If you’re like many people who have a dog that won’t stop barking, you might be considering using a bark collar to try to solve the problem. These collars are special collars for dogs that contain a sensor that detects a loud noise (like a bark). Once the sensor has been activated, it provides a negative stimulus to the dog, usually in the form of a small electrical shock or a quick spray of a strong-smelling substance such as citronella.

On the surface, it seems like a great idea. However, many experts do not approve of the use of these collars, especially when used as a one-stop solution to the problem. An anti-bark collar is not a “set and forget” answer to your barking problems.

One of the main problems with bark collars is that if they are not fitted correctly, they can be activated by loud noises other than barking. “Can you imagine a dog getting electrocuted every time an ambulance drives past his house, or someone honks a car horn, or the neighbor’s dog barks?” asks Kris Goddard, owner of Paradise Ranch Pet Resort. “It should only be used in a soundproof area until the result is understood by the dog in training.”

When a dog barks, it usually does so out of instinct, and training a dog to resist those instincts is very difficult. Dogs bark for many reasons: to warn intruders, to announce their presence, to warn of suspicious danger, etc. Thousands of years of evolution have programmed these behaviors into our canine friends, and simply putting a bark collar on them and hoping for the best is probably not the best solution.

“Using a bark collar correctly can stop barking, but if the dog is still bored, it will find another way out, like digging or chewing. Finding a solution to boredom is the real answer,” Goddard added. “Taking the dog to daycare several times a week where he can run, play and socialize with other dogs will keep the dog happy and healthy. Most dogs will sleep for a few days after hours of running and playing in daycare.”

So while purchasing an anti-bark collar may be YOUR first instinct, take some time to explore other options, such as obedience training or consulting with an animal behaviorist.