
Hope you see some improvements... I don't envy you at all with constant barking!
bexVN said:
She's a miniature Schnauzer, nearly all that I meet at work these days are exactly the same. High pitched incessant yapping/ ear piercing barking that is non stop.
My brother had a minature schnauzer - lovely little animal; a real character (and I'm not normally a fan of little dogs). He was extremely well behaved, very intelligent and not at all yappy (in fact he was notably quiet - even when someone knocked at the door, you'd only get one, isolated 'woof' out of him to let you know someone was there).He died at a ripe old age last year, though.
...so I don't think you can say that its an unavoidable breed characteristic or anything, but samll dogs do seem to suffer from little-man-insecurity-aggression syndrome more than average.
Sam_68 said:
bexVN said:
She's a miniature Schnauzer, nearly all that I meet at work these days are exactly the same. High pitched incessant yapping/ ear piercing barking that is non stop.
My brother had a minature schnauzer - lovely little animal; a real character (and I'm not normally a fan of little dogs). He was extremely well behaved, very intelligent and not at all yappy (in fact he was notably quiet - even when someone knocked at the door, you'd only get one, isolated 'woof' out of him to let you know someone was there).He died at a ripe old age last year, though.
...so I don't think you can say that its an unavoidable breed characteristic or anything, but samll dogs do seem to suffer from little-man-insecurity-aggression syndrome more than average.
Maybe this will explain why I'm seeing the above described behaviour - it suggests owners not being firm enough and thinking back to the owners of these dogs it would fit! (The following is from dog breeds info)
The Miniature Schnauzer is an intelligent, loving, happy dog. They are energetic, playful and get along well with children and like to be with their people. Affectionate, keen, devoted and docile. With proper leadership they can get along with other dogs. Socialize this breed well. They make good companions and family pets. The Mini Schnauzer will not listen if they sense they are stronger minded than their owner. Owners need to be calm, but firm, possessing a natural air of authority. They do not have a yappy bark, but rather sounds like a low, carried-out howl of a voice. This breed makes a good watchdog and vermin hunter. An easy dog to travel with. Some can be reserved with strangers if the humans do not provide stability in their lives, but most love everyone. Socialize them well.
Do not allow this little dog to developed Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog runs the home. This can cause a varying degree of behavior problems, including, but not limited to separation anxiety, willful, nervous, barky, guarding, bold, sometimes temperamental, not hesitating to attack much bigger dogs. A well balanced dog, who gets enough mental and physical exercise will have a totally different personality. These are not Miniature Schnauzer traits, but rather behaviors brought on by the way the dog is treated by the people around them. It is all up to the humans.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 28th July 13:09
bexVN said:
You'll note I say these days. I don't remember them being yappy dogs when I first started nursing but for some reason it appears to be a trait in ones I've seen in recent years. Maybe it's a breed line I'm seeing. I like miniature schnauzers and they are all friendly but they seem very excitable, not at all how I recall them!
That's a great shame if it is the case - line breeding of pedigrees for show purposes has a lot to answer for! 
Sam_68 said:
That's a great shame if it is the case - line breeding of pedigrees for show purposes has a lot to answer for!
I started to show (and bred a litter) of Miniature Schnauzers over 25 years ago and when I first had them I was told that they should be a large dog in a small package and the canine equivalent of a Welsh Cob. Unfortunately, due to a boom in popularity IMO, they have become a smaller finer version of what they once were and have developed the small dog yapping trait. Having said that they are still a lovely dog to have around and I would still recommend them as pets. I have moved up a size now and have (Standard) Schnauzers.Back to the original post, I really hope that you get the barking problem sorted and I would go with the advice given by BexVN.
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