[jstaffon]

We have a 1 year old Golden Retriever that barks when put in a crate and left alone. He's fine for short periods of time or when we're in his sight. We've seen these automatic bark trainer devices advertised that emits a high frequency sound when it hears a dog bark. We have a hand held device that seems to work on him when training him on the more difficult issues. When he does something bad we press the device that emits a high frequency sound that, apparently, only he can hear. We travel from time to time in a 5th wheel RV. We'd like to leave him alone in the RV inside of a crate without him barking and bothering the neighbors. Does anyone have any good or bad experiences...or comments...on how well these work? Is it safe to use? Thanks in advance.

Jeff
Idaho

 

[PatriciafromCO]

for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction... The pot growers and neighbor criminals use these towards my dogs for them to stop barking when they lurking around in the dark around our property.. now they just use them out of spite from outside the new fencing at the road.. And they just hold the button down the entire time.. So now after long term exposure.. my dogs never understanding what it is.. my dogs still bark harder at certain vehicles, and if and when they release the button, or all break out in howling while they holding the button down continuously.... howling like you have never heard before (it can't be heard by us,, buy my security camera audio picks it up to have learned when it is in use)........ total backfire on them the idiots using them thinking they could control the dogs with them...

am not against the ultra sound devices when used with training for positive.. that you there to praise once the behavior is broken and you able to reward redirection of what to do instead. The device alone put on a dog trapped inside a crate is kind of cruel ,, if you have not paired it with positive training that it is a positive cue to stop and stay stopped barking...

it then becomes another tool that confuses and stresses the animal and not surprised that other behaviors follow that are not positive because of that confusion and stress.

my advice is you have to follow through with training,that you don't need the device .. Lots of happy crate training videos on the internet ..crate should be a positive place ,a safe place...

 

[Shell]

I agree with Patricia. The device on a dog alone in a crate is cruel, the dog has no real idea why the pain in his ears and there isn't even a chance to reward him.

Personally, I'd drop the use of the hand held device too. But if you are going to use it, consider it in the same manner of any other physically punishing action-- a shock collar, a prong collar, etc. It is using a pain as positive punishment (aversive consequence after an undesired behavior) and don't minimize that it can be very unpleasant for the dog.

Try playing "crate games", somewhere around here there is a post I wrote detailing a crate games seminar as an outline for a starting place. Youtube should also have options. You want the crate to feel safe, homely, cozy. Barking in a crate is generally a sign of stress, rather than barking AT something like a dog that runs to the window to bark at the mailman or a squirrel etc. Feed meals in the crate, try using some white noise or soft classic music to mask outdoors sounds when you are gone, leave the door to the crate open when you are home and reward the dog if he naps there voluntarily.

If the dog shows signs of greater stress such as self harm (biting at feet or tail, scratching excessively, etc), lots of drooling, doesn't quit barking after maybe 15-20 minutes, or similar then consider alternatives to crating and/or some vet prescribed calming medication.

Oh, and a fair number of younger people (kids, teens, early 20s) can hear the ultrasonic devices and its not pleasant for them either. Most people lose that frequency of hearing as they age. In a campground or RV park, a device like that could be really rude to your neighbors. Kinda worse than a barking dog since adults might not hear it and not believe their kids/teens complaints.

 

[Kyllobernese]

I have always felt that those ultra sonic devices were really cruel as they punish any dog within hearing whether they are doing anything wrong or not. A person wears things on their ears just working on machinery, can you imagine how much damage the ultra sound must be doing to dog's ear which are so much more sensitive?

 

[jstaffon]

All good comments. Thanks for your input!

 

[Knute]

Yes. I agree with the others. These devices are in the same category as prong and shock collars.

When the dog is barking, howling, whining......he is trying to call you back. He wants to be with his humans.

Do the crate training. You may also consider getting a cover for the crate. This would help to provide a den type of space for the dog.

IMHO, your idea will be more like crate punishment for the dog. Soon, the dog will resist going into the crate. Its a like calling the dog to you, then beating it.....pretty soon the dog will not come when called.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

I use an electronic no bark collar if a dog over one year old barks in a crate. The only time I have had the issue is at club training with a dog in a crate in the truck and someone else is working protection.. and that can amp up the frustration for the dog(s) waiting their turn.

I have also used an electronic no bark collar in a kennel outside for a dog that barked.

Barking can be a self rewarding behavior. Self rewarding behaviors are very difficult to stop.

One word of caution using an electronic bark collar. Be sure it is the kind that is only set off by the dog the collar is on. Some collars will activate when a dog next door barks.. and that is unfair. The same issue with the high pitched noise.. it punishes all the dogs, not just the barking dog.

 

[Shell]

I use an electronic no bark collar if a dog over one year old barks in a crate. The only time I have had the issue is at club training with a dog in a crate in the truck and someone else is working protection.. and that can amp up the frustration for the dog(s) waiting their turn.

I have also used an electronic no bark collar in a kennel outside for a dog that barked.

Barking can be a self rewarding behavior. Self rewarding behaviors are very difficult to stop.

One word of caution using an electronic bark collar. Be sure it is the kind that is only set off by the dog the collar is on. Some collars will activate when a dog next door barks.. and that is unfair. The same issue with the high pitched noise.. it punishes all the dogs, not just the barking dog.

Don't you think there might be a significant difference in both temperament of dog and situation/cause of barking between a 1 yr old Golden barking when left alone vs a sports dog like one of yours barking when amped up with frustration and eagerness?

While a no bark collar or device of any kind wouldn't be my personal choice (and, I don't leave collars on dogs when crated), I think that knowing the cause of barking is important before considering using punishment. A soft dog who is quite likely barking from anxiety? That's so high risk to backfire. Even if the barking is boredom, still something that punishment isn't likely to improve. It might stop the barking, but it won't fix the cause.