new owners guide

How The DogWatch Hidden Fence Works

Think of the property having two distinct zones:

1.

SAFETY ZONE:

This is the area where the dog is free to play (Figure 8).

2.

AVOIDANCE ZONE:

This is the signal field created by the boundary wire. When your dog crosses the signal field, the receiver collar emits an audible warning followed by a correction. When containment training is complete, your dog will remain in the Safety Zone.

Boundary Wire

Avoidance Zone

Safety Zone

Figure 8

Adjusting the Receiver Collar

Your DogWatch Dealer has installed your DogWatch Hidden Fence System, set the transmitter and receiver to the training levels appropriate for your dog’s personality and traits, and has placed boundary flags around the perimeter of your yard. Your

Dealer has already begun your dog’s first day of containment training. Now it is your turn to continue the training.

Before you begin containment training with your dog, be sure to place the DogWatch receiver collar on your dog’s neck before you go outside.

1. The collar should be worn snugly on the dog’s neck. This is extremely important!

2. Place no more than one thumb width between the contact post and dog’s neck.

3. When checking snugness of collar, the dog’s neck should be facing down (sniffing position) as this is where the dog’s neck is the smallest.

(Figure 9).

4. If the collar is too tight, the receiver unit will stick out to the side when the dog shakes his head.

5. If the collar is too loose, the dog will not receive the intended correction when he or she wanders into the Avoidance Zone. (Figure 10.)

6. Remember to periodically check for irritation around the dog’s neck.

7. DogWatch strongly recommends that the collar be removed daily and when the dog is inside the house.

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Figure 9

Containment Training Reminders

Purpose: To teach your dog where the boundary is and how to react to it.

1. Only a portion of the yard, the Avoidance Zone, is to be avoided.

2.

Playtime is very important!

Remember to reinforce the Safety Zone and play with your dog before, during, and after each training sessions. (Figure 11)

3. Never throw a ball or toy into the Avoidance

Zone during training.

4. There are 6 phases of training. Your DogWatch

Dealer will begin containment training on the audible “beep” tone, Level 1 or Level 2, depending on your dog’s breed and personality. Your Dealer will work with you and your dog to insure you understand the training phases and at what phase you should continue training.

5. If you have questions about containment training, please contact your DogWatch Dealer for assistance.

Adjust collar strap

Figure 10

Figure 11

Contact

Posts must touch skin

1

PHASE 1 (1-2 days)

Audible or “Beep” Training

During this phase, your DogWatch Dealer has turned off the Mode switch on the transmitter and correction rate on the receiver. Your dog will hear only an audible

“beep” tone and will not receive a correction during this phase.

1. Put the receiver collar on your dog 20 minutes before training. Your dog’s regular collar should be positioned below the DogWatch collar.

2. Clip the green DogWatch training lead on his regular collar.

3. Take your dog outside and play with him in the Safety Zone for a few minutes.

4. Walk your dog around the perimeter of your yard, keeping inside the Safety Zone and away (about 3 to 4 feet) from the training flags.

5. When you finish the walk, approach a training flag. Hold the dog by the leash in one hand and slap or shake a flag with the other,warning the dog firmly (in a low stern voice) “Watch out! or “Careful!” (Figure 12.) You can also use a friend or family member to sit in the Avoidance Zone to slap or wave the flag as you approach the flags.

6. Give a leash (tug) correction, and quickly retreat into the Safety Zone. This creates a sense of urgency to the retreat. It is not a casual turn. Remember to use of lot of

“Good dog!” praise after you’ve retreated into the Safety Zone.

7. Now walk your dog around the property allowing him to enter the Avoidance Zone between the two flags.

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