We owe the creation of the Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar to a pet company known simply as Backguard. From the company name, it is either to deduce that Backguard is, first of all, a dog company. All its products are designed to cater to dog needs and dog needs alone, specifically for correcting bad bark behavior.
This collar is a training collar that uses only citronella sprays as its mode of correction. Don’t know what citronella is or don’t understand how this collar works? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
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Who Can Wear The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar?
We already stated quite clearly that this is a training collar and specifically a bark control collar. The implication of this is that dogs who do not have bad bark behavior do not need this collar.
In addition to this category, small puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs, invalid dogs and senior dogs should not be wearing this collar. They are all not in the right condition to be trained.
Features Of The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar
1. Spray Device
This collar comes with one spray device which carries the citronella and also dispenses same at the appropriate time.
We have to say at this point that the spray device comes empty. Also Barkguard does not have a refill container. This means that if you are getting this collar, you have to get a citronella refill container that Backguard does not produce. It, however, suggests that you get the one that PetSafe sells.
Now on the spray device, you will notice two holes. One of them is where the sprays are ejected through while the other is where the spray is injected through.
To determine when to spray the citronella, the Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar relies on a microphone system.
The role of the microphone is to pick up the bark sound and then the spray happens. One problem with a microphone is that it can pick up other sounds that are not from your dog and the poor guy gets sprayed for nothing.
The collar does not need to be directly on your dog’s neck since the correction mode is not passed using electrodes. What you want to be bothered about is positioning the collar in such a way that the hole that ejects the spray is directed to your dog’s jaw.
Now, regarding the spray, citronella is not harmful to dogs. The idea is just to distract your dog enough that he forgets about continuing with his barking. Barkguard even says that the citronella system employs the use of four of your dog’s senses; smell, hearing, sight and touch.
2. Battery
The collar uses one replaceable 6V alkaline battery. To save the battery, put off the collar when your dog is not wearing the collar. And he shouldn’t be wearing it throughout the day; it is a training collar after all.
The battery used is something that you should be able to find in any regular store. That shouldn’t be a problem. After inserting the battery into the spray device, the collar works automatically, spraying citronella whenever your dog barks unnecessarily.
3. Strap
The spray device is hung around your dog’s neck using a nylon strap. This strap is adjustable as it features a plastic tri glide which can adjust the collar to lengths between 8 inches and 24 inches. So that one collar can fit a decent range of dog breeds and sizes.
This collar is locked using a regular plastic buckle.
One thing you’ll need to bear in mind is that because of the electronics of the spray device, this collar is not water safe. So your dog shouldn’t be wearing it in and around water.
Is The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar User Friendly?
Well, a spray collar is not one of the easiest things to get around. However, for a spray collar, the Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar is user friendly enough.
In addition, Barkguard says you can get a training manual in pdf for free. But you can only get it on request. It (obviously) doesn’t come with the collar.
Pros Of The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar
1. Safe
This collar attempts to solve the problem of unnecessary bark behavior without having to resort to shocks, vibrations and/or noises. The attempt in itself is laudable. Whether or not the attempt is a successful one is a different story.
2. Battery
The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar uses a replaceable battery. But we like that the battery is something that is easy to get. You don’t need to go through hassles just to get a replacement battery.
Cons Of The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar
We are not really excited about the microphone thing that this collar has going on. The reason is that it could pick up bark sounds that are not coming from your dog or sounds that sound like barks and still administer the correction all the same.
Also, we don’t like that it comes with an empty spray device, no refill can and yet Backguard doesn’t produce the citronella. To get this collar working, you have to patronize another brand.
Alternatives To The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar
Is the featured product not for you? Don’t leave just yet. One of these options should be what you are looking for.
More Versatile Option
Downtown Pet Supply Citronella Spray Collar
For one, the Downtown Pet Supply Citronella Spray Collar actually comes with a refill can. So you don’t need to go looking for where to get the citronella spray.
Secondly, this collar actually comes with a training manual. You don’t need to ask for it independent of the collar. The manual contains instructions on how to assemble and operate the Downtown Pet Supply Citronella Spray Collar.
This collar also uses one replaceable battery that should be easy enough for you to find in regular stores.
Static Shock Option
PetSafe Waterproof Bark Control Collar
If you think that a citronella collar will not be effective enough and would rather resort to a shock collar, the PetSafe Waterproof Bark Control Collar could be what you need.
The collar is designed to detect bark vibrations coming directly from your dog’s throat and not sounds. This ensures that the collar doesn’t pick up random sounds from other dogs and or anything that sounds like a dog’s bark. It only administers correction when your dog and your dog alone barks.
Now, as regards correction mode, the PetSafe Waterproof Bark Control Collar uses both the warning tone and static shocks. You know what? Check out our article on this collar to get even more comprehensive information.
No Shock Option
Lovatic No Shock Anti-Bark Collar
Not psyched about a shock collar either? You could try the Lovatic No Shock Anti-Bark Collar. It only uses the warning tone and vibrations.
It has an intelligent chip built into it that is supposed to detect your dog’s exact bark. The idea is to eliminate background and peripheral noises. So that the collar only focuses on your dog.
The correction is in seven levels and you can decide what level you want the administration of correction to start. It uses replaceable batteries just like our featured product. We also have a review on this collar that we think you should check out.
Comparison Table
Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar
|
Downtown Pet Supply Citronella Spray Collar |
PetSafe Waterproof Bark Control Collar
|
Lovatic No Shock Anti-Bark Collar
|
|
| Mode of Correction | Citronella spray | Citronella spray | Static shock and warning tone | Vibration and warning tone |
| Bark Detection | Microphone | Microphone | Vibration detection | Intelligent chip |
| Refill Citronella | No | Yes | No need | No need |
What Others Think About The Backguard Citronella Anti-Bark Collar
People aren’t really excited about this collar. The fact that the collar has the tendency to administer corrections when the dog hasn’t exactly done anything does not really endear people to it.
Our Opinion
We think that the idea of using citronella spray instead of shocks, vibrations and noises is a good one. However, we think it could have been better executed. Plus, Backguard should really think about producing its very own refill citronella. It makes life easier for everybody.
