Citronella Collars

[tothemax]

Hi all

I was wondering how people feel about citronella collars, and if they're successful?

TotheMax

[Erny]

I think the success rate for 'spray' type collars is about 60 or 65%. It depends on the dog and how ingrained the unwanted behaviour is. I don't like Citronella collars. Citronella is toxic and some dogs are known to have had a bad reaction to them. In addition and from a training perspective, just as important, the smell of the spray remains on the dog even after the unwanted behaviour has ceased. In this style of collar, my preference is the JetCare "shot of cold air" system. However, the success rate given above should be noted.

What behaviour are you trying to treat, ToTheMax? If it is barking, then you want the collar as an anti-bark?

Is it in the context as you've described in your other thread Advice For A Dog With Special Habits ..... IE :

3. Barking at other dogs when he doesn't get to say hello. He is getting better at this, as when we dont want him to say hello and if he does bark we take him away. After this he seems to become like a child who has had too much red cordial. You just can't get him to pay attention or respond?

If that's the case, I wouldn't prescribe an anti-bark collar for that purpose.

If it is for 'other' purpose, have you worked with your instructor to determine cause? This is important before you consider treatment method.

[Kelpie-i]

tothemax, as Erny has suggested, the anti-bark collars can work, depending on the situation you are trying to control.

If you are trying to stop him from barking at other dogs, then the anti-bark collar is NOT the way to go.

What situation are you trying to control the barking?

[tothemax]

edited post below.

Edited April 7, 2008 by tothemax

[tothemax]

Im trying to treat barking when we're not at home. We asked three surrounding neighbours, one said he barked for 5 minutes when we left, and went quiet. Another said he barked randomly, but that was the day he was doing house renovations - and he said it was nothing like a persistant barker. The third told me just two nights ago that when she's worked form home during the day he barked non stop. She was suprised he has the stamina to keep going. We've sat outside the house (parked down the street so he doesn't hear our car) or my boyfriend has walked home from work and sat outside the front of the house (dog can't see him at all, or most likely hear him) for 25 minutes. Not a peep.

Im sure girl number is not lying, but it could have been a few weeks ago when he was settling in. We've set up our computers with microphones to dial my boyfriends office, and he's going to be able to hear him barking, if he is barking. We'll do that.

We've ordered a collar though - if he is barking during the day I might give it a try. I can't afford to make our neighbours hate us!

[Kelpie-i]

You're probably better off setting up a voice recorder during the day to gage the actual amount of barking he does before buying such an expensive item that may not be required.

[tothemax]

Im trying to treat barking when we're not at home. We asked three surrounding neighbours, one said he barked for 5 minutes when we left, and went quiet. Another said he barked randomly, but that was the day he was doing house renovations - and he said it was nothing like a persistant barker. The third told me just two nights ago that when she's worked form home during the day he barked non stop. She was suprised he has the stamina to keep going. We've sat outside the house (parked down the street so he doesn't hear our car) or my boyfriend has walked home from work and sat outside the front of the house (dog can't see him at all, or most likely hear him) for 25 minutes. Not a peep.

Im sure girl number is not lying, but it could have been a few weeks ago when he was settling in. We've set up our computers with microphones to dial my boyfriends office, and he's going to be able to hear him barking, if he is barking. We'll do that.

We've ordered a collar though - if he is barking during the day I might give it a try. I can't afford to make our neighbours hate us!

[Erny]

We've ordered a collar though - if he is barking during the day I might give it a try. I can't afford to make our neighbours hate us!

Have you sorted out the cause of the barking, assuming barking is the dog's issue? If you're anxious, me simply giving you a whack on the arm isn't likely to make you feel any less anxious. If there is an emotional basis for your dog's barking - if excessive barking really exists in this instance - you'll need to factor in a plan to reduce the emotionality. Even if you use the collar and even if it doesn't make the barking worse, you might find the emotionality component drives the dog to other undesirable behaviours.

It's your call .... but have a word to your instructor at Planet K9. She's seen your dog and would have an understanding of your dog's temperament and anti-bark suitability, and assuming she's a trainer/behaviourist, should be able to give you advice and suitable program to follow.

Good idea re the listening via your computer. Clever. I wouldn't have a clue how to rig that up! I'm a computer clutz. :D

Edited April 8, 2008 by Erny