DogWatch Hidden FencesReviews of dogwatch.com

When I purchased my fence, 4 collars and 2 inside zone units and have over $3000. invested into this system, I was assured that DogWatch would always be there for support and future needs. Well that is not true. I have a new dog and wanted to pay for a training session for him, and was told to do it myself. I called the corporate office over a week ago for help, and have heard nothing. So I guess they are not as committed to customer service anymore.

While initial installation was great, trying to get the fence serviced has been nonexistent. Multiple attempts have been made and either our calls have not been returned and at least three service appointments have been made that no one has shown up to.

Did not send what they promised to send, did not even provide a legible receipt.

I had a DogWatch system installed several years ago at my house in the Chicago Suburbs and it was an awesome experience. Professional, efficient, cost effective, etc. So, when we moved to Valparaiso, Indiana I called the same people to see if they could install a new system for me. They explained that it was not in their territory and referred me to the local franchisee. I contacted them and made an appointment to meet on site. I met with the representative and he provided a quote. There were some challenges to overcome with the property as it is situated on a lake, but he assured me that it would not be a problem and he could handle the job. I even had the contractor/developer on hand to assist in showing him the lay of the land. What followed was an exercise in frustration. The representative was the sole installer when he clearly needed at least a 2nd person to help with such a large job. The contractor cautioned him up front that it was not advisable to use a trenching machine and that much perimeter needed to be hand dug. He ignored that advice and ended up cutting through several sprinkler lines, not only on my property, but also on my neighbors. Much of the perimeter wire was left exposed and haphazardly laid on both my neighbor’s property and mine. The “training” of my dog was a joke. It was as if it was his first time and was learning on the job. He shocked the heck out of my dog and it was weeks before we were able to get her to go out of the house on her own. He did make a follow up phone call to see how things were going with my dog but I had such a bad experience with the install and training that I did not want him back out. I paid my landscaper to fix the severed sprinkler lines and bury the exposed wire. I would not recommend this particular DogWatch franchisee. In fact, if asked for a recommendation, I would go out of my way to dissuade anyone form using them.

To restrictive. Like walking my dog. Fence keeps me pinned to the yard. Stopped using it.

The product is probably good, if your pet was properly introduced to how the system works. VERY IMPORTANT!!!! DO NOT ALLOW THE TRAINER TO LET YOUR DOG CROSS THE LINE AS SOON AS THEY FIRST APPROACH THE FLAGS AND THE UNDERGROUND WIRE. This was the case with our pet. Before the system was installed, the dog had full roaming rights with no consequences. Now, after installation, he's brought out there leashed, and collared up, and allowed to cross the line while my wife was on the other side.(as instructed by the trainer) He immediately gets a jolt that scares the heck out of him, and a few more there after that just ruined him. He is now scared to death to go out into the yard. When I let him out, he hugs the house line, wont even go out into the yard, and clammers to be let back in. He is not a Wuss dog, as his behavior at the many dog parks we visit and the various friends houses where he can roam freely purely exhibit. Your pet needs to be introduced slowly to this system. Walk the flagged off perimeter many times to show him his boundry. Again, walk the perimeter many times maybe allowing the collar to beep, then correcting him. Again, walk the perimeter many times correcting him (a tug on the leash with a firm back off command) BEFORE ALLOWING HIM TO CROSS THE LINE AND BE CORRECTED BY THE SYSTEM. This all could take many many hours spread out over a period of days if not longer. My dog was trained (by the professional) in less than 5 minutes. He no longer enjoys the yard, He is getting better as the months go by, but I no longer use the system. He runs at the site of the collar. I wasted $700 some odd dollars on quite possibly a good product if it is introduced properly. Anyone want to buy a system for half the price I paid for it????? I apologize, I don't want anyone to be wrongly informed and think this product is inexpensive, it was $1311.92 that we spent. Time to re-edit this review again. After calling customer service on this issue, Dog Watch (my local dealer) has issued us a refund minus the installation (Labor) costs etc, etc..... Basically they gave us the costs of the equipment they removed. Still a very expensive out of pocket lesson for us, But, they immediately addressed the situation at hand, and I do and still believe their product is the best one out there. Reading all the other reviews out there, I believe my situation is not the norm.