Why is it people always look for the quick fix? Why is it people so quickly and readily jump onto these commercial products, blinding accepting the slick advertising statements, without checking what’s really in them or without dealing with the real problem? If your child were crying and crying, would you run out and buy a special device that would shoot a potentially harmful spray into his/her face? Or, would you deal with the reason for the child’s crying?
First, about the citronella. There are two kinds of citronella oil. One is the 100% citronella oil, an essential oil. It’s a plant-derived product distilled from lemon grass with a distinctive and fresh lemony smell. The other is sold/advertised as “citronella oil” but is an inexpensive petroleum product with citronella scent added. Essential oils are very expensive to produce and are usually sold in small vials of an ounce or two. For the same cost of one of these vials a person could purchase a large container of the petroleum product… this is likely what some (if not, most) of the collars are made of (so checking very carefully to determine if the product contains 100% pure essential oil is important). In fact I’d want to know all the ingredients that are used in the spray if I was considering it.
Even the 100% citronella essential oil is not safe or wise for use as a spray around a dog’s orifices (eyes, nose, ears). It shouldn’t matter that marketers tout it as ‘safe’ — we need to use common sense. Greenies and rawhides are advertised as safe but that’s pure advertising propaganda. Citronella is not meant to be sprayed in or around a dog’s eyes or nose.
The reasons why even the 100% citronella oil can be harmful are primarily:
+ citronella oil is known to cause skin irritation upon direct contact with some individuals.
+ there are some anecdotes that state citronella oil can be photosensitive therefore causing your dog to be ‘burned’ (blistered) by sunlight.
+ some animals (and humans) are simply sensitive to certain/or all essential oils.
These same reasons/principles apply to the [petroleum based] ‘citronella oil’ but there is an added concern:
+ these petroleum-based products are carcinogenic.
+ they are toxic if breathed in, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. (other examples of these types of p-b products are the camp or backyard ‘citronella’ candles or those tall bamboo sticks that burn off citronella scent).
So, if anyone were considering the use of one of these collars, I’d think a person would first want to know whether it contains 100% citronella essential oil or the petroleum product. That person would then need to make the decision whether it was worth the risk to try it or not.
Never mind the risk, in my personal opinion it’s just plain lazy and a nasty thing to impose on a dog. Deal with the reason for the barking.
People seem to automatically look for quick fixes when it comes to any problem or situation. In the case of a dog barking, the more logical and sensible approach is to determine the cause of the barking. Yes, it will take more time and effort to assess the dog and its situation. It will also then take additional time and effort to implement a plan for helping the dog overcome the reason for the barking in the first place. That’s part of the responsibility we should accept when we take on a dog as part of our family. Putting a citronella collar that sprays potentially harmful substances on the dog is no different than getting the vet to prescribe medications to calm a ‘hyper’ dog that simply is in need of more and appropriate exercise. If a person isn’t prepared to spend the time and effort to properly care for a dog, perhaps that person should re-think dog ownership.
A recommended online source for asking questions about positive, pain-free, and otherwise harmless methods of training dogs or dealing with problems such as barking: Clicker Solutions.
Sources:
Puotinen, CJ, The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care, Revised Edition, Keats Publishing, 2000.
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index_e.html
U.S. EPA http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
University of Bristol http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/safety/Carcinogenetclist.htm
and common sense
Let me ask you this:
How have you solved your dog’s barking problem without using products or pain? What did you learn about dog behaviour along the way?
Technorati:
Thanks for posting a comment on my site about this.
As mentioned I am making friends with my dog by giving him a treat after telling him to ssshhhh and he does be quite.
Here is the link to that article – How I am Going to Get My Neighbor’s Dog to Stop Barking
P.S. You commented on my old site. I just recently transfered all those posts to this new site. I moved your comment over there too – Dan
Great post! Get your 100% pure therapeutic grade Young Living Essential oils at http://www.healthylivingessentials.marketingscents.com
p.s- we also have all natural pet shampoo and animal ointment
Shawna
Awesome post, I wish less people took the time to get to know and train their dogs, instead of trying to have everything take care of itself, or to train by remote control.
Personally I do not carry any of these “instant trainers” whether they are ultrasonic, zap, or citronella.
sorry I meant more people took the time, not less, I originally wanted to say, I wish less people were looking for instant results
Can we please begin a conversation offline about this topic? 646-945-0881 My dog was recently sprayed at the place kenneling him so much so that his nose had open sores. It was all red and pussy, scabbed and inflamed. I took him to two different vets. Please write or call. Thanks – Sky
I would have taken photographs, got the actual report from each of the vets and phoned the police and laid charges. Fairly simple. That’s what you should do. Contact the media as well.
Diane
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