The main thing that makes this collar worth considering over a remote-controlled version is the situation where a remote is useless: when your dog is barking and you're not in the room. The automatic sensor handles it without you — detecting the bark and releasing a short burst of lemon-scented citronella mist that interrupts the behaviour before it escalates. No shock, no pain, nothing harmful. Just an unexpected scent at the right moment. Setup and how it works day to day There's very little to configure. Charge the collar, set the sensitivity level, fit it to your dog, and switch it on. The bark sensor does the rest. It's calibrated for higher-pitched barking — most common in small and medium breeds — so if you have a deep-voiced larger dog, the detection may be less consistent. Worth knowing before you order. The collar includes a citronella refill can in the box, so you can start using it immediately without a separate purchase. Check the canister level every few days during active use — when it runs low the collar will still trigger but the spray becomes weak or absent, which reduces its effectiveness without you necessarily realising. Battery life and waterproofing The built-in lithium-ion battery lasts up to 60 days on a full charge — one of the longer battery lives in this category and long enough that you're not thinking about it week to week. Charging takes 2–3 hours via the included cable. The collar is IPX5 rated, which means rain and splashes aren't a problem for daily walks. It's not designed for submersion, but ordinary wet weather is fine. Fit and strap The 30-inch adjustable strap fits dogs from 5 lbs to 60 lbs, and the collar accommodates neck sizes up to 27 inches. The strap is made from a breathable polyester weave — soft enough for all-day wear without causing irritation, and sturdy enough to stay in position during active use. The spray nozzle needs to point towards your dog's muzzle to work correctly, so fit the collar snugly at the front of the throat rather than to the side. What we found with it The appeal of this collar over our remote-controlled versions comes down to one scenario: a dog that barks when left alone. A remote requires you to be present and watching. This collar doesn't. For separation barking, or for dogs that bark at sounds from outside while you're in another part of the house, the automatic detection is what makes it practical. The 60-day battery means you're not recharging it every few days, which matters when it's meant to be running quietly in the background as part of a training routine rather than something you actively manage. Using it well The collar works best alongside consistent training rather than as a replacement for it. Use it during periods when you can't actively supervise — not as an all-day permanent solution. Keep sessions to a maximum of 12 hours of continuous wear, give your dog regular breaks, and check the nozzle position hasn't shifted during walks. If the collar seems to be missing your dog's bark, try increasing the sensitivity setting before assuming a fault — nozzle position and sensitivity level are the two most common causes of inconsistent triggering. Specifications Feature Detail Detection Automatic bark sensor · calibrated for higher-pitched barking Spray Citronella (lemon essence) · non-toxic · refill can included Shock None Battery Built-in lithium-ion · up to 60 days · charges in 2–3 hours Waterproofing IPX5 (rain and splash resistant) Strap 30 inches · adjustable · breathable polyester weave Suitable for Dogs 5–60 lbs · necks up to 27 inches In the box Collar · Citronella refill can · Charge cable · User manual Common questions What's the difference between this and the standard automatic citronella collar? The Deluxe version includes a citronella refill can in the box, so you can use it straight away without a separate purchase. It also has a longer strap (30 inches vs standard) covering a wider weight range of 5–60 lbs. The core automatic bark detection mechanism is the same across both. Will it trigger from other dogs barking nearby? The sensor detects both sound and throat vibration, which helps filter out noise from other dogs. False triggers can still happen on the higher sensitivity settings — starting on the lowest setting and adjusting from there reduces this significantly. Is it suitable for separation barking? Yes — this is one of the situations where an automatic collar has a clear advantage over a remote-controlled one. Because it operates without any input from you, it works when you're not in the room or not at home. It's best used alongside a broader approach to separation anxiety rather than as a standalone fix, but for dogs that bark at sounds or triggers when left alone, it's a practical option. How do I know when the citronella needs refilling? The collar will still trigger but the spray will be weak or absent when the canister is running low. Check the level every few days during active use. Replacement canisters are available separately from Calmshops and the collar is compatible with standard citronella refills. My dog has a deep bark — will it work? The sensor is calibrated primarily for higher-pitched barking, which is most common in small and medium breeds. Deeper barks from larger breeds may not trigger the collar as reliably. If you're unsure whether it'll suit your dog, get in touch before ordering and we can advise. How long does the battery last? Up to 60 days on a full charge, which takes 2–3 hours via the included cable. Battery life will vary depending on how frequently the collar triggers — a dog that barks a lot will drain it faster than one that rarely sets it off.
