---
name: "watchdog"
section: "8"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/watchdog"
---

# watchdog(8)

watchdog control program

## NAME

**watchdog** – watchdog control program

## SYNOPSIS

**watchdog** \[**-d**\] \[**-t** *timeout*\]

## DESCRIPTION

The **watchdog** utility can be used to control the kernel's watchdog facility.

The **-d** option enables debugging.

The **-t** *timeout* option specifies the desired timeout period in seconds, a value of zero will disable the watchdog. The default timeout is 128 seconds.

## SEE ALSO

[watchdog(4)](/watchdog/4.md), [watchdogd(8)](/watchdogd/8.md), [watchdog(9)](/watchdog/9.md)

## HISTORY

The **watchdog** utility appeared in FreeBSD 5.1.

## AUTHORS

The **watchdog** utility and manual page were written by Sean Kelly ⟨*smkelly@FreeBSD.org*⟩ and Poul-Henning Kamp ⟨*phk@FreeBSD.org*⟩.

Some contributions made by Jeff Roberson ⟨*jeff@FreeBSD.org*⟩.