If you have more than one dog, you already know how different they can be. One may be perfectly happy lying on the porch while another makes a lap around the yard every time the door opens. One picks up a new routine right away, while the other needs a little more convincing. Questions we hear often from families with multiple dogs include:
Can the same hidden dog fence work for all of them?
Yes. A DogWatch® Hidden Fence can be used with multiple dogs on the same property. They share the same underground boundary, but each dog wears their own receiver collar, which can be set up for that individual dog. That makes the system flexible enough for households where the dogs may be different sizes, ages, breeds, or personalities.
How does one Hidden Fence work for multiple dogs?
The underground wire creates the boundary around the part of your yard where you want your dogs to have room to play and explore. You only need one boundary system. Each dog wears their own DogWatch receiver collar, and the collar responds as that dog approaches the boundary. So whether you have two dogs or several, you are not installing a separate underground fence for each one. The dogs use the same boundary while their individual collars can be set up differently.
Does every dog need a separate receiver collar?
Yes. Each dog needs their own compatible receiver collar. That is important because dogs do not necessarily respond the same way. A small, sensitive dog may need a different setting than a larger, more independent dog. Even two dogs that are close in size can have completely different personalities. Having a separate receiver for each dog allows the system to be adjusted for the dog wearing it rather than using one setting for everyone.
Can small and large dogs use the same Hidden Fence?
They can. You may have a small dog and a much larger dog sharing the same yard. Or maybe you have an older dog who rarely wanders far and a younger dog who wants to investigate everything. They can still use the same hidden fence boundary. Their receiver settings may be different, and the way they learn the boundary may be different, but the actual underground boundary does not have to change from one dog to the next.
Why each dog should learn the boundary separately
This is one of those times when it usually helps not to do everything as a group. DogWatch recommends introducing dogs to the hidden fence boundary individually. Training one dog at a time helps them focus on the boundary flags, warning signal, and your guidance without being distracted by the other dog. It also gives you a better sense of how each dog is learning. One may understand the boundary very quickly. Another may need a few more sessions before it becomes familiar. That is normal. The important part is that each dog learns what the boundary means before they are expected to use the yard together.
What if you add another dog later?
A lot of families install a hidden fence for one dog and add another pet later. You usually do not need to start over with a new fence. A compatible receiver collar can be added for the new dog, and that dog can then be trained on the existing boundary. At DogWatch of North Alabama, new-dog training can also be added for families who already have a DogWatch system and bring home another dog. The fact that your first dog already knows the boundary does not replace training for the new one. Each dog needs to learn it for themselves.
Does having multiple dogs affect the cost?
There is still one main hidden fence system, but each dog needs their own receiver collar. So the number of dogs can affect the overall price. Other factors matter as well, including the size and layout of the property, driveway crossings, the system you choose, and whether there are any areas within the yard you want your dogs to stay away from. That is why an in-yard estimate is usually more useful than trying to calculate the cost based only on the number of dogs.
Is a Hidden Fence a Good Choice for a Multi-Dog Home?
For many families, having more than one dog is actually one of the reasons a hidden fence works so well. Everyone gets to use the same yard, but the system does not assume that every dog is exactly the same. Each dog has their own receiver. Each can have settings appropriate for them. And each learns the boundary at their own pace. If you have two dogs, three dogs, or are thinking about adding another one, DogWatch of North Alabama can help you determine the right setup for your property and your pets. We install and service DogWatch Hidden Fence systems throughout Northern Alabama, including Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Decatur, Florence, Cullman, Guntersville, Hartselle, Hampton Cove, Owens Cross Roads, Scottsboro, and surrounding communities.
Call or text DogWatch of North Alabama at 256-880-1888 to learn more or request a free in-yard estimate.