Question 1

How do hidden dog fences work?

Accepted Answer

Hidden fences are created by burying a ‘boundary wire’ a few inches underground around your property. The buried wire carries a harmless, low level radio signal from a transmitter installed in your house or garage. Your pet wears a lightweight, waterproof receiver collar that recognizes the radio signal. As your pet approaches the buried wire, the receiver collar emits a warning signal (audible or vibration). If your pet travels further, he will receive a mild electrical stimulation (also called a “correction”) from the receiver collar. Through a training program, your pet learns to recognize his fence boundaries and learns to stop at the warning signal. Although there are differences in some of the product features, this is how all hidden fences work (DogWatch, Invisible Fence® and other radio fence brands.)
With an indoor system, the hidden wire runs around your couch, under the lip of the counter, around the trash or across a doorway or wherever you need to create either a containment area or an “off-limits” area. We also have “wireless” indoor units that do not require placement of a boundary wire. Give us a call to discuss your options.

Question 2

How does my dog learn where the hidden fence boundary is?

Accepted Answer

Training is an important part of the process. After we install the hidden fence, we work with you to train your pet. The training includes teaching your pet to recognize the containment area boundaries through a combination of voice commands, audible warning signals from the receiver collar and visual flags that are set in the yard where the pet hears the warning alert. With training, the dog remembers the placement of the flags and associates the flags with the warning signal. As your pet learns, the flags are slowly taken away. Your pet also learns that if he continues beyond the flags and warning alert, he will receive a correction (a mild electrical stimulation from the collar). After training, most dogs do not cross the hidden boundary; they usually stop before the warning signal to avoid the correction.
We will initiate the training and provide instructions and support so you can complete and reinforce the training. After the initial training, your dog goes through a training session with you for a few minutes each day for about two weeks. We will develop a plan to meet the specific training needs of your pet(s).

Question 3

Will the stimulation from a hidden dog fence collar hurt my dog?

Accepted Answer

The “stimulation” from the collar is a sensation similar to the static shock you receive after walking across a carpet in your socks. It is a brief, unpleasant sensation designed to deter a pet from leaving the boundary. After training, most dogs do not cross the hidden boundary and thus do not receive a correction.
The electronic stimulation will not “burn” your pet. In rare instances, prolonged or improper use of an electronic collar has resulted in a pet developing pressure sores on their necks. This situation is easily avoided by ensuring that the collar is fit properly and removed regularly. DogWatch strongly recommends removing your dog’s receiver collar daily when not in use.

Question 4

How much do hidden fences cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost for a DogWatch Hidden Fence is almost always much less than traditional fencing. The cost varies based on which system is right for you, the number of pets, the size of the property, how many sidewalk and driveway cuts, if you want internal “garden loops”, etc. Contact us for a free consultation and an estimate for your property.
In addition to costing less than traditional fences, hidden fences provide more flexibility and more secure containment than traditional fences. For example, you can contain your dog in your yard, but keep him out of a pool area, garden or driveway gate. Plus, your dog cannot jump over, chew through or dig under a hidden fence. And hidden fences don’t need to be painted and don’t deteriorate like traditional fences.
There usually isn’t much difference in the cost of a DogWatch fence and other Dealer-installed brands (such as Invisible Fence®.) Retail brands may seem to cost less than the Dealer-installed brands, but they do not include installation (which can be challenging), training (which is very important), ongoing support or a good warranty program. Also, Dealer-installed products tend to be better quality than retail brands.

Question 5

Is there a guarantee on the DogWatch Hidden Fence system?

Accepted Answer

We offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty on our outdoor systems professionally installed by . There is also a limited 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the system.

Question 6

Who is DogWatch?

Accepted Answer

DogWatch is a privately-owned, people-oriented company that takes pride in our commitment to exceptional customer service. We strive to create the best pet containment products in the industry, and have been "surrounding pets with freedom" since 1990. Our engineers constantly research and develop new ways to make our products the safest for your pet and the easiest for you to use in your home. Our products are all designed, fully assembled and tested at our corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA.

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