Dogs bark. It is just a part of having a dog in your household. They bark for a variety of reasons: to get your attention, let you know they want to go outside, if someone walks past the house or knocks on the door, and they will even bark when they are bored. Sometimes, dogs will bark incessantly and it is difficult to get them to stop. Citronella bark collars, or spray collars, can help you manage your dog’s excessive barking.
Here is a breakdown of our top citronella bark collars:
Best Overall Citronella Bark Collar: Connete Citronella Bark Collar For Large Dogs
Best Long Range Citronella Bark Collar: POIIPOY Citronella Dog Training Collar
Best Automatic Citronella Bark Collar: Petdiary Deterrent Spray Anti-bark Dog Collar
Best Budget Citronella Bark Collar: Petdiary T500 Deterrent Spray Remote Dog Training Collar
Best Splurge Citronella Bark Collar: PetSafe Remote Spray Trainer
What Is A Citronella Bark Collar?
A citronella bark collar is a collar your dog wears with a device attached to it that releases a spray of citronella when your dog barks.
There are two types of citronella bark collars. There is one type that senses your dog’s barking and will automatically spray the citronella. The other type comes with a remote control that you need to press in order for the collar to spray.
All of these collars need to be charged regularly.
Each collar will only emit a specific number of sprays, so the citronella will need to be refilled on a regular basis.
Automatic Citronella Bark Collar
An automatic citronella spray collar senses the vibration of your dog’s barking and will then automatically spray to deter the behavior.
Pros:
- You don’t need to do anything. It sprays on its own.
Cons:
- Your dog will be sprayed for any and all barking.
- It might spray even if your dog is not barking, but makes a sound it perceives as a bark.
Remote Controlled Citronella Bark Collar
This type of citronella bark collar uses a remote control that you press when you want to activate the collar to deter unwanted behavior.
Pros:
- You decide when you want to correct the barking or unwanted behavior your dog is doing.
- There are warnings you can emit before releasing the citronella, such as a sound or vibration.
- The intensity of the spray can be controlled by you.
Cons:
- You have to carry the remote control with you and be able to press the button as soon as your dog barks to correct the behavior.
What Else Can A Spray Collar Be Used For?
Bark collars can be used not just to stop your dog from excessive barking, but also to deter them from other unwanted behaviors. It can be used to train your dog to:
- Stop digging.
- Stay on your property.
- Not to jump on people.
- Stop chewing things they should not.
- Avoid chasing other animals.
- Not to bite.
- Stop any other unwanted behaviors.
Do Citronella Bark Collars Really Work?
Citronella bark collars do work if you remain consistent with your training.
There are some dogs who the citronella bark collar won’t work for. They might not mind the sound or smell or are just not affected by it at all.
Some dogs may become accustomed to it. While it may work when you first start using it, its novelty may wear off on your dog. That is why it is important not to overuse it while training your dog.
We used a citronella bark collar, which was recommended by our dog trainer, to train our dog for various behaviors. From personal experience, it works, but consistency is the key. After only a few sprays, we only needed to use the sound as a warning. Our dog does not need to wear the collar anymore, but once in a while, we do need to put it back on her. When we do, all we need to do is show her the remote and she behaves. We don’t even need to use it.
Are Citronella Bark Collars Cruel?
A citronella bark collar does not harm your dog. Your dog may not like wearing the collar. They may be annoyed by the sound the spray makes when it comes out and the smell of the citronella, but it will not cause any harm.
The sound and the smell are meant to distract your dog from barking or other behaviors you wish to stop or correct.
While citronella in large quantities is toxic to dogs, the amount that comes out of the collar is slight. This is another reason not to “over-spray” your dog when training.
A plus to using a spray collar is that you don’t even need to use citronella. There are unscented sprays for some collars and compressed air can be used for others if the use of citronella is a concern for you.
How Do I Use A Spray Collar?
Like any spray anti-bark collar, consistency is key.
First, make sure the collar fits your dog correctly. You should be able to fit a finger between the collar and your dog’s neck.
Next, the device needs to be in the correct position, under your dog’s snout so they can smell the citronella.
If you are using an automatic citronella spray collar, adjust the spray and sensitivity levels and you are good to go.
If you are using a remote powered citronella bark collar, make sure your remote is charged and keep it with you at all times.
When your dog starts barking, press the warning sound and use a keyword, like “quiet”. If your dog doesn’t stop barking, next try the vibration and your keyword. If your dog still does not stop barking, emit the spray with your keyword.
The next time your dog starts barking, follow the same steps. Eventually, your dog should respond to just the sound, as they will not like the smell of the citronella.
It is important to note that you should not keep the citronella bark collar on your dog all the time. If left on all day and night, it could cause sores from rubbing against the skin.
Best Citronella Bark Collars To Manage Your Dog’s Barking
These are the top rated citronella bark collars according to users. All of the product information is from the manufacturer.
All users had positive experiences using these collars. One of the biggest cons to the collars is that they are not waterproof. They cannot be used while swimming, bathing, or in heavy rain or snow. Another con is that you need to refill them on a constant basis. Other pros or cons by users will be noted.
Best Overall Citronella Bark Collar
The Connete collar has a long battery life, adjustable collar, and more than one collar can be connected to a remote.
Connete Citronella Bark Collar For Large Dogs
- Can purchase 1 or 2 collars.
- Has 3 settings: Beep, Vibration, Beep and Spray.
- Control distance of 984 ft.
- Adjustable collar.
- For dogs 8 to 120 lbs.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Charges in 2-3 hours and lasts up to 120 hours.
- Remote control operated.
- Can use 2 collars with one remote.
- LCD display on the remote.
- Spray level is adjustable.
Pros/Cons:
- Long battery life.
Best Long Range Citronella Spray Collar
POIIPOY’s collar has a long range of 1000 ft. and a low battery indicator.
POIIPOY Citronella Dog Training Collar
- Has 3 settings: Beep, Beep and Vibration, Beep and Spray.
- Control distance of 1000 ft.
- Charges in 2-3 hours and lasts 11 days for collar and 27 days for remote.
- Adjustable collar.
- Spray level is adjustable.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Low battery indicator.
- LCD display on the remote.
- For dogs over 8 lbs. and over 6 months.
Best Automatic Citronella Bark Collar
This Petdiary collar works without a remote control and the sound sensitivity it responds to can be adjusted.
Petdiary Deterrent Spray Anti-bark Dog Collar
- Automatically detects barking and emits a spray of citronella.
- Remote free.
- Spray amount is adjustable.
- Sensitivity is adjustable.
- For dogs at least 6 months old and weigh between 8 and 120 lbs.
- Battery charges in 2 hours and lasts up to 7 days.
Best Budget Citronella Spray Collar
The Petdiary T500 can use 3 collars on one remote and has an LCD display.
Petdiary T500 Deterrent Spray Remote Dog Training Collar
- 3 training modes: Beep, Vibration, and Spray.
- Remote works up to 300 yards (900 ft.).
- 3 training collars can work with 1 remote.
- Rechargeable.
- LCD display.
Pros/Cons:
- Comes prefilled with citronella spray.
Best Splurge Citronella Bark Collar
The PetSafe collar uses citronella cartridges and comes with an unscented refill, has a low battery indicator, and can use multiple collars with one remote.
PetSafe Remote Spray Trainer
- 3 modes: Beep, Vibration, and Spray.
- Remote works up to 300 yards (900 ft.).
- Comes with 2 replaceable spray cartridges: unscented and citronella.
- Water resistant collar.
- Fits dogs 8 lbs. and up.
- Adjustable neck size up to 27 inches.
- Charges in 2 hours.
- Uses a USB charger.
- 40 hour battery life.
- Low battery indicator.
- Can use 2 collars with one remote.
Dogs bark. But sometimes the barking can be a little too much, disrupting neighbors, interrupting your work, or keeping you from a good night’s sleep. Citronella bark collars can help you train your dog not to bark excessively or perform unwanted behaviors.
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.