Citronella Dog Collars A Popular Anti-Bark Solution!
Citronella dog collars are one answer to nuisance barking that, according to my research has over a
95% success rate. In fact, tests carried out by animal behavior institution found that citronella collars
are twice as effective as shock type collars - which we surmise all of us dog spoilers, detest.
If
you have a nuisance barking situation, citronella dog collars may be the solution to excessive woofing.
But first, let's be realistic, dogs bark! Some dog breeds bark more than others, so if you have low
tolerance for barking, the first line of defense may be to get a dog that's not generally known to be a
barker.
On the other hand some barking does fall into the over-the-top category and can
cause big problems with neighbors and also violate city ordinances. Worst of all, it can ruin our own
relationship with our dog. This kind of barking needs a solution before it gets out of control.
When an owner has not been able to successfully correct the problem with positive reinforcement
training, an anti-bark training collar is worth considering. Among the choices, are electronic shock
devices, high pitched sonic deterrents, and citronella spray collars.
In my research of
anti-bark collars, citronella dog collars came out on top. This type of collar is also available unscented,
although I'm not sure how effective this would be since it is the scent that is repugnant to the pet.
Another type of collar, that picks up a dog's barking by a vibration sensor and then emits
a high pitched whistle-like noise, heard only by the dog, doesn't have a lot of positive feedback. But
since a few owners have have reported very good success with these devices, I leave it to you to decide.
Citronella dog collars, on the other hand, have an overall high rate of success, validated in
controlled animal studies by credible institutions.
As for electronic shocks, no "dog spoiler" would even consider such a device, so that option is immediately
discredited.
How Citronella Dog Collars Work:
Attached to a regular adjustable collar is a receiver and a spray device that releases a burst of
citronella in response to barking. Citronella is a grass that produces an oil that smells like lemon. The
receiver in this device is calibrated so it won't be activated by nearby sounds.
The
all-natural citronella scent is sufficiently unpleasant to a dog so as to cause an interruption in his
activity and deter the unwanted barking. It's really a humane way to get his attention! Many users are
thrilled by the degree of bark control they have been able to achieve.
Tips For Using:
Praise your dog when he stops barking and is then quiet or slows down his frenzy.
Say good quiet, or something similar.
Read this instructions for attaching and adjusting the collar to the your
dog's neck.
Some users report that the best results occur when their dog only wears the collar for
a few minutes at a time. This makes good sense to me as it may be more effective in helping the dog learn
when his barking is unnecessary.
After all, not all barking is unwanted - some we welcome for protective
purposes.Intermittant use, may also help your dog recognize the collar for its purpose, as well as prevent
your dog from becoming accustomed to the scent.
Where To Buy:
There are a few choices of brands for the anti-bark collars which are seen in the Amazon slideshow above.
Some use vibration sensors while others use microphone receiver technology. The ultra sonic dog training
collar is also included in the gallery.
Ebay is another place to comparison shop, so we have
included a few of their listings for your convenience - you can see all the Ebay listings by clicking on
the bottom link.
While completing our research, we found some positive feedback for The Premier
Gentle Spray Citronella Anti-Bark Collar.
A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man
because he is a good talker... Chuang-tzu