An apparatus and method for positioning an animal guard on a transformer insulator elevated a remote distance above the ground by an individual located on the ground is provided. The apparatus includes an elongated pole and a guard applicator. The pole has a first end positionable near the ground and a second end extendible so that the second end is positionable adjacent the insulator. The guard applicator has a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the second end of the elongated pole, the second end having a pair of outer prongs spaced apart a distance from one another so that the outer prongs are slidably positionable into a pair lateral loops formed on the guard. The second end of the applicator having a pair of support surfaces positioned adjacent the outer prongs to support the guard in cooperation with the outer prongs in a substantially horizontal position when the guard is positioned on the applicator with the outer prongs positioned in the lateral loops of the guard device and the pole is in a substantially vertical orientation.