Most bark collars make you choose: either you control it manually with a remote, or it works automatically on its own. This one does both — and you can switch between them depending on the situation.

Two modes, one collar

In remote mode, you trigger the response yourself — two different beeps, a short burst of spray, or a longer one — from up to 500ft away. That figure is the maker's open-ground maximum, and walls, hedges and buildings will cut it down a long way, so treat it as the furthest it will ever reach rather than the distance to plan around. Remote mode is precise, which is useful for training specific behaviours rather than just reacting to barking in general. You can also pair one remote with up to two collars, which is worth knowing if you have more than one dog.

If you leave the remote unused for one minute, the collar automatically shifts into anti-bark mode: the microphone detects barking and triggers a warning beep followed by a citronella spray without you doing anything. This makes it useful for periods when you're not in the room or can't actively supervise — though like any automatic collar, it works best as part of a broader training approach rather than as a permanent hands-off solution.

Sensitivity levels and spray

There are three sensitivity settings — low, medium, and high — which determine how easily the automatic mode detects a bark. Start on low and work up from there. A setting that's too high will trigger from background noise; too low and your dog's bark won't register. Most owners settle on the right level within a day or two.

One thing to be clear about upfront: citronella spray is not included and needs to be purchased separately. The collar takes a standard citronella canister and is also compatible with unscented spray if you'd prefer to start without the scent.

Battery, fit, and water resistance

The collar's built-in 250 mAh battery lasts 3–7 days depending on how much you're using the remote versus leaving it in automatic mode — remote use draws more power. The remote itself takes two AAA batteries, which are included. Charging the collar takes a couple of hours via the USB cable in the box.

The strap fits dogs weighing 8–55 lbs and aged six months and over — well suited to small and medium breeds. On water resistance: the collar is splashproof, not waterproof. It'll handle light rain without issue, but it should be removed before swimming or bathing. If your dog is a keen swimmer, be aware that none of our spray collars is made for that — an IPX5 or IP65 rating elsewhere in the range means rain and splashing, not immersion, so the collar comes off before your dog goes in either way.

Fitting it correctly

The spray nozzle needs to point towards your dog's muzzle for it to work — this means the collar unit sits at the front of the throat, not to the side. Fit it snugly enough that the nozzle stays in position, but you should be able to slide one finger underneath the strap comfortably. Over-tightening causes discomfort and can affect how the microphone picks up the bark.

Why we stock this one

The dual-mode setup is what makes this collar different from the others in our range. The remote gives you precision when you're present and paying attention; the automatic mode means training doesn't stop the moment you leave the room. We get a lot of questions from customers with two dogs asking whether one remote can handle both — it can, which is not something every collar in this category offers. The battery life is shorter than our fully automatic model (3–7 days vs 60 days), so it's worth being aware of that trade-off if low maintenance is a priority for you.

Getting the best results

Start with the beep before using spray — many dogs respond to the tone alone, and it's always better to use the lightest effective correction. Don't exceed 12 hours of wear per day, and pair the collar with positive reinforcement rather than relying on the spray as the only tool. If the automatic mode seems to be triggering inconsistently, check the sensitivity setting and the nozzle position before assuming something is wrong with the collar itself — both are the most common causes.

This collar is for barking at a trigger — the post, passers-by, noises outside. If your dog barks or howls because they are distressed at being left alone, or is frightened of fireworks or thunder, this is not the right tool and we would rather say so: spraying a dog who is already panicking adds something unpleasant to a situation they cannot escape. That is worth a conversation with your vet or a qualified behaviourist.

Specifications