Invisible dog fences can be great alternatives to physical ones, with installation made easy. The most challenging aspect might involve training your dog to recognize it.

Urban Responsibility For Pet Owners

Any dog owner residing in an urban environment bears the responsibility of keeping their beloved pet within the confines of their property. There is nothing more heart-wrenching than witnessing a bewildered pet wandering along a bustling road, unaware of the route back home and oblivious to the perils posed by passing vehicles.

Loose dogs not only rummage through garbage and taunt other dogs but also present a hazard to humans if they become disoriented and panic.

A physical fence remains unparalleled in its ability to deter your dog from wandering. This viewpoint is shared by Ali Smith, a seasoned dog trainer and the esteemed founder and CEO of Remarkable.

However, erecting a physical fence can face impediments, including local building codes, homeowners’ association (HOA) regulations, challenging terrains, or budget constraints. In such scenarios, an invisible dog fence may offer the solution.

There exist three primary types: wired, wireless, and Wi-Fi. Each necessitates the dog wearing a specialized collar calibrated to deliver a corrective impulse, serving as a boundary alert. It’s crucial to note that this impulse is not a painful shock; rather, it resembles a substantial vibration that effectively grabs the animal’s attention without causing harm.

Nonetheless, dogs must undergo training to recognize this signal and associate it with the designated boundary. It is worth mentioning that not all dogs respond equally to this training method. While Ali Smith does highlight certain concerns with invisible fences, they prove highly effective for many dogs and their owners. The wired fence stands out as the sole option requiring physical installation, particularly the burial of the wire, a relatively straightforward process.

Buried Invisible Dog Fence Installation

The installation kit for a standard buried fence, such as the Pet-Safe Basic In-Ground Pet Fence, comprises a spool of wire of adequate length to encircle a typical yard (approximately one-third of an acre). Additionally, it includes a transmitter for wire signal transmission and a collar designed to emit a warning impulse to the dog.

Marker flags are thoughtfully provided to demarcate the buried wire’s location. If you require additional wire or flags, you have the option to order them separately.

Before commencing the installation, meticulous planning of the boundary is paramount. Conduct a thorough perimeter survey with a 100-foot tape measure to precisely determine your requirements. This will enable you to order extra wire if deemed necessary before initiating the installation process.

It is imperative to maintain distance between the wire and chain-link fences or metal poles, as these can interfere with the signal. Furthermore, the wire should be positioned several feet away from buried electrical, TV, and phone wires.

Essential Tools And Materials

The transmitter can effectively transmit a radio signal only when it forms an uninterrupted loop. To prevent signal interruptions, you may need to create channels across sidewalks or thread the wire through PVC tubing under gravel walkways or driveways.

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may require some or all of the following materials:

  • Drill and driver bit
  • Surge protector
  • Circular saw
  • Masonry blade
  • Concrete patching compound
  • 3/4-inch PVC pipe
  • Mini sledgehammer
  • Wire connectors
  • Silicone caulk
  • PVC tape
  • Shovel

Hidden Dog Fence

Installation Of The Transmitter

Utilizing a drill and driver, securely affix the transmitter to a well-sheltered wall, safeguarded from the elements and in proximity to an electrical outlet. The garage interior serves as an ideal location, although a basement or weatherproof outbuilding can suffice, provided it remains dry.

Ensure that the transmitter is situated away from major appliances or electrical panels, which could result in interference. For added protection, plug the transmitter into a surge protector to shield it from potential lightning strikes.

Wire Layout

Define the fence’s perimeter by placing the wire on the ground, starting from the transmitter and returning to it. Avoid sharp corners, as they can disrupt the signal. If you have a garden to enclose, establish a sub-loop to encompass it.

Identify obstacles such as walkways and driveways that require special tools and supplies. If additional wires are necessary, connect them by splicing the ends using wire connectors. Reinforce the splices with silicone caulk and wrap them with PVC tape to prepare them for burial.

Burying The Wire

Create a shallow trench to bury the wire. This does not require a complex approach; digging to a depth of approximately three to six inches using a spade and displacing the turf and soil to one side will suffice. Place the wire within the trench, restore the soil and turf, and position the provided flags at intervals to mark the wire’s location.

When crossing a concrete surface, cut a shallow trench with a circular saw and masonry blade, insert the wire, and fill with patching compound. If encountering a gravel walkway, tap a 3/4-inch PVC pipe beneath it using a mini sledgehammer, and thread the wire through it. Seal the leading end of the pipe to prevent dirt ingress during installation.

Wire Connection To Transmitter And System Testing

Connect the wires to the transmitter as per the manufacturer’s instructions, and insert a battery into the collar.

Activate the transmitter and walk along the perimeter with the collar in hand, ensuring that you can feel the vibration and hear the beep upon crossing the boundary. This is your opportunity to fine-tune the collar’s calibration if the vibrations appear excessively strong or imperceptible.

Dog Training

This aspect of the installation is indispensable. Neglecting it could leave your pet perplexed when the collar triggers vibrations.

Training duration varies, ranging from a few days to several weeks, contingent upon the dog’s responsiveness. Installation instructions typically include valuable dog training tips, which can also be found online.

Invisible Wireless Dog Fence Installation

Wireless and Wi-Fi invisible fences eliminate the need for excavation.
For a fence featuring a wireless transmitter, position the transmitter centrally near an electrical outlet. Plug it in and configure the range setting to establish the boundary area in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions (note that only circular boundaries are possible).

Insert a battery into the collar, circumnavigate the perimeter, and perform a test. The collar should vibrate as soon as it ventures beyond the transmitter’s range.

Wi-Fi dog fences operate in conjunction with GPS technology, comprising a collar and a mobile app. Typically, you define the boundary by walking along it with your mobile device turned on and the app running, utilizing GPS functionality. Specific procedures may vary among products, so thorough review of the provided instructions is advisable.

Training remains an integral component of the installation process when opting for wireless and Wi-Fi fences.