Animal Hospital of Casper - On Line

ABS Anti-Barking System Collar

Not crazy about the shock collars - and your pet won't be either!  Animal Behavioral Systems, Inc (ABS) has a super alternative.  This is the ABS Anti-Barking System Collar.  This neat little unit is a collar with a little "box" attached, carrying the citronella spray.  It uses #539 camera battery which can easily replaced when needed.  It works by picking up vibrations, from the bark, and spraying a diluted citronella spray.  The spray distracts your dog from barking by monopolizing four of the five senses of the dog.  Your pet hears the mist, feels it, smells it, sees it, and stops barking.   The collar is worn like any other collar, making sure to put two fingers between the collar and your dog.  The sensitivity of the spray collar can be adjusted. As with any behavioral modification, the owner must help the system work to the fullest potential.

Unfortunately, the collar does not have an on/off switch.  It is recommended that the battery be removed if you don't want it to spray.  If you want your pet to be able to bark, you can remove the collar (in the house at night to warn of an intruder, etc.) The collar should not be exposed to temperatures above 104 degrees F.  Further, the collar is water-resistant, but not waterproof.  Sorry, no swimming with the collar.  

ABS has found to be effective in 80% to 85% of barking dog cases.  And while the collar may be effective for dogs who bark due to separation anxiety, it doesn't keep them from picking up another anxiety-related behavior.

The Animal Hospital of Casper has a bark collar available to try out for a week, at $10.  If, after that time, you are interested in purchasing a collar, we can do that too! The retail cost of a new collar is $168 which the one week rental is deducted.

More information directly from ABS web site

Information about the Citronella refills