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August 25, 2021

Do Wireless GPS Fences Work?

Dog head tilt, can gps fences work, hidden fences

Do Wireless GPS Fences Work?

Are you considering a wireless GPS electronic pet fence (frequently referred to generically as an “invisible fence”*) to keep your dog in your yard? How do wireless GPS systems compare to a traditional wired (underground) electronic dog fence? Do they provide the same level of safety for your pet?

Overview

Most electronic pet fence systems (including a DogWatch® Hidden Fence, Invisible Fence® and other brands) feature a buried wire, typically two-to-six inches underground. The wire is connected to a transmitter mounted in your house or garage that sends a harmless, coded radio signal through this wire. Your pet wears a collar programmed to detect the radio signal (called a receiver collar.)

If your pet gets too close to the underground wire, the radio signal triggers a ‘beeping’ noise from the receiver collar that alerts the dog (or cat) to retreat away from the buried wire. Through a simple training program using flags to mark the area where it is safe to play, your pet learns to recognize where it is safe and where the alert is triggered. To reinforce the training, if your pet gets too close to the buried wire, the receiver collar delivers a brief static impulse (correction). The pet quickly learns that the correction is uncomfortable and avoids the buried boundary wire. After training, most pets stay away from the buried wire and remain within the designated safe area.

Dog staying in yard, can gps fences work for dogs

Wireless GPS pet fences, by contrast, use satellites to map a specific boundary (geo-fence) for the pet instead of using a buried wire and a fixed radio signal. Mapping the fence boundary is often done by using cellular technology. The receiver collar is connected to the GPS program that sends an alert to the receiver collar if the pet approaches the boundary and corrects the pet if it does not retreat from the boundary.

While the goals of the two systems are similar, the use of GPS technology for pet containment raises several concerns.

Concern #1 – Inconsistent Boundary

  • Hidden Fences with underground wires provide a consistent boundary that does not change unless the wire itself is moved.
  • GPS dog fences, however, do not provide that same consistency. GPS coordinates can shift and are prone to interference and changes in signal strength.

Why is a consistent boundary so important to an electronic dog fence? In a word, training. For an electronic pet fence to work properly, the pet needs to be able to understand and recognize the containment area boundaries. A boundary that is not consistent can confuse the pet and make training and containment less effective and less secure.

confused dog, Do Wireless GPS Fences Work?

Some GPS systems say they are “portable” – you can take your containment system camping, to visit friends, etc. True – you can set it up anywhere, but in addition to the inconsistency issue (and perhaps lack of power and/or satellite service), how will the dog know where the boundary is? Training (including flags, repetition and a consistent boundary) are key to successful training and a happy pet. It can be done, but it’s not as easy as advertised. And there is no way to control the inconsistent boundary.

Concern #2 – Shorter Battery Life

Battery life matters when it comes to electronic dog fences. Why? Because a dead battery means no audible alerts or corrections. As a result, the pet is much more likely to run through the boundary.

Most traditional underground electronic pet fences use a replaceable receiver battery, with a lifecycle ranging from 3 months to two years. GPS pet fences typically use a rechargeable battery to power their receiver collars. The more often you need to charge the battery, the higher the likelihood of winding up with a dead battery, which in turn increases the chance that your pet will leave the yard. Longer battery life and a battery that can be quickly changed provide more safety for your pet.

Concern #3 – Limited Uses

GPS dog fences are not recommended for smaller properties, due to the fact that the GPS boundary line can vary unpredictably (up to 10 feet). In order to keep the pet away from hazards like roads and wooded areas, the boundary line will need to be moved further away from the hazard, thus reducing the overall size of the fenced-in area.

dog near woods, Do Wireless GPS Fences Work?

GPS signals can also be subject to interference from a variety of sources, including nearby tall buildings. This further limits the use of these products. Thus, GPS fences are often not recommended for properties that are less than 5 acres or properties with potential obstructions.

Concern #4 – Cost

Finally, GPS pet fences are expensive. They can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than a traditional underground electronic fence. Furthermore, some GPS pet fence systems require an on-going monthly fee for use of GPS and/or cellular networks.

At DogWatch, we are committed to providing the safest, most effective electronic pet fences on the market. At this time, we believe wireless GPS fences do not provide the same level of safety and reliability as traditional wired systems.

For more information about the latest in electronic pet fence technology, contact DogWatch of Litchfield County.

* Invisible Fence® and Invisible Fencing® are Brand names, products and registered trademarks of Radio Systems, Inc.

March 18, 2021

How to Find, Fix and Prevent Wire Breaks in Your Hidden Fence

How to Find, Fix and Prevent Wire Breaks in Your Hidden Fence

At DogWatch of Litchfield County we work hard to properly place and protect Hidden Fence boundary wires, and most customers go years without any issues. But wire breaks do happen. They are often the result of outside forces like weather, landscaping and small burrowing animals. Here are some tips to help you identify a wire break, repair the wire and avoid any future disruptions. 

First, an Overview of How a Hidden Fence (or an Invisible Fence®) Works

The underground boundary wire is a key component of a DogWatch® Hidden Fence – or any other pet containment system for pets (including Invisible Fence® brand). The wire is connected to a transmitter, usually mounted in your basement or your garage. The transmitter sends a harmless, low level radio signal through the boundary wire, which is usually buried two to six inches underground. Your pet wears a special receiver collar that receives the radio signals. If your pet gets too close to the boundary wire, there is an audible alert from the receiver collar. If your pet does not retreat from the boundary, there is a brief static correction from the collar. With training from  DogWatch of Litchfield County,  your pet learns to stay away from the alert zone and remain within the designated boundary.

How to Identify a Wire Break in Your Hidden Fence

If there is a break in the boundary wire, you will hear an alarm coming from your DogWatch transmitter. If there is a wire break, the signal is interrupted and the fence will not work. If you hear this alarm, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible. We can  schedule a time to visit your property, pinpoint the precise location of the wire break and repair the wire. In the meantime, you can turn off or unplug the transmitter, which will turn off the alarm.

The new DogWatch SmartFence® makes it even easier to know if you have a wire break. The SmartFence sends users a text message and/or email alert if the boundary wire is disconnected or broken. The message also includes our phone number so you can easily schedule a service call.

If there is a break in your wire, we recommend keeping your dogs on leash until the break is repaired. Most dogs who have been trained to avoid the boundary area may not notice any difference, at least initially. Still, the risk of your pet leaving the boundary area is heightened when the system is down, so we recommend erring on the side of caution.

How to Fix a Wire Break in Your Hidden Fence

The easiest way to fix a wire break in your DogWatch Hidden Fence is to contact DogWatch of Litchfield County. Our installation teams are experienced in fixing wire breaks quickly and thoroughly. We have handheld tools that help them locate the break by scanning the area where the wire was placed, and we have the supplies and knowledge needed to properly repair the wire.

For the D-I-Y types who have experience working with electronics, here are a few tips if you wish to attempt the wire repair on your own.

  • Some wire breaks may be visible above the ground, such as when a snow plow pulls up a piece of wire at the edge of a driveway.
  • If the break is not immediately visible, try looking at potential trouble spots like gardens that have been recently landscaped or areas where critters have been known to dig or chew.
  • (We have a special tool to find wire breaks that are not visible).
  • If you locate the wire break, you will need to repair it using wire that is rated for underground burial and a waterproof splice. (DogWatch recommends using a 16 gauge or 14 gauge wire.)
  • We have patch kits with wire and splices available for purchase. click here to purchase a  D-I-Y repair kit.

How to Prevent a Wire Break in Your Hidden Fence

There are several steps you can take to help avoid wire breaks in your hidden fence. First, if you are planning any professional yard work or outdoor projects, let your contractors know about the buried boundary wire. Common projects that can result in a hidden or invisible fence wire break are:

  • Lawn aeration
  • Edging a lawn or garden
  • Tree removal
  • Snow plowing
  • Sprinkler system installation or maintenance

Before you or your contractors begin this type of work, draw a map of your hidden fence boundary and highlight potential problem areas. Or better yet, temporarily mark where the boundary wire is buried using DogWatch flags or other similar small flags.

If you don’t know where the wire is located, you can trace it using your pet’s receiver collar as a guide. Here’s how:

  1. Take the collar off your pet and keep him or her inside the house for the duration of the test.
  2. Go to your transmitter and reduce the range to 1 foot by adjusting the dial on the right. (Range is the distance the signal is being broadcast from each side of the wire. The recommended signal range when the fence is functioning normally is 6-10 feet.)
  3. Next, walk towards the boundary area holding your pet’s receiver collar in your hand at your dog’s neck level. Keep your hands away from the contact posts.
  4. When you approach the boundary wire, you will hear the audible tone and the status light on the receiver will blink green. Place a flag at this spot.
  5. Now walk from the outside toward the wire with collar in hand. When you see the flashing green status light again, mark the spot with another flag. The boundary wire will be between these two flags.
  6. When you are finished marking the boundary wire, reset the range on your transmitter to the previous setting.

If you have any questions about wire breaks, please contact us at DogWatch of Litchfield County anytime. DogWatch has been keeping pets safely contained since 1990, and we look forward to helping your pets enjoy the freedom, too!

 

DogWatch hidden dog fences are often mistakenly referred to generically as an “invisible fence” or “invisible dog fence.” Invisible Fence® and Invisible Fencing® are Brand names, products and registered trademarks of Radio Systems, Inc.

February 11, 2021

DogWatch Hidden Fences work indoors!

Not every place is a pet place

Our indoor Dogwatch hidden fence works wherever you need them, quietly, effectively, and hidden from view. A harmless, noiseless signal lets you control where your pets roam in the house. You can use the same collar with both the indoor fence and the outdoor fence, so it is a great way to expand the value of your outdoor pet containment system.  Work with Cats too…

We are often asked if we can set up an indoor Dogwatch  hidden fence that works with an existing outdoor Dogwatch hidden fence. The answer is Yes. There are a few ways that we can do contain a dog to certain rooms of the house or to stop them from going up or down stairs. The Best way is with an IB-100 system from Dogwatch of Litchfield County. The IB-100 can be used a disk (that can be mounted to wall or it can sit on a desk) that will produce about a 10 foot indoor Dogwatch hidden fence or a wire can be attached and in some cases be able to run on the ceiling below to protect more than one entry way or even a couch or chair. Email for questions. 

How the indoor Dogwatch hidden fence System Works…..
The IB-100 transmitter emits a radio signal that is detected by the receiver collar worn by your pet. As your pet
approaches the signal field of the boundary area, the receiver collar begins to emit an audible warning beep.
If your pet goes beyond the warning zone, the audible warning is quickly followed by a mild ‘correction’ – – an
unpleasant, but safe, sensation from the receiver collar. With proper training, your pet will quickly learn to stay
away from areas that he associates with the audible warning.
Establishing the Boundary Area….
The IB-100 can be used to train your pet to stay within an area or to avoid an area. Set the signal rate and
the range then place the transmitter in the center of the area where you want to create a signal field or a
boundary you do not want your pet to cross.

Here is a link to purchase an indoor Dogwatch hidden fence . Click Here

We sell them for $189.00 including shipping and if you live in Litchfield County or Upper Fairfield County, we can install for a separate fee.

February 8, 2021

Can My Dog Escape a Hidden fence?


Can My Dog Get Out of the Hidden Fence Containment Area?
One of the questions DogWatch Dealers are frequently asked is “Can my dog get out of the hidden fence containment area?” The answer is that if the initial training was done properly, this will rarely happen. If it does happen, it is usually for one of the following reasons. The first reason accounts for approximately 90% of all incidents.

1. Loose collar
The contact posts on all hidden fence collars (such as DogWatch®, Invisible Fence® and other brands) need to touch your dog’s skin in order to work. All quality containment systems give an audible (or vibration) warning to alert your dog that it is close to the containment boundary. The dog is trained to retreat when it hears (or feels) this warning. If the dog 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. If your dog’s hidden fence collar is too loose, all you have is an expensive noise maker. It does not matter if your dog has just started using the hidden dog fence or if it has been on for years. If the collar is loose, the dog will figure it out eventually.

2. Dead Battery
All DogWatch Hidden Fence receiver collars have a battery life of 6 months to 2 years. Other dog fence collars have batteries that need changing every 2-3 months, or worse, have a rechargeable battery. The more often you need to change or charge the battery, the higher the likelihood of having a dead battery, which in turn increases the chance that your pet will leave the yard. Making sure your hidden dog fence has a long battery life, plus an indicator to let you know when the battery is low, will greatly reduce the chance of your dog leaving their containment boundary. DogWatchBatteries.com

3. Lack of or improper training
Most reputable hidden dog fence companies include training with the installation. Not all companies are alike, however, when it comes to training, the most important part of the pet containment system. Just because a company offers a “certified trainer” does not mean that trainer has a lot of experience. There is no national, standardized certification program. A better indicator is how long the company has been in business and, more importantly, what other customers have to say about the training that is provided. Most quality hidden fence companies offer on-going training assistance and some kind of a performance guarantee. The training should also include the pet owner who has a responsibility to continue the prescribed training instruction. With good training and follow through from the pet owner, most dogs will learn to stay in the yard. Always keep your pet containment provider informed of any difficulties your might be experiencing and do not be afraid to ask for help. If your provider is not willing to help, then they are not the right company for you.

4. Faulty equipment
Your dog’s fence collar goes through a lot of wear and tear. Even expensive, high quality equipment can stop working. The most reliable way to ensure this does not happen is to regularly check to make sure the collar is functioning properly. Your hidden fence provider should provide you with the means to easily test your equipment. Also, make sure your pet’s receiver comes with a true Lifetime Warranty. Read the small print.

As long as you keep your pet’s containment collar nice and snug, make sure the receiver is functioning, the battery is fresh and you follow through with the training prescribed by your hidden fence provider there should be no reason why your fur baby would leave the safety of your yard.

The following blog post was adapted from a post written by Pat West, co-owner of DogWatch of Columbus.

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