Outdoor Hidden Fence FAQs

A hidden fence is an underground pet fencing system that uses a radio signal to keep your dog in a designated containment area, such as a yard; or out of an area, such as a swimming pool, patio, or garden. Hidden fences can also be used to create Indoor Pet Fences that work inside your home to keep your pet off a couch, out of a room or away from a kitchen counter.

Hidden fences are often mistakenly referred to generically as “invisible fences”. Invisible Fence® is a brand name and Registered Trademark of the Invisible Fence Company.

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 but safe 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.

Your Dealer 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. Your Dealer will develop a plan to meet the specific training needs of your pet(s).

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 mild correction (a 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.

No. The “stimulation” from the collar is unpleasant, but it will not “burn” or injure your pet. It is a sensation similar to a strong static shock like you might receive after walking across a carpet in your socks. It is uncomfortable, but it does not harm you.

Although it is not related to the electronic stimulation, ‘pressure sores’ can be caused by a collar that is too tight and/or not removed regularly. Removing the collar when not in use helps prevent irritation of the dog’s skin.

DogWatch® products are used and recommended by many veterinarians. This type of stimulation has been used safely and effectively for over 40 years. Today’s electronic collars are easily adjustable so that your dog receives the appropriate level of stimulation for its sensitivity, size and personality.

The DogWatch^® Hidden Fence brand is often confused with the Invisible Fence^® brand and may be mistakenly referred to generically as an “invisible fence”. DogWatch is not affiliated with the Invisible Fence^® company.

At DogWatch, we utilize exclusive safety and convenience features that make DogWatch the best in the pet containment industry. Some of the differences include:

• • DogWatch is the only hidden dog fence system that uses an FM radio frequency. Other pet containment systems such as Invisible Fence®, use an AM radio frequency which is more susceptible to unsecure radio signals. This can cause false corrections, even when your pet is not near the underground fence.
    Note: ALL hidden fences use digital modulation (DM). Digital Modulation applies to both FM and AM signals; it is not a separate type of signal.

• • DogWatch has the only hidden fence receiver collar with a two-year battery life — an average of eight times longer than the other brands, including the Invisible Fence^® brand. When the battery runs out, guess who else runs out? Our long battery life helps keep your pet safe, costs a fraction of what you pay for other pet containment systems, and is good for the environment.
  • In addition to low battery replacement costs compared to Invisible Fence^® and other brands, you also save with DogWatch because you do not need a service call from a Dealer to replace the receiver batteries or change the settings.
  • All DogWatch receiver collars have a status light that is easy to view. It lets you know if the receiver is operating properly, indicates what training level you’re using, and when the battery power is low. It will also indicate if your pet has been testing the boundary!
  • DogWatch receiver collars can be set to audible (or vibration) only to gently introduce the dog to the system during training.
  • Whether your pet is very timid or highly energetic, DogWatch receiver collars have a training level that is right for your pet. The settings are easy to understand and easy to adjust – – no need for a service call if you need to make an adjustment.

Invisible Fence® is a registered trademark of Radio Systems, Inc.

DogWatch receiver collars have several exclusive safety features such as FastReact®, a feature that helps ensure your pet responds to the hidden dog fence while still INSIDE the containment area. Our R7 and R9 receivers have our exclusive AutoMemory® feature which automatically adjusts the training level for your dog if he “challenges” his boundary.

Our Pet Friendly™ audible-only setting allows you to train your dog using an audible “beep” tone before you introduce him to the correction setting. (Also available as a vibration alert.) After training, most dogs respond to the warning alert and do not test the boundary.

Your DogWatch transmitter has a wire-break alert so you will know if your boundary wire has been compromised.

Your DogWatch Hidden Fence System equipment includes a 30-day money back guarantee and a limited lifetime equipment warranty when installed by an authorized DogWatch Dealer.

All authorized DogWatch Dealers provide you with superior technology and products to keep your pet safe and contained.

Additionally, your DogWatch Dealer is a local independent businessperson. Because DogWatch Dealers own their business, they have a vested interest in making sure their customers are happy.

DogWatch hidden fences almost always cost much less than traditional fencing. In addition to costing less, 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.

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 your local Dealer for an estimate for your property.

DogWatch offers hidden fence models that can cover properties up to 200 acres. The outdoor systems can be installed in all kinds of terrains, including across streams or to create containment areas in lakes, etc. You can contain your dog in or out of most anywhere, including interior features of your home such as couches, dining rooms, and counter tops. Contact your local DogWatch Dealer for a free consultation and estimate.

Yes. There is no limit to the number of dogs (or cats) our hidden pet fencing can protect at one time.

Yes! Both the Outdoor Hidden Fences and Indoor Pet Fences work very well for cats. We have also trained pigs, goats and other animals on the DogWatch system.