Hi guys im leaning towards buying a Citronella collar for my Cocker spaniel. He Barks when left and although ive been doing lots of training with him to try and rectify this i am now looking for other options...

Has anyone got any views or experience in using one?

Are you talking about one that automatically corrects when the dog barks? I personally wouldn't use one because I think the aroma lingers far too long. So it carries on correcting even when the dog stops barking. I particularly wouldn't use one on a dog left alone. What if it is set off by a dog passing by? I think you need to identify and deal with the cause of the barking rather than just stopping it.

Another no vote, sorry if it's not what you want to hear.

I have been trying for over seven years to stop Bruce from barking at the least little thing when indoors but absolutely nothing has worked so i'd love to know if you manage to find a solution If he's out anyone can knock on my door and all the other dogs just look out of the window but not one barks but when he's here it's total mayhem, you can't even hear the person at the front door - very annoying and embarrassing!

I have to admit to trying a vibrating collar but it just kept going off on it's own so totally useless and I can see what you mean about the lingering scent of a citronella collar. Bruce didn't even care about the vibrating collar anyway so I've just decided to live with his noise now.

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I really wouldn't use one of these. If he is barking through fear then this may make him worse, also as mentioned, the citronella smell lingers for a long time so will affect you dog for a while after the spray. I don't believe these collars are meant for use unspervised either.

How much does he bark? Your other psost seems to indicate that it's not that much? Most dogs will bark to some degree so if it's not excessive then I wouldn't worry too much.

Can you try & minimise any noise? Can you prevent him from being in a certain room that he may hear or see things that would cause him to bark alot? How much do you think he barks when left?

I am having this problem too at the moment, Sandy doesn't bark a lot but she will bark when left alone, even in her crate as well now and I really don't know what to do about it!!

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They really don't work. You're better off searching for method on how to deal with it by searching "separation anxiety" on this site.

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Thanks for all the replies....im just getting towards my wits end now as i thought i was making progress with him. I recorded him the other day when i left the house for just 1/2 an hour and Oh my god....the barking was out of control (my poor retired neighbours) but he definatly did not look like he was anxious as he was just sat on my bed barking for all his worth. He's got a big thing with cars and so whenever one drives down our street he barks at it thinking someone is coming to visit him. Ive read lots of reviews on these collars and the general consensus is that they really do work so im in a quandry at what to do. Surely they are more humane than a shock collar (which i would never use) if a vet would recommend getting one??!!

But you could argue that at least with a shock collar (which I also would not use btw) the 'punishment' is over quickly - with a citronella sprary collar the effects are long lasting. Also how could supervise this, what if this went off when your dog didn't bark?

How do you deal with any barking when you are in the house? It may be that he has associated barking with gaining attention so carries on with this when you are not there.

How have you dealt with this previously?

Vets aren't behaviourists (exclude they who are) "Standard" vet is trained to help with body problems not behaviour. It is like with GP and specialist. When you are ill you are going to GP but if healthy problems are serious or you need an operation you are going to the person who is trained in specific body areas.