As a canine behaviorist for over 20 years, I have seen “quick fix” methods come and go. But typically, these devices, such as bark collars, only treat the symptoms and do nothing to address the cause of the behavior. Barking, as is the case with most “bad” behaviors, is simply a by-product of a bigger problem. If the root cause of a problem is not addressed, the behavior is sure to continue.
There are many reasons why a dog barks and some of them are perfectly good. If the dog barks at an external stimulus, it will be more effective in the long run to familiarize the dog with what he is barking at. If the barking is from fear, stress, or anxiety, a barking collar, be it a shock collar or citronella, will only make the situation worse. The reason is that the dog is receiving negative reinforcement at the exact moment he is stressed. More stress equates to more fear or anxiety and the cycle continues. Even if the e-collar stopped the barking, it is very likely to create a whole new problem and probably worse, the most common being self-mutilation. A better result is obtained by teaching the dog to feel comfortable in a certain situation in which he does not feel the need to bark. But for that to happen, it is essential to determine why the dog is barking in the first place.
I am strongly opposed to electronic dog collars, because I have always been able to solve problems without them. I would never suggest to one of my clients that they electrocute their dog or spray their face with a harmful substance. The only type of e-collar that I find beneficial is a vibrating collar for a deaf dog. This is one way to communicate with the dog if you cannot hear it. It is a kind of “soft touch” to get the attention of dogs. Other than that, I think consistent praise-based training is a much more effective training method compared to e-collars.
Complementing this devocation is another quick fix that just doesn’t make sense. We shouldn’t just cut a dog’s vocal cords faster than we should wear a shock collar to keep them from barking. Dogs must be trained to be comfortable in their environment. My hope is to guide people to help dogs get used to things and not punish them for displaying bothersome symptoms. Look at the cause and then work to eliminate it and you have a lasting and humane solution.