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Bark Collar Comparison – How to Choose
Bark Collars are
effective, humane and safe for controlling unwanted barking. Yet in
the past few years, the technology has advanced to where the goal is
not the control of nuisance barking, but teaching the dog not to bark
through behavior modification. There are two different types of bark
collars: Those that only control and those that control and teach. Do
dogs need behavior modification to control nuisance barking? Yes.
Unfortunately, a nuisance barker does not make companionship easy for
the owner. The barking can disrupt the home as well as the community,
often to the point where the dog needs to be removed. Do Bark Collars
work? Yes. Some work better than others, just controling the
barking through corrections, while others actually modify behavior and
teach the dog not to bark. Some collars are rechargeable, some are
waterproof, etc. Below we review the various different Bark Collars.
Behavior
Modification and Control Bark Collars
BC-50B
The Innotek
BC-50B was introduced in 2003. It features a set it and forget it
technology. This is an over simplification. This collar not only
controls barking but teaches your dog not to bark as well. The collar
actually will increase the stimulation as the dog continues to bark
over 7 different levels, until the barking is controlled. Most
important is that it also decreases the stimulation as the dog learns
not to bark, over seven different levels. Plus it provides a 2 second
learning time out between stimulations. The result is a dog that
learns not to bark with an achievable goal of removing the bark collar
several months in the future. This makes this bark collar an excellent
choice. The collar receiver is standard size and is appropriate for
dogs over 20 lbs. and uses a commonly found 6 volt alkaline battery,
and is potted for durability. Potted refers to the process of
injecting a soft foam which hardens around the delicate internal
electronics, protecting them from damage.
BC-200
This behavior
modification collar was also introduced in 2003. This collar not only
controls barking but teaches your dog not to bark as well. It features
the same increasing as well as decreasing stimulation as the BC-50B,
and also provides a 2 second learning time out between stimulations.
Hence, teaching the dog not to bark as opposed to only controlling the
barking with correction. The BC-200 features a rechargeable collar
that uses advanced Nickle Metal Hydride batteries (NiMH). NiMH
batteries do not develop memory issues, and can be recharged as often
as you want. The overall dollar savings are obvious, making this
system one of the most popular available, and overall least expensive,
far outselling conventional battery replacement, and proprietary
battery replacement systems. In addition the collar is entirely
waterproof, and potted, making it the most durable on the market.
(Potted refers to the process of injecting a soft foam which hardens
around the delicate internal electronics, protecting them from
damage). In addition the collar is microline, approx: 1 7/8 inches
wide by 7/8 inches high by 7/8 inches deep, and weighs only 3.2
ounces. Can this collar be used on dogs under 15 Lbs? Yes. But we
recommend that you use those measurements in comparison to your dog
and then make your own decision. But remember there are no other
systems available with smaller collar receivers. Is the weight of the
collar receiver important, in practicality? No. These collar receivers
weigh very little. They are extremely light, so light that you will
commonly see your dog carrying toys, bones or sticks which weigh many
times more.
Conventional Bark
Collars
PBC-102
The PetSafe
PBC-102 is a conventional bark collar that will automatically increase
the level of stimulation until the barking stops. The collar receiver
is a small microline receiver making it acceptable for dogs as small
as 15 lbs. However, it is battery replaceable with a proprietary 3
Volt battery module, only available from PetSafe dealers like us.
Hence, if you are going to purchase a PBC-102 we recommend that you
purchase a few additional battery modules at the same time. We do
caution that this is not a waterproof system, hence it should never be
submerged in water.
PDBC-300
The
PetSafe PDBC-300 is a conventional bark collar that will automatically
increase the level of stimulation until the barking stops.
The collar receiver is a small Lightweight microline collar
receiver making it acceptable for dogs as small as 15 lbs.
However, it is battery replaceable with a proprietary 3 Volt
battery module, only available from PetSafe dealers like us.
Hence, if you are going to purchase a PDBC-300 we recommend
that you purchase a few additional battery modules at the
same time. We do caution that this is not a waterproof system,
hence it should never be submerged in water.
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