HI,
CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN HOW THE ABISTOP COLLAR ACTUALLY WORKS.
I HAVE A FIVE MONTH OLD GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPY, WHO INSISTS ON BARKING WHEN SEPARATED FROM MY OTHER RETRIEVER, DURING THE DAY SEEMS WORSE WHEN SHE CAN SEE HER OR ANYONE ELSE GOING ABOUT THE ROUTINE.
AT NIGHT, THEY ARE KENNELD SEPARATELY AND SHE BARKS AND WHINES FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN SEEMS TO STOP, BUT BARKS ON AND OFF THROUGH THE NIGHT AND EARLY MORNING (WE HAVE NEIGHBOURS SO ITS A BIT STRESSING AT TIMES FOR ME)
ANY HELP, ADVISE, SUGGESTIONS GLADLY WELCOMED.
THANKS.
DI

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Hi,
I believe that the aboistop collar works by responding to vibrations in the voice box when the dog barks. The collar will then blast a spray of air, or a liquid (usually citronella as it is strong smelling, and also apparently has a calming effect) under the dogs chin. This will interrupt the behaviour, and hopefully will eventually prevent it as the dog will associate barking with this reaction.
These collars can be effective when used correctly, however it is important to address the underlying problem of her anxiety, and not just mask her barking. Your vet may be able to help you with this,
Good Luck!
Caroline

Actually it isn't the vibrations from the dog that set the collar off, other sounds will set it off too, especially another dog barking, and it will even go off in the owners pocket when it has been taken off!

It is therefore good to use at night when no other dog is likely to set it of, but should be used carefully at other times, as if it goes off when the dog has done nothing, then it will confuse/stress the dog.

If a dog is wearing another collar with a tag on it the tag clinking can also set it off.

Could you have a radio playing quietly at night so when other dogs/foxes/owls/hedgehots/cats etc etc make a noise it will not sound so sudden and therefore she mght not be tempted to join in.

Christine

Depends which one you have. The one I have is operated by remote control. You press a button and it either gives two beeps, for good behaviour, one short burst of citronella and the final button a longer spray.

The remote control one is much more expensive but imho, the better of the two.

If you wanted to give on a go - I would recommend putting it on your dog for a few days before using any of the buttons so they can get used to the collar being nothing. I used mine too soono for my dog and he knows what the collar can do so is depressed when the collar is on. Havong said that - it certainly has helped control unwanted barking in the house - but if the barking is stress related - I'm not sure how helpful it is. In my case, the stress far outweighs anything the collar can do.

hth

Pam n the boys

The problem with the remote control one is it needs you to be there and have perfect timing for it to work. The regular one can be used when you're away when a lot of the barking seems to happen for most.

I have recently had success over the past month or so with a bad barking problem with the regular aboistop.

Wendy