How do they work?
- You set up a boundary for your pet by burying wires in your yard.
- The transmitter sends radio signals to the receiver collar that your dog wears.
- Your pet will learn to listen for a warning tone as he approaches the boundaries.
- If your pet tries to wander beyond the set boundaries, he will receive a safe but surprising shock from the collar, which in turn reminds him to stay in the yard.
With time, your dog should be able to associate with the alarm and shocks and will avoid reaching the fence at all costs, which will ultimately keep him safe.
Note: Not all collars, shock. There are non-shock alternatives out there.
Benefits of an in-ground electric dog fence
- You can customize your boundaries around pools, gardens, and driveways, so it complies to your personal requirements
- You can usually cover a perimeter of between 5-25 acres
- This is a much cheaper option than erecting a traditional fence
- No unsightly fences that ruin your garden or view [3]
- Prevents your dog from digging under or jumping over a fence
A few technical details…
If you choose to have the electric in-ground dog fence, you must also have an underground perimeter wire. This is a good option, as it is usually customized to the exact shape of your yard, and it is plugged in directly to a power outlet, so it does not need batteries.
A wireless dog fence is battery powered, and it has a base transmitter that administers the shocks and alarms whenever the dog tries to move near the fence. The beauty of this, though it is battery operated is that it is portable.
Reminder: You should first consult with your vet, as they are not appropriate for all dogs. These types of fences are not ideal for guard dogs, dogs that are overly aggressive, or even dogs with specified health problems.
Top electric dog fences examined
If you live near a road of the highway, you may want to seriously consider having one of these fences installed for the safety of your dog, and avoid the heartache and misery of a hurt or deceased pet.
With that in mind, we’ve taken the opportunity to put together a list of the top in-ground electric dog fences for your consideration.
Extreme Dog Fence | The Second Generation
This second-generation extreme dog fence should be able to cover from 10-25 acres or your yard. Its electronics are easily compatible with new dog collars. It is waterproof and can be completely submerged in water up to 10 inches deep.
It comes with a 20 gauge and high tensile wire which provides a heavy protective jacket, with a digital transmitter, training flags, collar receivers, and spice kits. Made in the US, it also comes with a 2-year warranty, and around the clock 24-hour customer support.
Pros
- Covers a large area
- Waterproof
- 2-year warranty
- Keeps your pets safe
Cons
- A bit expensive for some
Customers feedback
The reviews are extremely positive for this dog fence, and all the customers that gave feedback were able to provide a rating of 4.4 out of stars. They said that it was pretty easy to set up, and the excellent customer service they received from the company was perfect.
PetSafe | Basic In-Ground Fence for Dogs and Cats
This waterproof dog fence comes with 14-20 copper gauge and insulated wire. It should cover 1/3 of an acre and can be expanded to cover up to 5 acres if you purchase additional wires and flags which are sold separately.
It is lightweight and does come with a receiver collar that is ideal for dogs over 8 pounds in weight, and measures 6-28 inches on their necks.
Product specifications are:
- training flags (50 count)
- surge protector
- test light tool
- wire tools
- battery 1–3 months
- 5-year shelf life (PetSafe RFA-67 battery)
- waterproof gel wire splice capsules
- and wires of 500 feet of 20 gauge for a boundary.
See it in action:
Pros
- Allows expansions
- Safe for your pets
- Waterproof
- Easy to set up
- Boundary flags are included in the package
Cons
- Might not fit all dogs
Customers feedback
The rating on this product is 3.9 out of 5 stars, with most customers generally leaving good reviews of having been satisfied with it. A customer stated that the little flags were the boundaries that kept his dog within the yard, and he never went near them.
SportDOG Brand | In-Ground Fence System
This is a cost-friendly fencing system that contains a:
- 1,000 feet of wire
- one transmitter
- one dog collar receiver
- and 100 flags.
It should be able to keep your dog safe within a range of 1–1.3 acres. You can, however, expand it up to 100 acres by purchasing additional wires and flags. The collar is waterproof and allows the dog to swim easily while still sending a signal.
The submitter that is mounted on the wall has a built-in lightning protector, that should protect your precious dog from lightning or any electric power surge. It uses a battery that has a guarantee of 6-12 months.
Pros
- Covers a large area
- Has options of expandability
- Has warning beeps and vibrations
- Comes with lightning protection
- Waterproof
Cons
- Has strict instructions and should ideally be installed by a professional
Customers feedback
Customers feedback was mostly positive, and the product was given a rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars. Customers were happy with the alert system as it was loud enough to ensure their dogs did not wander off too far. The anti-lightening protection and its waterproof abilities were big winners with customers.
Valentic | Electronic Dog Fence System
This dog fence system from Valentic is ideal for medium to large sized dogs. It should be easy to install, plus, it is also safe for your pets at home.
It comes with over 600 feet of wire and could be used for both homes and apartments as well – if you are looking for a way to keep your dogs safe, comfortable and restricted within a specified area. It is also waterproof and will keep track of your puppy while they are swimming.
It comes with an owner’s manual to help you set it up by yourself.
The dog will experience a harmless shock when he tries to go close to the boundary, and the closer they are to the fence, the stronger the shock is. But as stated, this is a harmless shock that cannot harm the dog. The package comes with two dog collars and can fit dogs that are at least 10 pounds and measure 25 inches.
The beauty of this fence is that it does not specify the field length and you can corner of a boundary as big or small as you prefer, depending on the size of your yard. It also transmits a signal if a wire is broken.
Pros
- The signal covers a large area
- Can be used for more than one dog
- The siren alert quiet loud
- Waterproof
Cons
- A little costly
Customers feedback
This product earned a 5 out of 5 stars rating. The review states that the customer was extremely pleased with the fence and said that it was not difficult to set up, plus it was long-lasting and performed as expected. He highly recommended it to anyone with a dog.
Sit Boo-Boo | Hidden Dog Fence
This dog fence is made of a copper boundary wire, which is great for improving the signal strength.
It is easy to install, and within a few days, dogs are able to learn the off-limits places as an alarm will sound every time they go near the fence.
It covers a range of 1.2 acres, with an expandable ability, of up to 5 acres depending on your yard. It is waterproof and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Covers a large area
- Easy to install
- Expandable
- Waterproof
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Strong dogs may be able to break the wire
Customers feedback
This fence scored a rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars. Most customers were very happy with this electric fence, and they highly recommended it to other dog owners and said that it greatly assists in keeping your pooch in the yard. The signal was powerful, the alarm loud and the shock waves effective.
Final thoughts on electric dog fences
If you are a dog parent, keeping your precious pooch alive and safe should always be your number one priority, and nothing says you care more than these electric dog fences.
Not only do they ensure your dog doesn’t wander about aimlessly, but they also give you complete peace of mind that they are safe.
Now that we’ve looked at the top five options out on the market currently, you’re better equipped to continue your quest for the best one for your yard and your furry partner in life.