I'm considering getting bark collars for my dogs. One is a 20 month female Mal and the other is a 6 1/2 month old male Mal.

I wanted to know what effect will the bark collar have (let's say I use it on the pup) when I teach him to bark.. Will he be hesitant? Should I use some other method to stop the barking?

Thanks..

I use a bark collar on both of my dogs at night. They have both learned to bark on command so I don't think that the bark collar affected that at all.

My dog is collar smart about the bark collar and has no reservations barking with it off.

I should be ordering bark collars soon. Will rotating the collars (bark,electric,prong,leather) help desensitize the dog?

Thanks..

Bark collars are great, but I don't think they should be use like this; when you dont want the dog to bark, you put the bark collar on.

The way they should be used is like this. The dog is either on a barking spree, or you are going to entice him to bark (not with a command, maybe by ringing the doorbell or something like that), Then, when the dog barks, you give your "stop barking command" mine is "OUT!" Yep just like to stop biting. The dog barks, he gets an automatic correction from the collar, even if he keeps barking, just keep repeating your stop barking command, if the collar is good enough and on the dog properly, he WILL stop barking. Hopefully he picks up on your command and the corrections. If he does stop barking, PRAISE!!! Good ____ insert "stop barking command". Now you have a STOP barking command on deck at all times. Now you can teach him to bark on command, and you already have the stop barking for use.

Putting the collar on the dog to ensure he doesn't bark for periods of time is in my eyes cruel and ineffective. Barking is a nessicary defense mechanism for dogs. You take that away, and you could find yourself regretting it. For example, you know family members are coming over, and dog always barks at family members, maybe because he's uncomfortable with them, now you have taken away the bark, only defense left is to bite, when maybe the dog would have never bitten before because he had a warning "his bark".

I hope this makes sense. Use all of your tools effectively and wisely.