Best Anti-Bark Collar For German Shepherd

If you have exhausted all the training methods and your German Shepherd still barks excessively, you may want to consider using an anti-bark collar. This article will break down the best anti-bark collar for German Shepherds, how to safely use one as well as what to look for before making a purchase.

*This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you 🙂 .

Why your German Shepherd may need a anti-bark collar?

My German Shepherd barks a lot, but lucky training has helped me better control her barking.  However, if you’ve already tried teaching your dog to speak and quiet and spend a lot of money for different positive training methods to try and get some peace, an anti-bark collar may be an option for you to use in certain circumstances.

How does a anti-bark collar work?

A bark collar is a device that provides a stimulus (vibration, sound, scent) upon sensing the dog’s barking vibration to discourage your dog from barking excessively. 

Types of Anti-Bark Collars

Static anti-bark collars

A static anti-bark collar provides some sort of stimulus (a shock, vibration, or beep) upon sensing your dog barking.  These collars provide for different levels of stimulation so you can control which type of correction your dog receives as well as the level of that correction.

Sound anti-bark collars

Sound anti-bark collars emit a high-pitched sound that only dogs can hear after sensing your dog bark.  Think of these kind of like those dog whistles that make no noise to you but you dog can hear them. 

Spray anti-bark collars

Spray collars deliver a whiff of a smell dog’s dislike whenever they sense the barking vibration.  Citronella spray collars are some of the best and most humane anti-bark collars on the market.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Anti-Bark Collar

Your purpose for buying a anti-bark collar

Your intended purpose for using an anti-bark collar is the most important thing to consider before purchasing one. 

*An anti-bark collar should never be a substitute for proper training and shouldn’t be used because you don’t have enough time to give your dog attention.  They should only be used after all avenues of training have been exhausted or as a training aid.  Anti-bark collars are not meant to long term use (for example, for 24 hours a day).

The type of correction

As discussed above, there are different types of anti-bark collars that provide for different types of corrections.  Knowing your dog will help you to know what type of correction they will best respond to.

I highly recommend using a spray anti-bark collar, or a bark collar that gives a vibration or sound before using a static shock.  You may find that a little vibration is all your dog needs.  Why start off with the shock if you don’t need to?

Levels of intensity/sensitivity of correction

If you are getting an anti-bark collar you should look for control over the level of intensity or sensitivity.  All of the static shock collars should allow you to adjust the levels so you can start off low and then go up if needed. 

Size of the collar needed

The size of the collar is important, you always want to make sure the collar is capable of fitting your dog’s neck.  Many anti-bark collars are adjustable up to a certain size. 

Measure your dog’s neck to be sure of the size they need before making a purchase.

Safety Features

One of the most important features of an anti-bark collar is that it has the ability to differentiate between your German Shepherd’s bark and any other dogs’ bark.  The last thing we want is for our dog to be shocked inappropriately!

Battery Life

Battery life is another thing to consider.  Although your dog shouldn’t be wearing an anti-bark collar for days on end, it is annoying to have the charge a collar every two hours.  Check to make sure the collar you are buying has an acceptable battery life for your intended use.

4 Best Anti-Bark Collars for German Shepherds

Citronella Spray Anti-Bark Collar

If you need to use an anti-bark collar for your German Shepherd, I highly recommend trying this Citronella Spay Anti-Bark collar! 

The collar also has an on/off switch so the battery isn’t always running when not in use.  When the battery is low a red light will blink once every second.

In addition, it has three adjustable sensitivity levels (low, medium and high).  The citronella spray anti-bark collar also lets you know when it’s low on spray.  When low, a red light will flash once every 5 seconds to let you know the spray needs to be refilled.  This collar provides about 25-30 sprays per refill.

Additionally, there is also a beep setting that you can try and the collar is waterproof.  As an added bonus, there is a satisfaction guarantee.  If the collar doesn’t work for your dog, just return it for a full refund!

What I Love:

• Humane
• Long battery life
• Satisfaction guarantee
• Low spray warning
• Low battery warning
• On/Off switch
• Adjustable collar
• Waterproof
• Beep setting

Possible downsides:

• Collar doesn’t come with Citronella (purchased separately)

And the verdict is….

• If you are looking for the most humane type of anti-bark collar it’s worth giving this one a try.  If it doesn’t work for your German Shepherd you can always get your money back and try another option.

Authen Anti-Bark Collar

The Authen anti-bark collar is a versatile collar that provides a lot of different correction options. 

Second, the correction doesn’t trigger the first time your dog barks.  Your dog has to bark twice within 30 seconds for a correction to trigger.  This is wonderful because it will only correct excessive barking, not just the occasional normal barking.

This Authen collar has multiple types of corrections available.  It has beep, vibration, static shock and no shock options.  You can use the no-shock mode with either a beep or vibration, or you can use the static shock mode with up to 5 levels of correction.

What I Love:

• Extra-long battery life
• Great safety features
• Beep and vibration only modes
• 5 levels of static shock options
• Waterproof
• Adjustable collar

Possible downsides:

• Prongs may be too short for long haired German Shepherds.

And the verdict is….

• If you aren’t sure which type of correction will work best for your dog, this versatile collar provides the most options for you to test at a low price point. 

NPS Anti-Bark Collar

The NPS anti-bark collar is another great humane collar option for dogs up to 120 pounds which should be fit most German Shepherds.

It starts off at a low level of intensity and cycles up to higher levels as your dog barks longer.  This is great to give your dog plenty of warning before getting to those higher intensity levels.

The NPS collar has awesome safety features as well.  Growling, shaking, or scratching won’t trigger this collar to go off.  Additionally, it has a safety feature that prevents it from going off from other dog barks which is also important. 

What I Love:

• Humane collar
• Super comfortable collar
• Hypoallergenic collar
• Sound and vibration correction only
• 7 levels of intensity
• Great safety features
• Fits neck sizes up to 25 inches

Possible downsides:

• The sound and/or vibration may not be enough correction to work for more stubborn dogs.

And the verdict is…

• If you are looking for a humane anti-bark collar and you don’t think the citronella collar will work for your dog, this is a great no-shock bark collar with varying intensity levels.

Trulrox Anti-Bark Collar

The Trulrox Anti-Bark Collar is suitable for both small and large dogs.

It has a warning mode, so the first bark doesn’t trigger a shock, it only triggers a small vibration.  If a second bark occurs within 30 seconds, then there will be a weak shock.  The third bark triggers another vibration as a warning, then the 4th, 5^th, and 6th barks trigger shocks at an increased intensity. 

This is great because it gives your dog plenty of warning before the intensity ramps up, and the intensity only gets higher for excessive barking.

Lastly, there are 5 levels of sensitivity and intensity so you can customize it to your dog’s needs. It also has sound only, vibration only, shock, and no shock options.

What I Love:

• Awesome warning sequence
• Waterproof
• Reflective, adjustable collar
• Silicone prongs
• 5 levels of sensitivity and intensity
• Sound only mode
• Vibration only mode

Possible downsides:

• Buildup to correction can be an issue if you want your dog to be corrected immediately upon barking for a specific reason.

And the verdict is…

• If you are looking for a well programed anti-bark collar that gives your dog plenty of warning before intensifying the shock, this one if for you!

Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Anti-Bark Collar

Bark collars don’t work for every dog

Although anti-bark collars can work, they may not work for every dog.  Some dogs are willing to tolerate the correction and continue barking, while with others the collar may work at first, but then as your GSD gets used to the collar it may become less effective.

Other dogs just don’t respond well to them.  Some more skittish or sensitive dogs may not respond well to any type of correction a collar would provide. 

If you know your dog, you should have any idea if a bark collar would work for them or not.  If you aren’t sure, you can always try it and see how your dog responds.  Always start with the type of collar that provides the least amount of correction first!

Bark Collars shouldn’t be overused

A anti-bark collar isn’t meant to be used for 24 hours a day, nor is it meant to be abused.  I would recommend ONLY using a bark collar at those specific times when you know your dog will be likely to go on an excessive barking spree.

Remember the goal is not for our dogs to never bark, it is just to help our dogs learn not to bark excessively. 

Ideally, after some time your dog won’t need to use the bark collar at all.   Some dogs start off using an anti-bark collar, then once they learn when it’s appropriate to bark, they no longer need to wear one.

Bark collars aren’t a substitute for training

The most important thing to keep in mind is that bark collars aren’t meant to substitute for proper training.  They are meant to compliment your training.

So ideally, you are already teaching your dog basic commands, as well as how to be quiet.  The anti-bark collar can be used in conjunction with that training if your dog is slightly more stubborn, but ideally, the collar won’t be used long term after they learn.

*I do no support using an anti-bark collar or a shock collar as a substitute for training.  If you haven’t attempted to train your dog to stop barking, please try that first!

Final Thoughts

As German Shepherd owners, we know our German Shepherds can be strong willed at times.  If you already have tried to train your German Shepherd on how to be quiet and under certain situations and they just want to continue barking, then an anti-bark collar could be a good tool to compliment your training.

I recommend trying the Citronella anti-bark collar before trying a static bark collar.  It is the most humane type of anti-bark collar on the market currently.