I adopted a small dog a few months ago, and while I love having a furry companion, his constant barking at every car, mailman, or passing squirrel started wearing on me. I wanted something simple and non-violent to help curb excessive barking. The PetGentle device looked like a quick, cheap solution, so I bought it, hoping it might bring some peace back into my apartment building.
What Is the PetGentle Ultrasonic Anti-Bark Device?
The PetGentle Ultrasonic Anti-Bark Device is a handheld tool that emits a high-frequency ultrasonic sound (inaudible to humans, but audible and unpleasant to dogs) when activated. The idea: when your dog starts barking, you press the button, the sound interrupts the barking reflex, and eventually helps the dog associate barking with discomfort. It’s marketed as a “humane, shock-free, easy” bark deterrent, suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Why I Bought It
I wanted a tool that could help stop annoying, repetitive barking without resorting to harsh methods like shock collars. Because the device is inexpensive and portable, it seemed like a low-risk experiment: if it worked even half the time, it could save me frustration, and maybe help my dog learn calm behavior.
My Experience Using It
When the device arrived, I tested it right away during one of my dog’s barking outbursts. I pressed the button, and there was a faint chirp, silent to me, but my dog flinched slightly. For a few seconds, he stopped barking, looked around, confused, but then barked again, seemingly undeterred. I tried again, a couple more times over the next few minutes; each time he paused for a moment, but once the sound stopped, the barking came back.
Over the next week, I used it around 10–15 times, especially after triggers like the doorbell or street noises. Sometimes, the device seemed to catch his attention… a few isolated barks were quieter, and there was one night when he remained calm when a car honked outside, which would normally set him off. That felt promising.
However, the pattern was inconsistent. On many occasions, the sound didn’t phase him at all… barking resumed as soon as I lowered the device. I also noticed that if a bark came from a neighbor’s dog instead of mine, the device still triggered (sometimes by mistake), which confused my dog and shuffled him into anxious pacing.
By the end of two weeks, the results: intermittent calm moments, but no steady behavior improvement. The barking still happened, especially when he was excited or triggered by outside stimuli. The device became something I used occasionally, not reliably.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Inexpensive and portable. Quite easy to store or carry for walks.
- No physical shock or pain… it emits only sound, so it’s “kind” in principle.
- In a few instances, it temporarily disrupted barking, giving short breaks of quiet.
- Simple to use… no setup, just press button when dog barks.
Cons
- Results are unpredictable and inconsistent. Sometimes the device does nothing.
- Doesn’t address why the dog barks under the surface, and the triggers and causes remain
- Possible stress or anxiety, as repeated loud ultrasonic sounds may distress sensitive dogs.
- Not a guaranteed solution for serious barking issues (fear, anxiety, territorial behavior), it’s often ineffective.
Is PetGentle a Scam — or Just Overhyped?
I don’t think it’s a full scam: yes, the device works, it makes sound, and I saw occasional reactions from my dog, so you do get what you pay for: a simple ultrasonic deterrent.
But the marketing is over-optimistic. The claims that this could “stop all barking,” “train your dog permanently,” or “solve noise problems” on its own are misleading. It should have been clearer that such devices are hit-or-miss, and may only work for some dogs, especially for mild, attention-seeking barking.
If you expect a “cure,” you’ll almost certainly be disappointed.
Alternatives
- PATPET U10 Ultrasonic Bark Control Device
- PetSafe Outdoor Ultrasonic Bark Control
Conclusion — My Verdict: Use with Realistic Expectations
PetGentle is fine as a low-cost, occasional “reminder” tool, something that might interrupt barking once in a while or grab a dog’s attention. But it’s unreliable as a standalone solution.
If your dog barks a lot, due to fear, anxiety, or deep-rooted behavior, rely on training, enrichment, and perhaps professional guidance. If barking is a guarantee.
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