Troubleshooting Tips
Frequently Asked
Questions
Owners Guides
Instructional
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Troubleshooting
Tips
Below are troubleshooting tips that should help you
find answers to the most commonly asked questions about the outdoor
dog containment system and indoor wireless fences from DogWatch.
Simply click on a green headline below to get the information you
need.
If you don't find what you need here, we can help!
Contact your local Dealer or Customer Service.
R7
and R8 Receiver Features
Adjustable Collar: Both the
R7 and R8 receivers come fitted to an adjustable nylon collar.
The collar should be positioned above the dog’s regular collar.
The collar should be adjusted to insure that the contact posts
touch the skin on the dog’s neck. Check the fit for the first
few days of wear to insure that the collar is not too tight
or causing irritation to your pet’s neck.
Safelink® FM Radio Signal:
Our patented FM design allows the DogWatch receiver to recognize
and activate only to our unique radio signal. This protects
your pet from unintentional correction caused by stray radio
signals that may be emitted by other electronic devices.
Automatic Shutdown: The dog
containment system is designed to protect your dog from an over-correction
in the unlikely event that your dog gets caught in the signal
field. If your dog does not exit the signal field, the receiver
will automatically stop correcting after 15 seconds – protecting
your dog from over-correction. The receiver will automatically
reset once the dog leaves the signal field.
CollarBone™: The DogWatch®
CollarBone, metal lock washers and contact posts fasten the
receiver to the nylon collar. The plastic “collar bone” is designed
to fit two collar thicknesses. For single-ply collars, mount
the recessed holes of the CollarBone against the collar strap
and for double-ply collars, place the flat side of the CollarBone
against the collar strap. See above illustration.
Contact Posts: The receiver
comes with a set of contact posts. Your DogWatch Dealer will
determine the correct set based on your dog’s neck shape, coat,
and skin sensitivity. The posts must make contact with the skin
in order for the dog to feel the correction. In certain cases,
your dealer may recommend clipping some of the hair around the
contact posts so that they can touch the skin more easily. Use
care if you find it necessary to tighten the contact posts with
the collar wrench, as over-tightening could cause damage to
the receiver.
Antenna: The receiver’s omni-directional
antenna design assures optimal reception from the signal field.
Status Light: The status light
continuously monitors your receiver and provides the following
features:
• Start-Up
When you first insert the battery into your receiver, the status
light will flash red and green. This indicates that the
receiver has started properly. Once started, the status light
will continue to flash green once every 30 seconds indicating
normal operation. In the event that the light does not flash,
check the battery to be sure that it has been inserted properly.
• Training Level Indicator
When programming the training level of your receiver, the status
light will flash green in conjunction with audible beeps.
The number of flashes will equal the training level you have
chosen.
• Signal Field Indicator
When testing the receiver in the signal field the status light
will flash green when the receiver is in the audible
zone and will flash green and red when the receiver is
in the correction zone.
• Correction Alert
You will be able to tell if your pet has tested the boundary
by looking at the status light. The status light will double
flash green every 30 seconds during the 24-hour period after
the dog has entered the boundary area.
• Battery Indicator
This feature monitors the voltage level of the battery. Once
the receiver detects that the battery has reached a low voltage
level, the status light will change from the normal blinking
“green” every 30 seconds to blinking “red” every 10 seconds.
This indicates that your battery is close to the end of its
useful life and you should change the battery within the next
3-4 days.
If your light flashes double red, this
indicates that your battery is low and your pet has challenged
the dog containment system.
FastReact™: The DogWatch R7
and R8 receivers offer the fastest reaction time available in
a pet containment fence receiver. Whether your dog, strolls,
runs or sprints into the Avoidance Zone, the DogWatch receiver
will react - and correct - within .125 (1/8) seconds.
User Programmable Feature:
When you combine the transmitter “Rate” and the receiver training
levels, you can customize the receiver to one of 20 training
settings. For example: If the receiver is on Level 1 and the
Transmitter Rate is on Level 1, your dog is receiving the lowest
level of correction and the least number of pulses per second.
Status
Light Indicators
The status light in the R7 and R8 receivers
provides the following features:
• Start-Up
When you first insert the battery into your receiver, the status
light will flash green. This indicates that the receiver
has started properly. In the event that the lights do not flash,
check the battery to be sure that it has been inserted properly.
• Correction Level Indicator
When programming the correction level of your receiver, the
status light will flash green (in conjunction with the
audible beeps) the number of flashes will equal the correction
level you have chosen.
• Signal Field Indicator
When testing the receiver in the signal field the status light
will flash green when the receiver is in the audible
zone and will flash green and red when the receiver is
in the correction zone.
• Battery Replacement Reminder
The status light will flash red approximately every 10 seconds
prior to the end of the battery life to remind you to change
the battery. Be sure to change your battery every 6 months (R7)
or two years (R8) . Each time you change your battery it is
important to reset the “Battery Reminder” feature.
Using
the Test Light
The test light allows you to test the receiver.
Hold the test light in place over the contact posts and carry
the receiver into the signal field a few feet from the ground.
When the receiver picks up the signal from the boundary wire
of the pet containment fence, the audible warning will sound
and the test light will come on when you enter the correction
zone.
R7
and R8 Receiver Battery Instructions
The lightweight radio receiver worn by the dog
identifies the coded FM radio signal from the boundary wire.
It creates an audible warning followed by stimulation if he
comes too close to the pet containment fence boundary wire.
It operates on a replaceable battery and is waterproof when
the battery cap is securely fastened.
Important: You must reset the Battery Indicator
Feature when you change the battery.
Resetting The Battery Indicator Light
- Remove the old battery.
- Using your test light, hold the magnet in
the programming position (without a battery in the receiver)
for 15 seconds to fully discharge the unit. If you have misplaced
the test light, let the receiver sit for 5 minutes without
a battery.
- Insert a new battery.* The Battery Indicator
feature is now automatically reset for 6 months for the R7
or 24 months for the R8 receiver.
* R7 batteries: the positive (+) end of the
battery must be inserted up.
* R8 batteries: the positive (+) end of the battery must be
inserted down.
R7 Battery: The Performance
Series receiver is powered by a 3 volt 1/3 N lithium battery.
The receiver is designed for a 6 month battery life. The
positive (+) end of the battery must be inserted up.
R8 Battery: The R8 battery
is powered by a 3.6 volt lithium battery. The receiver is designed
for long battery life of up to two years. The positive
(+) end of the battery must be inserted down.
Battery Plans: Ask your DogWatch
Dealer about a battery plan. If your DogWatch Dealer does not
offer a battery plan, you can join the DogWatch Battery Program
and a new battery for any of the underground and wireless fences
offered will be mailed to you every 6 or 24 months. Call DogWatch
at 800-793-3436 or join through the DogWatch website on the
Battery Plan page.
Important: When you remove
the receiver collar from your dog at night, do not store it
near or on a television. Please note battery handling instructions
marked on the battery.
Testing
the Receiver Battery
A battery test magnet is included with your
dog containment system. Place the tester on the contact posts
of your receiver and hold it up to the transmitter or walk out
to your driveway where you can see the driveway cut where the
wire for your underground dog fencing is buried. A light on
the battery tester and audible tone on the receiver confirms
that the collar is operating properly. If you get the audible
warning but not a light, replace the battery.
Please contact your local Dealer to see if they
offer a Battery Plan. If not, you can join the DogWatch Battery
Plan and have new batteries shipped to you automatically for
any of the underground and wireless fences offered, just when
you need them!
Use
the Proper Battery for your Receiver
Please consult the Owner's Guide for your particular
pet containment fence to ensure you are using the proper battery
for your receiver. You can find pdfs of our latest Owner's Guides
at the top of this page.
R7 Battery: The Performance
Series receiver is powered by a 3 volt 1/3 N lithium battery.
The receiver is designed for a 6 month battery life. The positive
(+) end of the battery must be inserted up.
R8 Battery: The R8 battery
is powered by a 3.6 volt lithium battery. The receiver is designed
for long battery life of up to two years. The positive (+) end
of the battery must be inserted down.
Battery Plans: Ask your DogWatch
Dealer about a battery plan. If your DogWatch Dealer does not
offer a battery plan, you can join the DogWatch Battery Program,
where a new battery for any of the underground and wireless
fences offered is mailed to you every 6 or 24 months. Call DogWatch
at 800-793-3436 or join through the DogWatch website on the
Battery Plan page.
Setting
the R7 or R8 Receiver
Setting The Receiver:
Both R7 and R8 Receivers provide six training levels that allow
you to customize the training setting to your dog’s individual
needs: Audible Only, Level 1(low), Level 2 (medium), Level 3
(medium high), Level 4 (high), and Level 5 (extra-high). When
the receiver is first turned on (from the manufacturer) it will
automatically be set to Training Level 2 (Medium).
Changing the R7 and R8 Receiver Settings:
Your Dogwatch Dealer will start the training on the appropriate
level according to your dog’s personality and traits. If you
need to change the training level on the receiver, hold your
test light magnet to the two raised lines on the side of the
receiver. Hold the magnet steady and you will hear a series
of beeps that indicate the current (set) training level. The
Training Level will continue to advance as long as the magnet
is held in position. For example, Level 1 is one beep, Level
2 is two beeps, etc. The beeps (or Receiver Tones) represent
the Training Level the receiver is set at.
When you reach the desired training level setting,
pull the magnet away from the receiver. The receiver is now
set.
Any time the magnet activates the receiver,
it will first tell you what level the receiver is set to. As
long as the magnet is held in place, it will advance the receiver
to the next training level and continue to cycle through the
settings.
Please consult your Owner's Guide. If you have
misplaced your guide, a pdf can be found at the top of this
page.
AutoMemory™ Correction:
Levels 4, 5 and 6 contain the AutoMemory™ feature. When the
receiver is set to one of the AutoMemory levels, and the dog
enters the signal field, the dog will receive the correction
of the initial setting. When the dog then leaves the signal
field the receiver will automatically advance the correction
level setting by one, and only one level. If the dog does not
re-enter the signal field within the next 24 hour period, the
receiver defaults to the original setting.
Adjusting
the Receiver Collar
Your DogWatch Dealer has installed your dog
containment system, set the transmitter and receiver to the
training levels appropriate for your dog’s personality and traits,
and has placed boundary flags around the perimeter of your yard.
Your Dealer has already begun your dog’s first day of containment
training. Now it is your turn to continue the training.
Before you begin training your dog with the
dog containment system, be sure to place the DogWatch receiver
collar on your dog’s neck before you go outside.
- The collar should be worn snugly on the
dog’s neck. This is extremely important!
- Place no more than one thumb width between
the contact post and dog’s neck.
- When checking snugness of collar, the dog’s
neck should be facing down (sniffing position) as this is
where the dog’s neck is the smallest.
- If the collar is too tight, the receiver
unit will stick out to the side when the dog shakes his head.
- If the collar is too loose, the dog will
not receive the intended correction when he or she wanders
into the Avoidance Zone.
- Remember to periodically check for irritation
around the dog’s neck.
- DogWatch strongly recommends that the collar
be removed daily and when the dog is inside the house.
Adjust the collar as needed. Remember — collar
fit is critical! Make sure the collar is on tightly enough to
keep the posts in good contact with the dog's skin. When checking
collar snugness, place no more than one finger width between
contact posts and the dog's neck. Be sure the dog's neck is
down, in the sniffing position, as this is when the dog's neck
is the smallest.
During colder months, you dog's fur may be thicker
and you may need to trim the fur under the collar to be sure
the dog receives the correction. If your dog has a naturally
thick coat, you may need to trim the fur year-round. Longer
contact posts are available for especially heavy-coated dogs.
If your dog was trained with the DogWatch pet
containment fence as a puppy, chances are he or she has grown
and may need a larger collar.
Performance
Series™ PT4 Transmitter Features
The transmitter sends a coded digital FM radio
signal through the boundary wire. This signal can be adjusted,
allowing you to control the underground dog fencing around your
property. It operates on a standard 110 volt outlet.
PT4 Transmitter Features
Never adjust the transmitter while your dog is wearing the receiver
collar.
- Power On/Off: This switch gives you easy
access to turn the transmitter on or off. The red Power light
on the front panel lets you know that it is operating.
- Power Supply: The transmitter is powered
through a power supply that is plugged into a properly grounded
110 volt outlet. The adapter is plugged into the transmitter
jack labeled "PWR".
- PowerPak™: Optional battery back-up system
keeps the transmitter operating in the event of a power failure.
When transmitter is being powered by battery back-up, the
red power light will remain off. PowerPak plugs into the transmitter
at "P-PAK".
- Ground Wire: The green ground wire is plugged
into the transmitter at the location labeled “GND.” The round
connector on the green ground wire is attached under the screw
on the outlet faceplate. It will, however, only be effective
if your outlet is properly grounded. If you have any questions
about having a properly grounded outlet, consult your local
electrician.
- Loop Plug: Your system comes with zip cord
with a plug on one end. This plug fits into the hole marked
“Loop” on the bottom of the transmitter. This is the beginning
of the boundary wire. Once your boundary wire has been properly
installed and plugged into the transmitter, the Loop Monitor
Display (LMD) light will turn on. If the underground dog fencing
boundary wire is broken or the signal is interrupted, the
LMD light will go out and an audible warning will sound. If
the LMD light is out, consult your Dealer. You should also
check around your property for a visible broken wire.
- Loop Monitor Display (LMD):The Loop Monitor
Display provides a visual indication of the status of your
boundary signal. On traditional boundary wire configurations
each number on the scale represents the boundary signal distance
in feet, that is being broadcast from each side of the wire.
(Minimum setting is one [1] foot.) A significant change (drop)
in signal range could indicate a partial wire break or other
boundary wire problem. If you have a wire break in your underground
dog fencing, the blinking green light (or steady green light)
will go out and an audible warning will sound. Contact your
dealer for troubleshooting tips for any of the DogWatch underground
and wireless fences offered or to schedule an appointment.
Note: For non-traditional wire configuratons where the
boundary wires may be close to one another, the LMD may not
measure the boundary signal accurately in feet, but is a visual
setting reference point. Your DogWatch dealer will explain
the LMD setting and your actual signal range.
- Range: The radio signal is transmitted from
the boundary wire in all directions. The signal is adjusted
by the digital range control on the transmitter to create
a signal field on each side of the wire. The recommended signal
field width is 6-10 feet. Your DogWatch Dealer will adjust
the radio signal distance according to the personality and
traits of your dog. Consult your DogWatch Dealer first before
making any adjustments yourself.
Signal Field: The signal field has two areas. When
your dog first enters the signal field, he will receive an
audible warning. If he continues further into the signal field,
he will receive a correction. The audible area is approximately
the first 10% of the total signal field. To prevent your dog
from entering the signal field and remaining in the audible
area causing depletion of the battery, the receiver will transition
from an audible warning to a short warning correction after
a period of 15 seconds. This will activate regardless of the
mode switch setting, but will not activate if the receiver
is in the “Audible Only” Training Level.
- Training Mode: This turns the stimulation
on and off. If your dog enters the signal field with the Mode
“on,” (Full Function) he will receive an audible warning followed
by a correction. When the Mode is “off,” (Audible Only) he
receives an audible only warning (see “Signal Field” description
above). The Mode should only be turned off if your dog has
been thoroughly trained with the Mode “on” and consistently
responds to the audible warning alone. We recommend that the
Mode be left in the "on" or "Full Function"
position.
- Rate: This adjusts to three levels (1-slow,
2-medium, 3-fast). When your dog experiences a correction,
he receives it in a series of pulses. Increasing the Rate
means that he will receive a greater number of pulses per
second.
Note: On the back of each transmitter are four
small switches. These switches set your transmitter to the correct
broadcast frequency. Your dealer will set these switches for
your system. Do NOT change these settings. They are for DEALER
USE ONLY.
Setting The Transmitter: The
Transmitter Rate switch adjusts to three settings:
(1 – slow, 2 – medium, 3 – fast). When your dog gets a correction,
he receives it in a series of pulses per second. Increasing
the rate means that he will receive a greater number of pulses
per second. Rate 1 is the slowest pulse rate per second; 3 is
the fastest.
Outdoor
Dog Containment System Signal Range
The dial for adjusting the range is located
on the right side of transmitter. Depending on the size of your
property and needs of your dog, signal range may vary from the
boundary wire. Your dealer has adjusted the range that is most
suitable for your dog and yard.
Be aware that the signal range on your dog containment
system is very sensitive. Changing the signal field can significantly
compromise the effectiveness of the boundary loop, so you should
not change this setting unless your dealer recommends it.
If you increase the signal field, be sure to
only turn the dial clockwise in small increments. Remember,
increasing the signal range, decreases the underground dog fencing
safety zone for the dog.
If you decrease the signal range, be sure to
turn the dial counterclockwise in small increments.
Know
where your underground dog fencing wire is buried
Use the training pet containment flags to mark
your yard before any landscaping is done. You can locate your
underground dog fencing wire by using the receiver collar.
Hold the receiver at the dog's neck height (at
your knees) and hold the receiver with the contact posts up.
Walk perpendicular toward the boundary wire. When you first
hear the audible tone only, mark the area with pet containment
flags. Walk to the opposite side of the boundary and walk back
in toward the boundary wire. When you first hear the audible
tone, mark the area with a flag. The middle distance between
where you placed the pet containment flags should be where the
wire for your underground dog fencing is buried, give or take
a few inches. If you continue to walk toward the boundary wire,
you will hear both the audible tone and correction beeps. Depending
how wide the avoidance range is, depends on the distance between
the pet containment flags. Be sure your range is set correctly
on the transmitter. The range can be set up to 10 feet on either
side of the boundary wire. You can also refer to your Instructional
DVD or see "Signal Range" below.
Indoor
Wireless Pet Fence Signal Range
The signal range on the I-50™ and Skedaddle™
indoor wireless fences can be adjusted by turning the dial clockwise
to increase the range or counterclockwise to decrease the range.
The signal range on the I-50™, when in the wireless fence mode,
is from 0 to 8’ in diameter. The signal range on Skedaddle™
wireless fences is from 0 to 10’ in diameter. Remember to turn
the dial in small increments and test the range with the receiver.
Do not touch the contact points on the receiver
Pets
Need Time Off
Remember to remove the collar at night. If your
dog stays outside, periodically remove the collar and check
for irritation.
In addition to your local dealer, DogWatch Customer
Service is always available to help you troubleshoot your underground
dog fencing system.
Safety
and DogWatch Hidden Fences
Important SafeGuards
- Please read all the literature included
with your dog containment system before turning the system
on or beginning training.
- Do not attempt to shortcut the complete
training of your dog.
- The dog containment system is intended for
the purpose of containing domestic dogs. Use for any other
purpose is at system owner’s risk.
- In the event your system requires servicing,
please contact your local Authorized DogWatch Dealer. Attempting
to service the system yourself may invalidate the warranty.
- The dog containment system is recommended
for dogs four to six months or older. Your Dealer will recommend
if a puppy under 6 months old is ready.
- Keep the collar and the transmitter out of
the reach of children.
- Never adjust the transmitter or receiver
when your dog is wearing the collar.
- DogWatch recommends that you unplug your
transmitter from the wall outlet and disconnect the loop wire
during lightning storms or when it is left unused for extended
periods. This will prevent possible damage from lightning
and powerline surges.
- This product is only intended for use with
trained domestic dogs. If your dog is aggressive or violent
and could cause harm to itself or others outside the fenced
premises, you should take other measures to restrain your
dog such as traditional fencing.
To
troubleshoot an older AM Transmitter
If your system is not working, check contact
posts and the battery cap on the receiver and tighten if needed.
Also, check the lights on the transmitter.
The red light on the transmitter shows you have
AC power to your dog containment system, the green light shows
there are no breaks in the wire.
The green loop light will blink quickly when
the Rate is set on "1". When the Rate is set on "2"
the green loop light will blink slowly and when the Rate is
on "3" the green loop light will be a steady green
light and it will no longer blink.
If a wire break occurs, the green light will
go out and you will hear an audible chirping sound.
If the power light and the loop light go out
on your AM transmitter, you may have experienced a lightning
surge.
If your transmitter is plugged into a GFI outlet,
reset it and your transmitter will operate.
If you still experience problems with any of
the underground or wireless fences offered by DogWatch, contact
your Dealer for assistance.
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