Training Tips
Most dogs will respond immediately to the Gentle Leader SpraySense Bark - Anti-Bark Collar with a dramatic decrease or complete cessation of nuisance barking. Your dog will bark and receive a burst of spray; he may make one or two more attempts at barking, but in most cases will then give up for quite a while. Occasionally, some dogs have a very high motivation to bark excessively, and additional attention may be needed in these situations. It is important to understand a basic principle of the learning theory: Rewarding any behavior will strengthen that behavior and increase the likelihood of it being repeated. Typically, a dog will bark at the stimulus of a garbage truck, mail carrier or another dog walking past your house. From your dog's point of view, he barks at the "intruder" and his barking "works" - the intruder goes away! In your dog's mind, he is being "rewarded" for his barking. Therefore, the barking behavior is strengthened. For these dogs, it is important that they not be able to "beat the system". We recommend that you first begin using the collar when you will be home for a couple of days in a row. Fill the unit completely. Be sure to monitor the times or situations when your dog usually engages in prolonged barking episodes (even better, see if you can set up a situation, such as a neighbor driving a truck into your driveway or a friend ringing the doorbell). If your dog persists in barking through repeated sprays, pay close attention to the number of sprays emitted. If the number approaches 15, remove the collar and refill the unit. It is important that your dog is not allowed to empty the spray device, especially during the initial use of the collar. If you allow your dog to empty the spray device, he will learn that persistence in barking has a "reward" - no more spray. For true "die-hard" barkers it may take up to 2-3 cans of the refill to fully control the behavior and establish a quiet response to the various stimuli. DO NOT yell at or scold your dog when he is barking - this will only make matters worse. For some dogs and some people, even "negative" attention is better than no attention at all. Instead, totally ignore him while he is barking - that means don't talk to him, touch him, or make eye contact. However, as soon as he has stopped barking, immediately REWARD this quiet behavior with verbal praise, petting, food treats, or anything else your dog really likes. Consistently reward the quiet behavior you wish to strengthen. Ignore the barking and the collar will say "no" for you.
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