Thoughts on bark collars?

[intheflow]

I just moved in with a new roommate who's lived here for a year before I came. She's had an ongoing feud with one of our neighbors about their incessantly barking schnauzer. She works nights and this dog starts yapping at 8am, wakes her up every morning. She's called the cops on them, they've called the cops on her (for yelling at them to shut their dog up). The cops tell her they have a bark collar on the dog, but I'm sure they must take it off most of the time because the dog does bark a lot. But this morning the cops told her that she should consider moving since she's a renter and the barking dog owners own their home.

So my question is: do bark collars work? Are they humane? Is there some other agency we can call to get some relief?

BTW, the dog doesn't bother me, but I sleep in the front of the house whereas she sleeps near the fence that separates our yards. We also both have dogs and I fear retribution if she continues to escalate things.

[CC]

1. Depends on the kind of bark collar.

Some spray citronella into their face and some shock them. They will work with time and training. Just throwing one on and not training won't do a damn thing except maybe make the dog more confused and nervous. Sounds like the neighbors aren't spending enough time with the dog and even less time with training. Not sure what you can do if it is during the daytime. Now nighttime the cops may look at it differently.
You might want to suggest trying earplugs to your roommate. They do work and it is surprising how much other noise messes up your sleep during the day that you don't notice until you aren't wearing them.

Keep an eye on your dogs and do not let the neighbors dog teach them bad habits.

[intheflow]

2. Thanks, sweetie.

I think my roomie and the neighbor are going to go through mediation so this stops escalating. And my room mate is going to get ear plugs. :)