We get asked a lot if it’s okay to use the citronella collar in the crate.
Our first reply to this question is to ask what the cause is of the dog barking in the crate and whether or not the dog is in the process of crate training or has already been trained.
Reasons Why Dogs Bark in the Crate
There are many different reasons for dogs compulsively barking in the crate. Its best to try fix any of the causes of barking before you add the use of the citronella collar.
- Existing Medical Issues
- You want to check with your vet as to whether your dog, or the breed, has any innate medical conditions that will lead to crate barking.
- If you find there are underlying medical reasons, the chances of the citronella collar being effective in the crate are greatly reduced.
- Timing
- You can’t expect that you can just shove your dog in the crate the first time and everything be ok. In fact this is the worst approach and can lead to the whole process of crate training taking much more time.
- We advise owners to slowly introduce the dog to the crate, while making the crate an inviting environment for the dog.
- Things like putting the dog’s favorite blanket or food in the crate are a good start.
- Feeding your dog in the crate with the door open will reemphasize that the crate is a safe place to be.
- Allow the dog to go freely into the crate while you are at home (or don’t need to crate).
- Overtime, the dog will view the comfort and safety given by the crate positively and will not mind staying in the crate while the door is closed.
- The time it takes varies based on breed. Some breeds are more “burrowers” than others. This means they like closed in spaces more. It will be easier for these breeds.
- Separation Anxiety
- Certain breeds will naturally become more stressed when left alone. In addition to barking, whining and chewing are responses seen when separation anxiety is the issue.
- Your veterinarian can determine if your dog has separation anxiety and its severity.
- Listen to your vet on training and medicinal remedies
- A good place to start is with obedience training.
- Routine
- Boredom and uncertainty are often a cause for crate barking.
- When you are gone, the dog’s one and only job is this: to do nothing!
- Establishing regular crate times each day will decrease the effects boredom and uncertainty have on your dog and thus, decrease crate barking.
After you have dealt with the above to try to cure crate barking, it is ok to use citronella collar to train your dog not to bark in the crate. However, it should only be worn for an hour or so at a time depending on how frequent the barking is occurring.
