Dog S6's vocalizations were lower for homeward journeys (marked with a + in Figure 1) than for outgoing journeys, showing that the collar was not effective in all situations. As for smells, even skunk spray doesn't deter one of my dogs so again, not all dogs are going to respond the same way.

My initial plan was to teach Bertie and his owner effective positive alternatives at our consultation which had been arranged for a few days later. For example, aversive conditioning can be an effective method of eliminating the vocalising of dogs [ 1]. Instead of using shock tactics, they rely on a burst of citronella spray, a natural essential oil known for its strong scent. If you’re walking your pooch in a secluded area, there’s always a risk of encountering animals expressing hostile behaviour to either you or your Fido. When it comes to calming "nuisance-barking" dogs, a spritz of fragrance under the chin is more effective than electric shock, a test by the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine has found.

Make sure your canine companion is not exposed to too much and try and limit the amount that gets in their eyes and mouth.

What’s more, your furry friend can also experience rapid respiration and hyper-salivation as a result of inhaling too much citronella. It is most commonly used as an insect and animal repellant and is classified as a “minimum risk pesticide” by the EPA. This could cause respiratory illness and could be considered a toxic amount, especially if the dog begins to lick the fur sprayed. In a few days, the dog learns to keep quiet while wearing the collar and concentrates on more normal activities.

And there are certainly times when we want a dog to bark to alert us of something we should know about.

Teaching a dog to stop barking requires a lot of time and patience, especially if you have an adult dog with a long-standing habit of excessive barking.A reservoir contained within the casing of the collar, and which sits on the dog's throat, holds approximately 20 sprays of citronella.