
Excessive barking is a common problem dog parents deal with on a regular basis. Your adorable dog might have an overactive imagination, be sensitive to sounds and movements, or just like to bark and hear their voice. Whatever the reason your dog barks there is a safe and effective way to limit or eliminate their excessive barking and properly train them.
Citronella bark collars are an excellent alternative to shock collars. They are safe, effective, and humane. The natural scent of citronella deters dogs from barking when they smell the strong odor. In addition, most of the citronella bark collars work automatically and can sense when your dog barks. This is unlike shock collars where you typically have to manually shock your dog when they bark.
You can say goodbye to sleepless nights caused by your dog’s excessive barking by choosing one of these high-quality citronella anti-bark dog collars listed below.
In a hurry? Here are the top picks!


- Pros
- Safe an effective versus shock collars
- When the collar senses a bark, it will release a small spray
- The collar can also beep
- 500 foot range for the remote
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Cons
- Sometimes the collar doesn't go off automatically if a dog barks
Effective, safe, and humane, this WWVV citronella spray collar reacts quickly by releasing a burst of citronella when it senses your dog’s bark. The convenient remote control has two training modes that offer the option of citronella spray or beeping sounds. Most dog owners typically try the beep training to see if your dog will stop barking to beeping sounds. If the beep sounds doesn’t work, you can always enable the option for citronella spray.
The range of the remote goes up to 500 feet and can control two collars at the same time which is especially helpful for two dog households. The collar is waterproof and rechargeable so you can always depend on it working when needed. The lithium-ion battery provides 3 to 7 days of use with just two to three hours of charging time.
The red light on the collar flashes to alert you when the battery is low and needs charging. This collar is ideal for dogs that are more than 6 months old and over 8 pounds. This citronella collar includes a remote control, USB cable, user manual, and lanyard.
- Pros
- Comes with a collar, spray device, citronella spray refill, battery, and training manual
- Citronella spray is a humane way to train dogs
- The collar fits dogs 8 pounds and up
- Automatically sprays when it senses a bark
- 60 day money back guarantee
- Cons
- The collar may be a little sensitive
The Downtown Pet Supply collar comes with a training manual, spray device, collar, battery, and citronella spray refill. The safe and effective spray collar is an excellent alternative to a shock collar as it won’t physically hurt your dog. The citronella anti-bark collar is adjustable and ideal for dogs that weigh more than 8 pounds.
This effective dog collar senses a bark and reacts quickly by releasing a short burst of citronella spray. It’s made of nylon, easy to use, and comfortable for your dog to wear. In addition, this citronella spray bark control collar has a microphone to detect sounds and barking.
However, this citronella bark collar doesn’t come with vibrating or beeping options, but it is a lot cheaper than our first option. The collar simply detects barking and sends a spray.
- Pros
- Harmless anti barking collar
- Can train two dogs on the same transmitter
- Adjustable sensitivity levels
- Rechargeable and waterproof batteries
- Fits most sizes of dogs
- Cons
- Have to buy the citronella spray seperately
The Kaiercat harmless anti-bark collar automatically detects your dog’s bark and emits citronella spray and a beeping sound that helps train your dog effectively. After a few sprays of citronella, it’s likely that your dog is not going to bark anymore.
This high quality citronella dog collar is matched with the Kaiercat remote control collar so you can train both your dogs at one time if you have two dogs. The downside of this collar is that you need to purchase the citronella spray separately.
A nice feature about this citronella bark collar is that the sensitivity can be adjusted and gives you options of low, middle, and high. It’s wise to adjust it to your dog’s barking frequency as the training moves forward. The helpful LED lights show when the setting has been changed so you can feel confident it’s on the right one. It will take some trial and error, but if you can find the correct sensitivity levels to your dog’s barking then you won’t have any false sprays.
This waterproof collar is rechargeable and comes with a built-in lithium-ion battery that provides 7 days of regular use with only two hours of charging. It’s unlikely that you’ll keep this citronella anti-bark collar on all the time since it’s bulky, so the quick recharging is a nice to have feature.
Lastly, the adjustable collar straps allow you to adjust the collar so your dog feels comfortable. It’s suitable for dogs more than six months old and weigh more than 8 pounds.
- Pros
- Eliminate or reduce barking
- Patented way to detect barking and release the spray
- The collar is waterproof and durable
- Each can holds 400-500 sprays which should last a long time
- Cons
- Only works for dogs up to 55 pounds
The PetSafe citronella bark collar reduces or eliminates excessive barking by using a burst of citronella to discourage your dog. The patented technology system detects when your dog is going to bark and releases a burst of citronella to stop the barking from happening. This is the top choice on our list of the best citronella bark collar because it’s a preventative training tool.
In addition, the innovative technology used to create the collar is specially designed to prevent false corrections from other noises such as another dog barking.
This waterproof collar is easy to use, comfortable for your dog to wear, and has 400 to 500 sprays per can. The no-bark citronella collar holds 30 to 40 sprays which means you have about 13-15 refills per can. The collar adjusts to neck sizes up to 16” inches and the size is ideal for dogs that weigh up to 55 pounds. We really like the PetSafe citronella bark collar and strongly believe it can stop your dog from barking.
- Pros
- Built-in microphone technology to detect barking
- Rechargeable and water resistant
- Can adjust spray volume and sensitivity levels
- 60 day money back guarantee
- Cons
- You'll have to adjust the sensitivity levels if it's too sensitive
Humane and safe, this effective citronella anti-bark dog collar works effectively with no painful stimulation. It’s water-resistant and has rechargeable batteries so you never need to worry about buying or replacing batteries. You quickly and easily use the USB rechargeable charging function when the batteries run out.
The collar is adjustable and easy to customize to your dog’s size. It has two spray volumes and sensitivity modes that allow you to control the collar for small, medium, and large dogs. This citronella dog collar kit comes with a collar, rechargeable battery, spray device, citronella spray refill, and a training manual. It’s really easy to set up and put on your dog.
This citronella no bark collar produces effective results by using the built-in microphone technology that is designed to detect your dog’s bark and release short bursts of citronella to deter your dog from excessively barking.
- Pros
- Collar can be paired with a remote to work manually
- Low battery and spray light indicator
- Waterproof and rechargeable batteries
- Suitable for all dog types
- Cons
- Relatively basic collar with no remote control
The Queenmew anti-bark citronella dog training collar automatically detects your dog’s bark and emits citronella spray along with a beeping sound to train your dog to control their barking habits.
This adjustable dog collar features sensitivity levels that are easy to adjust by pressing on the on and off button. You can adjust the sensitivity level to low, medium, or high according to your needs.
This anti-bark dog collar can be paired with the Queenmew orange remote control that is designed to simultaneously train two dogs. The LED light on the collar flashes one time every 5 seconds to alert you the citronella spray is running low while the light flashes one time every second to warn you the battery is low. It’s relatively intuitive to use and is a great citronella bark collar for large dogs.
The built-in lithium-ion battery fully charges in two hours and provides 7 days of regular use. This waterproof collar works in the rain, while swimming, or bathing. The adjustable collar straps adjust to all sizes and is ideal for dogs weighing at least 8 pounds or more.
This citronella dog collar kit includes the collar, user manual, and USB charging cable. The citronella needs to be purchased separately, but the collar comes at a relatively affordable price point.
- Pros
- Modern looking collar with a remote control
- Can beep, vibrate, or spray
- Charges within 2 hours and remote can last 10 days
- Works within 1000 feet which is extremely long range
- Comes with a 1 year guarantee
- Cons
- May need to refill the collar often if your dog barks a lot
The Sumao citronella dog collar is non-toxic and doesn’t contain any chemicals, odor, or radiation. It effectively deters your dog from barking without physically harming your dog.
It features three training methods such as vibration, beeping, and spraying. You can adjust the settings and choose the specific method you want to deter your dog from barking. Dog owners typically try the beeping and vibration before resorting to citronella. However, a citronella spray will likely be the most effective method of training your dog not to bark.
The innovative design features a rechargeable battery and it can be quickly charged within two hours and last up to 10 days per charge. The remote lasts up to 26 days, but it’s unlikely you’ll use the remote much after you find the optimal settings.
The waterproof design is comfortable for your dog to wear and can be worn anywhere. It even works long-distance because it’s equipped with advanced sensors that allow 1000 feet long distance control. It’s a great spray bark collar for the price.
- Pros
- Can spray, vibrate, and beep
- Stop barking and other unwanted behaviors
- Fits 25-30 sprays in a collar and the can lasts 400 sprays
- Lithium ion battery holds 11 days of charge
- Low battery indicator
- Cons
- Some people have a little trouble refilling the collar
WWVV has two types of citronella bark collars and this is the second version. It’s a safe and effective citronella dog collar that is easy to use and features three training modes: vibration, beep, and spray. You can choose which setting works best with your dog or you can combine settings such as using the spray and beep sound simultaneously.
The remote control ranges up to 330 yards or 1000 feet which is very long range. The kit includes the collar, a can of citronella spray, remote control, user-friendly manual, and a USB charging cable.
The collar is adjustable and comfortable for your dog to wear. It fits all breeds that weigh more than 8 pounds. The long-lasting lithium-ion battery is rechargeable and gets fully charged within 2 to 3 hours and lasts up to 11 days.
The collar is waterproof but is designed to only resist light rain and wet grass. It’s not suitable for swimming or playing in the water. In addition, the helpful low battery indicator light shines red and flashes to alert you the citronella needs to be refilled.
Why does my dog bark excessively?
Health Problems
Dogs that bark excessively usually have a reason such as health problems. Since dogs can’t verbally speak your language they often bark excessively to alert you of their discomfort.
Take a good look at your dog’s physical appearance to see if they are limping or favoring one or more of their limbs. Do they have trouble sitting down, lying down, getting comfortable, walking up or down the stairs, or showing any signs of physical pain or discomfort?
Also, check to see if there are tender spots somewhere on their skin. An easy way to do this is to glide your hand gently in the opposite direction of the hair. By doing this you will expose the skin surface and reveal any irritation or red spots.
While you are carefully gliding your hands across your pet’s body pay attention to your dog’s reaction. If they quiver, shake, make noise, or bark, look closely at the area that causes the reaction. Sometimes the discomfort is on the inside of the body and cannot be seen so it’s important to determine if it’s a skin issue or a possible internal issue.
If you suspect your dog has internal injuries you need to visit the veterinarian immediately for further assistance and guidance.
The Aging Process
Dogs grow older the same as humans. Some dogs tend to bark more as they age, however, excessive barking can be a sign of cognitive dysfunction. Elderly dogs have the potential to experience illnesses related to their golden years such as vision impairments, deafness, arthritis, general body aches, pain, and more. If your dog is excessively barking due to any of these issues speak to a veterinarian for further guidance on how you can soothe the elements and help improve your dog’s quality of life.
Fear Problems
Dogs that are frightened often bark at the person or object that is causing their fear. For example, if your dog barks excessively as soon as the mail person approaches your home, there’s a big possibility your dog fears the mailman approaching your home. If your dog is barking excessively due to a fear of humans, the environment, or anything in particular do your best to remove those objects from their lifestyle to help limit the excessive barking. You can also get a citronella bark collar to help train them not to bark at these issues.
Territorial Issues
Most family dogs have a natural territorial response when other people or objects get near their family members. While some breeds are more aggressive than others your dog is innocently trying to protect you from danger. This can also be referred to as territorialism.
Generally, a dog’s territory could range from their bed, their yard, their home, and sometimes even their own toys. If you notice your dog excessively barks when other people come around you, people visit your home, or anyone tries to approach you during walks there’s a big chance your dog is territorial. While this is a natural instinct, you can help your dog successfully control their excessive barking with a citronella bark collar.
Feeling Lonely
When dogs live in the wild they are part of a pack. This means your dog prefers to be in the company of others which includes you and your family. Since dogs are born into a canine pack, but often are separated from their siblings so they consider their human family there pack. If dogs are separated they often experience loneliness.
If your dog tends to bark while you are not at home there’s a chance they feel lonely. You can help your dog feel more comfortable by keeping their mind occupied with dog toys that stimulate their brains such as interactive toys. You can also put classical music on every time you leave the house so your dog feels relaxed and has something to listen to instead of total quiet.
Drama Queen or King
Your dog loves to have your attention and if you’re not providing the attention they want there’s a good chance they’re going to bark until all eyes are on them. While, your dog might be a drama queen or king they could also be signaling they want to go outside to the bathroom or they want you to feed them food or treats. It’s best to pay attention to your dog’s needs to ensure you are not overlooking their necessary needs. A no bark citronella collar may be able to help in these situations if you are training your dog not to bark at you.
Separation Anxiety
As mentioned earlier, dogs are pack animals and prefer to be around you and your family at all times. Separation anxiety is a real issue and your dog might suffer from it without you knowing. Many dog owners don’t find out their pet is experiencing separation anxiety until a neighbor complains about the loud barking. If your dog is experiencing separation anxiety that is causing their excessive barking there are a few things you can do to control their behavior such as using a citronella bark collar.
How to Use a Citronella Dog Collar to Stop Your Dog from Barking
You might wonder how a citronella bark collar is going to stop your dog from excessively barking. The good news about bark collars is it uses natural citronella to deter your dog from barking. Many of the collars mentioned on the list above are adjustable and comfortable for your dog to wear.
Dogs don’t like the scent of citronella which immediately stops them in their tracks the moment they detect it. A bark collar is easy to put on your dog and adjustable so you can custom fit it to make sure your dog is comfortable with every use. Everytime your dog barks, the collar will emit a small spray of citronella to prevent your dog from barking again.
Some citronella bark collars have remotes that can activate the collar from a distance ranging up to 1000 feet. The collars are also automatically activated which is nice if you’re not home all the time.
On the PetSafe collar, as soon as the collar senses the bark a short spray of citronella is released into the air which causes your dog to smell it immediately. Once your dog inhales the citronella they immediately stop what they are doing.
Since citronella is a natural substance it is a safe and humane way to eliminate excessive barking. Paired with positive reinforcement training, it’s quite an effective way of getting your dog to stop barking all the time.
When should I use the beeping and vibration features on the collar?
Some citronella bark collars have innovative technology that includes beeping sounds and vibrations in addition to the citronella scent spray.
As a pet parent, you know your dog the best but if you notice your dog is not reacting or is becoming immune to the citronella scent you can customize settings to include beeping sounds and vibrations to help catch your dog’s attention and prevent them from excessively barking. Most of the time, you just need to get your dog’s attention and tell them to stop barking. Eventually they will learn after some positive reinforcement training.
Conclusion for Best Citronella Bark Collar
All of the citronella bark collars mentioned on the list above come with an easy to read owner’s manual. It explains in detail how to work the specific model and get the best use so you can successfully train your dog to stop barking.
Citronella bark collars are an excellent alternative to shock collars. Citronella collars are safe, humane, and do not cause any damage or pain to your dog.
Say goodbye to complaining neighbors, sleepless nights, and constant barking when you invest in a citronella bark collar and change your life forever! You can stop your dog’s excessive barking today when you choose any of the anti-bark collars on the list!
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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