DogWatch Hidden Fences Owner's Manual

Hidden Fences

®

General Training

Guidelines

Owner’s Guide

Part 2

Your Dog’s Response To Stimulation

Stimulation has been a safe and effective part of dog training for over twenty years.
All dogs respond differently when they feel a mild stimulation. Some dogs may
demonstrate little, if any, reaction, while others may yelp or jump back. Some dogs
“freeze”. Do not try to comfort the dog if he receives correction or it will reinforce his
anxiety.

Dog Personalities and Traits

Keep in mind that a dog’s personality and traits differ among breeds. Dogs may not
exhibit the same personalities and traits within the same breed.

Your DogWatch dealer will ask you questions about your dog before training begins.

A shy or senior dog may require longer Phase 1 sessions, while a gregarious or
easily distract dog may require a short Phase 1, but longer Phase 2 or 3 sessions.

The better you know your dog, the easier the training will be for both of you!

Creating The Right Environment

Attitude and Consistency is Important!

1. Keep the training “light”. Use lots of praise. Keep the dog’s spirits high.

2. Use high happy tones for praise. Use low tones for negative commands.

3. Move around the boundary in the same direction.

4. Reinforce the boundary with commands. Use the commands “Watch Out!” or
“Careful” as you slap or shake the flags.

5. Limit the training session to no more than 20 minutes.Keep training consistent.

6. Keep your dog on the lead in the yard for five days.

7. If you are training more than one dog, train each dog separately.

8. Use naturally occurring distractions such as a neighbor or children.

9. Contact your DogWatch Dealer if you have any questions.

Remember!

Proper training is essential for successful containment. If you have any questions
about the training phases, especially during the first few weeks, or if you have
questions about your dog’s behavior during his training sessions, please contact your
DogWatch dealer.

1

Containment Training

This section provides general guidelines for training your dog to remain within the
designated boundary of your property. Your DogWatch Dealer will customize the
training for your dog and teach you the appropriate training approach.

Your DogWatch Dealer will install your DogWatch Hidden Fence System, set the sys­tem to the training levels appropriate for your dog’s personality, and place boundary
flags around the perimeter of your yard. After installing the system, your Dealer will
prepare you and your dog for the training process.

2

Safety and Avoidance Zones

Think of the property having two distinct zones:

1. SAFETY ZONE: This is the area where the dog is free to play.

2. AVOIDANCE ZONE:

The Avoidance Zone is the area between the flags and the
boundary wire where there is a signal created by the wire. When your dog crosses into the
signal field, the receiver collar emits an audible warning. If your dog continues to move
toward the boundary wire after hearing the warning beeps, he will receive a correction.

After training, your dog will remain in the Safe Zone.

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.

Be sure to place the DogWatch receiver collar on your dog’s neck before you go
outside to begin training.

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.

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.

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.

Checking the collar

Boundary Wire

Avoidance Zone

Safety Zone