Barking Correction: Citronella Collars Versus Traditional Shock Collars

Understanding Canine Communication

Barking is an important form of communication in dogs. They bark when they’re excited, happy, bored, in distress, or scared. A dog may also bark to warn intruders to stay away or leave their established territory.

While barking is completely normal canine behaviour, excessive barking can be a red flag indicating that something is wrong. You may also encounter issues with others if your dog keeps barking loudly and for long periods throughout the day and night.

The best way to address excessive barking is to identify what triggers the behaviour and address these triggers positively. If you suspect an underlying health issue is fuelling your pet’s undesirable behaviour, you should set an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. If your pet is given a clean bill of health, your veterinarian may recommend a canine behaviourist or professional trainer to help address the issue.

Aside from consulting experts to resolve your dog’s barking issues, there are bark control products that are commercially available. At the top of the list are traditional shock collars and citronella collars. Understanding how these collars work, including their pros and cons, can help you decide which product will best suit your pet’s needs.

Citronella Collars
Citronella is a type of essential oil that is released from the collar when the dog barks. Dogs dislike the scent of citronella, and a puff directed towards their snout is often enough to distract and discourage them from their barking spree.

Citronella bark collars work either automatically or with a remote control. The Pet Control HQ Citronella Remote Anti-Bark Spray Dog Training Collar has customisable settings, allowing you to tailor the collar to suit your pet’s temperament. Citronella oil is safe for dogs, and it’s a gentle, effective, and humane way to curb excessive barking. These collars are also a good choice for dog owners who live in areas where traditional shock collars are restricted.

However, there are some important points to consider regarding citronella collars as barking deterrents. Some dogs may not respond to the collar, while others may become desensitised to the spray and scent, ceasing to bark only when the collar is on their neck. Additionally, some dogs may soon realise that the spray and scent won’t harm them, which is counterproductive.

Shock Collars
A shock collar appears no different from a standard dog collar, except it has a small box where metal electrodes are attached. The collar is fitted comfortably around the dog’s neck so that the electrodes press directly against the skin. When the dog barks, the collar is activated, delivering a certain amount of electrical shock to the dog. The unpleasant sensation may cause the dog to stop barking. This may help achieve quicker results, as dogs associate the electric shock with the behaviour.

Modern shock collars are made with adjustable intensity. This means that they can easily be configured to the intensity level that works best for a particular dog.

Unfortunately, these collars have been known to cause burns on dogs. They can also create undue stress in dogs that wear them. Some dogs have low sensitivity to pain and may exhibit behaviours that signify fear and anxiety long after experiencing electrical shocks from the collar. As dogs become more stressed, they may increase their vocalisation, thus receiving more shocks from the collar.

Since shock collars are sound-activated, a dog that isn’t barking may still receive a shock from another dog’s barking. Therefore, this type of collar is not recommended for use in multi-dog households, boarding kennels, or doggie daycare facilities.

Citronella Collars vs. Shock Collars
Both citronella and shock collars can be effective in reducing excessive barking in dogs. However, the degree of effectiveness will depend on several factors, including the individual dog, the severity of the behaviour, and the consistency of use.

The effect of citronella collars in curbing excessive barking may not be as immediate compared to shock collars. A dog may take some time to associate the unpleasant scent with barking. Additionally, some dogs may not find the citronella scent unpleasant enough.

Since citronella collars don’t emit electric shocks, they are deemed safer than shock collars. However, the scent may trigger irritation or allergic reactions in some dogs.

While shock collars can be effective in deterring excessive barking quickly, they rely on negative reinforcement. An electrical intensity that’s too strong can cause physical pain and distress. There’s also a risk of accidental activation, leading to unnecessary discomfort. It’s best to use them responsibly while consulting a professional trainer or an expert in animal behaviour to avoid causing unnecessary stress or harm to the dog.

Humane Alternatives
Before deciding on whether a citronella collar or shock collar can stop your dog’s incessant barking, it’s best to consider other methods, such as positive reinforcement training and behaviour modification techniques.

Positive reinforcement training involves rewarding your dog for desired behaviours. To be effective, the reward must be given immediately after the desired behaviour is displayed.

With the help of a professional dog trainer, you can identify the triggers of your dog’s excessive barking and develop strategies to modify the behaviour.

Enriching your dog’s environment will also provide sufficient physical and mental stimulation to help prevent your dog from becoming bored or anxious, which are potent contributors to undesirable canine behaviour, including excessive barking.

Both citronella collars and shock collars can be useful tools for addressing excessive barking in dogs, but it’s important to carefully consider each collar’s distinct advantages and disadvantages.

When deciding which collar will work best for your dog, consider your pet’s personality, temperament, and the severity of the behaviour. A citronella collar may be a better choice if your dog is sensitive to scents. However, severe barking issues may be more effectively addressed with a shock collar.

It’s important to remember that a dog’s barking issues can be addressed with many humane alternatives. Positive reinforcement training, environmental enrichment, and behaviour modification techniques can be effective adjuncts in correcting excessive dog barking.