Even if we love our dogs without conditions, there are moments when their constant barking becomes too much to put up with. We understand barking is a dog’s way of communicating. However, it starts to be a behavioural problem once it becomes excessive. 

It can be frustrating and annoying for the owner and the neighbours when the dog continually barks when guests come, during walks, or when left home alone. Using dog collars is one of the most proven methods to prevent and stop nuisance barking in dogs. And citronella collars are the safest and most beneficial among them. 

Do Citronella Collars Work on Dogs?

A citronella collar is a type of bark collar – a remote training aid – that works using a safe burst of citronella spray to stop your dog from barking excessively. And yes, it’s very effective bark control. According to the Cornell University study, many dog owners preferred citronella collars to electric shock collars because they were more successful in reducing or eliminating nuisance barking. To help reduce excessive barking, many stray and pet adoption organisations also use citronella bark collars.

Regarding effectiveness, the detection system is a crucial consideration. Some collars use small microphones to detect barking, while others are vibration-activated. Many dog owners find the second option more convenient, as the microphone’s sensitivity doesn’t always function correctly. If it malfunctions, it can detect the sounds of other dogs barking and punish your dog for something he didn’t do, confusing him and making behaviour change less effective.

5 Benefits of Citronella Dog Collars for Bark Control

You may be wondering if this type of collar is the best bark control training solution for you and your doggo. Thus, we give five benefits of using harmless citronella dog collars to help you make the right decision:

1. They’re Safe 

A citronella collar is a safe and friendly way to teach your dog when excessive barking isn’t acceptable. It employs a natural, safe spray to stop your dog from barking when it’s not acceptable or intended. That implies you can train your dog to bark less without hurting or upsetting them, which is especially crucial for pet owners who naturally wish to protect their animals’ wellbeing.

2. They’re Effective

Dogs find the citronella spray unpleasant, and that’s why these collars are so effective. Wearing a bark collar citronella spray leaves your dog less likely to bark, as they’ll soon link the spraying with barking. That implies that as time passes, your dog will bark less and less, allowing you and your neighbours to live in a more tranquil and calm setting. 

Regarding neighbours, here’s an additional advantage of wearing this tool.  Barking too much can annoy your neighbours and possibly result in complaints to the authorities in your area. Training your dog to bark less can prevent needless confrontations with people.

3. They’re Ideal for Small Dogs

While there are citronella barking collars suitable for larger dogs, small dogs benefit immensely from these bark control devices due to their lightweight, comfy, and non-bulky design. Because they’re adjustable, your dog won’t experience any discomfort when the collar fits firmly around their neck. 

You may be confident that your small dog won’t suffer bodily harm from wearing a citronella collar. Even for tiny puppies, the natural and safe spray they use will make your dog feel a little odd, but not uncomfortable.

4. They’re Easy to Use

Bark collars made of citronella are very manageable. All you have to do is place the collar on your dog, ensure it fits properly, and switch on the receiver unit. Then, all you need to do is let your collar work! The purpose of a citronella collar bark device is to sense when your dog is barking and, if required, spray your dog with citronella. 

That’s a convenient and hassle-free solution for busy dog owners because you don’t have to trigger the collar manually. The advantage of a training collar is that you can use a non-toxic citronella spray to discipline your dogs when they bark excessively at the time you choose. To emphasise the message, you could wait to correct your dog until after you have spoken to them.

5. They’re Affordable

Citronella collars are comparatively less expensive than other bark collars, making them an affordable bark control option for training your dog. They are also much less pricey than working with a qualified dog trainer. All in all, it’s  an inexpensive, safe, and efficient bark control method.

A Simple How-to Guide

Using a bark collar requires patience and consistency, and your dog’s safety and well-being should always come first. You can create a more tranquil and harmonious household atmosphere by teaching your dog to bark less when you use the appropriate method. Here are some things to consider when teaching your dog and managing excessive barking using a citronella collar:

1. Understand the reasons behind your dog’s barking. To properly educate your dog to wear a collar and to encourage them to express their needs and wants healthily and pleasantly, it’s vital to understand your dog’s behaviour. The primary causes of excessive barking are often high anxiety levels, tension, or a dog’s simple want for more attention.
2. Use positive reinforcement. If you apply citronella collars correctly, they will effectively deter inappropriate activity. It’s important to remember to combine behaviour deterrence with positive reinforcement.
3. Don’t be nervous. Your dog should perceive the collar as identical to any other. Your fear won’t help the process.
4. Give your dog time to adjust to wearing the collar. Don’t turn the collar on immediately. Then, when you do put it on, start at the lowest level and expose your dog to the stimuli to see how they respond.
5. Accurately recognise triggers. You want your dog to stop barking when it should, such as when a car passes. Only in those situations should you use the stimuli to help them.
6. After training sessions, remove the collar from your dog. That’ll educate them to control their barking even when not wearing a collar.