DogWatch Hidden FencesReviews of dogwatch.com

Let me begin by saying that I have just finished reading the guidelines for leaving the review and I will do my very best to stay within these rules. This is my second review of this product. My first review generated a phone call from the company that installed it last year. The above mentioned call was the first follow up call from the company after almost 4 months of silence. To summarize the problem with the invisible fence and our dogs as described in my previous review, it simply didn’t work. Our dogs completely disregarded the fence and moved freely in and out of the “fenced” area. The call resulted in an appointment to “remedy” this problem. On April 14, 2023, we were honored by a visit by none other than the owner of the franchise. Mr. Shane Brzezinski of Dog Watch Hidden Fences, Inc., located at 1927 Milwaukee Ave., Wausau, WI, 54403. Mr. Brzezinski’s arrogance in his way of speaking to us was only eclipsed by his almost total lack of understanding of dog behavior. He came equipped with higher voltage batteries for dog collars and collars with longer electrodes. When we purchased the system on 12/02/2022 for $2,855, we all agreed that the installation was to be above ground. In the spring, the installer was to come back and we were to bury the wire and expand the reach beyond the pond to give the dogs access to the water. None of which had happened. None of which was a part of discussion during the follow up visit April 14, 2023. Today, my wife and I went shopping for fruit trees to be planted in the orchard in the next 2 weeks. We came home after a 2.5 hour trip. We began placing our potted trees in the fenced area next to the pond. After we were done, she cut through by the pond to walk home and I heard a shout and subsequent screaming. I quickly ran down to see what was going on and saw our alpha male dog electrocuted and drowned in our pond. This is something that I throughly discussed with Shane’s wife-Patty, and asked multiple times, if there is even a slight chance of it happening. She assured me that it is impossible. As I am writing this review, my beloved dog is still in the back of my four wheeler awaiting proper burial. I would encourage all of you to not buy into this nonsense sold by people who pride themselves like Shane Brzezinski on selling 250 units per year to unsuspecting pet owners without regard for their pets safety. On the one hand, the review guidelines encourage reviewers to have proof of their claims, and on the other, they are limiting what one can place here in form of proof. Let it suffice for now that I took photos of my dog floating in the water with the DogWatch collar on, and dead as I pulled him out. A perfectly good, pure breed $1,500 dog died today. Didn’t make it to 2 years old. Whatever you do, don’t buy this product for your dog.

I have had my DogWatch Hidden Fence for almost two years. I have been very satisfied with its performance. My German Shepherd learned her boundaries very quickly and will not cross the lines as long as the transmitter and collar receiver are working properly. I am terribly disappointed that I am unable to purchase simple replacement parts through an online DogWatch store website. I have to contact (call or email) a franchisee just to purchase replacement prongs for the receiver. Very inconvenient and totally ridiculous.

Ron and his son installed Dog Watch for me. They were friendly, professional and took time to show me how to train Lexi. It only took her 2 days to learn her boundaries and now she very rarely has to wear her training collar. I am so glad I chose Dog Watch and I now know my dog is safe. Would recommend to anyone who needs a fence.

Cannot get an service or returned calls

I have the Dogwatch containment system and bark collars that work great for my two dogs. What I seriously hate is the Sidewalker collar. It works about 1% of the time and randomly so my dog is shocked out of the blue and is then afraid to even step outside the house. The battery lasts maybe 12 hours. I would return it for a refund if I hadn't cut the collar to fit or still had the box.

I wouldn’t even give one star. Had the worst customer service experiences ever, constant calling me to reschedule, finally had the guy out and he complained about being here, said he was tired and needed a vacation and left saying he wasn’t sure when he would be back. Then had 2 more cancellations until I fired them. We wasted valuable time as the weather is changing and it needed to be done already. Would never recommend.

Every time I have used this company, I get sticker shock. Two of the younger employees came to my house to sell me an indoor boundary (they also tracked mud pellets all over white carpet). They said they could install it while they were there for free as the service call would be included in the price of the equipment, but I didn't know this policy beforehand (or I would have waited) and was not yet ready for installation. So they said a special trip would be $100 for install. Fair enough. Four weeks later, I am now ready for installation, and I also need to purchase some additional collars (which, to my surprise, far exceeded the cost of the actual system) and one of the owners came to do it. There was NO mention of a cost estimate up front. I assumed that the previous employee was correct: if I was buying additional equipment from them, the service call and installation of the system (which took a whopping 10 minutes - she didn't even attach the device to the wall, but left it laying on the carpet) would be included. Fast forward to my total shock at getting a $477(!!) invoice for her 10 minutes of effort and ONE collar. Amberly at least honored the $100 stated by the previous employee, but still charged me for her trip, despite unloading me $327 for a freaking collar. So yeah... that's $427 I had not planned on spending. Add $198 for the original equipment and a SINGLE indoor boundary with a SINGLE collar cost me $625 (can't afford collars for all three dogs!). Had I known this...had they been more up front about their pricing.... I would have passed and gone a different route. But after they've left your house and sent you the invoice the next day, there is no recourse. I feel fleeced and I'm done with Dog Watch.

On an $8500 fence installation, they used cheap hinges, leaving the back gate hanging at an angle. They were very responsive until they got paid, then never a word. I called and emailed several times, but Perry himself never had the courtesy to call. Finally they just blew me off. Hopefully I can find a fencing company with a little integrity to hang the gate properly because it drives me nuts every time I look at it. Lowe's probably would not have done a worse job.