The Benefits of Using a DogWatch Containment System for Cats

Cats have an instinctive desire to roam and explore, but that can put them in harm’s way. A DogWatch containment system can keep your cat safe and help you avoid common problems.

Reasons to Use a DogWatch Containment System for Cats

If a cat can wander freely outdoors, it can get injured, or even killed. Hazards are everywhere. A cat can get hit by a car or attacked by another cat, a dog, or a wild animal, such as a raccoon. If a cat gets bitten by a rabid animal, it can contract rabies. Containing your cat can give it the freedom to play and explore while setting a clearly defined boundary to keep it safe.

You might prefer not to allow your cat outdoors at all. Even if your cat is safe from cars and other animals, insects such as fleas can create health problems for your pet and possibly spread disease. An indoor cat fence can keep your pet safe inside your house.

How a Containment System Works

With an outdoor hidden fence, a wire is buried underground to create a boundary. We can create a custom boundary that fits your needs and goals. You might want to give your cat as much room as possible to roam and play, or you might want to restrict your pet to one area and keep it away from your garden and driveway.

An indoor cat fence can also be customized. You can let your cat move freely about certain parts of the house but keep it away from areas where it might get hurt, such as the kitchen. You can also keep your pet away from places where it might scratch furniture, knock over plants, or create other problems for you.

The boundary wire transmits a signal to a collar. If your cat gets close to the boundary, it will receive a warning. If it continues to move toward the boundary, it will receive a correction from the collar.

Get an Estimate for a Containment System for Cats

Your cat is a beloved family member. To keep your pet happy and safe, you need to give it a reasonable amount of freedom while keeping it away from potential dangers. A DogWatch containment system for cats can allow you to do that.

We can help you figure out the best place to set a boundary and install a containment system. All pets need to be trained so they understand where they are and are not permitted to go and learn to respond to warnings from their collar. Members of our team know which training methods work best with cats. Contact DogWatch of Massachusetts today to learn more.

10 Ways to Keep Your Dog Safe During Summer Heat

As temperatures climb, focus on keeping every member of your family – including your dog – safe and healthy. Here are some do’s and don’ts.

Provide Plenty of Water

During the summer, make sure that your dog always has access to water, whether it’s in the house or outdoors. When you take your dog for a walk, bring along some water for both you and your pet.

Never Leave Your Dog in a Parked Car

If you take your dog with you to run errands, don’t leave it in the car while you go inside a business. Even if you’re only gone for a minute and the air conditioner is on, the temperature in the car can climb surprisingly fast. Extreme heat can cause organ failure or death.

Exercise Your Dog Safely

During the summer, walk your dog in the morning and evening, when the temperature won’t be too high. Limit running and other strenuous exercise in extreme heat.

Protect Your Dog’s Feet

If you take your dog for a walk on a road or sidewalk, the hot pavement can burn its paws. Stick to grassy areas or a trail in a nearby park.

Provide Shade When Your Dog Is Outside

If your dog spends time outdoors in the summer, it needs protection from sunlight. Your dog might be able to seek shelter under trees, on a covered patio, or under a deck. If a shaded area isn’t currently available in your yard, you can string a tarp between trees.

Keep Your Pet out of the Doghouse

You might think that your dog will be safe outside if it has a doghouse, but that’s not true. A doghouse has poor airflow and can get unbearably hot. Your dog needs a shelter with good air circulation.

Recognize Signs of Heatstroke

High temperatures can cause heatstroke in both humans and animals. If your dog is suffering from heatstroke, it might have a racing heartbeat and trouble breathing. It might pant heavier than usual, be lethargic or extremely thirsty, or be dizzy and uncoordinated.

Know What to Do If Your Dog Gets Heatstroke

If you notice symptoms of heatstroke, bring your dog inside or into a shaded area, use ice packs or cold towels to cool the animal, and give it cold water to drink. Take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Prepare for Power Outages

Create a plan to keep your family safe if you lose power during the summer. Have enough food, water, and medication for your dog and know which shelters in your area accept pets.

Keep Your Dog in the Yard

Dogs that wander can be hit by cars or get into violent encounters with other dogs and wild animals. In the summer, high temperatures add to the list of dangers.

A hidden fence from DogWatch of Massachusetts can keep your dog in your yard and give you peace of mind. Contact us today to learn more.

How DogWatch Hidden Fences Provide Safe and Effective Containment for Your Dog

Whether it’s to protect your home and yard, to protect your neighbors or to protect your beloved dog from harm, chances are good you have some type of containment system for your pet. It may be in the form of a fence, or a stake on which to tie a lead. Both methods, however, have significant disadvantages. A staked lead limits your dog to a small area, which may become worn and dug up since the dog’s activities are confined. Physical fences are effective but can be ugly and spoil your enjoyment of your yard.

So what’s the alternative? Hidden fences are effective and affordable and eliminate the downsides of more traditional dog containment methods. The benefits of hidden fences include:

Freeing humans from fences. If you use physical fences to contain your dog, you’ll know how annoying and disruptive they can be for your family. With an invisible fence, humans can move around your yard freely minus the hassle of opening and closing gates.

Keeping your view of nature. Hidden fences don’t interfere visually with scenic views of your yard, distant vistas or green spaces, which can enhance your feeling of being outdoors and boost your enjoyment of your property.

Freedom for the dog. Let’s face it: dogs love to explore. If you are keeping your dog on a chain outdoors, you’re limiting your dog’s enjoyment of your yard. With a hidden fence, your pet can safely wander the yard in freedom while still being contained for safety.

Save your lawn. When dogs are contained within a small area, they will often dig, which can ruin your lawn and leave large holes in the yard. When the dog has more freedom to roam, you’re less likely to experience yard damage.

Keep your pet safe. No one likes to imagine that their dog will escape their yard and come to harm. The good news is that hidden fences are highly effective in containing your dog so he or she doesn’t wind up hurt or at the pound.

Choose which areas are off-limits. The DogWatch outdoor pet fence offers dog owners the very best system for containing pets within the yard and or any other areas you’d prefer to remain canine-free (such as the garden). Safely keep your dog in the yard and out of the flowerbed, swimming pool area, BBQ pit or any area you designate to be a “no-go.” If your property includes a gated driveway, you can keep your dog in your yard when the gate opens and closes. Compare this to GPS-based systems, which usually accommodate only a regular-shaped circular area that may be a mismatch to the shape of your yard.

Hidden fences are highly effective. DogWatch’s Performance Series Transmitter comes with a lifetime equipment warranty, including dog chews. DogWatch also gives you the best available lightning protection on the market. Whatever solution you choose, you always have the ability to adjust the system for your pet’s needs without the expense or planning of a service call, and the system will warn you of any breaks in the barrier.

Contact DogWatch of Western Mass for More Information

DogWatch of Western Mass has proudly served the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas since 1990 and belongs to the international DogWatch Dealer Network. We are committed, trained professionals offering years of experience in installation, training, and customer service. Being locally owned, we have a vested interest in keeping our customers – and their dogs — happy!

5 Things You Didn’t Know about Our Hidden Pet Fences

For many pet owners, keeping an energetic, inquisitive, and fun-loving animal in the yard is a constant challenge. A hidden fence is a simple and effective solution.

DogWatch of Massachusetts can install an underground boundary wire to keep your pet on your property and out of harm’s way. If your pet gets too close to the boundary line, it will receive a correction from its collar. Here are five other important things you should know about our hidden fences.

You Can Design a Customized Area for Your Pet to Play

A hidden fence can enclose your entire yard, but it doesn’t have to. Many of our customers want to give their pet a large area to play but keep certain areas, such as the pool, patio, or garden, off limits.

With a DogWatch hidden fence, you’ll get to decide where to allow your pet to go. A boundary wire can be installed in a wide range of environments to create a customized containment zone.

Hidden Fences Aren’t Just Used for Dogs

People usually associate hidden fences with dogs, but they can be used to keep other types of animals, such as cats, pigs, sheep, and goats, in a specific area. We can provide collars in appropriate sizes, as well as training customized for each species’ learning style.

You Can Monitor Your Pet’s Activity Levels

One of the advantages of using a hidden fence is that you don’t have to keep an eye on your pet whenever it’s outside. If you’re in the house while your pet is in the yard, you might not know if it’s running around and playing or taking a nap.

With a DogWatch hidden fence, you’ll be able to keep track of your pet’s activity levels. You’ll have access to daily, weekly, and monthly data that you can review to spot trends.

You Can Receive an Alert If There’s a Problem

Remembering to change the battery in your pet’s collar can be a hassle. With a DogWatch hidden fence, you won’t have to worry about that. You’ll receive a notification on the WebApp when the battery needs to be replaced.

Under some circumstances, the boundary wire can get broken or disconnected. If that happens, you’ll receive a notification via the WebApp.

A Hidden Fence Can Work Even If You Lose Power

If a storm strikes your area and knocks out the electricity, you won’t have to worry about your pet escaping from the yard. Your hidden fence will be able to keep operating off a PowerPak™ battery backup.

Learn More and Get a Quote

If you’re interested in using a hidden fence to protect your pet, a local dealer can discuss your needs, answer any questions you have, and give you a quote. Contact DogWatch of Massachusetts today.

Hidden Fences for Containment and Training: How They Can Help with Behavioral Issues in Dogs

Behavioral issues in dogs can be more than a nuisance or a source of frustration. In some cases, they can put your dog, other animals, and people at risk or lead to property damage. 

Problems a Hidden Fence Can Prevent

If your dog leaves your property, it can wind up in dangerous situations. It can run into the street and get hit by a car, or a driver might swerve to avoid the dog and hit another car or a tree. 

If your pet wanders out of your yard and onto a neighbor’s property, it can get into a confrontation with another pet or a wild animal. When your dog is in someone else’s yard, it can also bark at people, dig up the garden, or leave waste on the grass.

Keeping your dog in your yard can prevent these and other problems. Putting up a physical barrier is one way to keep your dog contained, but a hidden fence can be a better solution.

How a Hidden Fence Works

A wire is buried underground and used to mark a boundary. You can decide which areas to make accessible to your dog and which to make off limits. For example, you might want to give your dog the freedom to play in one part of the yard but keep it away from your garden, pool, patio, or driveway.

The dog will wear a collar that detects a radio signal emitted by the wire. If your pet gets close to the boundary, it will hear a warning. With training, dogs can quickly learn where they are and are not allowed to go and move away from the line when they hear a warning. If they don’t, they will feel a mild correction. 

A Hidden Fence Can Be the Solution to Your Dog’s Behavioral Issues

DogWatch of Massachusetts can install a hidden fence that will keep your dog confined to your yard and help you deal with behavioral issues. After we install a hidden fence, a member of our team will provide training so you understand how the system works and so your pet knows where it is and is not permitted to go. 

Once we’ve set up the system and trained your dog, you’ll be able to let it outside to play and be confident that it will stay in a specific area and won’t be a nuisance to your neighbors, damage your own property, or put itself in a situation where it might get hurt. Contact us today to learn more or to request an estimate. 

 

Fun Places to Take Your Dog in Connecticut

Your furry friend with four paws is always there for you. Rather than engage in the usual dog walk – a route your pup has sniffed a thousand times before – why not try a location that is custom designed for canine (as well as human) fun? 

You’ve trained your dog to sit and stay and not bark at strangers, so reap the rewards of this training by taking your dog someplace where he or she can put those lessons into practice and be rewarded with some fun. 

Below is a list of places in Connecticut that are not only dog-friendly but are meant to be fun and rewarding for dogs. Experts recommend you take a few must-have items with you before you set out: a four-foot training leash if you’re going to be in a crowd (retractable leashes can get tangled in both dogs and people), water and a water bowl, some high-value treats meant for special occasions, and a blanket or a mat if you’re going to be out for long. 

Old Mistick Village, Mystic, CT

Not only are dogs welcome in Old Mistick Village, but many of the shops and exhibits in the village also welcome dogs inside, too. Be sure to ask before you bring the dog in. 

Grass Island Dog Park. Greenwich, CT

Grass Island Dog Park is a 3/4 acre fenced-in dog park with a small dog area and a large dog area. There is also a dog walking trail and a dog waste bag dispenser. The Grass Island Park has scenic water views of Greenwich Harbor and Long Island Sound with benches, picnic tables, restrooms, and other walking trails.

Lake Mohegan Open Space, Fairfield, CT

Lake Mohegan Open Space is a beautiful dog-friendly 170-acre recreation area in Fairfield. The scenic hiking trails take you around the lake, over a footbridge, and through woodlands. Dogs can enjoy some off-leash time on your hike after you reach the “100-foot” sign posted on the trail. Please make sure your pets are under voice control at all times and be sure to clean up after them.

Labyrinth Brewery, Manchester, CT

What could be better than dogs and beer? This brewery permits dogs both inside and outside. Inside, the brewery sells dog-friendly merchandise such as leashes, bandanas, cookies, and dog toys. Rules include no continuous barking and dogs must be leashed. 

Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden, CT

Sleeping Giant State Park is popular with hikers and picnickers, and dogs are welcome in all areas – including the hiking trails — as long as they are on a leash. 

Brignole Vineyards, East Granby, CT

Dogs are welcome at Brignole Vineyards as long as they are leashed, well behaved and you clean up after them.

Bailey’s Dog Park, Clinton, CT

Bailey’s Dog Park in Clinton is open to all sizes of dogs as long as they are up to date on their vaccinations. The fully fenced dog park features running water, waste bags, and shaded areas, and adjacent parking is available at Ethel Peters Recreation Complex. 

DogWatch of Western Mass is committed to providing the safest, most effective electronic pet fences on the market. We have proudly served the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas since 1990 and belong to the international DogWatch Dealer Network. We are committed, trained professionals offering years of experience in installation, training, and customer service. Being locally owned, we have a vested interest to keep our customers – and their pets — happy!

 

Can You Install a Hidden Fence at a Beach House?

Many pet owners know that a hidden fence can keep a dog from leaving the yard or keep it out of a garden or another area where it might cause damage or get injured. Some people don’t know that a hidden fence can also be used at a beach house so a pet can spend time in the water while being restricted to a designated area.

How a Hidden Fence Can Be Installed at a Waterfront Property

When a hidden fence is installed, a wire is used to mark a boundary line and limit the pet’s movements. The boundary wire emits a radio signal, and the pet wears a collar that detects the signal and alerts the animal if it gets too close to the boundary.

Every property is different. DogWatch dealers work with customers to select an area that’s large enough to give a pet a reasonable amount of freedom while keeping it out of harm’s way. 

The system can work the same way at a waterfront property. Installing a boundary wire at a beach house poses additional challenges, but DogWatch dealers know how to handle them. They have developed techniques to install boundary wires in bodies of water and to keep them secure and free from damage. 

Even if your dog goes swimming, you won’t have to worry. Our collars are waterproof, so your pet will still receive an alert if it swims too close to the boundary.

Use a Hidden Fence to Keep Your Pet Safe at the Beach

If you own a beach house, DogWatch MA can install a hidden fence that will give your dog the freedom to swim and play in the water while preventing it from venturing too far from shore or getting into areas with currents, predators, rocks, or other hazards. We can work with you to figure out the best place to put the boundary wire so your pet will have room to roam but will be restricted to a safe area. 

Get an Estimate for a Hidden Fence

Spending time at the beach with your dog can be a fun-filled experience, but it can also be dangerous. A pet can get excited or frightened and swim into an area where it shouldn’t go. 

A hidden fence can eliminate that risk and give you peace of mind. Contact DogWatch MA today to learn more about how a hidden fence can protect your dog at the beach and to request a quote.

DogWatch Fences Keep More Than Just Dogs Contained

Animals are curious and have a natural desire to roam and explore. In our modern world, that can get them into trouble. A pet can venture into the road and get struck by a car, or it can wander off the property, get into a confrontation with a wild animal, and be seriously injured.

As a pet owner, you want to do everything you can to keep your four-legged family members out of harm’s way. You also want to keep them out of places where they might cause damage to your property or someone else’s.

A hidden fence can be an effective way to keep a dog from running into the road or digging up your garden, but the technology isn’t just useful for training canines. You might be surprised to learn that a wide array of other species can be contained and protected using DogWatch hidden fences.

Types of Animals That Can Be Trained with Hidden Fences

Cats are in danger whenever they leave the confines of a house. A DogWatch hidden fence can keep your cat in an area where it will be safe from cars and wild animals.

A wide assortment of other domesticated animals can be trained to respect boundaries. DogWatch dealers have even used hidden fences to train farm animals, such as pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens. 

In some cases, training methods have to be modified to suit different species’ learning styles. For a large animal, such as a pig, a trainer might have to use a larger collar or connect two standard-size collars to create one that can fit around the animal’s neck.

A DogWatch Hidden Fence Can Keep All Your Pets Safe 

If you have two or more pets of different species, we can install a hidden fence that will protect all your animal companions and give you peace of mind. We can create one boundary line that will keep your pets out of the places where you don’t want them to go, such as the road, nearby woods, your garden, or your neighbor’s yard. You’ll be able to give your pets the freedom they want and need, set clear boundaries to keep them safe, and eliminate worries.

If you would like to have an outdoor hidden fence installed on your property, contact us to request an estimate. We can also answer any questions you might have about how our fences work and how we train animals to respect boundaries.

Protect Your Pet Without Spoiling the Aesthetics of Your Property

Most of us take pride in the appearance of our homes and yards. We spend a lot of time and money ensuring that the home looks pleasing and that it’s a safe and attractive environment for our families, friends, and neighbors. 

At the same time, a majority of Americans are pet owners. Pets can be hard on yards: they can dig grass and gardens, wear out the lawn and chew furnishings and fixtures. So how do you keep your pet happy and safe while maintaining the beauty of your yard? 

Provide Your Dog with Freedom to Roam

Many people fence off small parts of their yard to contain their dogs, or they tie their dogs on a leash in the yard. While this approach certainly works, it won’t do much for your yard. When dogs are contained to a small area, the grass will quickly wear out, particularly if the dog likes to dig in the same spot. In addition, a dog that has too few chances to roam – as is the case when it’s confined to a small area – will often double down on the digging. 

By installing a hidden dog fence around the entirety of the yard, the dog has more freedom to roam, and won’t make one area of the yard unsightly. The fence will protect the dog from getting lost or getting on the road. 

Consider Hidden Fencing

One drawback to a physical fence is that it’s not very attractive and may block your view of the neighborhood from your yard. Installing a physical fence is also an expensive prospect. Homeowners who want the peace of mind that comes with a fence but not a barrier may wish to consider invisible “smart” fence technology. Hidden fences keep your pets safe and are safe for the animal. Another benefit is that these barriers are less expensive and more reliable than traditional fences and have safety and convenience features not found in typical dog fences.

A New Generation of Hidden Fences

If your last experience with hidden fences was years or decades ago, it’s important to know that technology has changed for the better. Some of today’s hidden fence systems combine FM radio technology and new mobile connectivity features to not only keep the dog contained, but also let you know where the dog is and what the status of the fence is (i.e., if the transmitter is running low on battery, or if a boundary wire is disconnected or broken). The system can even monitor your pet’s daily, weekly, and monthly activity levels, and send alerts not only to you but family members, dog sitters, neighbors, or anyone else who needs to know. 

DogWatch of Western Mass is committed to providing the safest, most effective electronic pet fences on the market. DogWatch has proudly served the Pioneer Valley and surrounding areas since 1990 and belongs to the international DogWatch Dealer Network. We are committed, trained professionals offering years of experience in installation, training, and customer service. Being locally owned, we have a vested interest to keep our customers – and their pets — happy!

 

Security & Safety For Dogs The Family Can Count On

There’s nothing worse than having to leave your pet at home alone if they’ve either never had to be alone previously or if they are having other issues and you’re unsure what they’ll get into while you’re away. These are just some of the many reasons why a family might choose to use a Hidden Dog Fence in and outside of their homes.

Having a secure, safe boundary set for your pet when you away give you peace of mind and keeps them from harm. Here are a few of the ways DogWatch Hidden Fences can help you and your pet enjoy your days a little better.

DogWatch Is A Great Option For Many Families

Hidden dog fences are a great option for many families. They’re safe and effective, providing peace of mind to the folks who love their four-legged friends. It’s easy to use and set up your system and train your dog to stay within the boundaries you’ve set. 

Indoors, it is one of the safest and most effective ways to keep your dog contained while you’re away. It creates an invisible boundary around your home with radio frequencies that are harmless but keep your pet from going past the boundary line. A wireless transmitter sends out signals so that even if your pet tries to escape, he’ll receive his warning to your pup’s receiver collar from within the safe zone.

The receiver collar vibrates or beeps when it senses the signal from the transmitter, which warns your pet that he or she is nearing or crossing over an invisible boundary line. 

Outdoors, can also make it easy to give your dog the space and time they need to roam about and discover and get out their energy without having to use a leash or chase behind them the entire time. They get freedom and so do you – without sacrificing safety or your flower beds!

This can be a lifesaver for people who want to protect their pets, but do not have the time or resources to build an expansive dog run or hire a sitter while they’re away. 

If you are looking for a safe and effective way to keep your dog contained, then a hidden dog fence from DogWatch of Western MA is a great option. Get peace of mind for everyone in the family, including your pet!