It’s funny how your dog can go from the cuddliest, gentlest furry pooch to an impossibly loud, irritating creature. You can’t sleep, your neighbors are complaining, and you start questioning how much you really like your dog.

At that point, you shouldn’t let sleep-deprivation get the best of you. Instead, we suggest that you breathe in and relax because your problem has an efficient solution — anti-bark collars.

What Are Your Options?

If you’re new to the world of correctional devices for dog training, you probably feel lost and a bit overwhelmed by choices.

However, you shouldn’t give up just because of your anxiety attack — that’s exactly how everyone feels once they start exploring dog collar options. What you need is some research.

With enough information, you’ll be able to make an informed decision.

Although all the collars in our review have the same purpose — to correct your dog’s behavior — their functionality and methods differ.

To begin with, SportDOG uses static shock treatments, and it has pre-installed programs you can use. Unlike Dogtra’s collar, for instance, that’s also based on electric shocks, SportDOG doesn’t have the vibration-only mode.

If you have an aggressive dog that needs a serious change in behavior, these two collars may be a good solution.

However, that is only if you approve of static shock treatments — for some dog owners, this is a problem. As far as we’re concerned, electricity isn’t necessary for dog training — it’s cruel, and there are other methods that work just as well.

PetSafe is a good example of a creative company that managed to avoid electricity treatments. The PetSafe team developed a collar that uses scent, sound, and vibrations.

So, you can take your pick and see which method works best for you.

Moreover, Garmin Bark is a technologically advanced collar that uses vibrations only. You can adjust the strength of vibrations and thus teach your dog to stop barking.

In the end, there’s DogRook as well. Although the DogRook collar isn’t as resilient as Garmin Bark, for example, it’s still a reliable yet affordable device with seven different vibration levels.

So, as you see, you get to choose a method you consider most suitable for your dog. Now, let’s go into finer detail and discuss every product one at a time.

Reviews of the Best Dog Collars

SportDOG NoBark 10R — Best Overall

SportDOG NoBark 10R just might be the best dog collar on our list. With ten different settings, SportDog provides a spectrum of options for dog owners.

SportDOG NoBark Qualities

Other than having ten different settings, SportDog also has three pre-installed modes. Therefore, you can set the collar to:

• User-selected correction mode
• Temperament learning
• Progressive correction

Because of these three modes, you can gain full control over your dog’s barking habits.

Moreover, the collar won’t respond to outer sounds like the barking of another dog, for example. SportDOG activates- only when it’s triggered by sound and vibration too.

For this reason, your dog’s behavior won’t be unnecessarily corrected.

In addition, the collar is quite simple to use. Once you have it in your hands, you’ll notice a light. When you notice a change in light, you’ll know that the battery needs charging, and the light also shows you which mode is currently on.

Now, let’s move on to the appearance of SportDOG. The collar is quite light — it weighs only 4.8oz. This is a good thing because your dog shouldn’t be able to feel it.

Also, SportDOG is waterproof. This means you don’t have to think about the potential water-meets-electricity problem while your dog is wearing the collar.

As a result, the collar shouldn’t break or malfunction.

You’ll be able to comfortably place the collar on your dog’s neck thanks to the adjustable strap. Have in mind that the collar is made for dogs who weigh more than eight pounds.

User Experience

Although almost all users are really satisfied with the collar, there was one worrying review. Apparently, one customer found burn marks on their dog’s neck after removing it. In all fairness, chances are that particular collar malfunctioned.

The rest of SportDOG owners have nothing but compliments for the collar.

Things we like:

• 10 levels
• 3 pre-installed modes
• Reliable sensors
• Durable

Things we don’t like:

• Static shock

Dogtra Yapper Stopper No Bark Collar — Best Static Shock Collar

Unlike the SportDOG, Dogtra offers its product in different sizes. This way, you can select a collar that will fit any dog — both puppies and huge canine species.

As you probably know, it’s usually the smaller species that are loud. It’s good to know there’s a collar that fits them too.

Dogtra Yapper Qualities

Dogtra Yapper Stopper has other qualities too, aside from multiple sizes. As far as we’re concerned, the pager option goes to the top of the list.

Most dog owners have a lot of problems with making a decision about getting a collar that emits static shock. We fully understand the problem. For that reason, we’d like to emphasize the fact Dogra comes with a no-shock setting they refer to as pager option.

Other than the pager option, there are ten different shock strength levels. Reassuringly, the Dogtra team claims the inbuilt sensors are reliable.

Because of the sensors, your dog won’t be shocked unnecessarily — the sensors can differentiate your dog’s bark from the background noise.

Moreover, the Dogtra collar is waterproof and quite resilient. Its battery is long-lasting, so you can relax while your dog is out and playing — the collar should stay in one piece.

In addition, the battery is fast-charging, too — there should be little time while your dog is without the collar.

User Experience

Although the collar comes in different sizes, perhaps you should think about going with a different brand in case you have a small dog. According to users, Dogtra made a collar that should be used for larger species — it seems that the shock treatment is too strong for small breeds.

On the other hand, the Dogtra product seems to be working quite well for larger dogs. Users claim that the collar changed their dogs’ behavior and that the barking is finally corrected.

Things we like:

• 10 levels
• Variety in sizes
• Pager mode
• Waterproof

Things we don’t like:

• Static shock
• Unsuitable for small dogs

PetSafe Spray Commander Dog Training Collar – Best Spray Bark Collar

If you hate the idea of your dog getting shocked every time they bark, you really don’t have to get a shock collar. No, that also doesn’t mean that you have to listen to constant barking neither.

PetSafe made a collar that can help you train your dog without any static shocks.

PetSafe Spray Commander Qualities

The Pet Safe collar has three different settings — neither one is based on electricity.

Primarily, you can set the collar to release a scent of citronella. Interestingly enough, the scent doesn’t harm your dog at all or damages their health in any way; canines simply don’t like the smell — pretty clever, isn’t it?

Secondly, PetSafe offers a setting that’s based on sound. The method is quite straightforward — every time your dog barks, the collar will correct their behavior with a sound that dogs really dislike.

Thirdly, you can also use vibration as a correctional method. At the sound of barking, the collar will start vibrating.

As far as the scent goes, the package will arrive with a can that contains enough of citronella for thirty-five sprays. In addition, you can use the collar manually.

Moreover, if you don’t like the automatic mode for some reason, you can release the scent yourself.

Furthermore, the collar is adjustable, and it should fit most dogs — you shouldn’t worry about the match.

User Experience

The bottom line is that the collar is functional, but it doesn’t work for all dogs. For example, dogs with thick fur may have some issues with it.

According to users, the collar doesn’t work well for long-haired dogs because the sprayed scent gets stuck in the fur. Further, that means the scent won’t reach your dog’s nose in time.

This way, your dog might think they are being punished for something that’s not wrong.

Also, the scent stays in the fur. Considering that it’s a strong smell, having a dog that smells like citronella doesn’t sound too good.

Things we like:

• Static shock free
• 3 different settings

Things we don’t like:

• Unsuitable for long-haired dogs

Garmin Bark Limiter Deluxe – Best High-End Bark Collar

It’s true that the price of Garmin Bark might stop your heartbeat for a second, but it’s worth the money. Although it’s expensive, Garmin Bark belongs to the latest generation of technology.

Garmin Bark Qualities

The best thing about Garmin Bark is the fact its functions are not based on electricity. Therefore, Garmin Bark will allow you to train your dog and correct its behavior without static shocks.

Instead of electricity treatments, the collar will shock your dog with vibrations. Whenever Garmin Bark is triggered — whenever your dog barks — the collar will correct your dog’s behavior in a gentle yet effective way.

Thanks to this collar, your dog can be not only trained electricity-free but also protected with something the company calls Bark Odometer.

What is Bark Odometer, you ask? We were wondering the same.

Bark Odometer times your dog’s barking — when a dog gets overly excited, it’s simply pointless to punish them for every bark they sound. The Garmin Bark technology can recognize a moment like this — the collar will deactivate for a while in those situations.

Moreover, the sensors inside the collar are quite sensitive — they can separate the background noise from your dog’s barking.

Now, let’s move on to structural features. Being that the Garmin Bark collar is both durable and waterproof, you don’t have to think about its safety while your dog is having fun.

In the end, we have yet another interesting information for you. When fully charged, the battery can last up to three months in one sitting.

For that reason, you won’t have to worry about charging.

User Experience

It seems the collar is inappropriate for small dogs. Although we’re talking about vibrations and not shocks, users say it’s too strong for smaller breeds.

Other than this issue, we think that Garmin Bark managed to make a really good product — and other customers agree. It’s as safe as dog collars for correction get.

Things we like:

• Static shock free
• Long-lasting battery
• Reliable sensors
• Waterproof

Things we don’t like:

• Unsuitable for small dogs

DogRook Humane Anti-Bark Training Collar – Best Vibration Bark Collar

DogRook offers yet another solution for correcting your dog’s behavior that’s not based on the electric shocks. This time, there will be no unpleasant smells either — DogRook uses only vibrations.

DogRook Humane Anti-Bark Qualities

The DogRook team recently updated the collar. Now, it’s encased in a layer of nylonand reflective stripes that has two purposes.

To begin with, nylon actually increases the collar’s resistance to water. Considering that reflects the light, the reflective stripes make the collar — as well as your dog — more visible.

This way, it will be easier for you to spot your dog in crowded places or in harsh weather conditions.

All dogs between 11 and 110 pounds can wear this collar without any problems. Regardless of your dog’s breed and age, the collar should be a comfortable fit.

The DogRook collar offers seven different levels — the higher the level, the stronger the vibrations. This variety of levels should give you pretty good control over the collar and thus your dog’s behavior.

In addition, you should know that the DogRook team made a solid product that’s affordable. The DogRook Humaine Anti-Bark Training Collar is the least expensive one on our list.

User Experience

As we mentioned, the collar is affordable, but that also affects the durability — some users report that the collar isn’t really 100% waterproof. However, this isn’t a very common review, so it obviously depends on the product and your luck.

Aside from that, we believe that DogRook made a decent, fairly-priced collar that corrects your dog’s behavior in a gentle way.

Things we like:

Static shock-free

• 7 levels
• Vibration treatment
• Affordable

Things we don’t like:

• Unsuitable for small dogs
• Not fully waterproof

What to Look for in Dog Collars?

As you can see in the review, we went through different products with different characteristics. However, if you don’t like either of the products for some reason and you still need a collar, then we should go through must-haves.

With the following checklist in mind, you should be able to find a collar that works for your dog and you.

Shock or No Shock

First of all, you need to decide whether or not you want to purchase a collar that emits electric shocks.

Although the companies that make static shock collars reassure dog users their dog isn’t in any kind of danger, we’re still not too happy with them. Again, the shocks shouldn’t be strong — you can even try the collar on and see it for yourself in case you get one.

Either way, it’s a matter of preference and the choice is up to you.

Battery Life

Having to constantly charge your phone is boring enough — you don’t need another device that you have to take care of on a daily basis.

For that reason, mind the battery durability while you’re browsing online. Some collars can last surprisingly long while others need to spend more time charging than on your dog’s neck.

Resilience

The fact is that dog won’t treat the collar as if it were an expensive piece of jewelry — even if it cost you that much. So, you shouldn’t even buy a collar if it’s not resistant and durable.

Because of this, pay attention to the structure and the materials of the product.

Safety Measures

Some collars will activate every time your dog barks. Although this may not sound too bad, once a dog is in tantrum mode, constant shocks, vibrations, high-pitched noises, or unpleasant smells won’t really calm them down.

As a matter of fact, chances are these repetitive corrective actions will upset or anger your dog even more.

As you may have noticed in the reviews, dog collars can contain safety measures. Once the dog is barking for a long while, the collar will deactivate.

Therefore, you should definitely have this property in mind while choosing a product.

Weight & Size

While a larger dog won’t even notice a heavier collar, smaller breeds will be irritated by the weight — that irritation won’t work well with corrective actions. So, you should pay attention to the size of the collar.

Reliable Sensors

Finally, you need a collar that won’t respond to every bark. If that were the case, your dog would get constant shocks even though they shouldn’t — and that’s just counterproductive.

Therefore, the collar should have reliable sensors that respond only to your dog’s barking.

Final Thoughts

Although you probably can’t wait for your dog to finally stop barking, take your time with this purchase. The collars are not that cheap, and you should make sure to put that money to good use.

Chances are that patience isn’t your strongest suit at this point, but we advise you to think things through. The bottom line is that a hasty choice can actually hurt your dog.

For that reason, you should stick to the checklist we made. The only way to know that you made a good choice is to have all the influential factors in mind.

By having this checklist in mind, you’ll be able to correct your dog’s behavior in a safe way, and you’ll finally get some sleep.