Citronella anti Bark Collar- GPS tracking Collar

[4X4Dodger]

I saw a report from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas about a GPS dog collar that sends info to your computer and smart phone.

I have also seen ads for these Anti Bark Collars that spray a mist of citronella.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these products?

[raindove]

Was talking to a lady who adopted one of our dogs a few years ago. They were having a problem with him barking at the delivery men (they took him along to their business daily). They got a citronella collar. He learned to bark and empty the cannister, as my dog did.

Here's the twist. Her husband started just refilling it with compressed air from a can -- so upon barking the dog got a burst of air in the face (no citronella). She said he is to the point now, that all they have to do is put the collar on him, and he will not bark.

I had tried the citronella collar at one time, but had mixed feelings about it - due to reasons previously stated on this thread. I never thought of just putting compressed air in the chamber. If I ever had the need again, I would probably try this.

Unscented refill for citronella collars

[Pawz4me]

I wouldn't use a citronella collar. Many humans think they're more humane than a "shock" anti-bark collar, but I doubt that's true considering a dog's ultra sensitive nose, and considering the fact that citronella lingers and lingers in the air.

I'm not totally against "shock" anti-bark collars, although I do think they should be an absolute last resort after other training methods have been exhausted. At least with them the correction is quick and over with, not lingering like with the citronella.

Spray bottles seem to work on some dogs, but of my dogs and foster dogs only a small minority have viewed a spray bottle as aversive. The majority seem to think getting sprayed is good fun. And of course a spray bottle doesn't work when you're not there. And keep in mind that in the best case scenario all you're likely teaching the dog is to not bark in your presence.

[rockhillmanor]

As for the citronella, like hot sauce it is uncomfortable to get in your eyes but not dangerous or a hazard to your health or your dogs

:S
Causing any type of pain in or around the eyes and nasal membranes is IMHO abuse.:(

[doxiemom11]

And has any dog been able to describe what it is like being sprayed with citronella? How do they know how it makes them feel, or if it makes it hard to breathe, burns the eyes or the long term effect from continued use over a period of years? I think I'll err on the side of caution and not use any chemicals for this type of reason. I will continue training them with love and rewards instead.

[rockhillmanor]

http://www.androidheadlines.com/2015/01/motorola-introduce-new-scout-5000-smartcollar-dogs.html

Motorola Scout 5000
GPS wireless Tracking and all the way up to gopro for pups. Notifies you if dog jumps fence or leaves area, barking etc., etc.

You can hear and see the dog AND "talk back to it".
I'm sure your dog will need a shrink after wearing this collar!! :B

[rockhillmanor]

I watched what were the top items at the big electronic show last week.

They showed a real slick gps system for a dogs collar that was small and real affordable AND live in real time full time unlimited range gps tracking.

Didn't catch the name of the company. sure if you googled what items where a hit at the show you could find it.

[PamfromVA]

not sure how it would work because it has to take to the home base to track. look at their website.

[4X4Dodger]

PamfromVA wrote:
We have the Tagg GPS tracker for our SPOO that we use when we are at our property in the country. The first one we had was defective but the replacement is working great. You use your computer to set up a home zone and you receive notifications on your cell phone when the dog is outside of the zone. We had to use it one morning when my husband was outside with him and Fred wandered off out of sight. I opened up the app and hit the locate button and it found the big stinker exploring a new area on the property. We walked in that direction calling his name and could see him running towards us from the woods. Not sure the system would be good for traveling because the home zone is quite a bit larger than the normal campsite and it would have to be set up at each stop.

Thanks for that recommendation. I am not sure the Home Zone issue will be a problem as long as I can track him via sattelite. This is for when we are NOT in campsites where he would be on a leash anyway. This is for the wilderness.

[4X4Dodger]

rockhillmanor wrote:
X 100 on plain ole water bottle.

Small hand held water bottle with PLAIN WATER in it works the best. I aim for their feet or butt, not their face. Water spray bottle is great for when in a CG to keep them quiet.

I would NEVER use citronella on a dog.
They may be claiming it's safe but spray some in your own eyes and nose and get back to us how it feels.

The water bottle idea is ok but not for when you are not present to use it. Also my most protective dog will just ignore it.

As for the citronella, like hot sauce it is uncomfortable to get in your eyes but not dangerous or a hazard to your health or your dogs. My biggest concern is my dog will just figure it all out and ignore it.

[PamfromVA]

We have the Tagg GPS tracker for our SPOO that we use when we are at our property in the country. The first one we had was defective but the replacement is working great. You use your computer to set up a home zone and you receive notifications on your cell phone when the dog is outside of the zone. We had to use it one morning when my husband was outside with him and Fred wandered off out of sight. I opened up the app and hit the locate button and it found the big stinker exploring a new area on the property. We walked in that direction calling his name and could see him running towards us from the woods. Not sure the system would be good for traveling because the home zone is quite a bit larger than the normal campsite and it would have to be set up at each stop.

[rockhillmanor]

X 100 on plain ole water bottle.

Small hand held water bottle with PLAIN WATER in it works the best. I aim for their feet or butt, not their face. Water spray bottle is great for when in a CG to keep them quiet.

I would NEVER use citronella on a dog.
They may be claiming it's safe but spray some in your own eyes and nose and get back to us how it feels.

[raindove]

I've used the citronella collar with varied success. Used one on a dachshund we had years ago --- she learned not to bark when the collar was on.

However, a number of years later, I had a cocker who was a problem barker = he had severe seizures occasionally, and I really think there was brain damage involved.

He learned that if he barked enough, he could empty the cannister on the collar and then he could bark to his heart's delight.

With the vast majority of my dogs, I've had just as much success with a spray bottle filled with water, set to emit a stream of water (not mist)... so you can get them from across the room.

The problem child who learned to empty the citronella collar, would come up to me when I spritzed him, squeeze his eyes shut and bark... as if to say, "go ahead, take your best shot." I had to laugh at him with his face all scrunched up.

Bottom line, with the "normal" dogs, I had better luck with the spray bottles. I kept them sitting all over the house, so one was always within reach. It got to the point I didn't even need the bottle. I'd point my finger at them and make a shh shh noise, and they would shut up.

[nana23]

We occasionally use the citronella collars for our pups and they work great. We only use them when someone new is coming to visit or workmen are around the house. That sort of thing sets them barking and keeps them upset. The collars seem to tell them that we have approved the visitors and they don't need to alert us - haha. We have three small dogs but do not use the collar on one since she has some breathing problems anyway and we don't want to aggrevate those. They really do not like the smell of the citronella.

Eileen