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Trouble Shooting

We understand that when it comes to the safety and well being of your pet, many questions will arise. In this section, you will find answers to the most common questions regarding your DogWatch System. Click on any of the link beside each question see the answer.

 If the answer to your question is not here or you need additional information, please contact DogFence directly. We welcome your questions.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

My dog is breaking through the fence – what's wrong?

1. First, check that the collar is adjusted properly. The metal probes must be in contact with the dog's skin for the system to work. The collar must be snug enough to keep the probes touching the skin – not just the fur! – at all times, even when your dog or cat lowers his head to eat, drink or sniff. 95% of all “dog outs” are caused by a loose collar strap. Watch video

2. If the collar is tight enough, check out your battery. You can easily test your battery by taking the collar off of your pet and holding it close to the perimeter wire, and listening for the warning beep (a tester is also provided to show if the collar is shocking). Hold the tester over the probes on the back of the receiver collar (the contact posts fit into the holes in the tester) The take the collar into the zone or hold the receiver collar (with the tester in place up to the transmitter box (as per the video). Note you cannot test the collar unless you are in the zoneor at the transmitter box. If you are testing at the boundary wire remember to hold the collar close to the ground – it needs to be at dog height, not your height, to function. We recommend replacing your batteries every 6 months on the mini series collars and every 2 years on the standard series (except collars pre 2006). Consider a DogFence Battery Subscription Plan to ensure you always have a fresh battery when you need it. If you do not hear the beep, you may have a “dead” battery - check your battery next. Watch Video

3. To check the battery firstly open up the receiver cap and ensure that the battery has been inserted correctly. + up in the mini series, + down in the standard series. Replace the battery cap and try again. If the battery is correctly fitted, take the tester and place the magnet end of the tester between the locator points for changing the training level (if you are unsure where to locate these – see changing the training level further down). If the collar beeps when the magnet is placed in the locator point area then the battery is good.

If the receiver is working and the collar fits properly, you may need to increase the correction level on the receiver. Depending on your system, you may need to contact your local dealer for assistance. To change the training level see videos: R7 & R1200m, R7 & R1200micro (2011 models onwards) R8 & R1200, R9 &R1200 (new style). Place the magnet between these lines and the collar should beep. 1 beep = level 1, 2 beeps = level etc through to level 4 on the R1200 & R1200m and 7 on the R8 & R7 & R9. The very long beep indicates that the shock has been turned off and the collar is set to audible only. To change the level leave the adjuster in place until the receiver changes the amount of beeps i.e 2 beeps become 3 beeps. Please note that the 1200 series receivers do not have a status light.

4. If the collar doesn't beep and the test light does not light up when you test it and you're sure you have a good battery, you may have a break in the fence wire. The wire is very sturdy but can be susceptible to breaks, especially if you've had construction or landscaping done recently. Give us a call if you suspect a wire break – we'll send one of our technicians to check it out as soon as possible.

5. After adjusting the correction level, you need to communicate this to your dog to prevent future escapes. You never want to intentionally lead your dog into the field, but the dog needs to experience the correction in order to understand the boundary. The best way to accomplish this is to take him into the area where the breakouts are occurring, and use a distraction to allow him to be tempted to cross the fence boundary, where he will receive a correction. As soon as he receives the correction, lead him back towards the house and praise him for going the right way.

  

6. You may need to increase the range of the signal field. Especially for a large dog, if the field is too small, the dog may be able to pass through it too quickly for the correction to have an effect. Adjust the transmitter to increase the field area (distance of the correction from the fence wire). The range is easily adjusted on the side on the transmitter (recessed button – marked range). Turn clockwise to increase the range and anti-clockwise to decrease the range. Watch Video

With proper training and fully functioning equipment, dogs rarely if ever escape. If you continue to have problems after taking these steps, contact us for refresher training for your dog.

  

If you suspect a problem with your transmitter, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the socket to make sure it is working properly by plugging in some other electrical item and testing.

If the socket is working properly, then check the transformer (plug) for the system. You should have a red light for power & a green light indicates loop (that the boundary cable is not broken/damaged). For maximum protection against power surges, it is important that the surge protector be properly grounded (System 1200 & Performance Series only). This part of the system protects the transmitter from damage due to lightning power surges. If there were storms in your area, a power surge may have damaged the equipment.

2. If all is OK – adjust the range located on the right-hand side of the panel. Turn the range dial ½ turn and repeat the collar test as per no.1. If the collar still does not work remove the panel from wall and check that the dip switches are all in the up position. If any of the switches are in the down position this means that your panel has been either switched to 4 KHZ or to an AM transmission and the receiver collar will not respond. Lift the switches back to the up position and turn the power on and off on the transmitter – this will re-set the transmitter. Watch video

What is a "Partial Break"?

Partial breaks often occur when a previous wire break was fixed with electrical tape, or when the wire corrodes or degrades. Electrical tape works as a quick temporary fix for a wire break, but not long-term - over time will allow water to corrode the wire, so that the wire will need to be replaced. To fix a wire break always use the yellow connectors. These splices will safely and permanently fix wire breaks. To check for a partial break you will need to carry out a short loop test.

 

Short Loop Test

If you have carried out all of the above and your collar/s are still not responding you may have a break or partial break in your boundary cable. To test the cable take a screwdriver or coin to the surge protection box (this will be located outside and just above the ground rod). Open the box and place the coin or screwdriver across the two terminals which are situated side by side at the bottom (this will create a mini loop between your transmitter and the surge protection and eliminate the boundary cable). Leaving the bridge across the terminals in place take the collar and collar tester and repeat the test at the transmitter panel as per no. 1). If the collar responds then you have a break/partial break in your boundary and you will need to locate the break. Please note if you have a beeping noise before carrying out this test and the green light is not showing on the transmitter this test will confirm that your cable is broken – when placing the bridge across the surge protector the green light should illuminate and the beeping should stop.

If you have followed all the above tests and your collar is still not responding please contact us. If you have a break or partial break on your system we can offer a breakfinding tool for hire or a service call to trace and repair the break – (08450) 623623.

If all else is good, the transmitter may have malfunctioned. Call DogFence (most transmitters are covered by our No quibble Lifetime Warranty).

 

Handy Tips to Keep your System Running

Know where your wire is buried

Use the training flags or some markers to define the edge of signal fields around the property before any landscaping is done. You can locate your fence by using the receiver collar. This will help any workmen to identify the approx location of the boundary wire. Remember if you have been recently installed and the training flags are still in place that the flags are marking the edge of the signal field and not the location of the cable. Do not throw your training flags away after training. Watch video

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. You will first hear the audible tone. The audible tone will stop when you are directly over the wire. You will now hear the correction beeps and you can set your flag in the ground. This would also be applicable if you are placing the flags in the ground for the training of a new dog or cat.  

Check your receiver collar

Test your collar monthly, also check the collar fit & check contact posts and the battery cap on the receiver collar and tighten if needed. Also, check the lights on the transmitter occasionally. Remember - the red light shows you have AC power to the system, green light shows there are no breaks in the wire. If you have a wire break, the green light will go out an audible warning will sound.

If both lights go out, you may have experienced a lightning surge. If you still experience problems, please contact us for assistance - (08450) 623623 or email: info@dogfence.co.uk

Test the Battery

We offer  battery plans, if you join the DogFence battery plan you can have new batteries sent to you automatically, just when you need them! – when your battery runs out guess who else runs out!