Click here to access the
ACO Program sign-up form.
Happier neighbors = happy owners = dogs in forever homes = happy ACOs.
 Most animal control officers can instantly relate to the frustration of nuisance barking complaints, draining valuable ACO and shelter resources, hindering many ACOs from achieving a proactive approach to daily operations such as neighborhood patrols and educational outreach.
The PetSafe Animal Control Officer (ACO) Bark Control Program was developed to aid ACOs and pet owners in avoiding situations where owners relinquish pets to shelters based on nuisance-barking behavioral problems. The idea is to provide ACOs a tool to help pet owners solve these nuisance barking problems by providing free Bark Control Collars to the ACOs to lend to pet owners to try. Since 1995, over 2,100 Deluxe Bark Control Collars have been donated to ACO officers.
When an ACO Organization signs up to participate in the program, they will receive up to two Deluxe Bark Control Collars per officer. Along with the bark collars, carry pouches and an ACO training CD will be shipped to you directly or to your local Invisible Fence Brand dealer for delivery to you if they referred you to the program. Upon receipt, each officer will need to view the training CD to learn how the collars operate or your local Invisible Fence Brand dealer may also be available to assist in your training.
When the ACO responds to a nuisance barking complaint or if the shelter worker needs to help someone with a nuisance barking problem, they discuss options to help stop the barking, offering to lend the collar to the person for a week to 10 days at no charge. After the allotted time period the collar is returned or picked up ready to be loaned to the next pet owner. Very importantly, the ACO will sit down with the pet owner and view a brief PetSafe videotape and instruction booklet, both of which reinforce safe and effective product use.
PetSafe is also working with Suzanne Hetts, a nationally known behaviorist with Animal Behavior Associates, Inc., to develop two unique tools for ACOs and Shelters to help them solve barking problems. The first is a handout entitled "What to Do About Your Dog's Barking Before Trying an Anti-bark Collar" (click here to download) to offer solutions and instructions for pet parents to manage their dog's environment, enrich their dog's life, and change their dog's behavior. The second is a handout entitled “Is an Anti-bark Collar Right for Your Barking Dog?” (click here to download) This document presents a series of questions to help determine why your dog is barking and if an anti-bark collar is an appropriate alternative or if you need to seek other help.
The PetSafe Animal Control Officers Program has saved many lives by solving the barking issue and avoiding relinquishment and ultimately euthanasia. By solving the barking problem, ACOs and Shelter professionals can use their time for other aspects of their job.
Each ACO Organization will need to adapt the program to fit their needs.
Please click on the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about the ACO Bark Control Program. |
