If you’ve ever considered using a manually activated bark collar rather than an automatic citronella collar, I’ve got some hints that I learned through trying both. In case you are wondering how it differs from a citronella collar, a manually activated bark collar is one in which you have a remote control and when you hear the dog bark, you press a button to activate the collar, be it any type of collar (most shock collars are available for both automatic and remote control).
We were asked to try the citronella collar by the city due to a noise ordinance violation from our dog barking. I was stubborn and didn’t want our dog to wear the citronella collar because she already wears her invisible pet fence collar. I was so happy to find that the invisible fence company made an attachment that would go on the same collar and give you the ability to remotely stimulate it! We ordered the citronella collar, but didn’t use it at this point.
If you think this method, like I did, is easier or more convenient than the citronella collar, think again! At first I thought it was great, but then I found myself putting the dog out and forgetting to sync the remote to the collar or not having the remote near me when she began barking. Don’t get me wrong, the remote control method works, but its at least ten times more difficult than the citronella collar. I remember getting angry at the remote when I finally found it during one of her barking rampages, only to see that the remote was off. The citronella collar was looking like a better option already. I would get so upset because it took forever to sync up with the collar and by that time she had stopped barking.
The fourth point in the list below should not be taken lightly and is the whole reason for this discussion of the citronella collar. I can’t tell you how relieving having the citronella collar was. Being able to just let the dog out and not have to worry about listening for her bark sold me on the citronella collar. Before using the citronella collar, we even had a microphone outside piped into our stereo so we would be sure to hear if she barked. How crazy is that? With the citronella collar, I got to listen to music inside finally. To be completely unbiased, though, I must mention that the citronella collar does require citronella refills and others do not. This was a minor sacrifice given the amount of stress and rummaging around for a lost remote the citronella collar saved me.
Reasons to use the citronella collar over remote controlled collars
- Don’t have to keep a remote with you at all times (citronella collar is hands free!)
- One more battery you don’t have to buy (remote collars require an additional battery)
- Citronella collar is instant – you don’t have to wait for a remote to sync with the collar
- Citronella collar is hands/worry free! - You have to listen for your dog’s barking with remote collars
The bottom line is this: unlike the citronella collar, when you use a remote controlled bark collar there are many ongoing steps that require your attention and response for it to discipline your dog correctly. The citronella collar is a self contained system that does not require your intervention to correct the dog. Before you buy a bark collar, think about your lifestyle and how it’s operation fits into your daily life.
