Barking is an important form of communication for our pet dogs. It helps them to alert us to danger and get our attention. But, it can also get excessive when they stay barking at every stranger, unusual noise or their own shadow. You may also find that your neighbours aren’t too keen on the noise either.
An anti-bark collar could be the ideal training aid to control their behaviour. Below are some of the best citronella bark collars for barking. These products can be an effective alternative to shock collars.
What types of anti bark spray collar are available?
There are two types of collar that are commonly used by dog owners to stop their pet from barking
- The citronella bark collar
- The shock collar
The shock collar works by providing a warning to the dog to “shock” them into stopping their behaviour. It can be an effective way to minimise barking if you use the right setting. These products can be controversial as they vary in style. Some will offer vibrations, others have noises or small jolts. Concerns over the animal’s welfare have led some dog owners to try the citronella option instead.
PetSafe Remote Spray Trainer Collar
Our top pick in citronella bark collars in the Pet Safe Remote Spray Trainer. This product has the potential to improve your dog’s behaviour in a short space of time with little effort involved.
All you need to do it attach the collar at a comfortable size for your dog, choose between the odourless or citronella spray and press the remote when your dog barks. The long range on the remote, the quality of the device and the simple method all mean that this can help a lot of dog owners.
Why do some dog owners prefer the citronella anti bark spray collar and how does it work?
Citronella collars have the benefit of providing an unpleasant sensation without any risk of harm. You may be familiar with citronella as a scent in candles and spray that detract pests. The right intensity can prove to be effective for stopping barking but it depends on the means of delivery. There are two approaches to these citronella collars for barking.
- Sound-activated: Those that are remotely controlled require vigilance and consistency from the owner. You need to be in range whenever the animal barks to provide that blast of scent at the right time.
- Remote-controlled: Those that are sound operated can work while you aren’t around but they need to be sensitive enough to work.
This is why it can be difficult to choose the best citronella bark collar for your pet. Below are 5 citronella bark collar reviews that we recommend trying out to correct your dog’s behaviour.
Top 5 Citronella Bark Collar Reviews
1. Pet Safe Remote Spray Bark Training Collar
Pet Safe is a great brand to start with because it is one that dog owners are familiar with. There are some nice features in this remote collar that will appear to dog owners. The collar is designed to hold small cartridges of liquid that are released when triggered by the remote control.
Owners can do so within 300 yards to correct their dog’s barking. The collar itself Is waterproof and lightweight with neck sizes up to 27 inches. Just be aware that the brand will try and get you to buy all of their compatible sprays and other devices too.
- One of the helpful details with this model is the choice of spray. There is an odourless option in case the citronella becomes ineffective or dogs like the scent.
- There are many positive comments about the impact this collar has had on the dog’s behaviour.
- Most users seem happy with the build and design of the collar.
- Some feel that it is too easy to hit the positive reinforcement button instead of the punishment button, or the other way around.
- A battery indicator on the collar would be helpful to avoid it depleting too quickly.
2. Downtown Pet Supply Citronella Bark Collar
Don’t be put off by the happy face of the dog getting “sprayed” in the sales photo. There is an effective scent release from this collar that most dogs will dislike. The key difference between this model and the one above is that it is bark-activated. You don’t have to be in the room for it to work.
Again, this is an adjustable collar and it fits animals from 8lbs and up. Another benefit here is that there are no additional functions like beeping or shocking. It is all about the citronella spray.
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This model comes with a training manual to help users get a better result and ensure that dogs get the best experience.
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The device is pre-filled with 15 sprays and comes with a refill bottle so you can easily top it back up again.
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When it works, it appears to work very quickly with a great chance to the dog’s behaviour.
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When it doesn’t work, there really is nothing here other than a slightly annoying mist.
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There have been occasional comments about the spray malfunctioning and continuing to spray after the dog stops barking. This can confuse the animal.
3. Pet Safe Elite Little Dog Bark Spray Collar
This next option is a smaller model for smaller animals. Therefore, this one may be more comfortable and effective for those with over-excitable companion breeds or smaller puppies. It fits those that have neck sizes up to 16 inches and are no more than 55 pounds.
The “elite” name appears to come from the idea that has a “perfect bark detection” system. This system means that it shouldn’t spray the dog unless the noise is obviously a bark.
- One benefit here is that you can get a lot more liquid in this device than the one above. There are 30-40 sprays and a refill can that continues up to 500 more.
- There are some great comments about the sharp change in behaviour in dogs after trying this collar out.
- It is a great fit for smaller dogs that might struggle with the larger collars.
- Some dog owners say that it is less effective when dogs are running and barking. The angle of the spray might not work so well here – or their dogs are just too stubborn.
- Be aware that you will need to replace the battery with a compatible Pet Safe model because others don’t fit properly and could damage the device.
4. WWVV Pet Spray Dog Training Collar
This next option is another remote-controlled one that puts dog owners in greater control of the responses. One thing that immediately stands out here is that the buttons are large and clearly marked.
There are buttons for the intensity of the spray and also two buttons for different sounds as audio deterrents. In addition to this, there is the chance to send a signal to one of two collars. The remote has a long 500ft range and the collars are tough and waterproof.
- Unlike other products, there are plenty of LED indicators on the remote and collar to help users provide the right response.
- The collar is adjustable between 8 and 27 inches so should be wide enough to fit most breeds.
- There are more positive reviews about the results and ease of use here than on some of the other products.
- A big issue here is that it doesn’t seem as durable – especially around the charging point.
- There is also the annoyance that the citronella spray isn’t in the pack. You need to buy this separately, which adds to the cost.
5. JK Tech rechargeable Citronella anti-bark Collar
Our final product recommendation here is this one from JK Tech. This is another one that is sound activated and uses an in-built microphone to trigger the spray.
You can adjust the intensity of the spray on the collar and also adjust the size of the collar between 2 and 22 inches. The device can hold 30 sprays and remain on stand-by mode when fully charged for 14 days.
- This is one of the most affordable collars and it does more than you might expect for that price – even if you have to buy your own spray separately.
- There are some great reports about the effect of the spray and the response of the microphone.
- The small size of the collar and device at the front should be fine for smaller breeds.
- The lower cost does mean that there are breakages. The loops crack too easily and the strap might not hold up either. Don’t expect this to last for very long.
- There have also been some defects with the battery not holding its charge for as long as promised.
Things to consider when looking for the best citronella bark collar
- Make sure that the system is sensitive enough to react to the dog’s bark.
- Check to see how many sprays you get from one collar before it needs replacing.
- If it is remote-controlled, check the range of the device.
- Make sure that the collar is comfortable for the dog to wear.
- Get an adjustable collar for the best possible fit.
- Make sure that it is well-made so it doesn’t snap or come undone.
Things to remember when using a citronella bark collar
The most important thing to remember here is that you can’t rely on this collar alone as a means of curing the problem. You need to understand why your dog barks so often and use this collar as a way of helping them in their training. Try to limit the collars’ use to specific times when you want to limit negative behaviour – such as when strangers come to visit or when they are left on their own. There is no need for them to wear this all the time if you can provide alternative forms of positive training.
Also, be careful when using this collar around other dogs as well. There is a chance that their interactions with your pet may trigger the collar. The last thing that you want to do is confuse your dog as they try to learn.
Finally, don’t forget that you will need to refill the collar and that this can get expensive if training takes a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do citronella bark collars really work?
ANSWER:
The honest answer here is that they can work but there is no guarantee. Some dogs may figure out the connection between the bark and the spray pretty quickly. Others may ignore the spray or find that they even like it. The best results depend on the dog’s training, intelligence and stubbornness.
Q. Are citronella bark collars safe for puppies?
ANSWER:
There are other forms of training with positive reinforcement that can help puppies learn not to bark too often. It is all about controlling the problem before it gets too bad. But, there should be no harm in using citronella if the collar is comfortable and a good fir.
Q. Can citronella hurt dogs?
ANSWER:
No. This is why citronella is the preferred method over shock collars. They may not like the smell but the spray isn’t going to do them any physical harm.
Q. What happens if my dog eats citronella?
ANSWER:
If there is an accident your dog drinks the liquid, don’t worry too much. This is a non-toxic substance. They should dislike the taste enough never to attempt it again.
Finding the best citronella bark collar for your dog
If you decide that a citronella product is the way forward for your pet, you need to make sure that you have the best option for an effective result. Choose the method of delivery that you know will be most effective. Don’t rely on remote systems if you can’t commit to using them.
Choose a product that has good user reviews for its effectiveness, comfort and value for money. More importantly, don’t forget to focus on the training and the root of the problem.
The first collar, is it possible to use this with water and how many sprays do you get out of one fill?
Hi Andrew,
Sorry for the delayed reply. I reached out the to the manufacturer and it’s not advisable to use with water. I’ve personally never counted the sprays, but it’s a solid amount of sprays.