• They want to go outside or come in.
• They are hungry.
• Or, they just want to play.
• Dogs get bored, frustrated anxious and excited and will use barking to let owners know how they feel.

Some dogs were bred to bark for a specific purpose, such as hounds, guard dogs or some herding breeds Expecting a dog not to bark is like expecting birds not to fly.

Look for realistic limits and make sure expectations are reasonable because some breed’s inherent need to bark will be much higher than others. Here are some helpful tips in what to look for and how to handle unnecessary barking.

• Dogs that are left outdoors tend to have more barking problems and require more contact and socialization. It takes some special effort on the owner's part to care for these needs.
• For dogs that are both inside and outside, increase play and exercise time. A well exercised dog will be more relaxed and will spend additional time resting.
• Take the dog out on errands Even a quick car ride offers the stimulation of a whole new world of smells and sights and will give the dog a mental workout.
• Be careful not to unwittingly reward barking behavior by yelling, which may appear to work but in reality is increasing the barking behavior.

Ignoring the barking and then rewarding the dog with play, praise and food, when quiet, is frequently more effective than yelling and the results will last longer. Unfortunately, this method requires a cast iron will, a good set of ear plugs and very understanding neighbors!

• Know the dog’s barking cues and avoid them. For example; bring the dog in the house or close the blinds when the children are getting off the school bus or confine the dog to the back of the house when the mail man usually arrives.

Just a little extra effort, attention and love can go a long way in reducing the dog’s need to bark.

The Innotek automatic dog bark control collars offer instant feedback that will distract the dog from barking. The control bark collars sense the vibration produced by the dog’s vocal chords and delivers a very brief pulse similar to a static shock people would feel on a door knob. Unlike other deterrents the collar can only be activated by the dog wearing it. Other dog’s barking and loud noises will not activate the Innotek bark control devices.

With the first bark, the system, built into the collar, will start a pulse at the lowest level and will rise one level with each bark that follows until the barking stops. After the dog has been quiet for 20 seconds the collar will automatically re-set to the next lowest level. This is the pulse level that is best for the dog. There is no risk of over-correcting because the dog has decided which level is optimal.

The Innotek control bark collars allow dogs to learn at their own speed, that excessive and annoying barking is off limits. Most dogs quickly learn to avoid the stimulation by being quiet. Of course, some dogs learn more quickly than others, so be patient and understanding with the dog and follow the recommendations in this video.

The dog professionals at Innotek thank owners for choosing the Innotek bark control devices. They are available to answer any questions that owners may have regarding the dog's behavior.