Category: 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. 

 

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!

 

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.

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.

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!

 

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!  

Whether you have a big garden or just a small herb patch, it can be annoying when your dog digs up your precious plants. Here are several ways you can keep your pup out of the dirt while still keeping them happy and healthy.

Train your dog to stay out of the garden.

If your dog enjoys digging, you may want to train him not to dig up your vegetable garden. You should start by using a leash when you’re training your dog so he knows the areas to stay in and avoid. When the dog starts digging in the garden, you can then gently pull back on his leash while saying “No Digging.” Repeat this until he stops digging and looks at you. Then reward him with praise and a treat. You can use things like a whistle or other sound to make it easier for your pet to understand.

Build a barrier around your garden.

The best way to keep your dog from getting into your plants is to create a boundary around your garden. But instead of using chicken wire, wood, or stone to create a physical barrier and block the view, consider DogWatch hidden, invisible fence system. This will allow you to set-up boundaries around those areas (like the garden) that your dog should not be in.

The way it works is your pet wears a lightweight, waterproof receiver collar that emits a warning signal when they approach the garden and areas outside of the boundaries you’ve established.

There are ways to keep dogs from digging

If you’re having trouble with a dog digging up your vegetable garden, there are plenty of ways to keep them out. The most important thing is to start by training your dog not to dig. You can do this by giving them their own space in the yard where they can go run around and be active.

Here are some additional things you can do to discourage your dog from digging up the lawn:

1. Use treats. If you’re trying to train your dog not to dig in your yard, try using treats as a reward for good behavior. This will help train him that digging is only allowed when he’s given permission.

2. Give them something else to do. If you want to keep your dog from digging up your yard, give them other things to do instead of digging holes (like chewing on bones or playing fetch). You can also use a kong toy filled with peanut butter or cheese as an alternative source of entertainment for your pup.

3. Make sure he has enough room outside for exercise and playtime! If your dog has plenty of space to run around outside without ruining his environment, then he won’t feel like he needs to dig up the lawn in order to get some exercise!

Even if you don’t have a particularly fancy yard but still want some outdoor space for your dog, consider giving DogWatch of Western Mass a call today!

Hidden fences are popular tools that dog owners use to keep their pets out of danger. Many people don’t realize that hidden fences also work for cats. In fact, cats are the second most common type of animal trained to use DogWatch’s hidden fences.

How a Hidden Fence Can Keep Your Cat Safe

Installing a hidden fence can give your cat the freedom to play and explore outdoors while keeping it away from vehicles, your neighbor’s dog, and other hazards. You’ll be able to let your cat outside without having to worry, knowing that it will be limited to an area that’s safe.

You can make the zone where your cat can go as large or as small as you would like. You might want to give your cat free rein in the yard, or you might want to make some places, such as your garden, off-limits. 

How We Can Teach Your Cat to Stay in the Yard

An underground wire sends a signal to a receiver on a collar that a pet wears. If the animal gets too close to the boundary, it receives a warning signal from the collar. The pet then learns to stay within its designated area.

Cats and dogs learn in different ways, so training techniques have to be modified when working with cats. At first, cats are trained indoors. Once a cat starts to get comfortable with the system, the outdoor fence is activated. Some cats need visual markers showing the location of a boundary longer than dogs do.

DogWatch Massachusetts offers collars and receivers that are small and lightweight so that cats of all sizes can wear them comfortably. We also offer GentleFit™ Contact Posts that minimize friction and make collars more comfortable for cats to wear.

Protect Your Cat with a Hidden Fence

If your cat yearns to play outside and enjoy nature, but you’re worried that it might get hurt, a hidden fence is the solution. You’ll be able to give your cat the freedom it wants and needs while keeping it safe. 

The team at DogWatch Massachusetts can work with you to figure out the best place to set up a boundary and guide you and your cat through the training process. In a short amount of time, your cat will learn where it’s free to play and get used to its new collar.

Contact us today to learn more about our hidden fence systems and to get an estimate.

Your dog is your best friend, and you want to make sure that he or she has the best life possible. One way to do that is through obedience training. Obedience training can help improve your dog’s behavior, as well as strengthen your bond with him or her. Did you know that dogs can also benefit from perimeter training? If you have an underground hidden fence and other pet boundary systems set up this training will help your pet to better understand the new limits and obey them with ease. 

Hiring the right trainer can be difficult though if you’re not sure what you should look for. We’ve put together some tips on how to find a good trainer for your dog so that both of you can enjoy the experience!

Check for recommendations

When it comes to hiring a dog trainer, you want someone who’ll bring out the best in your pup. To find a good match, ask around and check online reviews. If you have friends or family with pets, ask them for recommendations. Your vet might be able to point you in the right direction as well. To help narrow down your search, look for certifications and licenses—these are signs of expertise.

Establish a budget

Before you begin the search for a dog trainer, it’s important to consider your budget. Think about how much you are willing to spend on training and what type of payment options are available. If there is money in your budget for training, great! But don’t be afraid to ask if there are any discounts available or if the trainer would be willing to work with you.

Ask about class options and times

Once you’ve found a few trainers that meet your criteria, it’s time to start vetting them further. A good place to start is by asking about class options and times. While there are a number of factors that go into deciding which trainer is right for you, this can be helpful in narrowing down who’s worth talking to further. Asking about their experience, qualifications, training methods and approach will also help you get a sense of what type of relationship they’d have with your dog.

Interview the trainer

Interviewing the trainer is an important step in making sure you’re working with someone who understands your dog, and your goals and is able to bring them together. Here are some things to ask:

• Ask about their experience. If you have a very young puppy, for example, you may want to hire a trainer who works with puppies specifically (some trainers don’t). And if your dog has behavioral issues that need addressing, make sure the trainer has experience in dealing with those sorts of behaviors. It’s also helpful to ask how long they’ve been training dogs professionally—the more experience they have as a professional trainer, the more likely it is that they know what they’re doing.
• Ask about their training style and philosophy. Do they use positive reinforcement only? Are they opposed to shock collars? How do they feel about clicker training or clicker-based methods? What sort of time frames do they work within (most trainers will train in sessions lasting anywhere from 15 minutes up to an hour)? What kind of proof will show whether the techniques are effective (i.e., client testimonials)? A good place for this information might be on a website or social media page for the business—just track down where all these details can be found before conducting an interview so there won’t be any delays later on!

With the right trainer and training methods, you can get your pet on the right track in no time!  We offer professional perimeter training services with a member of our team. In only a few training sessions your pet can learn voice commands and visual flags.

If you have a dog, you know all about the joys of having them around. They’re loyal, loving, and playful—but they aren’t always easy to train. It can be tempting to try to use harsh methods like shouting at your dog in order to get them to obey commands or do tricks (or even just stop doing things that annoy you). But as it turns out, there are much better ways of training dogs than yelling at them or hitting them with a newspaper!

So what should we be doing instead? First off: keep training sessions short and sweet! Dogs learn best by repetition (and this includes bad behaviors as well as good ones). Breaking down each new lesson into smaller steps will help both parties stay focused on the task at hand. Once these lessons are mastered one by one, they’ll come together organically until you finally achieve your ultimate goal—a happy pup who knows how he’s supposed to behave!

Keep the training sessions short.

The best way to keep training sessions short and fun is to make sure the dog is engaged and having a good time. If you notice them getting bored or frustrated, take a break for a few minutes before continuing the session.

Use dog-friendly language.

When your dog does something good, praise him. When you want to tell him to stop doing something, say “No” in a calm, quiet tone of voice. Choose words that mean the same thing to both of you—you can’t use the same word for one command and then use another word for the same command.

For example: If you call your dog over to you and he doesn’t come, don’t yell out his name in frustration or walk over to pull his collar from behind; instead, try calling him again with less excitement in your voice and more patience.

Keep training sessions positive.

Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your dog, and it’s also a great way to communicate with your pooch. When you use positive reinforcement, you are rewarding your dog for doing something right. You can do this in many ways: by giving him treats or petting him, playing fetch with his favorite toy, or by offering a belly rub after he’s done what you asked him to do. Your dog will learn that when he follows directions he gets rewarded—and this makes him more likely to listen next time around! Positive reinforcement also helps build a strong relationship between you and your pup because it builds trust between the two of you; if your dog knows that whenever he does something good for you he’ll get attention from his human family members then it’s going make him want to keep those behaviors up!

Treats should not be the only kind of reward you use to train a dog.

Food is not the only way to reward a dog. You should not just be using food as positive reinforcement during training. Dogs respond well to attention, praise and playtime, too. Don’t forget that affection can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog!

Remember, training your dog is a process that takes time and patience. It’s important to be consistent in your training, be patient, and not get frustrated with your dog if he doesn’t do something the first time you ask him. You also need to learn how to read his body language so that you can reward him for good behavior.

We hope that we have been able to help you become a better dog owner and trainer. If you take these tips to heart, you can create a stronger, happier relationship with your dog. Remember that training does not just benefit your dog; it also improves the bond between the two of you.