I received a First Alert Bark Genie and Handheld Bark control to facilitate this review; all opinions are my own.
I have dogs and they’re not angels. They bark to let me know someone’s at the door. I’ve tried training them but their need to alert is greater than my desire to stop them. Dogs will be dogs, but where I draw the line is when they annoy others.
My girls spend all of their time indoors with the exception of being escorted out to do their business. Sadly, that’s not the case with my neighbor’s dogs. Their two large dogs are outside 24/7 and they bark continuously. Even with my bedroom window closed, their barking pierces my sleep most nights.
First Alert Bark Genie™ Automatic Bark Control
Since my neighbors refuse to curb their dog’s barking, I took it upon myself to do it for them. I installed a First Alert Bark Genie™ Automatic Bark Control (RV $39.99) on the tree next to the fence. It’s a battery operated device that detects barking which triggers an ultrasonic sound that’s so high, only dogs can hear it. It’s hanging facing their yard, about 3 ft from the fence and works with the dogs up to 50 feet away.
There are three sensitivity levels (I have it set at the most sensitive) and it’s waterproof. It hangs there waiting for the dogs to rush the fence and stops them in their tracks. The first two weeks it was in place they reacted but continued to rush the fence. By the 3rd week they stopped the fence assault and I rarely hear any barking from them at all even though they’re still out there day and night through freezing cold. I’ll never understand why people have dogs if they’re going to just put them outside and never interact with them and I do feel bad about making the dogs’ life even more miserable when the alarm is activated, but it truly works.
My girls – Gracie and Jewel
Bark Genie™ Handheld Bark Control
For my dogs, I’ve used the Bark Genie™ Handheld Bark Control (Model: FABCU2 – ARV $19.99). It’s a portable version that tucks into my pocket so I can take it on a walk or when we travel. It hangs on my closet door handle so when I get my coat, I grab it too. I’ve used it from my pocket to stop dogs from charging at us and I use it on my girls when we’re travelling and staying in a hotel room.
My little girl, Gracie, a 7 lb Maltese is not affected by it at all. He big sister, Jewel, a Pomeranian, shakes and shows obvious signs of understanding she’s in trouble. Unfortunately, we used a different handheld model when she was a pup and we missed the instructions of not letter her see what was creating the sound. Now everything that’s a small, black handheld item makes her quiver, which includes the remote control for the TV. We’re much more careful this time keeping the thing out of sight.
What I love about the Handheld Bark Control model is it’s very directional and has a reach of only 15′. I point it at the offending dog and others in the area don’t seem to be bothered by it. That helps when you’re trying to correct only one dog.
I love both of the Bark Genie products and am grateful they’ve taken care of our backyard problems. It’s nice to be able to walk on my deck without being rushed by the dogs next door.
Do you have a dog in need of a Bark Genie? These fabulous barking aids are available at Target and other retailers.
In most cases without proper intervention the ultrasonic bark controls will only stop them for a short amount of time, especially if you have a stubborn or intelligent dog. So trying to get your neighbours dogs to stop with one of these will work for a short time but will more than likely stop working when they figure out it is only a sound. Btw these actually make my dog bark louder! How about you just go talk to your neighbours.
The neighbors are well aware they’re causing issues, but they simply don’t care. And thankfully the dogs have not gotten louder and they do respond to the box. It’s a shame we have to do it, but if they neighbors refuse our only other option is to call in the police. This seems less troublesome.
As far as leaving the dogs out all the time, please, I about cry every day. At least your neighbor’s dogs have freedom. Everyday I see this lab in a 8 x 20 pen, he kept escaping so they kept the door open. So, unfortunately puppies were dropped off on the road and by a miracle one survived and these scum of the earth took it in for a while and now both this beautiful Collie (who could have had a good home) is now living in tight quarters with no affection with the depressed lab living in their own squallier. Half the time they have no water, The lab has tried to keep the puppy warm which shows me they have genuine feelings. There’s no dog house, nothing. The have an 8 x 20 pen which I know is full of feces, the water bucket has been on it’s side for 3 days now. I saw this cold morning they were hovering, so the lab is trying to take care of the puppy. I SEE THIS EVERY DAY OUT OF MY KITCHEN WINDOW!
Call and report them! They’ll love you for it. That’s so very sad.
I’ve decided I’m going to get window film so I don’t have to look at this everyday. I sure hope we find a house very soon.
Hi Connie! This has been weighing on my mind since I read this post the other day. I understand your concerns about your dogs, which you know I have my precious Folly who knows nothing but love and protection. But, I personally don’t think you have any right to inflict any type of pain (or obedience) to your neighbor’s dogs, they are not yours. I certainly wouldn’t want anyone to do “anything” to my dog(s). If you have a complaint, call the town, don’t punish the dogs. They are innocent and I don’t think it’s in your right to determine what you are going to do to hush those dogs, silent as this device might be. I know by experience a rotisserie running on a Sunday afternoon had my poor beloved “Hobo” go crazy by the noise that we didn’t here that she wouldn’t come in the house until we figured it out. Think about this, it’s just not your right.
We’ll have to agree to disagree. The barking has stopped with a humane and legal device. I’m ok with it.
I can’t stand when people leave their dogs out all the time. Why have dogs if you’re not going to love them and spend time with them? I have three dogs. We have a fenced-in yard and they do spend a little time outside to go to the bathroom or run around. If they start barking like crazy, though, we bring them in right away. Especially at night! Dogs are supposed to bark. It’s their way of communicating, so we don’t curb all barking. Just when it gets obnoxious enough to bother our neighbors. Glad you found something to give you some peace and quiet at night. So sad though that you basically have to resort to training your neighbor’s dogs for them since they’re too irresponsible to do it themselves.
I don’t get it either. Especially why get large dogs if you’re never going to walk them or let them out of their tiny yard? Humans….they suck 🙂
They sure do sometimes! 😀 We have a huge yard and I still try to take my dogs for walks just for a chance of scenery. Two of them are older so it’s harder for them to walk our hills, but they still enjoy it!
Jewel loves walks. Gracie goes about 5 feet, stops, pulls against her leash (she’s insanely strong for such a little dog) and we end up carrying her. She’s such a diva.