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.
_______________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________
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.

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What to Expect During Use of the
Bark Control Collar
Important: Do not leave your dog alone the first few times he
receives a Static Correction.
Place the Bark Control Collar properly on your dog and wait nearby until
he barks. Most dogs will understand very quickly that the Bark Control
Collar is disrupting their urge to bark and will relax and stop barking.
Because the Static Correction from the Bark Control Collar may be
surprising or startling at first, some dogs may bark more at the initial
correction.
On rare occasions, a dog may get into a bark-correction-bark-correction
cycle. If this happens, reassure your dog with calm, soothing tones. As your
dog relaxes, he will understand that if he becomes quiet, he will not receive
any more Static Corrections.The small minority of dogs that have this
reaction will only have it the first time they wear the Bark Control Collar.
You should notice a reduction in your dog’s barking within the first couple
of days that he wears the Bark Control Collar. At this point, it is important
to remember the learning process is still not complete. Dogs will “test”
this new learning experience and will increase their attempts to bark.
This usually occurs during the second week a dog wears the Bark Control
Collar. If this does occur, remain consistent and do not alter your use of
the Bark Control Collar.You must place the Bark Control Collar on your
dog in every situation when you expect him to be quiet. If your dog is not
wearing the Bark Control Collar, he may resume barking and his learning
would suffer a setback.

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Regular Maintenance
• Check Contact Points for tightness weekly
Note: Do not adjust the factory preset Sensor
Probe.
• Clean Contact Points with alcohol weekly.
Note:Turn to the “OFF” position before
touching the Contact Points.
• Check your dog’s neck for irritation and
wash neck weekly.
________________________________________
Accessories
To purchase additional accessories for your PetSafe Bark Control Collar™,
contact the Customer Care Center at 1-800-732-2677 or visit our website
at www.petsafe.net to locate a retailer near you.
Component Part Number
Battery RFA-188
Snap Buckle RFA-197
If the collar breaks, please contact the Customer Care Center at
1-800-732-2677 for instructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Will my dog stop
barking completely?
• The Bark Control Collar effectively and
humanely stops all barking when it is
worn. It should only be worn during
periods of unwanted barking.
Will another dog’s
bark set off the Bark
Control Collar?
• No.
Is the Bark Control
Collar safe and
humane?
•Yes. The Bark Control Collar is designed to
get your dog’s attention, not to punish him.
However, the initial Static Correction may
startle your dog.
Will the Bark
Control Collar work
for my dog?
• The Bark Control Collar is safe and
effective for all breeds and sizes of dogs,
however, it is recommended for little dogs.
Can I attach a leash
to the Bark Control
Collar?
• No. This can result in pulling the Contact
Points too tightly against your dog’s neck.
Attach a leash to a separate, non-metallic
collar or a harness, making sure the extra
collar does not put pressure on the Contact
Points.

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Troubleshooting
My dog keeps
barking (does not
respond to the
Static Correction).
• Tighten the Bark Control Collar and/or trim
your dog’s hair where the Contact Points
touch his neck to ensure good skin contact.
• Replace the battery.
• If your dog still does not respond, contact
the Customer Care Center at
1-800-732-2677.
The green LED
light stopped
flashing and there
is no red light.
• Ensure that the battery is properly installed.
• Replace the battery.
• If the green LED light is still not flashing,
contact the Customer Care Center at
1-800-732-2677.
Terms of Use and Limitation of Liability
1. Terms of Use
This Product is offered to you conditioned upon your acceptance
without modification of the terms, conditions and notices contained
herein. Usage of this Product implies acceptance of all such terms,
conditions, and notices.
2. Proper Use
This Product is designed for use with pets where training is desired.
The specific temperament of your pet may not work with this
Product. If you are unsure whether this is appropriate for your pet
please consult your veterinarian or certified trainer.
Proper use includes reviewing the entire Guide provided with
your Product and any specific Caution statements.

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3. No Unlawful or Prohibited Use
This Product is designed for use with pets only. This pet training
device is not intended to harm, injure or provoke. Using this
Product in a way that is not intended could result in violation of
Federal, State or local laws.
4. Limitation of Liability
In no event shall Radio Systems Corporation be liable for any
direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential
damages, or any damages whatsoever arising out of or connected
with the use or misuse of this Product. Buyer assumes all risks
and liability from the use of this Product.
5. Modification of Terms and Conditions
Radio Systems Corporation reserves the right to change the
terms, conditions and notices under which this Product is
offered.
Product Warranty
Please register your product by mailing the warranty card or by
registering online at www.petsafe.net.

300-450
Tested To Comply
With FCC Standards
FOR HOME OR OFFICE USE
Radio Systems Corporation
10427 Electric Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37932
1-800-732-2677
www.petsafe.net
400-751/1
©Copyright 2006, Radio Systems Corporation