My dog dozes on the lanai most of the day and night. People come and go outside and she continues to doze. That is until she hears someone who, for some reason, raises her hackles. Then she rushes to the fence barking madly. I have to jump up, run to the door and yell, “Hey, knock it off.” Then go outside
and help the victim down from the tree and apologize profusely. After reading of some of the marvelous inventions on your site (i.e. Custard Speed Bumps and Flocking Road Cones, for example), the idea came to me to automatically and instantly stop her barking as soon as it started without my intervention.
This is not an “E-Collar” where the trainer carries a small transmitter that delivers a shock to the dog when the button is pressed. Nor one that shocks at a loud noise.
It involves a collar encasing a tiny digital recorder, cpu, microphone and speaker with a snippet of voice recognition software. This is completely automatic, “voice-activated” and reinforces training rather than delivering pain.
The collar is programmed thusly:
1)Press RECORD DOG and cause the dog to bark into microphone.
2)Then press RECORD CHASTISE and record your scolding phrase.
3)Attach to dog, snuggling up the speaker against the base of the skull.
4)Then click ON and it’s set to go.
Operation
The collar fits snugly with the speaker at the base of the dog’s skull for greater sound transmission. It’s activated only by the sound recorded (that’s what the voice recognition software is for you see). A deluxe model might be offered capable of monitoring several sounds of unwanted behavior like jumping onto the sofa, digging up the rose bushes, etc.
The specific sound triggers the playback of your reprimand that loudly resonates through her head. The dog will think you are standing right over her and quit immediately.
An add-on option could be a recorded apology to the injured party, “Oh, so terribly sorry to have frightened you. Please accept my apologies.”
And if they think it’s the dog speaking, well duhhh.
Other Possible Applications
This principle could have broader applications. For example, producing a soothing lullaby when your baby cries or telling hubby to roll over when it picks up his snoring. Of course the attachment method would have to be reengineered unless you don’t mind your kid wearing a dog collar. For Hubby… nah… you’d love it just the way it is.