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What is ultrasonic sound?
Ultrasonic sound is above the hearing range of humans, but is attention grabbing and irritating to dogs. This makes a safe and effective tool for dog training. It takes your dog's focus off of barking and towards the high-pitched sound.
Related Post: The Science of Sound Waves
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What is the Audio mode?
When using “Audio” mode, you will hear the device activate. It's recommended you use 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.
Using the Audio mode when setting up the device will be key into accurately gauging the sensitivity of the microphone. You will be able to hear if the device is activating too often or not often enough. Adjust the dial up or down as needed and once you hear the unit ONLY activating when the dog is barking then you can flip the switch to the Ultrasonic mode.
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Is the High-Low dial for volume?
The high-low dial on the side of the unit adjusts 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 near 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 change necessary on the Dog Silencer MAX, as the ultrasonic frequencies can travel up to 300′ (91 m) in a clear, unobstructed path.
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Will this bother my other pets?
Cats and dogs have very similar hearing ranges, so if your cat is near the unit when it's activated, yes, it will probably bother the cat. But, the sound from the Dog Silencer MAX does not go through walls or around corners. For example, if the Dog Silencer MAX 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 MAX is being used indoors, you'll want to keep cats and / or rodent pets out of the area where that is being used.
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Will this work for whining or howling?
If the Dog Silencer MAX is 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.
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Can I use the Dog Silencer MAX with a puppy?
We do not recommend using the Dog Silencer MAX on puppies under 1-year of age. Please consult your veterinarian.
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Will this work through fences, walls, windows, or bushes?
No. The high-pitched sounds emitted by our training devices cannot penetrate any solid objects such as wood fences, windows, walls or thick shrubbery.
However — sparse trees, window screens, chain link and wrought-iron fences should be okay.
Related Post: What will ultrasonic sound go through?
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Can the Dog Silencer MAX be used with an electronic/invisible fence?
We recommend you do not use any ultrasonic bark control devices in combination with invisible fence systems. This is because the sound 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.
Related Post: Ultrasonic Bark Control and Electric Fences Don’t Mix
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How does the remote control work?
Your purchase includes a keychain-size remote control which can be used to activate the device manually. The remote can be used up to 75 feet (23m) away from the main unit, and is convenient for on-demand training.
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Should I use batteries or electricity? How long does the battery last?
You can use batteries or electricity — it's your choice. But for best results we do recommend using the included AC adapter, especially in the early stages of training when the dog will be barking more. Battery life will vary depending on the weather, the quality of the batteries used, as well as how often the unit is being activated.
If you need to use batteries, rechargeables are a great option to save money. We also offer a new Solar Panel add-on!
Note: Please do not use aftermarket AC adapters ( those not purchased from Good Life® ) as this will void your product warranty.
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Will it hurt or harm the dog in any way?
No it will not. All Good Life products are designed to be safe and humane, and they are only designed to reduce excess or nuisance barking. The high-pitched training sounds are not painful or harmful, and if a dog really needs to bark, he can. They will not reduce a dog from barking out of instinct (at an intruder for example).
Although not harmful, the sounds emitted by our products may be too intense for puppies under one year of age as they are still developing their hearing. Please consult your veterinarian before using this product with puppies.
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How long before I should expect results?
While many customers see the effects within a few days, this unit is a training device and will depend on how quickly the dog associates the sound with his barking. Some customers also report the dog barking at the unit, or barking more than usual in the first few days.
This is a normal part of the learning process. We strongly recommend you give the device two to three weeks to see full results.
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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 (it will go into standby mode when the dog is not barking). For best results, the unit needs to be left on so that it can activate consistently each time the dog barks.
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What is the range/angle/coverage area?
The ultrasonic sounds will emit in a cone shape of about 130°, or about 65° on each side. The sound is directional, and will have the best training results if the device is pointed directly at the dog(s) you wish to train.
