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Can a dog bark with a muzzle on: Please Don’t Use a Dog Muzzle for Barking — Here’s Why

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Please Don’t Use a Dog Muzzle for Barking — Here’s Why

We’re going to be right up front with you about how we feel about using muzzles to stop dogs from barking. Muzzles have one primary purpose: To stop dogs from biting people, other dogs, and other animals. We do not recommend using muzzles to stop a dog from barking.

Alternatives to Dog Muzzles

To train or stop a barking dog, you need to train the dog, not muzzle them. Get to the source of the barking. Muzzling a dog to stop them from barking is inhumane and traumatic for the animal. You  will find humane and effective ways to train your dog so it learns when it is OK to bark and when it needs to be quiet. In fact, we recommend you start by reading about our train, treat, repeat approach to teaching dogs how to obey.

Alternative to muzzle for dog

Many times when dog owners resort to muzzles to silence barking dogs, we find that the problem is with the human, not the canine. To train a dog to learn the difference between good and bad behaviors, the keys are consistency, patience, repetition and combining all of that with the right dog training tools.

That said, we are not 100% anti-muzzle. We are pro-proper use of a muzzle. In short, we recommend using muzzles:

  • To stop dogs that nip or bite at people and other animals, especially while you train them to modify this behavior
  • To temporarily quiet or calm a dog that aggressively barks at your visitors or guests, again especially if you use it in conjunction with behavior modification
  • If the muzzle properly fits and allows the dog to drink water, pant, and eat; more on this below

Are There Different Types of Muzzles?

Yes, you will find a variety of muzzles in your pet supply stores. Consult with your vet about a muzzle and which might be the appropriate type for your pet. It is vital to your dog’s well-being and health that the muzzle you select is well-fitting and permits your dog to pant easily, take treats, and drink water.

Basket muzzles

This type of muzzle resembles a basket and is typically made from plastic, wire, or leather. Unlike other kinds of muzzles, this style allows your dog to continue to open and close his mouth, so make sure it is the right muzzle for what you need.

Mesh muzzles

Made from strong breathable mesh, this type of muzzle is softer and not as prominent as other muzzle styles. Owners and trainers of short-snout breeds often choose a mesh muzzle for dogs that can’t fit a traditional muzzle.

Soft muzzles

Although this muzzle type is made from soft material like nylon, it requires a tight fit and can inhibit your dog’s ability to pant, eat and drink. Look for a soft muzzle that protects your dog’s health and allows her to pant and drink water.

Breed-specific muzzles

Whether your dog is a greyhound, mastiff, or pug, muzzle manufacturers offer breed-specific muzzles that can provide a better fit for your dog, are minimally restrictive, and protect him from overheating.

What Are Dog Muzzles Best Used For?

We subscribe to the ASPCA’s position on training aids and methods for dogs, which is using “… humane training (that) does not inflict unnecessary distress or discomfort on the pet. Humane training makes primary use of lures and rewards such as food, petting and play.”

Muzzles are best suited for short-term solutions to protect you, your family and visitors from aggressive dogs that bite and nip. Use the muzzle while you are working on behavior modification with our train, treat, repeat methodology.

The dog routinely displays aggressive behavior

If your dog has a history of aggression toward other canines or people, a properly fitted muzzle can reduce risk and make certain situations, such as walking in the park and entertaining guests, more comfortable. However, we recommend pairing the muzzle with training, treating, and repeating your dog to behave the way you want him to. And never leave a muzzle on a dog longer than your veterinarian recommends.

A trip to the vet or groomer causes a dog to freakout

A visit to the vet or groomer can throw the most well-behaved dog into a frenzy and bite those trying to help him. If your dog is known to display this out-of-character behavior in these scary or distressing situations, a muzzle can eliminate risk while allowing the pet care professionals to do their job.

Traveling via public transportation in foreign countries

When traveling on public transportation in countries like Germany, France, Greece, and Ireland, you will be required to muzzle your dog. Before you plan any overseas or out of the country travel, check the requirements not only for the destination but also the United States’ requirements for animals entering the country. You can start with the CDC’s guide to traveling with pets.

It’s the law (breed-specific legislation)

Some states and locales have specific breed legislation that mandates the use of a muzzle while the dog is in public places. For more information regarding the laws in each state, visit BLScensus.com.

Muzzle or Bark Collar — Which is Better?

If you’re having issues with your dog constantly barking, never look to a muzzle as a solution. The purpose of a muzzle is to prevent a dog from biting; they are not intended, nor are they useful as anti-bark training tools. Bark collars on the other hand, may be a successful tool to get a dog to stop barking, although these devices have their pros and cons, which you can read about in our guide to bark collars.

With advancements in technology, today’s bark collars come in various styles; static (shock), vibration, spray (citronella or lemon scent), and ultrasonic. When your dog barks, the collar emits an unpleasant stimulus that causes your dog to pause his barking. This moment allows you to reinforce your dog’s quiet behavior with a verbal command followed by a reward, like his favorite treat. When used with positive reinforcement, a bark collar can be effective at correcting your dog’s unwanted behavior — barking.

With a muzzle, there is no stimulus-command-reward opportunity.

If I Can’t Use a Dog Muzzle for Barking, How Can I Get My Dog to Stop Barking?

You can do several things to help your dog stop barking:

  • Ensure he gets plenty of physical and mental exercise.
  • Never yell at him when he’s barking.
  • Be consistent in your training. Always offer a reward and praise.
  • Practice patience.
  • Read our guide to dog barking.

In addition to bark collars, you will find humane alternatives to muzzles, including our own ultrasonic training tool, The BarxBuddy. This is a hand-held device that is easy and safe to use. Your dog doesn’t need to wear a collar or other equipment, and it can be used up to 40-60 feet. The BarxBuddy puts the control in your hands without making your dog uncomfortable. You determine when to quickly press the button so the device can emit a high-frequency sound only animals can hear that will stop your dog from barking. When he quiets down, address him with a verbal cue like “quiet” and offer a reward.

Are Dog Muzzles Bad for Dogs? Are Dog Muzzles Cruel?

A muzzle can protect your dog, other canines, or people when you use it correctly. However, they come with some warnings:

  • Muzzles are designed and intended for short periods. Depending on the outdoor temperature and your dog’s activity level, that might be as short as 15 minutes, but no more than an hour. Check with your vet.
  • An ill-fitting muzzle can induce chafing, overheating, or cause your dog to develop a negative association with the device.
  • You must monitor your dog’s breathing any time he is muzzled. Any sign of distress, remove the muzzle.
  • A dog should drink .5 to 1 ounce of water per day per pound of body weight; the muzzle should not get in the way of your dog’s ability to drink water.

FAQs About Dog Muzzles

Are muzzles humane? Are dog muzzles inhumane?

Muzzles are considered to be inhumane when they do not allow a dog to eat or easily drink water. Muzzles can be inhumane when they are used as bark control and when they are left on for long periods of time. Muzzles are not intended to be used for punishments.

Are dog muzzles safe?

Safe dog muzzles allow a dog to drink water and breathe easily. They can also be safely used for short periods of time, especially on puppies and dogs that have not been properly socialized (to prevent nipping and biting).

Are dog muzzles bad?

By now you know our stance on dog muzzles: They are OK to be used for short periods of time when socializing a dog or when teaching a puppy or dog to stop biting.

Does a muzzle stop a dog from biting?

Yes, most muzzles will stop a dog from biting. Please make sure your dog’s muzzle is properly fitted so your dog can breathe easily and drink water. Do not leave it on longer than your veterinarian or the muzzle’s manufacturer recommends.

How long can you keep a muzzle on a dog?

Follow your veterinarian’s or the muzzle’s manufacturer’s advice for length of time your dog can wear its muzzle. Your dog should wear its muzzle while you are training it not to bite or nip at other animals and people. They can keep them on during a trip to the dog park, as long as they are able to easily drink water. Do not let your dog sleep with its muzzle on, unless it is a danger to your household.

Do dog muzzles work?

All dog training tools are effective as the trainers make them. In other words, if you muzzle a dog without reason, without training, and without rewards for good behavior, then your muzzle training efforts might not work well. Any dog training device or technique requires consistency, clear commands and rewards, and patience. Dog muzzles can work for protecting people and animals from a dog that likes to bite; however, we do not recommend them for a long0term solution.  See our train, treat, repeat method for dog training.

Can a dog howl with a muzzle on? Can a dog still bark when a muzzle on?

Yes, they can, which is another reason we recommend finding an alternative to a muzzle for your dog, which we you’ll find if you scroll up on this post.

For More Advice on Dog Training

Learn more about the BarxBuddy ultrasonic training tool, which is designed to help you stop unwanted behaviors from your dog using a humane, safe and effective training device.

Explore our dog blog and learn more about training, grooming and other pet-related topics, and browse our shop, which contains innovative pet products hand-selected by our team.

15 Methods To Stop Your Dogs Barking

Your dog is barking and your neighbor has given you an ultimatum. Or maybe you’ve received notice from animal control. At this stage, you’re at wit’s end on how you should handle your dog’s incessant barking.

The good news is that there are ways to reduce, if not eliminate, your dog’s barking. The bad news is that while there might be quick fixes, they are harsh and can be dangerous or cruel to the dog. The good news is that there are kind methods for dealing with barking that will work. Let’s look at them all.

1.

Muzzle

What it Requires

Muzzling requires a muzzle made to fit over the dog’s nose and mouth, preventing him from opening his mouth to bark. There are two types of muzzles: a cage-type muzzle that allows a dog to breathe and open his mouth and a muzzle that keeps the dog’s mouth closed so that a veterinarian or other person can easily work on the dog without getting bitten.

Both are not made to prevent barking but have been used to try to prevent barking in the past. The theory is that a dog can’t open his mouth and therefore can’t bark.

When it is Useful

Muzzles are used normally to prevent a dog from biting. Veterinarians and animal control often use muzzles on frightened or injured pets to avoid getting bitten while moving them or while performing certain procedures. Muzzles are generally not used in controlling barking.

Effectiveness

The muzzle method is definitely out, although people have used muzzles to try to keep their dogs quiet. The problem with a muzzle is that your dog can still vocalize (whine, cry), can’t eat or drink, and can easily overheat while wearing a muzzle according to Margaret H. Bonham, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Dog Health and Nutrition. According to Ms. Bonham dogs have been severely injured or killed wearing a muzzle longer than the intent.

What’s more, leaving a muzzle on a dog is cruel. It may be tempting to use at first, but it isn’t a good solution. Plus once the muzzle is off, your dog can bark again.

You’re likely to have a frightened dog rather than one who is quiet. You should not leave the muzzle on long, nor should you leave a dog wearing a muzzle unattended as he could get injured easily. So, this method doesn’t work and is dangerous. You should not use this method at any time to stop barking.

8 Simple Ways to Keep Your Dog From Barking – Pet Health Center

Dogs bark to communicate with each other and with their owners, but sometimes all that barking can get out of hand. Constant barking can fray a family’s nerves and create turmoil in a neighborhood.

But keep in mind that your dog is trying to tell you something by barking. Before you quiet him down, you will first need to figure out what he’s trying to say.

What’s Behind the Barking?

These are some of the reasons dogs bark:

  • To protect their territory. Dogs guard their territory from people, other dogs, and animals. That territory includes your property, but it can also include other places where the dog has spent a lot of time.
  • Because they sense danger. The dog could be reacting to an alarming situation.
  • To communicate. Sometimes dogs bark to get attention from people.
  • Out of frustration. Barking can result from becoming frustrated by a situation, such as being in a confined space or being unable to locate an owner or playmate.
  • Because they’re anxious. A dog’s anxiety can be caused by separation from the dog’s owner.
  • Because they’re in pain. Barking can communicate pain caused by injury or illness.
  • To say hello. A friendly bark could be how a dog greets people or other dogs.

Tips to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking

There are a lot of stop-barking devices available on the market. The most commonly known are bark collars that deliver an electric shock, high-pitched squeal, or stinging spray of citronella mist whenever a pet dog barks. Other devices include ultrasonic emitters that are placed in a room and activated by barking and muzzles that keep the dog’s jaws held shut.

These devices may offer a short-term fix, but they do nothing to address the underlying cause of your dog’s barking. Eventually, the problem may surface through other behavioral problems, as your dog continues to try to communicate his need or problem to you. A dog prevented from barking caused by separation anxiety may instead take to destroying furniture or urinating indoors when his owner is away.

The devices also can be inhumane. Any dog’s bark can set off a bark collar or ultrasonic device, meaning your dog may end up receiving punishment for another dog’s behavior. Also, a muzzle will keep a dog from being able to eat, drink, and cool off through panting.

For these reasons, an owner frustrated by his dog’s barking is better off using some simple tricks to head off the behavior or taking the time to train the dog out of the behavior. Try these tips:

  • Offer distractions. Bored dogs will be less inclined to bark if they are given plenty of toys to play with. If your dog is barking due to outside noises, playing the TV or radio while you’re away can drown out those sounds. A TV or radio also can help soothe separation anxiety.
  • Keep your dog active. A pooped pooch is less likely to overreact with a barking fit. Take your dog on regular walks or play fitness games like fetch or Frisbee.
  • Work your dog’s brain. Obedience training, either in a class or at home, can improve your dog’s ability to discern threats. It also can lay the groundwork for other anti-barking solutions that require more intensive training.
  • Desensitize your pet. If the barking fits are being caused by an outside stimulus, you can try to desensitize your dog. For example, ask friends to walk by your house while you work with your dog inside, encouraging your pet to be quiet.
  • Teach the “quiet” command. Train your dog to respond to the word “quiet” by allowing three or four barks, then saying “quiet” in a calm, clear voice. When you say “quiet,” break the barking jag by holding his muzzle gently, dropping a loud object that distracts him or squirting him in the face with a spray bottle of water. In this instance, you could use a manually-controlled bark collar as a distraction method. Eventually your dog will learn that “quiet” means he should stop barking.
  • Change up his routine. A dog barking compulsively or out of boredom might stop if you make some changes. If he is being kept in a backyard and barking there, bring the dog indoors and place him in a crate. If the dog is barking because he’s confined in a crate, try leaving him free in one room of your house.
  • Teach her how to meet and greet. A dog that barks when greeting can be trained to meet people and other dogs more gently. Be sure to keep greetings at your front door very low-key and calm. Keep a toy near the door and encourage your dog to pick it up and hold it in his mouth before opening the door. On walks, distract your dog when passing other people or dogs by offering a tasty treat.
  • Don’t reward barking. Above everything else, don’t inadvertently encourage barking through your own behavior. Don’t reward barking by giving the dog a treat after he has barked. Only treat when the dog has been quiet. Also, don’t encourage barking at outside noises by asking, “Who’s there?”

Training can be a lengthy process, but in the end you will improve your relationship with your dog and be better able to make sure his needs are met.

Problem Barking Solved! | Modern Dog magazine

How many times have you observed this scenario? A dog gets excited and starts to bark. The owner begins to frantically yell at the dog, “No! Stop that!” Instead of becoming quiet, the dog begins to bark even more excitedly, and his master must now escalate his actions, and may ultimately resort to physical violence against his pet to try to achieve some quiet

The real problem here is that the dog’s master does not understand the basics of dog language. To a dog, loud, short words like “No!” “Shut up!” “Don’t bark!” and so forth sound just like barks. Think of it this way: the dog barks to signal a potential problem. Now you (who are supposed to be leader of his pack) come over and also bark. This clearly indicates that you agree that this is the right time to sound the alarm, so the dog moves his barking to an even higher level.

Many different techniques have been tried to stop dogs from barking. They range from staring directly into the dog’s eyes in a threatening manner and shaking the dog to methods involving water pistols and squirt bottles, lemon juice sprays, muzzles, adhesive tape, rolled magazines, rattle cans and electric collars. Sometimes these work, but more often they don’t. Even when they do work, such methods tend to be harsh and can damage the relationship between dog and master.

To try to stop barking you must first understand what it means. The dog is barking to communicate something that he feels is relevant to the pack. Usually he is warning his loved ones that he senses danger or something else that requires action. Imagine what goes through the dog’s mind when his act of devotion is met by violence. Aggressive responses to communications that were meant to be helpful are bound to damage future relationships between the person and the dog. Furthermore, these “corrections” only provide a short-term solution to a problem that is easily solved if you understand canine communication patterns.

Wild canines, such as wolves, do not bark much as adults but they do bark as puppies. In the safety of the den area there is little harm in such noise; however, as the puppies grow older and begin to accompany the adults on hunts, such barking becomes counterproductive. A wolf puppy or adolescent who barks at an inappropriate time can alert potential prey that the pack is near, or attract the attention of other, larger predators. To stop this, a simple communication pattern has evolved. It obviously does not involve barking or any loud sound signal, since the goal is to stop noise. The signal also doesn’t involve direct aggression since nipping or biting the barker is apt to cause yelps of pain, growls, or dashing around to avoid or counter the aggressor’s physical violence. This would be just as likely to alert other animals as the original barking itself.

The procedure worked out by wild canines to stop barking is quite simple. Namely, a more dominant animal places its mouth over the offender’s muzzle, without actually biting, and then gives a short, low, breathy growl. The low growl will not be heard very far, and it is short in duration. The mouth over the muzzle is not actually inflicting pain, so there is no yelping or attempt to escape. Silence usually follows immediately.

Humans can mimic this behaviour to stop barking when the dog is nearby. With your dog sitting at your left side, slip the fingers of your left hand under the collar at the back of your dog’s neck. Pull up on the collar with your left hand, while your right hand folds over the top of the dog’s muzzle and presses down. In a quiet, businesslike and unemotional tone, you simply say, “Quiet.” Your left hand on the collar immobilizes the head. Your right hand serves the same function and communicates the same message as the leader’s mouth over the noisy animal’s muzzle. The softly spoken “Quiet” mimics the short, low and breathy growl. Repeat this silencing manoeuvre whenever it is necessary. Depending upon the breed, it may take anywhere from two to a couple of dozen repetitions to associate the calmly stated command, “Quiet,” with an end to barking.

Be sure, however, that you only use this procedure to stop a dog from barking when barking is excessive or unnecessary. Remember that we specifically bred dogs to bark, so if your dog sounds the alarm at the approach of a stranger, or even at the sight of a cat outside of your window, don’t correct him, just call him to your side and give him a quick pet or a rub, and maybe a quiet “Okay. ” He will often stop by himself once you acknowledge the situation. By barking, your dog is only doing the job that humans designed him to do thousands of years ago. ■

Stanley Coren is a Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia and author of many books on dogs, including How to Speak Dog and Pawprints of History. His website is www.stanleycoren.com

5 Best Dog Muzzles For Barking You Can Buy Right Now [& Guide]

This post may contain affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Just like you, I feel so pleased watching my little friend bark, drink, or chew away at the treats she loves. That’s why I agree that the thought of sealing off her mouth sounds a little scary, even though it’s temporary.

But as I later found out, that may not be a bad thing after all. I’m sure none of us would hesitate to do something to protect or maintain the well-being and safety of our dog plus her immediate surroundings.

Well, that’s pretty much what dog muzzles do. They are devices that can help you temporarily manage excessive barking, biting, or chewing in dogs.

Consider aggressive behavioral tendencies, a grooming session, or emergencies that could make your dog agitated. Without a muzzle, your dog could possibly end up biting you or those around her.

Besides, in the United States, some municipal governments actually have laws that regulate/prohibit ownership of some breeds which they label as vicious. In such environments, a dog muzzle is a necessity.

That said, I’m sure you would be interested to learn more about dog muzzles for barking or chewing. In this article, I’ll show you how to pick the right one for your dog and what best options are available right now.

Contents & Quick Navigation

Overview of The Best Dog Muzzles For Barking 

Product Name

Material

Type

Rating 

(Out of 5)

PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar

Collars

and

Harnesses

Collars

and

Harnesses

Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle

Rubber

Basket

Four Paws Walk-About Quick-Fit Dog Muzzle

Nylon

Muzzle

Sleeve

PROGUARD Pet Products Short Nose Dog Muzzle

Mesh

&

Nylon

Muzzle

Sleeve

OmniPet Italian Basket Dog Muzzle

Plastic

&

Leather Basket

How To Choose The Right Dog Muzzle

Since dogs have to eat, drink, and pant, it follows that you shouldn’t severely restrict their mouths from doing any movements. Even if those behaviors are excessive, it wouldn’t be right to treat a dog muzzle as a long-term solution since the device’s role is to simply manage the conditions.

That’s why, as a pet parent looking to use this gadget, you should know how to get your dog accustomed to it and also learn when to use it.

Below is a video by DomesticatedManners created to help you teach your pup to love wearing a muzzle.

As for how long your dog should wear it, there’s no specific answer to that as this will vary based on things like temperature, type of activity, how active she is, and health conditions, among other factors. You can learn more about that from expert guides.

That aside, when you finally go shopping, here are the two most important things you should keep in mind:

1. Type

Canine anti-bark muzzles are available in two major forms:

  • Basket muzzle

  • Soft muzzle sleeve/wrap

Just as the name suggests, basket muzzles are woven and have plenty of space and ventilation to allow your dog to pant and move her mouth. Some are specially designed to allow your pet to eat and drink but not to bark or bite.

They are available in plastic, rubber, and metallic forms.

Soft muzzle sleeve/wrap is the type that restricts movement, thus preventing your dog from panting, eating or drinking. It’s recommended that you never leave your dog alone with this type of muzzle.

They are available in nylon, mesh, and leather forms.

2. Size

In order to identify a muzzle that will fit your dog well, you will have to take some measurements into consideration. Get the length of her snout and neck plus the circumference of the area right below her eyes.

Give an allowance of about half an inch for each of the measurements. If not sure how to do it, learn from the video below by eHowPets:

Reviews of the Best Dog Muzzle For Barking

With all that I’ve mentioned in mind, combined with help from dog lovers and a several vets, I was able to narrow it down to five anti-bark muzzles that I believe would be a great option for your dog. Check them out:

Four Paws Walk-About Quick-Fit Dog Muzzle

Generally speaking, muzzles do no sit very well with most dogs because they probably see it as a foreign object that is out to strip away their freedom. So when a muzzle is put on a dog’s snout, which is a vital area for any pooch, it is not surprising that your furry pal is likely to protest.

Four Paws Walk-About Quick-Fit Dog Muzzle has a practical design that will restrict barking, chewing, or biting yet allow your pooch the freedom to drink and pant away.

Some dog muzzles can look cruel, but the Four Paws Walk-About Quick-Fit has been designed for effectiveness, ease of use, and relative comfort for your pooch. It has minimal straps and therefore is very easy to get on your dog.

Dogs, being the smart creatures they are, often figure out how to remove a muzzle and bury it somewhere where you are not likely find it again. This muzzle, however, in its simplicity, is hard to remove even by the craftiest of dogs.

You can buy it from any leading online outlets such as chewy.com.

Key Features

  • Made out of durable nylon which is tough

  • Adjustable and has minimal straps

  • Tough to remove–professional handlers love it

Pros

Cons

  • Seven colors to choose from to suit your preference
  • The nylon is easily washable
  • Effective in stopping barking, chewing, and biting
  • Has a pleasing look
  • Comes in many sizes (so be sure to get the right measurements for the most comfortable fit)

 

Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle, Black

Because of the cage-like design, the Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle almost looks menacing. It gives the impression that you are being unkind to your canine pal as if he is Hannibal Lecter.

But you have to remember that you still need a dog muzzle to temporarily stop barking and control other activities such as biting and chewing. Your muzzle should also be the kind that doesn’t impair other vital functions such as drinking and panting.

Well, this dog muzzle is extremely effective, despite its menacing look. If you happen to be traveling on public transportation with your buddy, this muzzle will work well.

Also, the cage-like appearance allows your pooch to wear this muzzle comfortably for longer periods such as when exercising or going for long walks.

Quite importantly, the Baskerville Ultra is roomy enough to allow your pooch to lick on a wound if she needs too. This muzzle can be bought from any leading online outlets such as chewy.com.

Key Features

  • It is soft and lightweight

  • Hard rubber cage ensures durability

  • Adjustable head and neck straps as well as neoprene padded lining for more comfort

Pros

Cons

  • Provides effective protection for biting and snappy dogs
  • Can be worn for longer due to the webbed design
  • Effective in controlling barking, biting, and chewing
  • Works with most snouts, including short-nosed breeds
  • Some doggy parents simply don’t like the design as it appears mean

 

Proguard Pet Products Short-Nose Dog Muzzle

Dogs are differently shaped depending on breed. Some breeds are flat-faced or have short snouts, like boxers and pugs. This one-size-fits-all muzzle is easy to use and holds fast, thanks to the quick release tabs.

Not only is it a favorite with flat-faced doggy parents but also pet groomers. The Proguard Short-Nose muzzle does a great job of protecting the vet or groomer when working on a pooch. It can also be worn any time when you need to restrict barking.

This muzzle is constructed using mesh material that allows your dog to breathe comfortably. It also comes with a 12-inch nylon strap that fits behind the ears. However, unlike most muzzles that cover the mouth and nose area, this muzzle will cover the eyes as well.

It contains a “blinder” that can also be used to further restrict vision. It is important to point out that you should always stay close to your canine pal when she is wearing this muzzle.

The Proguard muzzle for flat-faced dogs can be bought from any leading online outlets such as chewy.com.

Key Features

Pros

Cons

  • Easy to use
  • Made from nylon which is very washable
  • Mesh design allows your pooch to breath freely
  • Works well when at the vet or during a grooming session
  • Not the most comfortable or practical when taking your dog for a walk as it restricts vision

 

OmniPet Italian Basket Dog Muzzle

Most of us tend to be skeptical about plastic dog muzzles because they have a tendency to break as a result of exposure to changes in extreme weather. Well, not the OmniPet Italian Basket because it’s constructed from flexible polyethylene that is hard and durable.

This material can withstand changes in extreme temperatures without breaking. Its adjustable leather strap allows you to find the right fit for your pooch so that the muzzle fits comfortably.

I know some of you are not overly enthusiastic about this design, but truthfully speaking, it is quite practical and very effective.

For example, the muzzle has a few design surprises that allow your dog even more comfort in spite of her size. With 10 sizes to choose from, you can be sure that you will find the right fit for your pooch.

What’s more, every size increases by one half to one inch, thus allowing some extra room for your pooch to pant more comfortably.

Should you feel that your mutt needs further access to drink water or feed, the front grills of the muzzle can be opened.

Although the cage may look restrictive, it has been designed with adequate space and features to enhance comfort while controlling biting, chewing, and barking for a short duration.

If you want to buy this product, you can get from leading online outlets, such as chewy.com.

Key Features

  • Front grills can be opened for more access

  • Tough durable material that does not break easily

  • Adjustable leather strap for a better fit

Pros

Cons

  • Front grills allow easy access to eating/drinking
  • Constructed from long-lasting durable material
  • Easy to wash
  • With 10 sizes to choose from, you must get the correct measurements for your dog to avoid the muzzle being too tight or too loose

 

PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar with Training DVD

If you find it hard to muzzle your dog under any circumstances, then perhaps the next thing you might want to consider is the PetSafe Gentle Leader Head Collar.

Many have found it helpful in their quest to have better control of their pup when going for walks. The design aspect alone drastically reduces lunging, jumping, and excessive barking.

Most doggy parents aren’t too thrilled at the thought of using a standard collar and harness. This is because your pooch tends to pull and tug in the opposite direction. But looking at the way an ordinary harness is designed, the pulling effect often ends up applying unwanted pressure to your dog’s throat, which is simply not comfortable.

The mechanics behind the PetSafe Gentle Leader are totally different and here’s how.

It will help calm your aggressive or anxious dog during a walk because the design allows communication in a way that your pooch understands.  By gently placing pressure on calming points, this headcollar effectively eliminates the natural tendency of your dog to pull, and it does so without too much effort.

Besides, this device is designed to remove pressure from the throat and instead places gentle pressure at the back of the neck. Basically, it works like a halter.

Putting on the nose loop on your dog allows you easy control. The dog can instinctively understand a command from a gentle tug without discomfort. Where you direct his nose, his body will follow.

You can find this product from reliable online pet stores such as chewy.com

Key Features

  • Fully adjustable neck strap and nose loop

  • Design removes pressure from your dog’s throat

  • Easy-to-use and features a tutorial DVD

Pros

Cons

  • The nose loop still allows your dog to pant, drink, bark, and bite
  • Does not choke your furry pal–instead, a gentle tug places slight pressure to the back of the neck
  • Easy to direct your dog through the nose loop
  • Very comfortable and your pooch can wear it for extended periods of time (up to 18 hours continuously)
  • Does not function as a muzzle but provides better control compared to standard collars and harnesses

 

Conclusion

I still see lots of pet parents on dog forums asking “Do muzzles stop dogs from barking?” If you wonder the same thing, the idea of getting a dog muzzle for your little fellow now makes sense more than ever.

It’s even great to note that today, we have pretty great muzzles designed to manage your dog’s unusual barking, biting, or chewing without being tough on their freedom.

As you prepare to purchase one, make sure you’ve enlightened yourself with as much relevant information as possible about how they work, when to use them, and for how long. Already, you have a solid basis to build on from the information I shared earlier.

Don’t forget to only purchase from reliable and leading online pet stores, like chewy.com, as they tend to stock all the varieties available from different brands and also give you all the key information you may require about a particular product.

Top Picks For Our Dogs

  1. BEST PUPPY TOY
    We Like: Snuggle Puppy w/ Heart Beat & Heat Pack – Perfect for new puppies. We get all of our Service Dog pups a Snuggle Puppy.
  2. BEST CHEW TOY
    We Like: KONG Extreme – Great toy for heavy chewers like our Labrador Retrievers.
  3. BEST DOG TREATS
    We Like: Wellness Soft Puppy Bites – One of our favorite treats for training our service dog puppies.
  4. BEST FRESH DOG FOOD
    We Like: The Farmer’s Dog – A couple months ago we started feeding Raven fresh dog food and she loves it! Get 50% off your first order of The Farmer’s Dog.

For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining.com blog.

5 Best Dog Muzzles For Barking You Can Buy Right Now [& A Buyer Guide] was last modified: September 7th, 2019 by LTHQ

Barking | ASPCA

Barking is one of many forms of vocal communication for dogs. People are often pleased that their dog barks, because it alerts them to the approach of people to their home or it tells them there’s something that the dog wants or needs. However, sometimes a dog’s barking can be excessive. Because barking serves a variety of functions, you must identify its cause and your dog’s motivation for barking before you can treat a barking problem

Each type of barking serves a distinct function for a dog, and if he’s repeatedly rewarded for his barking—in other words, if it gets him what he wants—he can learn to use barking to his benefit. For example, dogs who successfully bark for attention often go on to bark for other things, like food, play and walks. For this reason, it’s important to train your dog to be quiet on cue so that you can stop his attention-related barking and teach him to do another behavior instead—like sit or down—to get what he wants.

Many owners can identify why their dog is barking just by hearing the specific bark. For instance, a dog’s bark sounds different when he wants to play as compared to when he wants to come in from the yard. If you want to reduce your dog’s barking, it’s crucial to determine why he’s barking. It will take some time to teach your dog to bark less. Unfortunately, it’s just not realistic to expect a quick fix or to expect that your dog will stop barking altogether. (Would you expect a person to suddenly stop talking altogether?) Your goal should be to decrease, rather than eliminate, the amount of barking. Bear in mind that some dogs are more prone to barking than others. In addition, some breeds are known as “barkers,” and it can be harder to decrease barking in individuals of these breeds.

Why Dogs Bark

Territorial Barking
Dogs can bark excessively in response to people, dogs or other animals within or approaching their territories. Your dog’s territory includes the area surrounding his home and, eventually, anywhere he has explored or associates strongly with you: your car, the route you take during walks and other places where he spends a lot of time.

Alarm Barking
If your dog barks at any and every noise and sight regardless of the context, he’s probably alarm barking. Dogs engaged in alarm barking usually have stiffer body language than dogs barking to greet, and they often move or pounce forward an inch or two with each bark. Alarm barking is different than territorial barking in that a dog might alarm bark at sights or sounds in any location at all, not just when he’s defending familiar areas, such as your house, yard or car.

Attention-Seeking Barking
Some dogs bark at people or other animals to gain attention or rewards, like food, toys or play.

Greeting Barking
Your dog might be barking in greeting if he barks when he sees people or other dogs and his body is relaxed, he’s excited and his tail is wagging. Dogs who bark when greeting people or other animals might also whine.

Compulsive Barking
Some dogs bark excessively in a repetitive way, like a broken record. These dogs often move repetitively as well. For example, a dog who’s compulsively barking might run back and forth along the fence in his yard or pace in his home.

Socially Facilitated Barking
Some dogs barks excessively only when they hear other dogs barking. This kind of barking occurs in the social context of hearing other dogs, even at a distance—such as dogs in the neighborhood.

Frustration-Induced Barking
Some dogs bark excessively only when they’re placed in a frustrating situation, like when they can’t access playmates or when they’re confined or tied up so that their movement is restricted.

Other Problems That Can Cause Barking

Illness or Injury
Dogs sometimes bark in response to pain or a painful condition. Before attempting to resolve your dog’s barking problem, please have your dog examined by a veterinarian to rule out medical causes.

Separation-Anxiety Barking
Excessive barking due to separation anxiety occurs only when a dog’s caretaker is gone or when the dog is left alone. You’ll usually see at least one other separation anxiety symptom as well, like pacing, destruction, elimination, depression or other signs of distress. For more information about this problem, please see our article, Separation Anxiety.

What to Do About Your Dog’s Excessive Barking

The first step toward reducing your dog’s barking is to determine the type of bark your dog is expressing. The following questions can help you to accurately decide on which type of barking your dog is doing so that you can best address your dog’s problem. Think about your answers to these questions as you read through the information below on the different types of barking and their treatments.

  1. When and where does the barking occur?
  2. Who or what is the target of the barking?
  3. What things (objects, sounds, animals or people) trigger the barking?
  4. Why is your dog barking?

If It’s Territorial Barking or Alarm Barking
Territorial behavior is often motivated by both fear and anticipation of a perceived threat. Because defending territory is such a high priority to them, many dogs are highly motivated to bark when they detect the approach of unknown people or animals near familiar places, like their homes and yards. This high level of motivation means that when barking territorially, your dog might ignore unpleasant or punishing responses from you, such as scolding or yelling. Even if the barking itself is suppressed by punishment, your dog’s motivation to guard his territory will remain strong, and he might attempt to control his territory in another way, such as biting without warning.

Dogs engage in territorial barking to alert others to the presence of visitors or to scare off intruders or both. A dog might bark when he sees or hears people coming to the door, the mail carrier delivering the mail and the maintenance person reading the gas meter. He might also react to the sights and sounds of people and dogs passing by your house or apartment. Some dogs get especially riled up when they’re in the car and see people or dogs pass by. You should be able to judge from your dog’s body posture and behavior whether he’s barking to say “Welcome, come on in!” or “Hey, you’d better hit the road. You’re not welcome at my place!” If you’re dealing with a dog in the first category, follow the treatment outlined in this article for greeting barking (below). If you’re dealing with a dog in the latter category who isn’t friendly to people, you’ll be more successful if you limit your dog’s ability to see or hear passersby and teach him to associate the presence of strangers with good things, such as food and attention. 

For treatment of territorial barking, your dog’s motivation should be reduced as well as his opportunities to defend his territory. To manage your dog’s behavior, you’ll need to block his ability to see people and animals. Removable plastic film or spray-based glass coatings can help to obscure your dog’s view of areas that he observes and guards from within your house. Use secure, opaque fencing to surround outside areas your dog has access to. Don’t allow your dog to greet people at the front door, at your front yard gate or at your property boundary line. Instead, train him to go to an alternate location, like a crate or a mat, and remain quiet until he’s invited to greet appropriately.

Alarm barking is very similar to territorial barking in that it’s triggered by sights and sounds. However, dogs who alarm bark might do so in response to things that startle or upset them when they’re not on familiar turf. For example, a dog who barks territorially in response to the sight of strangers approaching will usually only do so when in his own home, yard or car. By contrast, a dog who habitually alarm barks might vocalize when he sees or hears strangers approaching in other places, too. Although territorial barking and alarm barking are a little different, the recommendations below apply to both problems.

“Quiet” Training
If your dog continues to alarm bark or bark territorially, despite your efforts to block his exposure to sights and sounds that might trigger his barking, try the following techniques:

  • Teach your dog that when someone comes to the door or passes by your property, he’s permitted to bark until you say “Quiet.” Allow your dog to bark three to four times. Then say “Quiet.” Avoid shouting. Just say the command clearly and calmly. Then go to your dog, gently hold his muzzle closed with your hand and repeat “Quiet.” Release your dog’s muzzle, step away, and call him away from the door or window. Then ask your dog to sit and give him a treat. If he stays beside you and remains quiet, continue to give him frequent treats for the next few minutes, until whatever triggered his barking is gone. If your dog resumes barking right away, repeat the sequence above. Do the same outside if he barks at passersby when he’s in the yard.
  • If you prefer not to hold your dog’s muzzle or if doing so seems to scare your dog or make him struggle, you can try a different method. When your dog barks, approach him, calmly say “Quiet,” and then prompt his silence by feeding him a steady stream of tiny, pea-sized treats, such as chicken, hot dogs or bits of cheese. After enough repetitions of this sequence, over several days or more of training, your dog will begin to understand what “Quiet” means. You’ll know that he’s catching on if he consistently stops barking as soon as he hears you say “Quiet.” At this point, you can gradually extend the time between the cue, “Quiet,” and your dog’s reward. For example, say “Quiet,” wait 2 seconds, and then feed your dog several small treats in a row. Over many repetitions, gradually increase the time from 2 seconds to 5, then 10, then 20, and so on.
  • If the “Quiet” procedure is ineffective after 10 to 20 attempts, then allow your dog to bark 3 to 4 times, calmly say “Quiet,” and then immediately make a startling noise by shaking a set of keys or an empty soda can filled with pennies. If your dog is effectively startled by the sound, he’ll stop barking. The instant he does, call him away from the door or window, ask him to sit, and give him a treat. If he stays beside you and remains quiet, continue to give him frequent treats for the next few minutes until whatever triggered his barking is gone. If he resumes barking right away, repeat the sequence. If this procedure doesn’t work after 10 to 20 attempts, please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, for information about finding a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB), a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB) or a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) for guidance.
  • If your dog barks at people or other dogs during walks, distract him with special treats, like chicken, cheese or hot dogs, before he begins to bark. (Soft, very tasty treats work best.) Show your dog the treats by holding them in front of his nose, and encourage him to nibble at them while he’s walking past a person or dog who would normally cause him to bark. Some dogs do best if you ask them to sit as people or dogs pass. Other dogs prefer to keep moving. Make sure you praise and reward your dog with treats anytime he chooses not to bark.
  • It may help to have your dog wear a head halter at times when he’s likely to bark (for example, on walks or in your house). A halter can have a distracting or calming effect and make your dog less likely to bark. Make sure you reward him for not barking. (Important note: For safety reasons, only let your dog wear the halter when you can supervise him.)
  • If your dog most often barks territorially in your yard, keep him in the house during the day and supervise him when he’s in the yard so that he can’t just bark his head off when no one’s around. If he’s sometimes able to engage in excessive alarm barking (when you’re not around, for example), that behavior will get stronger and harder to reduce.
  • If your dog most often barks territorially in your car, teach him to ride in a crate while in the car. Riding in a crate will restrict your dog’s view and reduce his motivation to bark. If crating your dog in your car isn’t feasible, try having your dog wear a head halter in the car instead. (Important note: For safety reasons, only let your dog wear the halter when you can supervise him.)

“Go to Your Spot” Training
It also helps to teach your dog a specific set of behaviors to do when people come into your home so that he has fewer opportunities to alarm bark. Plus, when your dog performs his new behaviors and receives rewards, he’ll learn that people coming into his and your space is a good thing.

  1. Before you can train your dog to go to a spot and stay there when a door opens, you’ll need to teach him how to sit or lie down and then how to stay. After your dog has learned these skills, you can progress to Step 2.
  2. Identify a place in your home where you’d like your dog to go when people come to the door. If possible, choose a place that’s at least eight feet away from the front door but still within sight. It might be a spot at the top of a set of stairs, inside the doorway of an adjacent room, your dog’s crate, or a rug positioned at the far corner of an entryway or foyer.
  3. Say “Go to your spot,” show your dog a treat, and then throw the treat onto the spot where you’d like your dog to go. Repeat this sequence 10 to 20 times. By the tenth time, try pretending to throw the treat so that your dog begins to move toward the spot on his own. As soon as he’s standing on his spot or rug, throw him the treat. As your dog catches on, you can stop making the fake throwing motion with your arm and just give him the cue, “Go to your spot.” Then wait until he does and reward him.
  4. Once your dog is reliably going to his spot, vary where you are when you send him there. Practice asking him to go to his spot from many different angles and distances. For example, say “Go to your spot” when you’re standing a few steps to the left of it. After a few repetitions, move a few steps to the right of the spot and say, “Go to your spot” from that position. Then move to another area in the room, then another, etc. Eventually, practice standing by the front door and asking your dog to go to his spot, just as you might when visitors arrive.
  5. When your dog masters going to his spot, start asking him to sit or down when he gets there. As soon as your dog’s rear end hits the floor on the spot, say “Yes!” and reward him with a tasty treat. Then say “Okay,” and allow him to move off the spot. Repeat these steps at least 10 times per training session.
  6. Now add stay into your exercise. Stand next to your dog’s spot. Ask him to sit or lie down, say “Stay” and wait one second. Then say “Yes!” or “Good!” and give him a treat. After you deliver the treat, say “Okay” to release your dog from the stay and encourage him to get off the spot. Repeat this sequence at least 10 times per training session. Progressively increase from one second to several seconds, but vary the time so that sometimes you make the exercise easy (a shorter stay) and sometimes you make it hard (a longer stay). If your dog starts to get up before you say “Okay,” say “Uh-uh!” or “Oops!” and immediately ask him to sit or lie down on his spot again. Then make the exercise a little easier the next few times by asking your dog to hold the stay for a shorter time. Avoid pushing your dog to progress too fast or testing him to see how long he can hold the stay before getting up. This sets your dog up to fail. You want him to be successful at least 8 out of 10 times in a row.
  7. When your dog can consistently stay on his spot for at least 30 seconds, with you standing in front of him, you can start moving toward the door. Say the cue “Go to your spot,” walk with your dog to his spot, ask him to sit or lie down and ask him to stay. At first, just turn your head away from your dog. Then turn back to give him a treat and release him from the stay. After a few repetitions, make things a little harder. After your dog is sitting or lying down on his spot, ask him to stay and then take one step toward the door. Return immediately, give your dog a treat and then release him from the stay with your release word or phrase. Gradually increase the number of steps that you take away from your dog and toward the door. Eventually you’ll be able to walk all the way to the door and back while your dog stays sitting or lying down on his spot. (Don’t forget to keep rewarding him for staying!) If your dog stands up or leaves his spot before you release him from the stay, say “Oops!” the moment he gets up. Then immediately tell him to sit or lie down on his spot again and stay. Wait a few seconds and then release him. You may have progressed too fast. Next time, make the exercise a little easier so your dog can succeed. Ask him to stay for a shorter period of time and don’t move as far away from him. When he’s successful at an easier level, you can gradually make the exercise harder again. Never end your dog’s stay from a distance. Instead, always return to him, say “Yes,” give him a treat, and then say “Okay” to release him.
  8. When your dog can consistently stay in a sit or a down on his spot for 30 seconds, while you turn away and walk to your front door, you can start to introduce some distractions. Tell your dog to stay, and then do something distracting. At first make your distractions mild. For example, start by bending down or doing a single jumping jack. Over many sessions of training, gradually intensify your distractions to things like running a few steps or tossing a treat on the floor. Reward your dog quickly after each distraction for holding the stay. If he breaks the stay, quickly say “Uh-uh,” ask him to sit or lie down on his spot, and try again. When your dog can stay while you do all sorts of distracting things, ask him to stay while you go to the front door of your home and pretend to greet someone there. Your goal is for him to learn to stay the entire time you’re at the door.
  9. The next step in “Go to Your Spot” training is to recruit friends and family to help you conduct mock practice visits. Arrange to have someone come to the door. You will work with your dog to help him stay on his own. Be prepared! This will probably take a long time the first few visits. When you open the door, one of two things can happen. Sometimes you leave your dog there on his spot while you talk to the person at the door, as if your visitor is a courier or delivery person. Your dog never gets to say hello. (However, you, the person or both of you should frequently toss treats to your dog to reward him for staying.) At other times, invite the visitor in. Wait until the person sits down somewhere, and then release your dog to join you and your guest. When you have a friend help you with a mock visit, be sure to repeat the scenario over and over, at least 10 to 20 times. Practice makes perfect! Have the person come in for 5 to 10 minutes or just pretend to deliver something, then leave for 5 to 10 minutes, then return for a second visit, and so on. Your dog should experience at least 10 visits in a row with the same person. With each repetition, it will become easier for him to do what you expect because he’ll be less excited by the whole routine—especially when it’s the same person at the door, over and over again.
  10. Continue to recruit people to help you practice “Go to Your Spot” exercises until your dog reliably goes to his spot and stays there until you release him by saying “Okay.” At this point, your dog should be able to perform his new “Go to Your Spot” skill perfectly about 90 percent of the time during training sessions. The hardest part for your dog will be going to his spot and staying there in real-life situations, when he hasn’t been able to do a few warm-up repetitions. To prepare your dog for times when real visitors arrive, ask friends who already know your dog well to drop by randomly when you’ll be home. Then ask friends who don’t know your dog well to drop by. With plenty of practice, your dog will be able to go to his spot and stay there, even when neither of you knows who’s at the door!
  11. Eventually, when real visitors come to your home, you can ask your dog to go to his spot as soon as they knock or ring the doorbell. After letting your guests in, ask them to sit down. Wait about one minute before releasing your dog from his spot to greet them. Put your dog on a leash if you think he might jump on your guests or behave aggressively. After a minute or two of allowing your dog to greet people, ask him to lie down at your feet and stay. Give him something to keep him busy, such as a rawhide or a puzzle toy stuffed with something really tasty, like low-fat cream cheese, spray cheese or low-fat peanut butter, frozen banana and cottage cheese, or canned dog food and kibble. After your dog finishes with the rawhide or the KONG, he’ll probably go to sleep. If you repeat the ritual above for a while, your dog should learn to settle down calmly when guests visit your home.

If you need help teaching your dog these skills, don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a Certified Professional Dog Trainer or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist in your area. A professional trainer can meet with you one-on-one to guide you through the process of teaching your dog to sit, stay and go to a spot on command. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, to locate one of these experts near you.

Greeting Barking
If your dog barks at people coming to the door, at people or dogs walking by your property, at people or dogs he sees on walks, and at people or dogs he sees through the fence, and his barking is accompanied by whining, tail wagging and other signs of friendliness, your dog is probably barking to say hello. He most likely barks the same way when family members come home.

  • Keep greetings low key. Teach your dog to sit and stay when meeting people at the door so that he has something to do instead of barking. This will reduce his excitement level. First teach him to sit and stay when there aren’t any people at the door so that he knows the behavior well before you ask him to do it with the distraction and excitement of real visitors arriving.
  • If your dog likes toys, keep a favorite toy near the front door and encourage him to pick up the toy before he greets you or guests. If he learns to hold a toy in his mouth, he’ll be less inclined to bark. (He’ll probably still whine, however).
  • On walks, teach your dog that he can walk calmly past people and dogs without meeting them. To do this, distract your dog with special treats, like chicken, cheese or hot dogs, before he begins to bark. (Soft, very tasty treats work best). Show your dog the treats by holding them in front of his nose, and encourage him to nibble at them while he’s walking past a person or dog who would normally cause him to bark. Some dogs do best if you ask them to sit as people or dogs pass. Other dogs prefer to keep moving. Make sure you praise and reward your dog with treats anytime he chooses not to bark.
  • It may help to have your dog wear a head halter at times when he’s likely to bark (for example, on walks or in your house). A halter can have a distracting or calming effect and make your dog less likely to bark. Make sure you reward him for not barking. (Important note: For safety reasons, only let your dog wear the halter when you can supervise him.)

Attention-Seeking Barking
One reason that it’s so easy to live with dogs is that they’re very expressive. They find a way to let us know their needs. They often do this by barking or whining. Indeed, we find it desirable when they bark to ask to go outside to eliminate or to request that their water bowl be filled. It’s less attractive, however, when your dog barks to demand anything and everything, needed or not! This pattern of barking does not happen by accident. A demanding, noisy dog has been taught to be this way, usually not on purpose! To get your dog to stop, you’ll need to consistently not reward him for barking. Don’t try to figure out exactly why he’s barking. Ignore him instead. Treatment for this kind of barking can be tough because, most of the time, pet parents unwittingly reinforce the behavior—sometimes just with eye contact, touching, scolding or talking to their dogs. To dogs, all of these human behaviors can count as rewarding attention. Try to use crystal-clear body language to tell your dog that his attention-seeking barking is going to fail. For example, when your dog starts to bark for attention, you can stare at the ceiling, turn away from your dog or walk out of the room. The instant your dog stops barking, ask him to sit and then give him what he wants, whether that’s attention, play, treats, to go outside or to come in.

To be successful, try your best to NEVER reward your dog for barking at you again! In some cases, it’s easiest to teach your dog an alternative behavior. For instance, if you don’t want your dog to bark when he needs to go out or come in, get a doggy door installed or teach him to ring a bell hanging on a door by touching it with his nose or paw. If your dog barks to get you to play with him, teach him to bring a toy and sit in front of you. Sometimes, it’s easier to avoid problems by eliminating the things that cause your dog to bark. If your dog barks to ask you to retrieve his toys from under the sofa, block the space so that the toys don’t get stuck beyond his reach. If your dog barks at you when you’re talking on the telephone or working on the computer, give him a tasty chew bone to occupy him before he starts to bark.

You can also teach your dog to be silent on command. This will help strengthen the association between quiet behavior and attention or rewards. Your dog should always be quiet before receiving attention, play or treats. By giving your dog a guaranteed method of getting attention, he’s no longer forced to bark for attention. Regularly seek your dog out to give him attention—sweet praise, petting and an occasional treat—when he’s not barking.

Compulsive Barking
Dogs occasionally become compulsive barkers, meaning they bark in situations that aren’t considered normal or they bark in a repetitive, fixed or rigid way. If your dog barks repeatedly for long periods of time, apparently at nothing or at things that wouldn’t bother other dogs, such as shadows, light flashes, mirrors, open doors, the sky, etc., you may have a compulsive barker. If your dog also does other repetitive behaviors like spinning, circling or jumping while barking, he may be a compulsive barker. To help reduce compulsive barking, you can try changing how you confine your dog. For instance, if your dog is tied or tethered, you can switch to keeping him loose in a safe fenced area, or if he’s left alone for long periods of time, you should increase exercise, mental stimulation and social contact.

If you suspect that your dog is a compulsive barker, we recommend that you seek guidance from a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a veterinary behaviorist. If you can’t find a behaviorist, you can seek help from a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, but be sure that the trainer is qualified to help you. Determine whether she or he has education and experience treating compulsive behavior, since this kind of expertise isn’t required for CPDT certification. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, to locate one of these behavior experts in your area.

Socially Facilitated Barking
Dogs are social animals, so it’s natural for them to bark when they hear others barking. You can discourage this tendency by keeping your dog indoors when other dogs are barking, by playing music to drown out the sound of other dogs, and by distracting your dog with treats or play when other dogs bark (whether it’s in real life or on TV).

Excitement or Frustration Barking
Dogs often bark when they find themselves excited but thwarted, or frustrated, from getting to something they want. For example, a frustrated dog might bark in his yard because he wants to get out and play with children he hears in the street. A frustrated dog might bark and run the fence line with the dog next door, or bark by the patio door while watching a cat or squirrel frolicking in his yard. Some dogs bark at other dogs on walks because they want to greet and play, or they bark at their caretakers to get them to move faster when preparing to go for walks. The most effective means for discouraging excitement or frustration barking is to teach a frustrated dog to control his impulses through obedience training. You can teach your dog to wait, sit and stay before gaining access to fun activities like walks, playing with other dogs or chasing squirrels. This can be a daunting task, so you may need the assistance of a Certified Professional Dog Trainer to help you. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, for information about finding a CPDT in your area. You can also discourage the presence of cats and other animals in your yard by using motion-activated devices to startle intruders.

Anti-Bark Collars

A variety of devices are designed to teach dogs to curtail barking. Most often, these are collars that deliver an unpleasant stimulus when your dog barks. The stimulus might be a loud noise, an ultrasonic noise, a spray of citronella mist or a brief electric shock. The collars that deliver noise are ineffective with most dogs. One study found that the citronella collar was at least as effective for eliminating barking as the electronic collar and was viewed more positively by owners. Virtually all dogs become “collar-wise,” meaning that they learn not to bark while wearing their anti-bark collars but revert to barking when they’re not wearing them. Collars that work on a microphone system to pick up the sound of a dog’s bark should not be used in a multidog home because any dog’s bark can activate the collar.

Anti-bark collars are punishment devices and are not recommended as a first choice for dealing with a barking problem. This is especially true for barking that’s motivated by fear, anxiety or compulsion. Before using an anti-bark collar, please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, for information about finding a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist or a qualified Certified Professional Dog Trainer for guidance.

What NOT to Do

  • Do not encourage your dog to bark at sounds, such as pedestrians or dogs passing by your home, birds outside the window, children playing in the street and car doors slamming, by saying “Who’s there?” or getting up and looking out the windows.
  • Do not punish your dog for barking at certain sounds, like car doors slamming and kids playing in the street, but then encourage him to bark at other sounds, like people at the door. You must be consistent!
  • Unless a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist advises you to do otherwise, never use punishment procedures if your dog is barking out of fear or anxiety. This could make him feel worse and, as a result, his barking might increase.
  • Never use a muzzle to keep your dog quiet for long periods of time or when you’re not actively supervising him. Dogs can’t eat, drink or pant to cool themselves while wearing muzzles, so making your dog wear one for long periods of time would be inhumane.
  • Never tie your dog’s muzzle closed with rope, cord, rubber bands or anything else. Doing this is dangerous, painful and inhumane.

Vet advice: How can I stop my dog’s nuisance barking?

I have a two-year-old red setter who had meningitis when she was only a couple of weeks old, but recovered fully. However, I’m finding she is doing a lot of nuisance barking!

have tried barking collars and preventative barking systems but nothing seems to work.

She is kept in with other dogs and if she hears me out in the garden at all, she constantly barks.

Any suggestions how I can stop this, I’m sure the neighbours are as frustrated as myself about it?

Rachel

Natalia replies:

Dear Rachel,

Barking is a way of communication for dogs.

You have the normal, expected barking such as when there’s a stranger or intruder in the house.

Then there’s barking as a behavioural problem such as boredom, loneliness or mis-communication between owner and pet.

My advice for successfully addressing this problem is to recognise the triggers.

Does your dog bark when she’s left alone for too long? Is she getting enough exercise? Is she afraid of something he sees or hears (such as a neighbour mowing the lawn)? Maybe you could leave the TV on while you’re out, get her some toys or even ask a family member to drop in during the day when she’s alone?

In your case, your dog’s trigger seems to be separation anxiety.

For this, you will need some patience and training for both you and your pet, with a specialist dog trainer.

This will help you to understand ‘doggy’ language and correctly express what you want to tell your pet.

Many of the techniques are based on the dog receiving a reward for the action you want.

In your case the action would be “stop barking”.

For example, your dog barks, you need to make her stop; hold his muzzle or squirt with a water gun; this will startle her and make her stop barking.

When she stops barking, use the word “quiet”.

Immediately after saying that word, if the dog is quiet, reward her.

When she starts barking again, repeat the process.

Eventually she will learn to associate “quiet” with a reward and stop barking without the need of the “punishment” (water gun). Then your dog will stop barking with just the use of the word.

In practise, it’s not that simple and a dog trainer will show you many different techniques. It takes time but it’s a lifetime investment for you and your pet.

Log onto the Dublin SPCA website
www.dspca.ie

for details on our dog training classes.

If you’d like to send a pet query to Natalia, email her at
[email protected]. Unfortunately she cannot answer all queries but the most common and recurring queries will be addressed.

Please note, Natalia cannot reply to emails or answer queries personally and you should always consult your veterinary surgeon directly in cases of ill-health or injury to your pet.

90,000 How to stop a dog from barking in his absence? They put on a muzzle, it doesn’t help. Are bark collars or birdhouses effective?

From experience I can say that anti-barking or other devices have a low degree of efficiency. I also want to note that any corrective ammunition requires high professionalism and knowledge; in inexperienced hands, such tools can greatly aggravate the problem.

Why anti-barking does not save:

Firstly, many dogs quickly figure out the system and continue to bark, but so that they would not be electrocuted.

Secondly, even if the barking goes away, other problems will come, such as increased nervousness, untidiness or vandalism.

Thirdly, the anti-barking itself works only with the consequence of the problem, but it does not solve the problem itself in the state of the dog.

What to do?

Look for the reason for this behavior and work with it. Barking alone can have several reasons:

  1. Parting anxiety. This is a complex problem that requires an integrated approach.This issue is best worked out in conjunction with a dog handler and a veterinarian.

  2. Boredom. The dog does not have enough stress in life, so it entertains itself so much. In this case, by the way, own barking provokes the dog even more. Revise the dog’s life schedule, add a quality calm load to it, leave kong or long-lasting treats in your absence. You can also try leaving the radio or TV on.

  3. Fear. It also happens that when, in your absence, the dog was scared by something, for example, loud neighbors or repairs from above.The fear issue is best dealt with with an experienced dog handler.

  4. Alertness. In this case, the dog barks at neighbors outside the door or people whom it sees through the window. This problem is also worth working with a dog handler.

Any corrective harness is not a magic pill and does not cancel working with a dog. And if we approach this issue without certain knowledge, we will not only fail to solve the problem, but also aggravate the condition.

I’m not talking about working with a dog handler for the sake of advertising, but because the issue is really difficult and it cannot be solved on the Internet.Barking alone requires an analysis of the life and condition of the dog, as well as competent sequential study.

How to wean a dog from barking in the house?

Training

Barking is one of the ways of dog communication. However, if in the wild, somewhere in the wilderness, the barking of dogs does not bother anyone, then the barking of a pet can disturb both the owner and the neighbors around him. This is the reason why it is important to train your dog not to bark at home.But if the dog is taken from a shelter or from an owner who did not pay enough attention to raising a pet, the new owner will have to wean the dog from an unnecessary habit in the house. There are several ways to stop barking from your dog. How to stop a dog from barking in the house?

One of the rules of is not to praise a dog if it barks at rustles outside the door. Also, do not praise your pet if he barks when he meets the owner from work.

The next way is to teach the command “Quiet!”. As soon as the dog starts barking, the owner must strictly say “Quiet!” If the pet understands the command the first time, praise him and give him some groundbait. The second version of the command’s voice acting is as follows: when pronouncing the word “Quiet!” you can turn your dog’s attention to a favorite toy. You will have to do this every time the pet starts barking, until the animal realizes that it is loved. If your pet does everything right, you need to play with him. If these options do not help, there is a third option for teaching this command – to use a spray bottle or a glass of water when voicing the command.As soon as the dog barks, command “Quiet!”, And sprinkle water on its face. It is important that there is only water in the spray bottle or glass, no other solutions.


The next command for weaning the dog to bark is the command “Go check!”
. It is used when the animal is afraid of something or someone. The owner takes any object in front of which the dog is not afraid. Drawing the pet’s attention to himself, the owner slowly puts the item on the floor. After the owner of the animal orders “Go check!” and slowly moves away from the subject.After the command, the dog must approach the object to get to know it better. In the case when the pet is not in a hurry to approach the subject, it cannot be adjusted. With the help of this command, the owner will help the dog gain self-confidence and get rid of fears.

The muzzle blocks the pet’s face and prevents the possibility of barking. Can be combined with teaching the command “Quiet!” As soon as the dog starts yapping, the owner gives the command “Quiet!”, If the dog does not understand, the owner puts on a muzzle.

If the dog barks when the owner is not at home, then this can also be corrected. To do this, the owner, in his presence, leaves the dog in one of the rooms of the apartment and closes one there for a few minutes. In the case when the pet begins to bark, you should go into the room and punish him with a light slap with a newspaper rolled into a tube. Walk out the door again. The dog stopped barking, sitting alone – the owner should praise it and give bait. Each time, you should increase the time the pet is in the room, bringing it to 2 hours.

You can use various herbal tinctures to balance the emotional state of your pet.


There are also less humane ways of weaning a dog from yapping.
One of them is the use of the Antilay collar. Such a collar, as soon as the dog begins to breach, first emits a warning signal. If the dog continues to bark, the collar will emit a weak electrical shock. However, this can cause negative emotions of the animal in relation to its owner.

There are collars that, with intense barking, emit unpleasant odors into the dog’s face. They are harmless to the dog’s health.

The cardinal solution to dog barking is by cutting the vocal cords. It is used only in cases where the animal, even after prolonged training by previous methods, continues to pester everyone with its barking.

In order to wean the dog from barking, the owner needs to have enough patience and love for his pet.The owner must be well versed in the causes of the dog’s barking, be able to properly respond to the barking of the animal.

1. General Provisions / ConsultantPlus

1. Guard dogs, involved in strengthening the security of the facility, are used mainly at night and in poor visibility (rain, fog, etc.).

2. Guard dogs are not allowed to be sent out for a guard.

3. The duration of a guard dog’s stay at the post should not exceed 12 hours a day, and at a temperature of -20 ° C and below it is reduced to 6 hours, about which the chief of the guard makes an entry in the guard dog’s order log and in the checklist.

4. A post for a guard dog is a specially equipped area of ​​the terrain, where a guard dog is brought out to enhance the security of the object.

Guard dog posts are installed on the most dangerous approaches to the object in front of the outer fence (posts) at a distance of up to 80 meters or between the outer fence and the first line equipped with technical means of protection, taking into account the possibility of shelling the area in front of the guard dog.

5. The assistant to the chief of the guard in the service of guard dogs (counselor), accompanied by the assistant to the chief of the guard or the corresponding breeder, places guard dogs at the posts by order of the chief of the guard.Each counselor leads no more than two guard dogs, always in muzzles.

After making sure that the equipment of the post is in good working order, the assistant to the chief of the guard in the service of guard dogs (counselor) attaches the chain to the harness of the guard dog, removes the muzzle and leash from it.

At the end of the deployment of guard dogs to the posts, the assistant to the chief of the guard in the service of guard dogs (leader) reports this to the chief of the guard.

6. Having received a signal from the sentry or heard the barking of a guard dog, the chief of the guard immediately departs to the post to clarify the situation with the assistant chief of the guard for the guard dogs service (the guard dog leader of this post) or sends him to the post, accompanied by the appropriate breeder.

7. With the onset of dawn or when visibility improves (after rain, fog, snowfall), the dogs are removed from their posts by the assistant to the chief of the guard in the service of guard dogs (leader), accompanied by the chief of the guard (the assistant to the chief of the guard, the corresponding breeder) and are taken away by the assistant to the chief of the guard in the service of guard dogs (counselors) to the place of their permanent location. The chief of the guard gives instructions to his assistant in the guard dog service about the removal from posts or replacement of guard dogs at posts.

8. Inspection of the behavior of guard dogs at posts and the condition of posts is carried out with the permission of the chief of the guard by the assistant to the chief of the guard in the service of guard dogs (leader) as part of the control and security group or accompanied by the assistant to the chief of the guard (the corresponding breeder).

9. The procedure for keeping and training guard dogs, as well as instructions for equipping guard dog posts and the procedure for checking the work of guard dogs at the posts are set out in a special manual.

What to do to prevent the dog from barking for no reason? | Nature | Society

During self-isolation, people react much more sharply to the noise that comes from neighboring apartments. If earlier Russians had to take into account the fact that it is impossible to make noise on weekends and holidays, at night and in some daytime hours when children are sleeping, now you can hear the discontent of neighbors at any time of the day.

You can get a comment not only because of construction work or loud music, but also because of the barking of a dog. AiF.ru asked the dog handler what can be done to make the pet quieter and stop barking.

When does a dog bark or howl at home?

Most often, the dog barks or howls due to the fact that the owner is not at home, told the head of the canine center Andrey Shustov . If everyone is at home, then usually the animal can start barking due to the fact that someone passed outside the door, or if the neighbors dropped something.“Here, more often than not, any dog ​​starts barking. It’s just that some dogs barked a couple of times and calmed down, and some can be in a kind of hysterics for quite a long time, ”the expert said.

Dogs can also bark to encourage play, especially if they are active breeds such as Jack Russell, Beagle, Husky or Labrador. “This happens most often at the stage of raising a puppy. That is, he barked a couple of times, the owner realized that the dog was asking to take the ball and throw it, or the dog itself was pulling the ball.The owner follows the lead and reinforces this kind of behavior, that is, begins to play with the dog, and the dog, in turn, concludes: in order to play with it, you need to bark. And thus we get a habit, ”explained Andrey Shustov.

Why does a dog bark at home when he is alone?

As a rule, this happens when the animal is accustomed to the constant presence of the owner at home. According to the dog handler, often people who take a puppy into the house go on vacation for the period of his training.“The puppy gets used to the fact that he is constantly with someone in the house, and suddenly at some point in time everyone disappears, everyone goes to work. This is a rather uncomfortable, unusual situation in which the puppy tries in every possible way to call the owner, ”explained the dog handler.

In addition, there are several breeds of dogs that most often, when left alone, can howl out of boredom. These are huskies, akitas, huskies, German shepherds.

What can you do to make your dog stop barking?

The problem of uncontrolled barking must be solved in the same way as other problems of a pet’s behavior in the house, emphasizes Andrey Shustov.“We are explaining and introducing these rules so that the dog begins to understand that this kind of behavior is unacceptable with the owners,” he explained.

“If we are talking about the most effective, but the most difficult way of solving such problems, this is explaining to the dog that there is behavior that the owner accepts, which is good, and behavior that the owner does not accept, that is, bad. That is, we educate and train, ”the expert noted.

“The easiest option for the owners, if the dog cannot be reassured in any way, it constantly barks, the neighbors are already complaining, this is such a tool as an anti-barking collar.I cannot say that it is the most effective, but at the same time, at the moment when it works, the dog most often stops barking, ”says the dog handler. At the same time, the expert advises to solve the problem of barking in a complex way. “Because rarely is it connected with any specific misunderstanding of the dog. That is, if, in principle, the dog is not dealt with, is not brought up, it chews, and barks, and bites, ”he explained.

How do I train my dog ​​to stop barking as a call to play?

“If we follow the lead, we begin to succumb to manipulations, then, of course, the dog will use it, because everything is quite straightforward with them.I did it, it was a success, which means that next time I will repeat it and demonstrate this kind of behavior, ”explained the dog handler.

So, in the case of a game, the initiative must come from the owner. In this case, in response to the barking, it is necessary to remove the toy, calm the dog down, and only then take out the toy and call the animal to play.

Should you train your dog to command “quiet”?

“Any command is nothing more than a sound marker superimposed on a certain reaction of the owner.Repeatedly repeating certain actions that are associated with a certain sound, the dog understands what is required of it, ”explained Shustov.

In his opinion, in the case of barking, you can simplify the task and not teach the dog a separate command. Instead, you can use the command “no”, “no” or “fu”, which the owner will teach his pet in any case. “We can react to barking in the same way. That is, it means that you are doing something wrong, and if you do not stop, then my reaction will only be negative, ”he said.

Should a dog be praised when it stops barking?

The dog must be praised for the fact that it stops barking, Andrey Shustov is sure. This is the main teaching and training of the animal. “What we like, we reinforce with a positive, and what we don’t like, we reinforce with a negative,” the expert noted. Therefore, a dog that has stopped barking must be praised. Then the dog will associate that the words “clever”, “well done” and “good” follow her silence and the fact that when barking, the owner swears and can click on the nose.

However, dog owners often ignore the good behavior of their pets, paying attention only to the negative. “Rarely, but there are cases when dogs deliberately demonstrate negative behavior in order to cause at least some kind of reaction in their direction, even a negative one,” the expert warned.

“If we are talking about the introduction of any restrictions and rules, here, of course, punishment is necessary,” recalls the dog handler. If the owner says “fu”, gives the dog one or two seconds to think and change his behavior, but she does not change it, then some kind of punishment will have to be applied: conditionally clicking on the nose, pulling the leash or splashing water in the face.“Over time, the dog realizes that“ fu ”means that something urgently needs to be changed, otherwise it will be bad and unpleasant,” explained Andrey Shustov.

Collar.ru – Frequently asked questions

  • What is an electronic collar?

    The electronic dog collar (sometimes called an electric collar) is an advanced training device that is completely safe and does not harm the animal when used correctly. Electronic training collars are popular with professional dog handlers all over the world, have their supporters and opponents.It is very important to choose the right training collar and learn how to use it in the best possible way. Each device can be harmful if used incorrectly, inadvertently, and if the instructions are not followed. The same applies to electronic dog collars.

  • How does an electronic collar work?
  • The electronic collar works on the basis of discharges that are unpleasant for the dog, but not life-threatening. Every experienced breeder knows that it is impossible to raise a dog without discipline or physical punishment.Electronic collars can be used instead of butt slaps. You will appreciate this, for example, when the dog starts to run away and does not react to your calls, because the electronic collar can be controlled remotely. Electronic collars are being bought by more and more responsible dog breeders who know that a naughty and ill-mannered dog can cause many problems and may end up hurting itself.
  • How will an electronic collar help me?

    Even when walking without a leash, the dog will obey your command (“stop”, “to me”, “to the leg”) and will also help you wean the dog from pulling on the leash, running after other dogs or people.

    In order to interrupt the undesirable activity of the dog (“fu”, “no”) – to unlearn bad habits during daily coexistence with people, for example, do not take food from the table, do not jump on people, do not dig, do not eat excrement, do not just bark so, howl ..

    Will help with training. The dog must execute all commands accurately and correctly, as if it were on a leash (hundreds of meters in length!), And now there is no need to wear a leash and the dog knows this very well, therefore it adapts its behavior.

  • Are Electronic Collars Safe?

    Electronic collars were investigated by the Central Commission for the Protection of Animals, which said: “The so-called electronic collars have undergone rapid technological development over the past 8-10 years, and now they have almost nothing to do with their predecessors, which used a much higher intensity of electric current and needed The International Electronic Collars Association (ECMA) has been established to address this issue thoroughly and to complement its own research by providing training to experts for animal welfare and standardization considerations.Today’s state-of-the-art products from renowned manufacturers affiliated with ECMA are fully respectful of animals, and their use in many cases helps to replace some of the traditional methods of dog training, which can be far less considerate of animals. ”

  • When to start using the Electronic Collar?

    Electronic collars are recommended for use from 6 months. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.Select a suitable heart rate (the dog should respond to the impulse, but on the other hand it should not be too painful for the dog – for example, dog sobbing, etc.). Collars usually offer different levels of warning (sound, vibration, pulse). The dog very quickly begins to understand the sequence of signals, so that soon you can already start using only sound, or vibration.

  • What features does the collar offer?

    The more functions the collar offers, the more control the dog has.The most important as well as the basic functions that a collar should have are audible warning and electrostatic impulse. The main models of electric collars are supplemented with a vibration function. Quite often these functions are extended with additional functions. The main functions of the collars are as follows:

    Audible Alarm: An audible alarm must always precede an electrostatic pulse. The dog will quickly recognize that the unpleasant electrostatic impulse is preceded by sound, and therefore will only react to sound.In practice, this is the most commonly used function.

    Vibration : Typically used as an intermediate step between an audible warning and an electrostatic pulse when the dog does not respond to the audible signal. The vibration intensity can usually be set at several levels. With vibrating collars, vibration is the main function, but the effectiveness of these collars is limited and is more suitable for small and calm dogs.

    Electrostatic Impulse: Serves as an impulse correction and is used when audible warning and vibration are not helpful.For best efficiency, the pulse intensity should be controlled.

    Spray: This is a kind of corrective signal when a spray is used to correct the behavior of the dog, which is sprayed on the dog’s nose when the button is pressed. This is the second most effective and painless correction method on the market.

    Booster : This is an emergency button that gives a higher pulse power. Most often used in crisis situations.The maximum value is usually set by the manufacturer, but sometimes you can program it yourself.

    Light : This function has several options. Often it is a flashlight on the remote control or a laser “pointer”. The best solution is an LED located on the receiver, which is illuminated remotely using the remote control. This will give you the opportunity to see where your dog is in the dark.

    Anti-Barking Mode: Some electronic collars have a built-in anti-barking mode that automatically detects and prevents unwanted barking and howling of your dog.If the dog starts barking, the collar will activate and alert the dog with a beep or vibration. If the barking continues, then the dog receives a corrective impulse, which can be in the form of a spray or an electrostatic impulse.

  • What sizes and breeds of dogs can the Electric Collar be used for?

    A very important factor in choosing an effective electronic training collar is the size and breed of your dog.If your dog weighs about 5 to 50 kg, then almost all collars will be effective. The problem with the choice, however, comes when your dog is a mini-breed, or vice versa, belongs to a very large breed. On small breeds, the impulse may be too strong or the receiver may be too large. For larger breeds, the collar may not be effective enough. If your dog’s weight is at the upper weight limit for collar use, or your dog has a low pain tolerance (usually fighting breeds), then it is better to buy a collar that has sufficient power reserve.In crisis situations (with instinctive behavior of the dog), it is necessary to provide for the use of a stronger correction than with normal use of the collar.

  • How to choose the range of the collar?

    Another important consideration when choosing a collar is the working distance. The typical range of collars is 200 to 4000 meters. If you cannot decide which one to choose, then the following factors must be taken into account when choosing: location and terrain.If you often move in rough terrain (for example, in the forest), then it is advisable to choose a training collar with a longer range. The range of the collars is indicated in ideal conditions, i.e. on a plane without obstacles. In dense wooded areas, the range of action is significantly reduced (due to the propagation properties of radio waves). How to use: A larger range is needed for a hunter in the forest or for a master whose dog constantly runs into the forest. For general use, a collar with a range of up to 350m is very suitable.

  • Are the collars waterproof?

    Another very important property is water resistance. The most common water resistance you encounter is: No protection – the receiver is not protected from water and should be stored in a dry place. Waterproof – the receiver is only resistant to weather conditions (snow, rain) Waterproof: the receiver is resistant to a humid environment and can be immersed in water.

  • How and from what do collars feed?

    Collar power supply is a very important factor when choosing a model and should definitely not be neglected.Cheaper models of training collars are usually powered by a conventional 3V, 6V or 9V battery. The cost of these batteries is approximately 50 to 150 CZK, and therefore it is advisable to consider when choosing a collar and operating costs, which can go up to several hundred per year. Some training collars use atypical batteries that are hard to find or are only sold by the manufacturer or dealer of the collar. For this reason, we recommend buying collars that have a built-in battery that can be easily recharged using a USB cable or mains.

  • Is the collar easy to operate?

    Learning how to operate your collar is also important for effective use. The simpler the control, the more convenient, flexible and, therefore, more effective it is to use. The most convenient option is when a separate button is provided for each function. This eliminates annoying switching between functions. Collars with this control are suitable for all types of activities, especially for dogs who like to run away sharply when you need to react very quickly and call the dog before it runs out of range of the collar.

  • 90,000 Why do dogs attack people, experts said: December 19, 2019, 11:01

    Recently, news about dogs attacking people has often appeared in the media. In March, in Almaty, Rottweilers killed a two-year-old girl to death, and more recently in the Almaty region, a German shepherd dog attacked a boy. In Taldykorgan, a seven-year-old child became a victim of a pit bull, in Taraz a tragedy happened to an elderly woman. The Tengrinews.kz correspondent tried to figure out why this is happening and how to solve this problem.

    Dog handlers and volunteers believe that in 90 percent of cases, people are bitten by ill-mannered and undressed pets. The reasons for this behavior of animals can be different – from fear to unwillingness to obey man.

    “You need to start a dog only if you are 100% ready for it, and not because it is fashionable. And the dog needs to be trained, educated, prepared for different situations from the first days of life. And this is not about championships, but about the most elementary things – to know simple commands, to understand what a leash and a muzzle mean, “- cynologist Vlad Aliyev shares his experience.


    Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot. Photo AFP ©

    You can train a dog at home, it is important that it feels the authority of the owner and obey him implicitly. If the pet got into the family quite adult or suddenly stopped obeying, then, most likely, you will have to turn to specialists. They will correct the dog’s behavior and help avoid not only problems, but, possibly, tragedy.

    Brigitte Bardot complained to Tokayev about cruelty to animals in Kazakhstan

    However, it happens that some animal owners deliberately set their dogs on passers-by or simply cannot control aggressive pets, walk them without a leash and muzzle.

    “If a neighbor’s dog barks at everyone, but at the same time walks freely, feel free to call the police,” Anna advises.

    Why do dogs attack

    Anna and Vlad highlight several main reasons why a seemingly harmless dog can suddenly bite.

    Fear . “An untrained dog often bites precisely because of fear. At first it decides to bark first, to show strength in order to protect itself. The person is frightened, she understands this and thinks that she has found a good way of pressure or intimidation.And then he completely begins to think that the navel of the earth, and shows his teeth, “- says Anna.

    Protection, jealousy. A dog can defend its territory or puppies, be jealous of its owner towards others.

    “This is also a sign of bad manners. When a small puppy begins to bark, bite, if he doesn’t like something, everyone is touched, clap their hands. And as he grows up, they immediately grab his head. And few begin training. pets are thrown away or put to sleep right away, “Anna sighs.

    The dog considers himself to be in charge. “Dogs are very smart, they quickly understand with whom and how to behave. For example, there are two owners: husband and wife. Both take care of, feed, love in the same way. But the husband shows himself more harshly, but the wife does not. her once a dog, and she was scared, screamed. The animal understands that it is possible to dominate here, “says Vlad Aliev.

    The dog is in pain. From pain, a dog, unwittingly, can bite a person, at this time a reflex is simply triggered.

    “For example, an animal’s back hurts, but it is stroked exactly in this place. Of course, a reaction will follow – the dog simply cannot tell about the pain in another way. The same is with children, after all, they like to sit astride, pull their ears and noses. And it hurts, “- says Anna.

    “Most likely, the dog will just grab his teeth. In general, dogs rarely gnaw someone. But how much does a child need? One unsuccessful bite, and that’s it,” says Vlad.

    “In general, a child should immediately be told that a dog is not a toy, but a friend who has feelings, who must be loved and respected.Well, and the dog, of course, to train “, – advises Anna.

    Photo Instagram.com/kare.kz

    Bad heredity. “Some breeders, and even ordinary people, do not control the mating process. Suppose the shepherd male was cowardly and the bitch aggressive. They give birth to beautiful, but nervous puppies, similar to shepherd dogs. As a result, uncontrollable animals grow up, completely unlike the noble and good-natured shepherd dogs “, – says the dog handler Anna Rakova.

    In her opinion, the sale of large and fighting dogs to untrained people should be prohibited.

    “Previously, to get the same Rottweiler, you had to take a course in a dog club. They told how to behave with a pet. But now there is no such thing, that’s the problem,” Anna sums up.

    Training process. Photo Facebook.com/ann.rakova.1

    Rabies is a dangerous viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected animal.”I work in this area and am interested in such things. But for many years of practice, I have never heard that someone in Kazakhstan contracted rabies,” says Vlad.

    Are stray dogs dangerous?

    It is worth mentioning the problem of stray animals separately. They are often brutally killed, even if they are harmless.

    “All vagrants are former pets or their offspring. That is, they ended up on the street through the fault of man. But stray dogs do not attack people without a reason.One by one, they try to stay away, because they have been taught by bitter experience: they are kicked, beaten, “says Inna Radchenko, a zoovolunteer with 20 years of experience.

    She also notes that packs of stray dogs are formed only during the mating season. And if they bark at people, then, most likely, for two reasons: either they are defending their territory, or they are hungry.

    “For example, a child is walking through a vacant lot, and his backpack smells of food. Attention here will be attracted not by the student himself, but by his bag.But what will the child do? He gets scared, starts waving his arms and screaming, throwing stones. And this is already a signal for the pack to attack, “says Inna.

    Disabled dog Smile from Karaganda. He was homeless, got hit by a car, now he lives an ordinary life

    There are two ways out, Inna considers. First, you should avoid such places. And secondly, it is necessary to sterilize the homeless.

    “In our country, vagrants are shot almost everywhere, but this does not help to control their population.In addition, if a female is sterilized, she does not attract males to herself, which means that there will be no flock. A lonely homeless person will never attack a person, “says Inna.

    By the way, feeding a homeless vagabond is a good thing. Inna tells how to do it:

    “Just put the food down and step aside. Do not try to feed it from your hands, the dog does not know you, there will be no trust. And of course, you should not go to her with courtesies and affection during a meal. In general, if you want to make friends with a dog, let her get used to you for at least a few days. “

    Attack protection

    So what if the danger is already near? If you see a dog approaching you, “pretend to be a tree” – freeze and do not move.

    “The most important thing is to suppress your inner fear. Do not wave your arms, do not be hysterical and in no case look into the eyes of the animal and do not run away, this is definitely a signal to attack. Talk to the dog in an even voice without trembling. If it is a pack, then figure out the leader and behave the same way, “says Inna Radchenko.

    In this case, the dog will not attack, but will simply bark – all our experts agree on this. But as soon as you start to move convulsively, an attack will occur. For protection, Vlad Aliyev advises to put forward a bag, an umbrella, a book – everything that is in your hands. As a last resort, a thick layer of clothing wrapped around a brush will do.

    “Dogs bite the part that you yourself substitute. You need to occupy your mouth with something, and then you can call for help,” he sums up.

    Most importantly, protect your face, neck, chest, legs, hands and fingers, these are the most vulnerable parts of the body.

    90,000 A Dog’s Place: Russia May Introduce Uniform Rules for Visiting Cafes with Animals | Articles

    A bill has been submitted to the State Duma, which is proposed to give the Russian government the authority to establish requirements for citizens with animals to visit restaurants, cafes and shops. According to the author, a deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, today this issue is regulated by the owners of catering establishments themselves, which can lead to a violation of the rights of other visitors and the emergence of conflict situations. What will change the law if adopted and how it is beneficial for dog owners – Izvestia figured out.

    Uniform rules

    The Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg has submitted a bill to the State Duma, which is proposed to empower the Russian government to establish requirements for citizens with animals to visit restaurants, cafes and shops. The document was published in the electronic database of the lower house of parliament.

    It is proposed to amend the Law on Responsible Treatment of Animals and other legislative acts.

    “In practice, a situation has developed in which citizens who have small breed dogs with them do not part with them when visiting not only cafes, restaurants (…) and grocery stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets,” the explanatory note says. “Often, citizens place dogs in baskets and carts used to carry food from counters to cash registers, while carts and baskets are often contaminated with animal waste products, their wool, fur and other things.”

    Photo: TASS / Petr Kovalev

    Such situations, according to the authors of the project, lead to conflicts, animal pollution of the surrounding public space and “misunderstanding on the part of bona fide dog owners about whether it is possible to visit catering establishments accompanied by a companion animal.”

    “Who is in what is great”

    As the author of the initiative, deputy Denis Chetyrbok explained to Izvestia, now the question of visiting shops and cafes by people with animals is completely at the mercy of the owners of establishments.Some forbid admitting such guests, others make an exception for small dogs and cats, and still others are open to everyone.

    – There are no uniform rules, it turns out, who is in what is much. In practice, the decision is made by a security guard, administrator or salesperson. In the establishments themselves, no one watches the animals, so there are inconveniences for the rest of the visitors, says Chetyrbok.

    According to him, the main question regarding the admission of dogs and cats to shops and catering establishments is whether the sanitary and epidemiological standards are observed there.

    – We’re talking about establishments that are somehow related to food. Any neighborhood of animals with food must be regulated. A commonplace example is when the owners carry their pets in shopping carts. This should not be the case, the deputy is sure.

    Photo: RIA Novosti / Kirill Kallinikov

    A separate regulation, in his opinion, requires the issue of admitting visitors with large dogs, who “inside the store must be on a leash and muzzle.”

    – There are also a lot of gaps here, there are no uniform standards, which leads to the most common situation when a large pet sits on the porch of the store and barks at other visitors who are trying to enter, because the owner tied it to a drainpipe right in front of the entrance. This is also uncomfortable for people, – notes Denis Chetyrbok.

    The deputy stressed that he opposes the bans on visiting public places with animals, but believes that the owners must adhere to certain rules and monitor their pets.This is just as important as, for example, cleaning behind them on the street, which “not everyone does, and this also brings discomfort to others.”

    – There is no point in prohibiting visiting cafes and shops with animals. On the contrary, clear regulations should be established that will ensure the rights of visitors who do not have pets, and will enable those who have them, subject to certain requirements, to be with them in public places. This is consistent with global practice, – summed up the interlocutor of Izvestia.

    “Uniform rules are not needed”

    In Russia (unlike Western countries) there have never been laws that allowed or, on the contrary, prohibited visiting cafes or restaurants with animals, says PR specialist in the restaurant sector Nadezhda Boytsova … Business has always been limited to internal documents: in other words, the owners of the establishments themselves decided whether it was possible to visit them with animals.

    Photo: TASS / Sergey Bobylev

    According to the expert, for the first time that generally accepted rules about dog-friendly cafes are needed in Russia, they started talking publicly in 2012.The reason was the Moscow cafe “Tricky People”, which from the very first day of its opening began to welcome guests along with their pets.

    – Several years ago restaurateurs began to notice more and more often that people come with dogs, – Boitsova notes. – Although 5-10 years ago, finding a pet in a restaurant was considered something unacceptable. Even taking into account the fact that there was no law on this topic.

    As the expert explains, the attitude towards dogs in the restaurant environment began to change at the moment when people of a new format came there: open-minded and ready to experiment cosmopolitans.And the fashion for travel has allowed people to see that in many countries of the world it is completely normal to be in cafes and restaurants with dogs. On the other hand, a fashion has come to Russia for small dogs that do not cause discomfort to others.

    – People began to go with animals to restaurants and shops at a time when small dogs (in particular, corgi) became popular and their active upbringing began: the owners learned to go to dog handlers, explains Nadezhda Boytsova.

    Photo: TASS / Valery Sharifulin

    According to Izvestia’s interlocutor, she herself regularly visits restaurants and often sees people with dogs there. Most often, the reaction to animals is positive: other visitors ask to pet them or take pictures. In addition, in many establishments, from the very beginning of the concept, they began to indicate whether they are dog-friendly or not. In fact, going to any institution, guests immediately understand how they treat pets there.

    According to the expert, the trend associated with the pandemic has recently added popularity to dog-friendly establishments. The fact is that in quarantine, people began to take more active dogs and walk with them. This has become an additional impetus for the development of such institutions and public spaces.

    – As for the new bill, my opinion is that uniform rules are not needed, – concludes Nadezhda Boytsova. – The fact is that all restaurants are different: in some it is completely normal to be with dogs, in others it is not.It all depends on whether the kitchen is open and what size the room itself is.

    Rules will make life easier

    At the same time, the majority of dog owners surveyed by Izvestia believe that uniform rules for visiting restaurants are still needed. They would make life easier for people.

    – When you are going to an institution, you cannot be sure whether you can go there with your pet or not, – you have to call and find out, says Muscovite Ksenia N. – And sometimes even the staff themselves do not know the rules.You will come to one change of the sushi restaurant – “you can’t come to us with a dog”, to another – “you can, just take it in your arms” .

    Photo: TASS / Zuma

    The popular blogger Svetlana P. is also in favor of introducing the rules. According to the girl, only owners of small and medium-sized dogs can be allowed into cafes and restaurants – if the owner with a fighting dog or a Tibetan mastiff comes to the establishment, other visitors may get scared.

    – When I come with my spitz, on the contrary, everyone is touched.He sits in my bag, does not shout, behaves calmly. In Moscow, they treat him positively in any institution, in some they even bring water and delicacies. I would say there are more dog-friendly restaurants every month, ”the girl notes.

    In turn, Tatiana S., owner of four American Staffordshire Terriers and a Central Asian Shepherd Dog, notes that each owner has a different approach to raising a dog. Therefore, the animals themselves can behave differently in public places.

    – Owners of large breed dogs are much more responsible than owners of decorative dogs. For some reason, it is generally accepted that the same Spitz or Chihuahua should not walk on a leash, obey the owner and learn commands, she says. – I have repeatedly witnessed how a small dog rolled in a cart in a supermarket or sat on a table in a cafe. Naturally, as a reasonable person, I am against it. Wool and dirty paws should not be where I put bread or cheese later.

    Photo: TASS / PA Images / Sanjin Strukic

    At the same time, Tatyana believes, well-bred dogs may well be on summer verandas in a cafe.There are a number of friendly establishments where you can go after a long walk with the dog – they always pour water and a blanket for him.

    – But it’s practically a street. We try not to be inside. I am always worried if there will be a person with allergies – his rest will be ruined. Each of us needs to take a responsible attitude towards raising our dogs, – sums up the interlocutor of Izvestia.

    Carte blanche for restaurateurs

    Meanwhile, while Russian lawmakers are deciding which path in terms of dog-friendly cafes to follow in the future, the owners of cafes have a certain carte blanche: while they can still independently decide how to deal with guests with pets.

    According to the current legislation, today the entrance with pets into shops, catering organizations, medical and educational organizations, as well as cultural organizations is prohibited, if information about the corresponding prohibition is posted at the entrance to these premises. Exceptions in such cases apply only when citizens are accompanied by guide dogs.

    – Thus, the owners of establishments can either follow the dog-friendly path that is gaining momentum now, or they can adhere to a more conservative position and prohibit visiting their establishment with pets, – the general director of the law firm said in an interview with Izvestia “Achievement” Artem Baranov.

    Photo: TASS / Zuma

    The expert notes that there are two sides to dog-friendly establishments as a phenomenon. On the one hand, the attitude of society towards pets is becoming more and more careful and respectful, which cannot but rejoice. But on the other hand, the presence of an animal in public places is inseparable from certain features associated with smell, hair, sounds and possible risks for allergy sufferers. In short, not all people want and can spend time next to animals, which means that they should have the right to choose.

    There is another interesting aspect in the context of visiting cafes and restaurants with your pets, adds Vitaly Kuzmin, an expert at Codex JSC. The fact is that, according to Russian law, any dog ​​is property. And its owner, as the owner of the property, no one has the right to create obstacles in the use of it, if this is not directly provided for by the current law.

    – If your pet is not on the list of potentially dangerous dogs approved by the Russian government from January 1, 2020, you can walk it without a leash and muzzle, says Vitaly Kuzmin.- In general, if your dog is not included in the list, then there is no strict legislative regulation in terms of it at the federal level.

    However, there are certain regulations regarding dogs at the level of the constituent entities of the country. For example, in St. Petersburg, if a dog is less than 40 centimeters at the withers, you can be with it in any public place, but the animal must be on a leash. And with a height of more than 40 centimeters at the withers, a muzzle is also added to the obligatory leash.

    Photo: TASS / dpa / Christina Sabrowsky

    – Not every region has rules for staying with an animal in a public place, and while traveling, you can find yourself in an awkward situation, the expert notes.