Tim and Debbie S.
POOR TRAINING (by the professional)
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.
Response from DogWatch Hidden FencesAug 24, 2017
Tim and Debbie - Thank you so much for letting us know about this. We are sorry to hear about your experience. It is not the outcome we hope to achieve. You are correct that proper training is very important. If you have not already done so, it might be helpful to reconnect with your local Dealer to let them know. They may be able to work with your dog to help re-train him to be comfortable in the yard again and to be comfortable with the system. Or, if you prefer, you can call Customer Service for suggestions. We'd really like to turn this around for you if we can. Customer Service: (800) 793-3436 x616 M-F, 9:00am-5:00pm EST, or [email protected]. Thanks very much for the update to your review. We appreciate the feedback.