Petsafe RFA-188 User manual

2 1-800-732-2677
Thank you for choosing PetSafe®, the #1 selling brand of electronic
training solutions in the world. Our mission is to ensure your pet’s
safety by providing you the tools and techniques to successfully train
your pet. If you have any questions, please contact the Customer Care
Center at 1-800-732-2677 or visit our website at www.petsafe.net.
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Table of Contents
Components ..................................................................................3
Features.........................................................................................3
How the PetSafe Bark Control Collar™Works ..................................4
Key Definitions ..............................................................................5
Fit the Bark Control Collar.............................................................6
To Insert and Remove the Battery...................................................9
What to Expect During Use of the Bark Control Collar .......................11
Regular Maintenance ...................................................................12
Accessories ..................................................................................12
Frequently Asked Questions .........................................................13
Troubleshooting...........................................................................14
Terms of Use and Limitation of Liability .......................................14
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“In a Tuskegee University study of adult shelter dogs wearing the
PetSafe Bark Control Collar™ for six 30-minute sessions over
two weeks, we detected no long-term adverse effects, and all dogs
dramatically reduced their barking by the second day.”
Dr. Janet Steiss and Dr. Caroline B. Schaffer
Tuskegee University

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Components
Warranty
Card
Warranty
Operating Guide
Battery
(PetSafe®RFA-188)
PetSafe
Bark Control Collar
ID Tag Ring
Features
• Patented Perfect Bark™ technology ensures your dog’s bark is the only
sound that will cause the correction
• Automatic Correction Level adjustment called Temperament Learning
• Ten levels of Light-Touch correction
• Durable, waterproof Receiver Collar
• Two color LED for good/low battery indicators
• Lifetime Limited Warranty
• On/Off position for longer battery life

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How The PetSafe Bark Control Collar™ Works
The PetSafe Bark Control Collar™ has two primary features designed to
shorten the training phase and promote good behavior.
First, the Bark Control Collar has a unique patented sensor that provides
the most reliable bark detection available. The Bark Control Collar uses
both vibration and sound sensors (dual-detection) to discriminate each
bark from other external noises. A Static Correction is administered
through the Contact Points only if both the vibration from the vocal
chords and the sound from the bark match the same criteria.
Second, the Bark Control Collar has a new patent pending Temperament
Learning System design that is effective across many dog breeds and their
individual barking behaviors.The Temperament Learning System contains
software that tracks the number of corrections needed to substantially
reduce (and in most cases eliminate) the number of nuisance barks.
The system has 10 levels of Static Correction. It begins with low-level
corrections, however, if excessive barking continues the correction
intensity will increase with each successive bark until the barking stops.
Once the dog has learned to reduce the barking, the initial warning
corrections are reduced. As a built-in safety feature, if your dog barks
15 times or more within a 1 minute 20 second period, the Bark Control
Collar will automatically shut off for 3 minutes.
Important:
• Before playing with your dog, remove the Bark Control Collar.
The activity may cause your dog to bark, which could lead to him
associating the play with the Static Correction.
• Never leave the Bark Control Collar on your dog for more than 12
consecutive hours.

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s
Key Definitions
Sound Activated Sensor: Detects the
sound of your dog’s bark.
Sensor Probe: Detects the vibrations
of your dog’s barking. Note:The Sensor
Probe is not adjustable.
Contact Points: Deliver the safe Static
Correction.
Two Color LED: Shows good or low
battery.
Sound Activated
Sensor
Sensor Probe
Contact Points
Two Color LED

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Fit the Bark Control Collar
Important: The proper fit and placement of your Bark Control Collar
is important for effective operation. The Contact Points must have
direct contact with your dog’s skin on the underside of his neck.
To assure a proper fit, please follow these steps:
1. Make sure that the battery is in the “OFF”
position.
2. Have your dog standing comfortably.
3. Center the Contact Points underneath your
dog’s neck, touching the skin.
YES
NO
Note: It is sometimes necessary to trim
the hair around the Contact Points to
make sure that contact is consistent.
4. The PetSafe QuickFit™ Collar is designed so you can
quickly attach and remove the Bark Control Collar
from your dog while maintaining the desired fit.
a.With the Snap Buckle fastened, thread the collar
through the Metal Buckle and Retaining Tabs.
b. Slide the excess collar through the “C” Loop on
top of the Snap Buckle.This will hold the collar
in place.
c. Once the collar fit is determined, simply use the
Snap Buckle to remove and replace the collar.
_

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5.The Bark Control Collar should fit snugly,
yet loose enough to allow one finger to fit
between a Contact Point and your dog’s neck.
Allow your dog to wear the collar for several
minutes, then recheck the fit. Check the fit
again as your dog becomes more comfortable
with the Bark Control Collar.
6.Trim the collar as follows:
a. Measure 4 1/2” from the tongue of the metal buckle and mark with
a pen.
b. Remove the Bark Control Collar from your dog and cut off excess.
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ID Tag Ring
Use the ID Tag
Ring to attach
your dog’s ID
tags to the collar.
Simply place
the ID Tag Ring
through one of
the holes on your
collar. Make
sure to place the Ring far enough from the receiver housing so that the
tags will not hit the Receiver or the Contact Points.

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Important: Do not attach a leash to the collar.
This can result in pulling the Contact Points
too tightly against your pet’s neck. Attach a
leash to a separate, non-metallic collar or
harness, making sure the extra collar does not
put pressure on the Contact Points.
Important: For comfort, safety and effectiveness of product,
please ensure the following:
• Check the fit to prevent excessive pressure by being able to
insert one finger between the Contact Point and your pet’s
skin.
• Your pet must be carefully examined daily for any signs of a
rash or sore.
• If a rash or sore is observed, discontinue the use of the Bark
Control Collar for a few days.
• If the condition persists beyond 48 hours, see your
veterinarian.
• Your pet’s neck and the Contact Points must be washed
weekly with a wash cloth and mild hand soap, then rinsed
thoroughly.
A condition called Pressure Necrosis, which is a devitalization
of the skin due to excessive and prolonged contact against the
Contact Points, may occur if the steps above are not followed.

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ON/OFF Battery Module
The Petsafe®Bark Control Collar is packaged with the battery module
installed in the “OFF” position.To activate the collar, use a coin to turn
the Battery Module counter clockwise until the arrow lines up with the
“ON” position. If the Petsafe®Bark Control Collar is not going to be used
on the dog immediately leave it in the “OFF” position.
To Insert and Remove the Battery
Note: Do not install the battery while the Bark Control Collar is on your dog.
1. Align the triangles on the battery
and the Bark Control Collar (A).
2. Use a coin to turn the battery
clockwise until the triangle lines
up with the “On” position if you
are putting it on the dog or the
“Off” position if it is not being put
on the dog right away (B).
3.To remove the battery, turn the
battery counter-clockwise using a
coin (C, D). DO NOT attempt to
cut into or pry open the battery.
Be sure to discard the used
battery properly.
AB
DC
This Bark Control Collar utilizes a replaceable PetSafe®battery
(RFA-188). This unique battery is designed to make battery replacement
easier and increase water protection.

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A replacement PetSafe®battery (RFA-188) can be found at many retailers.
Contact the Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-2677 or visit our web site
at www.petsafe.net to locate a retailer near you.
Battery Life
Average battery life is 3 to 6 months, depending on how often your dog
barks. However, due to greater use during your dog’s training, your first
battery may not last as long as replacement batteries.To conserve battery
life, turn to the “OFF” position when the Bark Control Collar is not in use.
Two Color LED
The two color LED indicator shows good or low battery. Good battery
equals 1 flash every 5 seconds with Green LED. Low battery equals 3
flashes every 5 seconds with the Red LED. If there are no LED lights it is
time to change the battery.