Dogs are remarkably loyal companions, and small breeds are especially endearing.
Small breeds have many advantages, and they typically make great pets for first-time owners. You should also find that most smaller dogs require little by the way of food or exercise.
On the downside, many smaller canine breeds are notorious for yapping and barking excessively – chihuahuas, for instance. This can be particularly problematic if you live in an apartment or otherwise in close proximity to neighbors.
Fortunately, there are many different types of dog training collars that can help you to discourage your furball from barking inappropriately and excessively. Not all of these are suitable for small dogs, though. Today’s guide will help you to pick the right one for your needs the easy way.
Before you explore our showcase of the leading models on the market, consider the following pointers:
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The 7 Best Bark Collars for Small Dogs
1. Our Pick Pet Safe Rechargeable Bark Collar
Features
Pet Safe is one of the most reliable and well-established brands in the pet equipment vertical, so what do you get for your money with this bark collar?
Well, the first thing to point out is that this collar uses static shock correction, meaning that some pet parents may not consider this a humane approach to discouraging excessive barking. Only you can decide whether or not you feel static shock correction is acceptable. If you do, read on. If not, scroll to the collars below for a humane alternative.
This bark collar, also known as a shock collar, is intended specifically for smaller breeds. As long as your pooch weighs more than 8 pounds, you should find that this lightweight and highly adjustable collar fits snugly without weighing down your dog.
Running on fast-charging batteries that reduce running costs and deliver days of use on a single charge, the waterproof unit is suitable for year-round use in all conditions.
Smart sensing tech baked in means that your dog shouldn’t be troubled by false triggers, with the collar picking up only the unique sound of his bark.
While this bark collar isn’t cheap, it represents great overall value, especially if you manage to use it to train your dog not to keep barking inappropriately.
2. Budget Pick DogRook Bark Collar for Small Dogs
Features
DogRook is one of the most popular new brands to dominate the bark collar space. How does this model designed for small dogs stand and fall, then?
While we appreciate that you’re not buying a dog collar mainly for the way it looks, the aesthetics of this model are impressive. Choose from several colors to suit the temperament of your pup and be confident that the lightweight and slimline collar won’t burden Rover.
This collar offers a completely humane approach to training your dog not to bark too much. If your dog barks too much, the collar will pick up on this and deliver either an audible alert or a vibrating alert. This should teach your dog not to repeat the behavior.
Although this type of collar is commonly called an always-on collar, you should avoid leaving any bark collar in place for more than 12 hours in a single session. Also, remember to incorporate plenty of positive reinforcement into your training with Spot for best results.
3. NBJU Bark Collar
Features
NBJU might not be the first name that springs to mind when you’re considering canine equipment, but if you’re prepared to take a chance on an outsider, you might be pleasantly surprised with this offering.
While the collar will fit most small breeds, you could also use it with medium-sized or larger dogs.
Choose from a wide palette of colors to suit your furball and pop the lightweight but hardwearing collar on to discourage him from excessive barking.
Featuring a protective silicone sleeve, this collar is not only likely to last for years, but it should also be comfortable for your furry friend while you train him not to perform behaviors like barking inappropriately.
The super-fast charging capacity means you could get two weeks of use from this collar after just thirty minutes of charging.
Not only is this collar priced keenly, but it’s also currently aggressively discounted, meaning you can grab a bargain for the holiday season if you act quickly.
The only potential drawback with this collar is the intensity of the static shock correction. If you feel this might be too much for your smaller pup, explore some of the other bark collars above and below.
4. Pet Safe Elite Spray Collar for Small Dogs
Features
Next up comes another entry from the Pet Safe stable with the Elite, a highly effective spray collar designed with the needs of smaller dogs in mind.
You can use either citronella spray or an unscented spray to ensure that your dog received a metered mist of liquid that wets his snout if he barks too much. Depending on the temperament of your little breed, this might be enough to arrest his habit of barking too much.
The collar doesn’t come with a remote because it will automatically detect when your dog is barking. This means the collar is a great solution for pet owners looking for a humane deterrent to excessive canine barking.
As with any type of training collar, this spray collar may prove ineffective for your dog. Trial and error is the only way you will find out. If you are reluctant to take a chance on a collar that may not generate a positive outcome, maximize your chances by considering one of the multipurpose collars we review above that offers multiple methods of correction.
Note that you will need to buy a scented or unscented spray so you can get going right out the box.
5. Trulrox Small Dog Bark Collar
Features
As we near the end of our showcase of the best bark collars for small dogs, we have a humane but effective model from Trulrox.
Intended for dogs weighing 8 pounds and upwards, this should make a neat fit for most small breeds, except for some toy and teacup breeds.
This is an always-on collar that provides you with a useful training device to help you prevent your dog from barking too much in your absence and disturbing the neighbors.
As you would expect from a collar designed for small pups, this model is lightweight and won’t cause your dinky dog any discomfort.
The humane methods of correction won’t hurt your furball either. This collar offers the choice of an audible alert or a vibrating alert which should hopefully be enough to curtail excessive barking in your pup.
The bright green accents on the collar help to keep your dog visible when you’re taking him for walkies, and the waterproof collar is rugged enough to return plenty of faithful service.
If you’re looking for a bargain bark collar that should stop smaller dogs from barking excessively, look no further.
6. Laptom Pro 2 Smart Bark Collar
Features
We have time for a couple more collars today before we round out with some frequently asked questions about training your dog not to bark all the time.
If you use this collar as part of your training techniques, you can use three different methods of correction:
- Vibrating alert
- Strong vibrating alert
- Audible tone
Most smaller breeds should be trainable using these methods rather than relying on static shock correction, a method that many pet parents considering inhumane and unacceptable. We’re not here to make your mind up, just to present you with options.
You’ll only need to charge the batteries for a couple of hours to return up to two weeks of runtime, making this collar convenient for those with busy schedules looking for a no-nonsense and low-maintenance bark collar for their small dogs.
As long as your dog tips the scales at 8 pounds or more, you should snugly fit this collar to him without any resistance or discomfort.
A protective silicone sleeve prevents the collar or prongs from hurting your furball in any way, and it achieves this without diminishing the effectiveness of the collar.
7. CZCCWD Rechargeable Bark Collar for Dogs
Features
Last but not least comes this versatile and potentially effective collar from the strangely-named CZCCWD brand.
Although this collar offers the option of an audible beep or a vibrating alert that may stop your dog from barking inappropriately, these methods do not always produce positive outcomes. As an insurance policy, this collar also allows you to call upon static shock correction. You’ll need to give the collar a try before you can establish which method of correction delivers the best results, but there is a strong chance that this collar will produce the outcome you desire.
The fast-charging nature of this set-up means you could keep the collar going for weeks after just two hours of charging.
As you would expect from a collar marketed at owners of small dogs, this model is lightweight and won’t feel uncomfy on Fido. Just make sure not to leave the collar on for extended periods of more than 12 hours.
FAQs
1) How does a bark collar for dogs work?
A bark collar is designed to deliver stimulation when it detects your dog barking. There are three different methods of stimulation commonly used:
- Sound-activated collars: When these collars detect your dog barking, they deliver an audible alert. These collars work especially well in single-dog homes. Sound-activated collars can also be highly effective for stopping dogs from howling. Owners of multiple dogs should consider a vibration-activated training collar, or one that combined sound and vibration. We review examples of both above.
- Vibration-activated collars: When these collars detect your dog barking, they deliver a vibrating alert. These collars are a great solution for multi-dog environments.
- Static shock collars: When these collars detect your dog barking, they deliver a static shock. Not all dog owners consider these collars to be humane, so decide for yourself which type to use when training your smaller dog.
2) Is it safe to use a dog training collar on my dog?
A dog training collar is considered safe to use as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Always start by using the lowest possible level of stimulation and work your way gradually up if this fails to generate positive change. You should never leave a training collar on your dog for more than 12 hours in one unbroken spell, and you should also regularly check your dog’s neck to ensure that the collar is not irritating his skin.
3) Is it safe to use a dog training collar on my puppy?
You should avoid using a training collar on a dog younger than six months old. Try using clickers, treats, and toys during the puppy phase.
4) Is size all that matters when comparing the best bark collars for small dogs?
No. While it is vital to choose a collar that won’t burden a smaller dog, you should also consider other variables, such as:
- Breed
- Age
- Temperament
- Type of behavior being corrected
- Other dogs in the environment
5) Is it cruel to use a static shock bark collar on my small dog?
No. While not all pet owners consider static shock collars to be humane, they are safe when used correctly, and they should not cause your dog too much pain. The first static shock collars introduced to the market were harsh and unrefined, and widely considered to be cruel. Over time, though, these collars have developed safety cut-offs and reliable activation. The static stimulation delivered is less than 2% of that required to create a thermal burn. You can also choose from various levels of static correction to suit the temperament of your small dog. You should not leave always-on training collars in place for more than 12 unbroken hours. Also, check on the skin of your dog’s neck regularly when you are using a training collar on him. If you notice any signs of irritation, you should discontinue use until the skin heals.
Conclusion
We very much hope today’s guide has shown you the type of bark collars that are most effective for smaller breeds.
While most small breeds are undemanding in terms of grooming, exercise, and dietary requirements, you may find your little pup is prone to barking too much. If so, you can use a variety of bark collars to discourage this behavior, and many of them are humane collars that do not use static shock correction.
We are hard at work here at GO Boxer Rescue to provide you with plenty of entertainment for the forthcoming holiday season. Take a moment to bookmark our blog before you head off and be sure to come back very soon. We’ll be updating our content daily with plenty of informative guides and lots of guides to help you choose the right dog equipment the easy way. See you soon!