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Tag: invisible fence

March 17, 2024

DogWatch Dog Story: Maggy

Maggy is a sweet, spunky English Springer Spaniel who has graduated from DogWatch hidden fence training. She’s so adorable and has such a fun personality, Jake and Afton with DogWatch are considering getting an English Springer puppy of their own. She lives in Mendota Heights where she loves running along as her parents and human siblings ride their bikes.

Before Maggy came into the picture, her family had a beloved Springer Spaniel named Angel. She was an affectionate and endearing girl who was so precious, her dad couldn’t imagine losing her. That’s when they called DogWatch to install a hidden fence. Angel was a little nervous at first and needed some coaxing to get her around the yard. But she learned her new boundaries and lived a long, happy life enjoying her freedom.

Maggy could never replace Angel, but she came into the house and revitalized the energy (and sometimes chaos). Unlike Angel, Maggy learned her boundaries very fast and never hesitated to use every inch of her yard. All dogs are a little different when it comes to acclimating to a dog fence and the new boundaries, even when being trained the same way. But in the end, they can all learn and enjoy the benefits.

January 29, 2018

DogWatch Dog Story: Bunk

Bunk is a sweet, loving yellow lab from Plymouth, MN. He has lived with his dad his whole 7 years, and they have always been best buds. Last year, Bunk got a mom when his dad got married. At first it was hard for Bunk to share his dad’s attention, but now he loves being part of a family of three.

Bunk and his dad used to live in Minneapolis, where Bunk had a small fenced-in yard. When they all moved to Plymouth, the yard was much bigger but his parents worried that Bunk wouldn’t know what to do without a physical fence. They kept a close eye on him for the first couple weeks, but Bunky followed his nose and ended up in the neighbor’s yard a couple times.

A physical fence would have blocked a beautiful pond view, so the family decided on a DogWatch hidden fence. They worried about Bunk learning a new skill at 7 years old. Could he figure out where he needs to be without a physical boundary? But he picked up the new rules within a few days of training. Now he stays in the un-blocked yard, even when his dad crosses the street to get the mail.

January 23, 2018

Will a Dog Fence Hurt My Dog?

We often get the question, “Can the shock from a hidden fence hurt my dog?” The simple answer is no. You don’t want to hurt your dog, and we certainly don’t either. Hidden fences are safe for all dogs and cats, and they won’t hurt your pet.

The correction a dog receives from a dog fence or other “shock collar” is actually not a shock at all. Unlike the shock you feel when you touch a physical electric fence, the correction from a dog collar is generated by a battery. The wire in the ground sends a signal to the collar, but the electricity in the wire has nothing to do with the zap.

Most receiver collars have different levels of correction – DogWatch has seven levels. The intensity gets higher as you go up, and the goal is to get your dog’s attention and startle him. But no matter how high you get, it can’t hurt your dog. His reaction will increase as the level increases, though. The feeling he feels is similar to a carpet shock or touching your tongue to a 9-volt battery.

The only way a dog’s neck can get hurt from a dog fence is if the collar stays on too long. Most receivers use metal prongs to deliver the correction, and the friction and pressure can potentially irritate your dog’s skin after prolonged wear. We suggest removing the collar each night and putting it back on in the morning to avoid irritation.

Feel free to test your dog’s collar on your own hand if you’re curious. We at DogWatch of the Twin Cities have all done it, but not always on purpose! It’s not pleasant, but it’s certainly not painful.

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