I assume it might be bad but I just acquired a 2.5 y/o black lab female, she's a very sweet and great natured dog but has a barking problem at night unlike my chocolate. i have a small inotek shock collar i occasionally use. even with a weak battery though, turned on high it would barely make my 57lb choc. flinch if she decided to try to get near the road or such. but it may be enough to get the hint across. she's about 50-55lbs and she was bred on the 21st of november. so any experience in this sort of thing. as smart as she is i think a couple times should get it in her head.