I just read the article about the Anti-Bark-Collar (the one on croftonline) and wanted to know your opinion about it.
I'm not sure if I would use one, and definitely not for the whole time cuz it's just natural for a dog to bark.
So what do you think?
is it a good way to stop your dog from barking excessively?

If the collar is an electric collar then please DO NOT use one. They should only ever be used 'if at all' by very experienced trainers. If it is a spray collar then I personally dont think it would work. It would be better to use proper control methods and teach your dog not to bark and save your money.

I'd never use an electric collar even if I were a trainer.
It's a spray collar, that's why I'm not sure if they would work at all, I just can't imagine it ^^

I think it might work the first few times but eventually the dog would just get used to it, especially if it was used a lot. I saw one on its me or the dog. The woman who used it sprayed it so much the dog just ignored it.

They are generally citronella sprays and my dogs would just ignore that altogether

While those collars might work, I classify these types of collars (spray, electric, choke, prong) as negative reinforcement collars. They are meant to give the dog a bad experience and teach them their particular behavior(s) are not OK. I feel that while at times the owner might have trouble getting the dog's attention when it's barking or doing something else the owner does not like or will not tolerate, the owner has to be more stubborn than the dog and show their dog a certain behavior isn't acceptable.

Since we're on the subject of barking, my sister's recently adopted dog is starting to bark and growl at moving objects such as cyclists, lawnmowers and kids on skateboards - anything that moves faster than a walking person/dog - in excitement. Often times, she is on a leash when in an uncontrolled environment, so we give a quick, short tug on her leash (regular leash attached to a regular collar) and tell her "No!" at the same time. Usually, she listens, but when there are multiple (more than 3) distractions at the same time, it takes a bit more effort - we have to match the intensity she is directing towards the "targets" or be more intense than her in our correction. If she insists on barking and growling, we don't take her out of the environment completely. We pull her away from where she's standing and make her walk a few steps in a different direction in an attempt to redirect her attention or stand in front of her to block her view repeatedly until she looks at her handler - if she barks/growls, we correct her and repeat the process (going in different directions each time) until she understands she is not allowed to bark or growl. Every time she starts = a few paces + correction. After 3 minutes of this, she accepts and sits quietly to watch. From observation, I saw that our dog doesn't react well to overly harsh corrections - she ignores us, but if we give her just the right intensity of a correction, she will listen and stop whatever she's doing.

Of course, this is what works for us and our dog. Just find out what works for you and if you feel that you can't handle it, seek professional help. But try your best to avoid any negative reinforcement options until you've exhausted all options available. I know I wasn't of much help with my little story, but I hope this helped at least a bit - if only for entertainment purposes. lol.[/i]

Not to judge you... But you are talking about collars being a negative reinforcement and one sentence later ou are giving the dog a quick short tug on the leash Exactly the same, but than you find it ok.

Why don't you try to go to a training to learn the dog that there is nothing to be scared of in cars, cyclists or what ever and try to get the dog to ignore it by turning his attention towards you in a positive way?

Maybe the way you are using right now is the only way for your dog, but just realize it is the same thing it works the same as a collar.

I am not for collars.... But there are some situations that even I think it could be the trick. Even tho I HATE the electric ones.
Heyoka barks to get me to let her inside the house. There is no way I can stop it without showing my face, and that is exactly what she wants. So, we must find a way to correct her without any person being involved.
Anyone a suggestion?

haha, good idea.

Just one problem.. It would still be me... Even if it is a picture.
There must be a correction without her getting attention. Even negative attention from us is still attention.

I tried to spray lemon juice at my barking Deerhound using a squirt bottle instead of the collar.
I would hide around the corner and when she started to bark I would pop out, shout no and give her a squirt.
It didn't work!

Hose pipe from upstairs window might do the trick, or fire extingisher haha depending on how mad your feeling haha!

Tried to see if there was a way to see the door from a window, but you cant get near it... Already tried a lot of things and we are out of ideas
Right now she wins... If she starts barking at the door, we open the door and let her in. Otherwise the neighbors go crazy.

What about a collar and electric "dog-flap" like the kind they have for cats, so the cat can let itself in when it gets near the door? Since she'd be the only one wearing the collar, only she would be able to go through the doggy-door. It depends if you want to have a large entrance cut into your door though. For security it's also a risk but I don't think anyone will want to break into your house if all your dogs are at home!

Know them... But that is not an option for here cause the door ends up in the kitchen... Our front door and backdoor are one.
Is she can get into the kitchen she plunder it completely!

I just want her to keep her big mouth shut when I sent her outside!!!
She comes back within 3 minutes and commands to be let in!

Maybe when she is barking to come in you fling the door open and rush at her screeming and firing the fire extinguisher and chase her up the garden with it???? do you think this would work haha!!! May scare half the neighbours and the rest of your dogs though haha! BUT, would she try it again haha!!!

and before anyone asks 'NO' I havnt tried this before lol!