July 30, 2024
July 26, 2024
Lightning Protection: The Dangers And How DogWatch® Keeps You Safe
Lightning Protection: The Dangers And How DogWatch® Keeps You Safe
Summertime and early fall bring an increase in thunderstorms and the heart of hurricane season. Hidden Fence owners might worry about their systems during inclement weather and what happens if the fence loses connection. DogWatch® Hidden Fences address these concerns with a robust design.
Understanding Electrical Surges
During thunderstorms, while we stay safe indoors, our electrical appliances are at risk. Most appliances operate on around 120 volts and can handle up to 170 volts. However, a lightning bolt can deliver 100 million to 1 billion volts, potentially entering through TV cables, satellite dishes, phone lines, or electrical service lines. Unlike other appliances, a Hidden Fence can’t be unplugged for safety reasons, necessitating DogWatch’s internal and external surge protection.
Internal and External Surge Protection
DogWatch® Hidden Fence systems are shielded from both internal and external surges.
- Internal Surge Protection: The first defense is a surge protection device on the internal transmitter. This device diverts surges through your home’s wiring into the ground, protecting the hidden fence system.
- External Surge Protection: For external surges, the external surge protector and ground rod work together to divert surges and help protect your hidden fence line, help prevent breaks or damage. DogWatch offers a *limited lifetime warranty on all transmitters installed by DogWatch of Litchfield County due to confidence in their surge protection technology.
Why It Matters
Thunderstorm phobia is common among pets due to their fear of loud noises. Thunderstorms can cause pets to seek shelter or bolt from the property. DogWatch’s surge protection helps prevents breaks in the hidden fence, keeping anxious pets safely within the property. To help pets during thunderstorms, create a safe space, provide background noise, and offer treats.
Checking Your DogWatch Hidden Fence System
To ensure your hidden fence is functioning correctly:
- Verify the green Power light on the Transmitter is on.
- When your dog is indoors, remove their collar and carry it outside towards the wire boundary to verify the system was not damaged.
- Hold the receiver at the dog’s neck height and approach the boundary.
- Listen for the audible warning signal in the warning zone. If you don’t hear it, your system might be down. Contact DogWatch of Litchfield County if you live in Litchfield Connecticut .
Conclusion
While DogWatch can’t prevent lightning strikes, they can help to minimize potential damage, and help to keep your property and pets safe. If your Hidden Fence Transmitter or Power Supply is damaged by lightning, it is covered under DogWatch’s *limited Lifetime Warranty. *Deductible may apply. Contact dealer for details.
July 26, 2024
Can Hounds Be Trained to Use an Electronic Dog Fence?
Hounds are famous for two things: their noses and their speed. Anyone who has ever lived with a beagle, bloodhound, greyhound, dachshund, or other hound dog knows just how fast and determined they can be when chasing prey (or the neighbor’s cat).
DogWatch® Hidden Fence Dealers are often asked: “Can an electronic dog fence REALLY work for a hound?” The answer is yes! For over 30 years, DogWatch® Dealers have been training hounds and hound mixes to stay in their yards with our hidden fences. We reached out to our Dealers and customers to learn more about the process of training hounds, their unique personalities, and how adding an underground electronic fence to their property helped their pups stay safe and do what hounds love to do – sniff, run, and play!
Lisa White’s Experience with Beagles and DogWatch
Lisa White, co-owner of DogWatch of St. Louis, has had beagles as part of her family for most of her life. She invested in a DogWatch® Hidden Fence for her family’s beagle, Bogey, back in 1995 because her family lived in an area where physical fences were not allowed. “Growing up in the same area with two beagles as a child, I knew the wandering, hunting instinct and strength of the beagle nose to follow a scent and roam – sometimes very far from home. One of my childhood beagles wandered often and was hit by a car (and fortunately survived). I worried about her, so I was pleased to learn about hidden fences.”
The previous DogWatch® Dealer in the St. Louis area trained Bogey to the DogWatch® Hidden Fence system when he was 4 months old, and Bogey picked it up right away. “He loved the freedom to explore his (relatively small) yard, roam and sniff and still run after bunnies and squirrels, but now he magically stopped at his property boundary,” says Lisa. The Whites adopted Sampras a few years later, and he also took to the fence like a charm. Lisa trusted the DogWatch® Hidden Fence so much for the freedom and safety of her beagles that she and her family decided to become DogWatch® Dealers themselves!
Training Insights from Billy White
Lisa’s son Billy White, the head trainer at DogWatch® of St. Louis, has worked with numerous beagles, dachshunds, basset hounds, Afghan hounds, plot hounds, greyhounds, and more over the years. “Scent hounds generally take to the fence very well: they love the freedom of exploring their yard off-leash and tend to enjoy running and sniffing outdoors. When they can do this, they tend to be calmer inside.” Billy, like all DogWatch Dealers, uses both the visual flags and the audible signal of the collar to reinforce training. “We have found that, in general, hounds pay more attention to the audible training than the visual,” he says.
Real-Life Examples of Hounds with DogWatch
Lisa currently has two Beagles, Winnie and Peppy, and a grand-dog Gus. (Breaking from tradition, Gus is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.) Her dogs have a pet door and a SmartFence, allowing them the freedom to use their beagle noses to explore and exercise while staying in the yard. Here’s a picture of Gus and Peppy hanging out and having fun in their yard!
But what about the bigger hounds? We spoke with DogWatch of Tampa customer Richard Jackson, whose Bluetick Coonhound Maggie uses a DogWatch® Hidden Fence. “Bluetick hounds have noses stronger than most other breeds and it is exceeded only by their desire to hunt and that means roaming,” says Richard. “With her DogWatch® receiver and my hidden fence, I know she is safe to traverse my Florida farm property without fear of wandering. I know she is safe, even when I am not there. I rely on DogWatch products for all 4 of my canine herd!”
“People always tell me you can’t train hound dogs on an underground fence,” says Michael B. Shaffer, a DogWatch of Northeast Indiana customer. “I have trained four rescued hounds, and apart from an isolated incident that is very unusual, they have full access to our yard, much to the amazement of the neighborhood!” Michael, who shared the photo at the bottom left of his two rescue hounds, adds, “Thank you, DogWatch for a great product and great company.”
Conclusion
Training hounds to use an electronic dog fence is not only possible but has been successfully done by DogWatch® Dealers for over 30 years. With the right training and tools, hounds can enjoy the freedom to explore, sniff, and play safely within their boundaries. Whether you have a small beagle or a large Bluetick Coonhound, the DogWatch® Hidden Fence can help keep your furry friend safe and happy.
Schedule a free estimate in Connecticut at DogWatchEstimate.com
4o
October 30, 2023
Spooky Season
Fall in New England is one of the most striking and picturesque times of the year. As one of the rare corners of the country with four truly distinct seasons, the transition from summer to fall is a time to be treasured. Fall has also become one of the trendiest times of the year; notorious for its wide brimmed hats, highly scented candles, and pumpkin spice lattes. Quaint Eastern Connecticut beach towns become literal ghost towns–pun intended, you can find dozens of actual ghost tours. Locals and influencers alike gather in our very own backyard to frolic in piles of leaves (eww ticks) while recreating iconic scenes from The Gilmore Girls. Caitlin Covington, the face of “Christian Girl Autumn,” even made her yearly trip north this month for optimal foliage content. It’s no wonder that fall ranks as America’s favorite season each year. If you happen to have a free moment between the 27 weddings on your October calendar, we’d love to tell you why Dogwatch is the icing on this prestigious month’s cake.
Lifelong New Englanders know that fall is the precipice of its far less popular cousin, winter. And what does that mean? Your current idyllic walks with your furry friend through peaceful, colorful foliage will soon turn into dreaded treks through dark and slushy terrain. As a wise Stark once said, “Winter is coming”; and it spares no one. Before the ground turns into an undesired public skating rink, call Dogwatch of Litchfield County to keep your pets safely contained in your yard this winter. So before you and your family embark on your spooky trek for treats as Barbenheimer this Halloween, remember to prevent the scariest thing of all: losing your beloved pet.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Dogwatch of Litchfield County!