Device and method for watering a pet

A pet watering device for automatically providing water to a pet, such as a dog, from a source of water under pressure, said pet watering device comprising:

• water supply conduit means having a first end for being operably connected to the source of water and a second end for allowing a discharge of the water therefrom;
• valve means in said water supply conduit means for being opened to allow the water to flow though said water supply conduit means and closed to prevent the flow of the water therethrough;
• said water supply conduit means including mounting means for mounting said second end at a selected position for allowing the pet to drink the water therefrom;
• a pet transmitter capable of being mounted on the pet for transmitting an electronic signal;
• sensing means for sensing said electronic signal to indicate the presence of said pet transmitter when mounted on the pet near said second end;
• said sensing means being operably connected to said valve means to be capable of causing said valve means to be opened after said pet transmitter is sensed near said second end and to be closed after said pet transmitter is no longer sensed near said second end;
• said valve means including a valve power source for providing operating power to activate said valve means;
• said operating power only being utilized to cause said valve means to open and to cause said valve means to close;
• and
• said water supply conduit means and said second end thereof being configured to facilitate the flow of water therethrough at a flow rate which will allow the water to flow generally outwardly from said second end without creating a spray to allow the pet with said pet transmitter thereon to drink the water without being frightened thereby.

A method of automatically providing water to a pet, such as a dog, from a source of water under pressure, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing water supply conduit means having a first end for receipt of the water from the source of water and a second end for allowing discharge of the water therefrom;
• providing valve means in said water supply conduit means between said first end and said second end for being selectively opened to allow the water to flow though said water supply conduit means and closed to prevent the flow of the water therethrough;
• mounting said second end at a fixed location and in a position for allowing the pet to drink the water therefrom;
• sensing the presence of the pet near said second end of said water supply conduit means;
• opening said valve means after said sensing of said presence of the pet near said second end;
• closing said valve means after there is no longer any said sensing of said presence of the pet near said second end;
• and
• causing the flow of the water through said second end to be at a controlled flow rate which will allow the pet to drink the water without being frightened thereby after said opening of said valve means.