First and foremost, it’s natural for dogs to bark. However, there may be many reasons other than their initial instinct to bark. Whether it’s because of anxiety, fear, domination, or something that triggers them, surely enough, constant and excessive barking can be quite stressful for the owner and the dog itself. 

Many owners have resorted to dog trainers to stop their pets from too much barking, but sometimes even that doesn’t help in resolving this very common issue. Out of despair, dog owners seek help in other alternative training methods such as static bark collars and surely enough, finding the right collar for your pooch can be challenging. However, many safety concerns come with these devices.

If concerned about the safety of static collars designed for training your pooch to stop barking, try the spray collar instead. The non-invasive citronella collar for barking is a safer alternative to traditional static anti-bark collars. It’s an effective and humane method that provides gentle training, without causing distress to your pooch. 

What Are Citronella Collars and How Do They Work? 

These are collars that serve for training as they’re designed to function with a burst of citronella spray in case of excessive barking. Unlike electric shock collars, citronella is a plant-based spray and is used to deter excessive barking, making it ideal for sensitive dogs that may become distressed by the traditional static collars. As such, it fosters a positive training experience. 

Moreover, it’s a lightweight collar that comes with an adjustable strap which can fit small dogs and large breeds alike. The design includes a microphone which is battery-powered. When the dog barks, the collar activates and releases a burst of citronella spray which doesn’t go into the face of the dog, but rather in front of the face, away from the eyes and nose. 

So it’s unpleasant enough to stop the barking, but will never harm the dog in any shape or form. Still, to make the most of the training, it is recommended that the collar does not stay on your dog over 12 hours. Anything less than 12 hours is safe enough for the dog to wear, without upsetting the dog. 

Pros and Cons Of Anti-bark Citronella Dog Collars

Although generally efficient and safe, there are some downsides to citronella dog collars to be considered. But, when it comes to choosing an anti-barking collar over any other type, citronella based collars still make the best choice. 

Pros: 

• Humane and gentle behavioural correction. 
• The spray is plant-based and it’s a safer alternative to ultra-sonic and electric collar shocks. 
• It’s generally quite effective at deterring excessive barking in dogs. 
• It’s suitable for small and large breeds. 
• It fosters positive reinforcement.
• It’s user-friendly because it requires minimal adjustment. 

Cons: 

• May cause skin irritation to some dogs. Observe for any reactions and if the dog develops skin irritation, discontinue the use and consult your vet. 
• Not suitable for puppies as they are still young and may be too sensitive to the citronella spray
• It may not work for every dog. If the dog is too anxious and stressed in general, or it’s too aggressive and stubborn, it may require other forms of training. The collar may not address the real reason for excessive barking. 
• If more dogs that are wearing spray collars are in the same place, the collar can be set off by others’ dogs barking. 

How To Train Your Dog With Citronella Collar 

When you’re teaching your dog to get used to the citronella collar for barking for the first time, introduce it slowly. At first, put on the collar without the spray part. It’s important that the dog adapts to it. Do this form 1 to 3 days maximum. 

After the adjustment period, put on the spray part and start observing your dog’s behaviour. When the dog starts to bark, the collar will activate and burst the spray. This will prompt your dog to stop barking. Once it stops, praise your dog for being quiet by either petting and praising it or giving it a treat. Keep repeating this until a certain situation stops triggering your dog. 

This is important because your dog starts to associate the burst with the cue to stop barking and it knows that right after that there is a prize. This will prompt your dog to foster positive reinforcement which basically is the most efficient method to correct the bad behaviour.

However, if you use the collar correction method without training the dog and praising it for the good job it has done, it’s unlikely to achieve the desired results. This way the dog will not learn that engaging in a different behaviour can be rewarding. Furthermore, it may even cause distress to your pet and it will continue barking despite being constantly sprayed. This method is the very thing that may cause your dog to not react positively to citronella spray collars. 

That’s why many people are still having doubts when it comes to citronella collar training and many wonder do citronella collars for dogs work. To achieve positive effects, teach your dog so that each time it refrains from barking because of the burst, it knows that a reward is following in the form of a treat or praise. Soon enough, your dog will learn that there is an alternative behaviour that will be rewarded and it will foster a positive behaviour. Use the citronella collar training responsibly for maximum results.