Ultrasonic Bark Control, Bark Control Collar, or Barking App? Which is Better?

Does your dog have a barking problem? I feel your pain. I have an Aussie Shepherd mix, and he loved barking at anything and everything. It was becoming a nuisance. The neighbors complained. I was stressing out, and going on walks was unbearable.

I finally reached a breaking point and decided to do something about it. That’s when I found out about bark control devices.

Then, I ran into another problem. There are so many options. Ultrasonic bark control. Bark control collars. Barking apps. Which one is the best? I set out to answer that question and share my findings with you.

Ultrasonic bark control works a little differently than the usual bark control methods. I’m familiar with collars and even sprays, but until recently, I had never heard of ultrasonic bark control.

I heard of ultrasonic pest control. Is it the same thing? Sort of.

The product that got me familiar with ultrasonic bark devices is BarxBuddy. I was really skeptical about this product at first. Can sound really stop dogs from barking?

BarxBuddy emits ultrasonic waves at 125dB. You won’t be able to hear it, but your dog will. That ultrasonic sound will interrupt your dog’s thoughts or behaviors, making him stop dead in his tracks. That’s when you have a golden opportunity to train him not to bark.

The reason I like BarxBuddy and ultrasonic bark control in general is because it doesn’t hurt your dog. Sure, he may be annoyed by the sound, but it won’t hurt him.

A bark control collar is exactly what it sounds like – a collar that’s meant to stop dogs from barking. Now, I found quite a few of these collars when I was doing my research. Some are benign, but others are a bit harsh.

Bark collars come in shock form and citronella form. There are some ultrasonic collars, too, but they’re not as popular.

Shock collars send electrical impulses through your dog’s body each time he barks. The sensation is unpleasant, so eventually, he develops a negative association with barking and stops the behavior.

Citronella collars simply shoot your pup with a citronella spray when he barks. The spray isn’t harmful to your dog, but he won’t like the smell or the sensation of being sprayed with something.

You can find both types of dog training collars in pet stores and online.

A barking app is very different from bark collars and ultrasonic devices. Instead of using a specialized device, you’re using an app to try and stop your dog from barking. These apps play sounds (similar to how ultrasonic works) to get dogs to stop barking.

There are many different types of barking apps. Most are free. Reviews are mixed. Performance is really unreliable.

Of all these bark control devices, which one is best? I think the answer really depends on your dog and your personal preference.

If you want a bark control device that will work even when you’re not around, a bark collar may be a good option for you.

But here’s why I don’t like these collars:

• Shock collars can be painful
• Citronella collars don’t always work well

Some dogs just don’t care that they’re being shot in the face with a spray. They’re so focused and fixated on the thing they’re barking at, they don’t care. My dog was like this. I could have lit fireworks off in the yard (please don’t do this) and he still would be barking at whatever it is that caught his attention.

I never tried shock bark collars. I refused to even give it a thought. You may feel differently. I have heard they are effective, but it comes at a price.

Shock collars can eventually make your dog fearful of barking at all. Let’s remember that barking is an important communication tool for dogs. Do you really want to take this vital tool away from your dog? Even if you’re the type of person who doesn’t think it really matters, wouldn’t you want your dog to still bark if there’s a real threat? If someone is breaking into your home or trying to hurt you, you want your dog to bark or growl to scare off the intruder.

What about bark control apps?

I was really excited about the idea of bark control apps. I liked the idea of being able to control my dog’s barking habits anywhere and without having to use a special, obvious device.

Unfortunately, the results were mixed. I tried just about every stop dog barking app out there. Some worked better than others, but even the good ones worked intermittently at best. It may be something to do with the phone’s connection or the environment. In some places, it seemed like the app worked better than others.

Then, of course, there was the issue of using data. It’s fine when I’m in the yard. I have a Wi-Fi extender that allows me to stay connected to my network anywhere in the yard. I don’t know how Wi-Fi extenders work, but they’re great.

When I’m anywhere outside of my home, these apps eat up my data. The inconsistency and data issues made me stop using these apps for controlling my dog’s barking habit.

My Pick: Ultrasonic Bark Control

In my experience, the only bark stoppers that work are ultrasonic devices. They don’t hurt dogs. They don’t bother humans. You can use them anywhere.

Most importantly – they work. My dog really hated the ultrasonic sound. He immediately stopped his barking even when he was fixated on something.

But ultrasonic devices aren’t a miracle. You still have to put in some effort through training. Whenever my dog stopped barking when I used the device, I gave him praise and treats. Eventually, I added the “Quiet” command.

Now, he has no issues stopping his barking when I give the Quiet command. And he still has the freedom to bark when it’s necessary.

Plus, you can use an ultrasonic device like BarxBuddy even if you don’t have a dog. If you’re afraid of dogs (it’s a common fear), you can take this device with you to the park or other places and use it if a dog starts barking at you.