Best Bark Collars for Large Breed Dogs

Understanding Barking in Large Dogs

Many dog owners struggle with excessive or nuisance barking from their canine companions. For owners of large breed dogs, this can be an even bigger challenge due to their loud, booming barks. Large dogs like German Shepherds, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Great Danes have impressive lung capacity and vocal projection that allows their barks to be heard from quite a distance.

While some barking is perfectly normal and acceptable, excessive barking can disturb neighbors, contribute to noise complaints, and create an unpleasant environment in your own home. As a responsible pet owner, learning how to curb excessive vocalization is important.

Common Reasons for Barking in Large Dogs

There are many reasons why a dog may bark excessively, including:

• Boredom or lack of physical and mental stimulation
• Alerting owners to perceived threats or intruders
• Seeking attention from owners
• Reacting to external triggers like passersby, wildlife, or noises
• Separation anxiety

Potential Solutions for Excessive Barking

There are several potential solutions for curbing barking in large breed dogs:

• Increasing daily exercise to burn off excess energy
• Providing interactive toys and puzzles to stimulate their mind
• Crate training to create a safe space and prevent anxiety when alone
• Addressing underlying medical issues that may be causing pain or discomfort
• Seeking help from an accredited dog trainer or behaviorist
• Using a bark collar as negative reinforcement

What are Bark Collars?

A bark collar is a device worn around a dog's neck that delivers an unpleasant stimulus when the vibration of barking is detected. The intention is to interrupt and deter excessive barking through negative reinforcement. There are several types of bark collars available today:

Citronella Bark Collars

These collars contain a reservoir of citronella scented liquid that sprays near the dog's nose when a bark is detected. The unpleasant citronella scent surprises them and disrupts the barking pattern.

Ultrasonic Bark Collars

These collars emit an ultrasound frequency tone when barking occurs that only dogs can hear. The high-pitched noise gets their attention and deters further barking.

Static Shock Bark Collars

These collars deliver a small static shock through contact points on the collar when barking vibrations are picked up. The shock sensation surprises them out of the barking behavior.

Are Bark Collars Safe for Large Breed Dogs?

This is a common concern for owners of big dogs considering a bark collar. Overall, modern bark collars are designed to be quite safe, especially the citronella and ultrasonic types that do not use any physical correction.

Important Safety Features

Reputably designed bark collars have features to enhance safety, such as:

• Adjustable sensitivity to avoid false corrections
• Safety shut-off after repeated activations
• Gradual increase in stimulus intensity
• Warning beeps and vibration before corrections

As long as the collar is properly fitted and the sensitivity adjusted to your dog's unique bark "volume", bark collars are generally very safe by design.

Supervision is Still Required

Regardless of safety mechanisms, your dog should always be supervised when wearing a bark collar for the first few sessions. This allows you to monitor that the collar is functioning properly and not activating excessively which could indicate a bad fit or sensitivity setting.

Best Bark Collars for Large Dogs

The key factors to evaluate when selecting the most suitable bark collar for your extra large canine include:

• Collar receiver size and adjustability
• Stimulus type and adjustable intensity
• Number of sensitivity settings
• Safety shut off features
• Ease of use
• Battery life
• Waterproofing

Based on these criteria, below are top recommendations chosen for their large collar sizes, adjustable dual sensitivity, progressive stimulus levels, and robust safety features.

SportDOG NoBark SBC-R Rechargeable Bark Collar

This collar uses both citronella spray and static stimulation across 10 levels each to curb unwanted barking. The large collar receiver has 5 adjustment points and dual sensitivity modes to avoid over-corrections.

PetSafe Elite Little Dog Bark Control Collar

Despite the name, this ultrasonic and static shock bark collar is designed for dogs over 8 pounds and has a neck size range of 6-28 inches. Dual sensitivity filters out non-barks while automatic safety shut-off prevents excessive corrections.

Garmin BarkLimiter Deluxe

Featuring both static stimulation and ultrasonic deterrents across 15 levels each, this high-end bark collar prioritizes safety with pre-warning beeps and vibration. The fully waterproof unit has a neck circumference range of 5-26 inches.

Petnest Humane Bark Collar

Using a unique pattern of vibration rather than shocks or spray, this humane bark collar detects barks using AI technology to avoid false triggers. Designed for neck sizes 7 - 25 inches, it has 18 sensitivity settings.

Tips for Using Bark Collars

If trying out a bark collar, keep these usage tips in mind:

• Correctly measure and fit the collar tight to the neck
• Closely supervise the first few times wearing it
• Start at the lowest sensitivity/stimulus setting
• Only increase intensity gradually if needed to deter barking
• Never leave the collar on for more than 12 hours per day
• Pair use with positive reinforcement training

And remember, bark collars should never be used on puppies under 6 months old.

Seeking Veterinary Advice

As with any training tool or equipment used with your dog, you should consult your veterinarian before trying a bark collar. Review your dog's medical history for any conditions that could impact the safety or suitability of a collar for your furry friend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are bark collars cruel?

Modern bark collars are designed to get a dog's attention, not punish them. Stimulus from citronella, ultrasonic, or vibration collars are harmless and static shock collars deliver low level stimulation comparable to a tens unit that humans use. As with any training device, supervision is key and bark collars should never be used excessively or when underlying stress or medical issues may be causing the unwanted barking behavior.

How tight should a bark collar be?

For bark collars to function properly, they must have direct contact with your dog's skin on their neck. A general rule is that you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers between the collar strap and your dog's skin. The tightness should not restrict breathing and regular collar checks are recommended.

Can I use a bark collar on my puppy?

Bark collars are NOT recommended for use with puppies under 6 months of age as their neck and vocal structures are still developing. Some bark collars also have minimum age and weight limits, so always check with the manufacturer guidelines before considering using one with your pup.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.