I will hang my head in shame, and own up to having used a citronella collar in the past.
I tried one of the sonic gadgets, but every time I pressed the button Grace would run around sniffing the floor and then start barking! It was clear that the sonic gadget encouraged barking in her case!
Grace barks and howls if left alone; I rarely leave her alone because of it - before her heart condition was diagnosed I would leave her for a couple of hours on a Friday afternoon while I went shopping. Other than that, I would have an evening out once or twice a year. So most weeks, she would only be alone for two maybe three hours. I would hasten to add that this routine was only established once she developed the problem - when she was a puppy I did leave her alone as part of her training, but something happened along the way and she developed an issue with being left.
I went out one evening, and didn't get home until gone 11pm which would only happen once or twice a year - but when I got back my neighbour had put a note through my door saying the barking and howling was unacceptable. To be honest I felt my neighbour was being unreasonable as I honestly only go out late once or twice a year - but we don't get on and they obviously jumped at the chance to complain. I worry about people poisoning dogs, so once I had this note I felt I had to do something for fear of them throwing poison into the garden if I didn't stop the barking.
I was advised to get a collar - and it worked - I hated it and Grace hated it - but I was told over and over by more than one person that I was being stupid (I actually felt like I was being bullied at the time for being so silly as they kept on at me that it didn't hurt her). So, I used the collar when I had to leave her alone - I had CCTV installed and instead of barking and howling she would cry and pace about
I can promise that I will never use that collar again - and I feel totally ashamed that I ever used it.
I now shop online so I don't need to go to the supermarket anymore. Any odd items I pick up at the local shop when Grace is with me. I'm also now looking to find a dog sitter for those times when I have to meet a new client at their premises (I'm self employed and work from home) - I have an appointment for 20th July which will be cancelled as I have not yet found cover. I have no idea how to solve the problem other than to ensure that Grace is never left alone again.
We are going on holiday in September to Cornwall and I had booked one evening where Grace could not come 'An evening with Rick Stein' - I was going to cancel but the staff at the restaurant put me in touch with one of their dog sitters - so no need to cancel and Grace will be well taken care of for that evening. The lady said that she would be happy to take care of Grace for another evening as we are there for three weeks so we do have that option. Thankfully, that part of Cornwall is ultra dog friendly so Grace is welcome wherever we go 99.9% of the time and this will be her third holiday there.
I'm sorry for the long post, but I really do regret ever using that collar on Grace.