What is the range/ coverage area?
The sound emitted from the Dog Silencer™ expands in a "cone" shape totaling about 130 degrees or up to 65 degrees on either side. The sound will be most powerful and have the best training results if the unit is pointed directly at the dog you would like to train. The ultrasonic tones will travel up to 300 feet in front of the unit. This range is up to 6X Farther than the competition!
Does it have to be on all the time?
For best results, the unit needs to be ON and in use near the dog at all times. This unit is a training device, so the dog needs to hear this activate each and every time he barks. The unit will go into a "stand by" mode when the dog is not barking. During this stand by time no power is being used, but the unit must remain "on."
How does this actually work?
While many customers see the affects of the Dog Silencer™ within a few days, this unit is a training device and will depend on how quickly the dog associates the ultrasound as a result of his barking. We strongly recommend you give the unit two to three weeks to see full results. This powerful training system is based on Pavlov's Dog Study.
Will it hurt or harm the dog in any way?
The Dog Silencer™ uses a high-pitched ultrasound that is designed to simply "irritate" the dog. It is not designed to cause pain or harm to their ears (we compare it to someone dragging their fingernails on a blackboard). We do not recommend using the Dog Silencer™ with puppies under 1 year of age. Please consult your veterinarian before using this product with puppies. The sound from the Dog Silencer™, although irritating, is not designed to hinder 100% of your dog's barking. If your dog "needs" to bark, he can. The Dog Silencer™ will not train the dog to stop barking out of instinct (at an intruder for example).
Should I use batteries or electricity? How long does the battery last?
You can use battery or electricity - your choice. For the base price, you get the Dog Silencer™ and its convenient remote control. If you chose this base option, you will run the unit on six (6) AA batteries. For a limited time we are also including a 5 ft. AC adapter. Please do not use after-market AC adapters (those not purchased from Good Life) with the Dog Silencer™. This will void your warranty.
Battery life varies on the dog's barking habits since the device only turns on when the dog barks. When first using the Dog Silencer™, the dog will be barking normally since it has yet to make the connection between its barking and the sound frequencies. At first, the batteries may only last about a week. As the dog becomes trained and barks less the batteries can last anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Battery life will also depend on the weather, the quality of the battery, and how often the unit is being activated.
How does the Remote Control work?
Even though the Dog Silencer™ can "hear" barking up to 75-ft. away, the corrective ultrasound emitted from the unit can actually travel up to 300 feet in a clear, straight path. If the dog is 100 feet away, for example, his barking probably won't activate the unit automatically. However, pressing the remote control will activate the Dog Silencer™ manually and the dog will still be able to hear the corrective sound.
If for some reason Rover is outside the Dog Silencer's 75 foot sound sensor range, you can manually trigger the device with the simple press of a button. The remote control can be used from inside your home, car, or even in your pocket! As an additional option, you can turn the Dog Silencer™ microphone sensitivity all the way down and solely activate your Pro using the remote control. Not only does this special convenience allow you to train dogs more than 75 feet away, but you can customize your own dog's training to include staying off furniture, away from the trash and anything else you want to teach your dog to do. The key chain remote can be used up to 75 feet away from the main unit.
How does this work with Electronic/ Invisible Fence systems?
We do not recommend using sonic or ultrasonic bark control devices with invisible or electric fences. Here's why:
Invisible/ Electronic Fence systems use a very similar high-pitched tone to "warn" the dog when he gets too close to the boundary of his yard. If he goes any further after hearing this tone, his collar emits a shock. Since the Dog Silencer™ (and all of our sound-based products) uses a very similar tone, this can confuse the dog. Since he has already associated this tone with his property boundaries, he most likely will not be able to associate it with his barking. The same problem can occur if you try to use a "shocking" bark collar on your dog with an invisible fence system. If the dog becomes confused between the two systems, this can actually make the barking worse. If you are using an invisible fence system, we recommend using a completely different stimulus to stop barking, such as a citrus-spray or vibrating collar. This way the dog will learn different outcomes for the two different behaviors (boundaries versus barking).
Will this work though fences, walls, windows, or bushes?
The high-pitched ultrasound emitted by the Dog Silencer™ will NOT penetrate any solid objects such as wood fences, windows, walls or thick shrubbery. Sparse trees, window screens, chain link and wrought-iron fences should be okay. Please see our Video on Getting the Best Results with your Dog Silencer™.
Is it Weatherproof?
Our new Dog Silencer™ is essentially "storm proof" with a water resistance rating of IPX4. It can easily withstand sprinklers and rain, you just need to avoid full submersion underwater. To prolong the life of your Dog Silencer™, use it in an area where it will be sheltered from extensive rain or direct sun. Recommended operating temperature is 0°F to 100°F.
Can I use the Dog Silencer™ with a puppy?
We do not recommend using the Dog Silencer™ on puppies under 1 year of age. Please consult your veterinarian before using this product with puppies.
Will this work for whining or howling?
If the Dog Silencer™ is fairly close to the dog, you may be able to adjust the microphone sensitivity higher to pick up howling or even whining. If this doesn't work, you might consider our BarkWise™ no-shock training collars for your dog. Also keep in mind that a dog might be howling or whining for reasons such as discomfort, fear or anxiety. These issues should be discussed with a veterinarian instead of "punished" with any bark control system.
Will this bother my other pets?
Cats and dogs do have very similar hearing ranges, so if your cat is near the unit when it's activated, yes, it will probably bother the cat. However, the sound from the Dog Silencer™ does not go through walls or around corners. For example, if the Dog Silencer™ is located in the back yard, and your cat is in the front yard or even in the house, the sound should not bother him at all. If the Dog Silencer™ is being used indoors, you'll want to keep cats and/or rodent pets out of the area where that is being used.
Is the "High-Low" dial for Volume?
The high-low dial on the side of the unit is used to customize the microphone sensitivity. This is not a volume setting. You may adjust the sensitivity of the bark sensor between High (if the dog is far away) and Low (if the dog is close to the unit, or if the unit is being used indoors). We recommend you start with the unit on low, and then increase the sensitivity as needed. There is no volume adjustment necessary on the Dog Silencer™, as the ultrasonic frequencies can travel up to 300 feet in a clear, unobstructed path.
What is Audio Mode?
When using Audio Mode, you will be able to hear the Dog Silencer™ activate. It’s recommended you switch to this mode when adjusting the bark sensitivity when first setting up the unit. In addition, you can use the audio mode for older dogs or dogs with poor hearing as an alternative to the ultrasonic sound training.
Also Keep in Mind:
Seeing Results:
Your Dog Silencer is a training device. Some customers report seeing results within a few days,
but most will see results in 2-3 weeks.
Sounds Traveling Through Walls and Floors:
The sounds emitted by the Dog Silencer will not travel through solid objects such as walls or
floors. If using indoors, make sure to put the Dog Silencer in the same room as the dog.
Using with Puppies:
Consult with your
veterinarian before using the Dog Silencer
with a puppy.
Using with Invisible Fence Systems:
We recommend you do not use ultrasonic bark control devices in combination with invisible
fence systems. This is because the ultrasound frequencies emitted by our bark
control devices are very similar to those emitted by the invisible fence Collar. This may cause
confusion and interfere with the dog's training.
Dog Barking:
If within the first few days you notice your dog barking at the unit or
barking more than usual, this is simply part of the learning process in which the dog associates
its bark with the sounds emitting from the Dog Silencer.
Using AC Adapters:
Do not use any
other AC Adapter with the Dog Silencer other than the official Dog Silencer AC Adapter. Use of any other AC Adapter will void your warranty.