Troubleshooting Tips for DogWatch® Hidden Fences

Adjust the collar as needed. Remember - collar fit is critical! Make sure the collar is on tightly enough to keep the posts in good contact with the pet's skin. When checking collar snugness, place no more than one finger width between contact posts and the pet's neck. Be sure the pet's neck is down, in the sniffing position, as this is when the pet's neck is the smallest.

During colder months, you pet's fur may be thicker and you may need to trim the fur under the collar to be sure the pet receives the correction. If your pet has a naturally thick coat, you may need to trim the fur year-round. Longer contact posts are available for especially heavy-coated pets.

If your pet was trained to the DogWatch system as a puppy, chances are he or she has grown and may need a larger collar.

A battery tester is included with your system. Place the tester on the collar and hold it up to the transmitter or walk out to your driveway where you can see the driveway cut where the wire is buried. A light on the battery tester and audible tone on the receiver confirms that the collar is operating properly. If you get the audible warning but not a light, replace the battery. The 3.6 volt battery for the R8 receiver lasts two years, and the 3.0 volt batteries (Performance™ Series R7) last 12 months. We suggest that you keep a spare and will offer them to you at the time of sale. We also offer a battery plan.

Check contact posts and the battery cap on the receivers and tighten if needed. Also, check the lights on the transmitter occasionally. 

For FM Transmitters:

The red light shows you have AC power to the system, the blinking green light shows there are no breaks in the wire. Newer models (after January 2005) have a steady green loop light, indicating that your transmitter is working properly. If you have a wire break, the blinking green light (or steady green light) will go out and an audible warning will sound.
Note: FM transmitters are labeled: PT Performance Series

For AM Transmitters: The red light shows you have AC power to the system, the green* light shows there are no breaks in the wire. The green loop light will blink quickly when the Rate is set on "1". When the Rate is set on "2" the green loop light will blink slowly and when the Rate is on "3" the green loop light will be a steady green light. It will no longer blink. If a wire break occurs, the green light will go out and you will hear an audible chirping sound. Note: AM transmitters are labeled T300.

If both lights go out on either your FM or AM transmitter, you may have experienced a lightning surge. If your transmitter is plugged into a GFI outlet, reset it and your transmitter will operate. If you still experience problems, contact us.

Use the training flags to mark your yard before any landscaping is done. You can locate your underground wire by using the receiver collar.

Hold the receiver at the pet's neck height (at your knees) and hold the receiver with the contact posts up. Walk perpendicular toward the boundary wire. When you first hear the audible tone only, mark the area with a training flag. Walk to the opposite side of the boundary and walk back in toward the boundary wire. When you first hear the audible tone, mark the area with a flag. The middle distance between where you placed the flags should be where the wire is buried, give or take a few inches. If you continue to walk toward the boundary wire, you will hear both the audible tone and correction beeps. The transmitter’s avoidance range setting determines the distance between the flags. Be sure your range is set correctly on the transmitter. The range can be set up to 6 feet on either side of the boundary wire. You can also refer to your Instructional DVD or see " Signal Range " below.

The dial for adjusting the range is located on the right side of transmitter. Depending on the size of your property and needs of your pet, signal range may vary from the boundary wire. Your dealer has adjusted the range that is most suitable for your pet and yard.

Be aware that the signal range dial is very sensitive. Changing the signal field can significantly compromise the effectiveness of the boundary loop, so you should not change this setting unless your dealer recommends it.

If you increase the signal field, be sure to only turn the dial clockwise in small increments. Remember, increasing the signal range, decreases the safety zone for the pet.

If you decrease the signal range, be sure to turn the dial counterclockwise in small increments.