How many of you watched the movie Disturbia, featuring Shia LaBeouf? In the movie, he was placed on home probation, and he wanted to know the boundaries of the yard that he could go out to before the alarm will go off. He went off to purchase a wireless fence, and it worked wonders for him. There exists a similar system that can be used for your pets too, and that very system is called the Wireless Dog Fence. There are quite a number of said systems in Amazon, and we will do reviews about them in this article.
Wireless Dog Fence
A wireless dog fence typically consists of a transmitter and a collar that is worn by the dog. The transmitter sends out a radio signal that creates a circular boundary around the area that you want to contain your dog in, such as a yard or garden. The collar worn by the dog receives this signal and if the dog gets too close to the boundary, it will emit a warning sound or a small static correction. If the dog continues to move closer to the boundary, the collar will emit a stronger correction until the dog turns back.
The collar worn by the dog is usually rechargeable and waterproof, and it often includes an adjustable correction level to suit different dogs. Some wireless dog fences also have additional features such as a remote training function, so you can train your dog to stay within the boundary even when the collar is not on.
Wireless dog fences are a great alternative to traditional physical fences as they don’t require any digging or construction. It is also more cost-effective, it is portable, and easy to install, and it also allows for more flexibility in terms of adjusting the boundary shape and size. However, it’s essential to note that wireless dog fences are not suitable for all dogs, especially those with aggressive behavior, and it’s important to consult with a professional trainer before using a wireless dog fence.
There are 3 different ways at which you can create a perimeter for your dog to play in. They are namely the wooden fence, in-ground fence, and the wireless dog fence.
Wooden Dog Fence: Many pet owners are still using the conventional wooden fence which can be tough to construct. It can take up 3 – 5 days just to build the wooden fence up. Also, the cost of erecting the wooden fence can set you back by a few grand.
In-ground Dog Fence: In-ground Dog Fence requires the dog owner to lay wires in and around the yard so as to cordon off the area for the dog. You can construct a loop around fountains or other water features to discourage the dog from entering it. This whole system isn’t expensive, but the downside is that you will need to dig into the yard to lay the wires.
Wireless Dog Fence: This is by far the most popular choice among tech-savvy pet owners. The wireless dog fence does not require any digging or planting of any equipment. The setting up is so simple that you need not set nor adjust any wires.Your yard will remain pristine as you do not have ugly fences nor wires that ruins the view. You will take at most an hour or two for you to set up the whole system. What’s more, it doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket too. As an additional bonus, most of them is portable, which actually means that you can set up the perimeter anywhere, anytime.Imagine being able to restrict your dog’s movement when you go camping!
It is no surprise that the invisible wireless dog fence is a must have for dog owners. We have read many reviews, and it is quite appalling that these people do not know what they are saying! We are not going to provide links to the said websites (as this will only help to rank up their sites) , but we encourage readers to read through the reviews, even the listed specs on the product itself and tally it with what the reviewers say.
After doing our extensive research, we have selected a few of the best wireless dog fence for your consideration. The factors that we choose includes your dog’s safety, transmission radius, reliability of the system and of course the number of dogs that are permitted on the system.
| Feature | PetSafe PIF-300 | PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Fence |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | Excellent | Excellent |
| Signal Strength | High | High |
| Max. No. Of Dogs | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Correction Levels | 5 | 5 |
| Beep Only Setting | Yes | Yes |
| Coverage | 180 Feet (Diameter) | 210 Feet (Diameter) |
| Customizable Setting | 16 Combinations | 16 Combinations |
| Expandable Range (With Transmitters) | Yes | Yes |
| Min. Dog Weight | 8 Pounds | 5 Pounds |
PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System, PIF-300
A number one seller on Amazon, this invisible wireless dog fence system by PetSafe is fits all the criteria that we have listed earlier. It helps to create a dome-shaped secure zone of up to a diameter of 180 feet. It comes with a wireless collar for your dog, some training flags as well as the wireless transmitter. This wireless dog fence is catered for pets weighing 8 pounds or more, and the collars are waterproof too.
This Petsafe PIF-300 Wireless Dog Fence containment system is a very simple form of pet containment system developed using an innovative concept. Widely adopted by most people living at the countryside, it allows the dog, which will need to wear the lightweight signal receiver, to roam freely without human supervision. It provides a safe area for your pet to enjoy the outdoors. If your dog ever wanders far beyond the boundaries of the containment dome, it will receive a static correction via the probes located at the collar. A static correction is a term that PetSafe use as the equivalent of the static that you receive when you rub your feet on the carpet and subsequently touching a door knob. That minute current is harmless to the dog, making it completely safe for your pets.
How To Use This Wireless Dog Fence Transmitter
When you want to place the transmitter, make sure that the area is dry, well ventilated and preferably the temperature will not drop below freezing point. For optimal coverage, install the system at the ground level of your home. Place it at least 3 feet away from large metal objects. You could chose to put the transmitter 2 – 4 feet off the ground on a non-metal table. Some owners will choose to mount the system on the wall, which is perfectly fine. There are 3 switches on the system: The on/off switch, the boundary signal strength switch and the boundary control dial.
The picture shows the transmitter range for this wireless dog fence. In for example, if the signal switch is at HIGH and the dial is at 5, then the range of the wireless dog fence will be 64 ft (radius). You can choose any of the combinations to suit your needs. If your area is huge, you can choose HIGH and 8. If your house is near to the road, you can shift the transmitter towards the back of the house, and tune the switches accordingly.
Before you start to employ this wireless dog fence, do test out the system first. Put the Boundary Switch to HIGH, and the dial position to 8. Take the collar out of the house and go for a walk. When you hear a beep sound coming from the collar, it is an indication that you have reached the boundary area. Walk along the boundary to gauge if it is good for your dog or not. If it is not optimal, then go back to your house and shift the position of the transmitter. We have included a table indicating the different signals that you will get from the collar.
Use this chart to gauge the static correction level that you want to have for your dog. Each dog has its own unique temperament, so do adjust accordingly.
With proper training, your dog will eventually get in tuned with the mechanism of the entire system. It is paramount for you to train the dog, and be completely sure that it can be left without your supervision when running outdoors.
Reliability Of The System
This Wireless Dog Fence system is reliable. However, you would need take into account of fluctuations in the range of the transmitter due to environmental conditions and interference from home appliances. This system is known to have a 99% reliability when it comes to the range of the system, so it is still good for your house!
Number Of Dogs Permitted
For this system, you can have unlimited amount of dogs that are contained using the Wireless Dog Fence system. All you have to do is to purchase the dog collar, and you are good to go. You can purchase more collars here. As an additional note, the collars are operated using 6V batteries that are supposed to last up to 3 months depending on your dog’s temperament. Do ensure that you have backup batteries on standby should the collar start to flash red every 5 seconds, which is the low-battery indication. Note that this wireless dog fence system is suitable for dogs of all breeds. The only condition is that they must weigh 8 pounds and above!
Extension Of Range
If you have an extended yard, you could purchase additional transmitters for the wireless dog fence system. Just ensure that the range of each transmitter is overlapping each other, so that your dog could enjoy running through yards of the containment area.
Pros: High range. Multiple dogs. Safe.
Cons: Not portable.
Our Rating: 
(4.8 / 5)
PetSafe PIF00-12917 Stay and Play Wireless Fence
Another popular invisible wireless dog fence system from PetSafe, this PetSafe PIF00- 12917 Stay and Play Wireless Fence works the same way as the PIF-300 too. The main difference is that the Stay and Play Wireless Fence is portable, so you could set up a portable wireless dog fence system whenever you go. It offers 5 levels of static correction, and at the same time you could have a tone-only mode when you wanna train your dog. It could be used on dogs that weigh’s 5-pounds and above, which make it great for small and large dogs. The collar also differs from the previous model, in that is it rechargeable. The dome shaped area of containment has a maximum effective diameter of 210 feet!
This PetSafe PIF00- 12917 Stay and Play Wireless Fence can be set up in 1 – 2 hours, making it one of the best sellers in Amazon. One thing to note : Adjust the signal of the system with the collar near the unit, and walk out to the yard to test where the correction boundary is. Once you have done this, you will know where the boundary is and the limitations to this system.
How To Use This Wireless Dog Fence Transmitter
This wireless dog fence transmitter should be placed in the center of the dog’s stipulated play area. Place it 2 – 4 feet off the floor in an area that is dry and well ventilated. The transmitter should be 3 feet from any large metal object as it might created interference with the signals.
The picture shows the transmitter range for this wireless dog fence. In for example, if the signal switch is at HIGH and the dial is at 7, then the range of the wireless dog fence will be 95 ft (radius). You can choose any of the combinations to suit your needs. If your area is huge, you can choose HIGH and 8. If your house is near to the road, you can shift the transmitter towards the back of the house, and tune the switches accordingly.
Before you start to employ this wireless dog fence, do test out the system first. Put the Boundary Switch to HIGH, and the dial position to 8. Take the collar out of the house and go for a walk. When you hear a beep sound coming from the collar, it is an indication that you have reached the boundary area. Walk along the boundary to gauge if it is good for your dog or not. If it is not optimal, then go back to your house and shift the position of the transmitter. We have included a table indicating the different signals that you will get from the collar.
Use this chart to gauge the static correction level that you want to have for your dog. Each dog has its own unique temperament, so do adjust accordingly.
Some pointers to note regarding the entire system.
- Collar should not be worn for more than 12 hours a day
- Remove the collar at night
- Clean the probes regularly
- Recharge the collar only when the light is blinking red
Once the transmitter is set up, the boundary decided and your dog wears the collar, it will be excellent for you to conduct the training for the dog. Your dog will receive a warning tone when he 1st approaches the boundary zone. If he decides to breach the zone, there will be a minute static correction that will remind the dog to return to the play area. There are various levels of static correction for dogs of different temperament, so do adjust accordingly. In no time, your dog would have so much fun!
Reliability Of The System
This system by PetSafe is extremely reliable. Note that there are various factors that can affect the range of the transmitter, which includes the terrain and metal objects inferring with the signal.
Number Of Dogs Permitted
For this system, you can have unlimited amount of dogs that are contained using the invisible Wireless Dog Fence system. All you have to do is to purchase the dog collar, and you are good to go. You can purchase more collars here. The collar is rechargeable, and do so only when it is blinking red. Note that this invisible wireless dog fence system is suitable for dogs of all breeds. The only condition is that they must weigh 5 pounds and above!
Extension Of Range
If you wish for your dog to run in extended area, you could purchase additional transmitters for the wireless dog fence system. Just ensure that the range of each transmitter is overlapping each other, so that your dog could enjoy running through yards of the containment area. The transmitter can be used outdoors too.You can find out more in reviews here.
Pros: High range. Multiple dogs. Safe. Portable.
Cons: None.
Our Rating: 
(4.9 / 5)
How does the wireless dog fence work?
Both radio-based and GPS-based wireless dog fences work by creating a boundary using radio signals or GPS signals. The collar worn by the dog receives the signal and, if the dog crosses the boundary, it emits a warning sound or a small shock to discourage the dog from continuing.
Is a wireless dog fence safe for my dog?
Wireless dog fences are generally considered safe for dogs, but it is important to use the correct collar settings and to properly train your dog to understand the boundary. It’s also important to note that wireless dog fences may not be suitable for all dogs, especially those with aggressive behavior, and it’s important to consult with a professional trainer before using a wireless dog fence.
How large of an area can be covered by a wireless dog fence?
The coverage area of a wireless dog fence can vary depending on the brand and model. Radio-based wireless dog fences have a limited coverage area, usually around half an acre to 1 acre. GPS-based wireless dog fences can cover a much larger area, such as a park or a forest.
How long does the battery last on the collar?
The battery life of the collar can vary depending on the brand and model, but it typically lasts between 2-5 days. Some collars come with a low battery indicator, so you know when to charge the collar.
Can the boundary be adjusted or expanded?
Yes, most wireless dog fences have adjustable boundaries, allowing you to change the size and shape of the boundary to suit your needs. Some models also allow for the boundary to be expanded by adding additional transmitters.
How do I train my dog to use the wireless dog fence?
Training is an essential step when using a wireless dog fence. It’s important to introduce your dog to the boundary slowly and to reward them for staying within the boundary. Some wireless dog fences come with a remote training function that allows you to train your dog from a distance.
Will the wireless dog fence work for all breeds of dogs?
Wireless dog fences can work for most breeds of dogs, but it’s important to take into consideration the dog’s size and temperament. Smaller dogs may require a lower correction level, while larger dogs may require a higher one.
How does the wireless dog fence handle multiple dogs?
Some wireless dog fences come with multiple collars, allowing you to contain multiple dogs within the same boundary. Other models may require an additional collar to be purchased for each dog.
What are the possible interferences that might affect the wireless dog fence performance?
Wireless dog fences can be affected by different factors like terrain, weather conditions, and interference from other electronic devices. Metal objects, thick walls, and other electronic devices can interfere with the wireless dog fence signals. It’s important to choose a location for the transmitter away from these potential sources of interference for optimal performance.
