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No bark collars are created to help dog owners deter unwanted barking. They can be used to control barking when the owner is not present or in other specific situations. However success is dependent on proper use.

Introducing your dog to the No Bark Collars

Before you begin training with an activated system, you should first accustom your dog to a deactivated no bark collar. By spending just two days introducing your dog to a system you can avoid other problems from developing, such as your dog cowering when you approach him with the system. Introduce your dog to the no bark control by completing the following.

Day One

* Choose a small food reward (about the size of a pencil eraser) that your dog finds very desirable and that he will accept every time.

* Place the no bark collar around your dog's neck for approximately 2 to 3 hours.

* Be sure that you have the collar fitted in the same manner that it will be during actual training. Refer to the product specific operations manual for determining proper fit of collar. After it has been on his neck a short period of time give him a food reward. Repeat this reward several times.

Day Two

Repeat day one procedure over a 5-6 hour period.

Day Three

This is the first day that your dog should receive the correction.

Training with the No Bark Collar

Before placing an activated system on your dog, carefully choose the first situation in which it is going to be used. This situation should be one in which your dog will learn easily, i.e., one with few distractions. If you do train in a situation with distractions, your dog may not associate the correction with his barking, but with something else. For example, if when your dog first barks, he is looking at a visitor to your home, he may perceive the visitor as being the cause of the correction, instead of his barking.

The initial training situation should also be one in which you can observe your dog's first few reactions to the no bark collar. Do not leave your dog alone the first few times he receives a correction.

Train your dog only in this initial situation until he has learned what the consequence to barking is. Only then should you move on to the next situation. This will help ensure that your dog understands that barking is the behavior he must avoid, no matter what his reason for barking.

What to expect from your dog while training

The first time your dog receives the correction he may react in a way that concerns you. He may yelp or yip or jump slightly. Do not be alarmed by these reactions. His first reaction to the correction will always be his most intense. Do not be alarmed by any such reaction. After the first few corrections his reaction will lessen. He will eventually just stop barking and remain calm. It is advised that you observe your dog's reactions to the correction.

You should notice an improvement in your dog's barking within the first week of training. At this point many dog owners feel that the "problem has been solved". In some cases this may be true, but in most cases the training is still not complete. Most, if not every dog, will "test" this new learning experience, i.e., they will increase their attempts to get away with barking. This testing period usually occurs during the second week of training. When it does occur you must remain consistent - do not alter your use of the no bark collar.

Once your dog is trained, you must continue to place the no bark collar on him in every situation in which he must be quiet. He may see a new dog or a squirrel through a window for the first time and he may bark. If he is not wearing the no bark collar he may get away with barking and his training may suffer a setback. If he is wearing the no bark collar, he will stop barking immediately and any setback will be prevented.