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Keeping your dog cooped up indoors is no good. Outdoor play is important in ensuring that your pet gets the exercise he needs plus fresh air and sunshine.
Your pet would probably love nothing more than to run around unhindered, but it’s also crucial that you keep him safe outdoors. This is where a dog fences system – like a wireless dog fence – comes in handy. For smaller animals, you can also use a dog & puppy playpen.
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Contents & Quick Navigation
What is a wireless invisible fence system?
Also known as an invisible dog fence or a GPS dog fence, this wireless system is a safe and simple means to keep your pet contained within your property. The system gives your dog the freedom of being out in the open without all the risks, like getting run over by vehicles on the road.
This type of fence comprises a transmitter, a dog collar with a receiver attached to it, and flags for marking boundary lines. The transmitter is designed to cover a circular containment area. The transmitter constantly sends a signal to the receiver, and when your pet approaches the perimeter of the containment area, the signal is lost and the collar emits a warning sound.
If the beep doesn’t deter your pet, it will receive some static correction, a mild buzz against its skin to interrupt its behavior.
What about a semi-wireless dog fence?
Semi-wireless dog fences are also popular among pet owners these days. The main difference between a wireless dog fence and a semi-wireless dog fence is that the latter includes electrical wiring, which you can bury in the ground or keep above ground, to send signals from the transmitter to the receiver.
A semi-wireless dog fence gives you more options when it comes to setting boundaries, as you’re not limited to a circular coverage. As long as you keep the corners rounded, you can place the wiring in a rectangular layout.
Why do you need to have an invisible wireless pet fence in place?
The most important reason why you need to have a fence system in place is to protect your beloved pet. With the best wireless dog fence around your property, you can rest assured that your dog is safe from hazards such as vehicles and local wildlife.
An invisible dog fence will also keep your canine pal from getting into all sorts of trouble – he won’t be rummaging around in your trash, pestering the neighbors, or chasing squirrels and stray cats. Even better, your female dog won’t suddenly come home pregnant and you won’t have to deal with a surprise litter of puppies.
Another benefit of using GPS dog fences is that there is no physical fencing structure, so it won’t block the view from your windows. You don’t have to worry about your house’s appearance getting ruined by an unsightly fence made of wood or chains.
Chain-link fences are also unreliable, as many determined dogs are able to use the weave design to climb over the fence. There’s also a good chance a determined pooch can dig under them, which is a likely scenario if you own a Dachshund or a Beagle. (These breeds were bred to hunt underground prey.)
The best wireless dog fence comes at a reasonable cost and is relatively easy to install. Putting this fence around your yard won’t even cost you a penny. If your neighborhood or city has laws that prevent you from putting up fencing, an invisible dog fence is a good solution to protecting your dog without getting into trouble.
These fencing systems come with multiple settings, so you can customize your fence’s features according to your dog’s size and behavior.
Going camping or moving to a new home? You can pack up your electric dog fence and take it with you.
When is a wireless pet fence not ideal?
Of course, invisible dog fences have their limitations, too. GPS dog fences are dependent on the environment they’re placed in. The fences are most effective when used on wide-open, flat spaces, where there are few obstructions between the transmitter and the receiver on the dog’s collar.
You may find that the performance of even the best wireless pet fences will fluctuate if trees, bushes, and uneven terrain block signals from the transmitter. This may prove to be a problem if you have a landscaped yard.
This fencing system works best if placed in a circular setup or, for a semi-wireless pet fence, a layout with rounded corners. You may find it difficult to find a layout that works for you if you have an irregularly-shaped yard or if you live very close to your neighbors.
And while an electric fence keeps your dog in, it doesn’t keep other animals out. If you have a small dog and you live in an area with plenty of wildlife, like coyotes, you want to think twice about installing an invisible fence.
Don’t worry about the static correction hurt your dog. The stimulation is completely harmless, but it will get your dog’s attention. As we’ve said previously, you can customize the stimulation level so it’s suitable for your dog’s size, breed, and personality.
Is an electric dog fence easy to install?
One of the biggest advantages of using a wireless fence is its convenient installation. The fully wireless dog fence comes with three main components: electric wiring, a transmitter, and a dog collar with a receiver attached to it.
You can install the entire system within a day by following these simple steps and tips.
Getting a wireless dog fence running
Setting up a fully wireless dog fence is easy. The tricky part is finding the right location for the transmitter. The transmitter should be next to an outer wall, with as few obstacles as possible between the wall and your yard. Place the transmitter away from large metal appliances and between 3 and 5 feet off the ground.
With the transmitter in place, you can activate the receiver on the collar and set the radius of the containment area. Most wireless dog fences allow you to choose from various settings so you can customize the containment area according to your yard’s size.
Once the containment area is set, you can start placing marker flags along its perimeter. Approach the area’s boundaries and plant a flag in front of your feet once you hear the collar beep. Repeat this around the perimeter of the containment area, with flags spaced 7 to 10 feet from each other.
Installing a semi-wireless dog fence
A semi-wireless fence may take a little longer to install because you need to bury the electrical wiring underground.
- Get some graph paper and draw your yard. Plot the area you want to cover. Make sure to keep the corners rounded to prevent interference.
- Put the transmitter somewhere inside your home. A garage is usually a great place for the transmitter, since it’s away from sources of electrical interference, like breakers and appliances.
- Go out into your yard and place marker flags along the perimeter of where you plan to install the fence. Lay the wire as straight as you can along the flags. Keep in mind that the wire must circle back to the transmitter.
- Test the electric dog fence by connecting both ends of the wire to the transmitter and turning the transmitter on. With the dog collar in hand, walk over to the wire in a few locations. You should hear a beep when you get close to the boundary.
- Dig a trench 3 to 12 inches deep along the flags, and just wide enough to lay the wire in. Once the wiring is in the ground, cover the trench with dirt.
- Test the invisible dog fence again with the wiring underground.
- Once everything works, you can start training your dog.
Tips for installing a semi-wireless GPS dog fence:
- Ground the transmitter. By keeping the wireless dog fence separate from sources of electrical interference, you can keep the system safe from damage. Most of the best wireless dog fences have user manuals that detail the grounding process.
- Use a surge protector. This fence system is susceptible to power surges, whether from lightning strikes or AC surges caused by your house’s power mains. A surge protector ensures that the fence stays activated even through these surges.
- Keep wiring above ground if you don’t want to dig into your yard. The wiring doesn’t have to be buried underground to work. Make sure to keep the wiring as close to the ground as possible to avoid people tripping over it or accidentally cutting it with a lawnmower.
Keeping an electric dog fence working properly
The best wireless dog fence hardly requires any maintenance. As long as the system is grounded properly, there’s no need to replace, repair, or repaint this dog fence. This saves you a significant amount of time and effort.
The only thing you need to do to keep this fencing system working properly is replace the batteries on your dog’s collar and the transmitter when needed. Batteries typically last through 2 to 3 months of use before requiring replacement. Most collars that come with these fences have low-battery indicators for your convenience.
What type of invisible dog fence system is ideal for you?
The best wireless dog fence for your home largely depends on your needs and your environment.
Outdoor vs Indoor Wireless Dog Fences
If you’d like to keep your dog safe while he’s playing in the backyard, then an outdoor wireless dog fence is for you. An electric dog fence that’s for outdoor use typically has a larger coverage compared to indoor wireless dog fences.
You’ll also find a wide variety of outdoor wireless dog fences. Some of these invisible fencing systems offer multiple acres’ worth of coverage, so you can use them as a wireless dog fence for a farm and other large properties.
Many of these outdoor fences are also designed for uneven terrain, so you can easily find the best wireless dog fence for sloped yards or even for hills. Semi-wireless dog fences are particularly useful for yards that are not completely flat.
An indoor wireless fence system, on the other hand, is designed to keep your pet from going into certain areas of your home. These indoor fences work great if you want to stop your dog from entering the kitchen or your bedroom, for instance, but don’t want to restrict him through a cage or crate.
The best wireless fences for indoor use are fully wireless for your convenience.
Wireless vs Semi-Wireless Dog Fence
As we’ve discussed before, the biggest difference between a fully wireless and a semi-wireless pet fence is that a semi-wireless fence comes with electrical wiring that you have to set up yourself.
A fully wireless dog fence system will work better for you if you don’t really want to dig around in your yard. All you have to do is place the transmitter, activate the receiver, and set the radius of the containment area. This dog fence is also easier to take with you on camping trips, so you can keep your dog safe even if you’re traveling.
If your yard has a more unusual layout, though, a semi-wireless dog fence might be what you need. You’ll have more freedom to customize the layout of the containment area when you’re laying down the electrical wiring yourself. This electric dog fence is also ideal if you want to keep your dog contained within a larger acreage.
4 things to consider when choosing an invisible dog fence system
Given the popularity of these wireless fences, you may find it difficult to make the right choice. Here are the top 4 factors to keep in mind when you’re looking for the right wireless dog fence for your needs.
Your property
The best wireless dog fence system for you greatly depends on the kind of backyard you have. Most electric dog fences work best in open spaces where radio signals can travel straight from the transmitter to the receiver.
If you have a medium-size yard that’s in the traditional rectangular shape, a fully wireless dog fence system might be the ideal setup for you. A semi-wireless dog fence might be the best choice for yards that are irregularly shaped, as you’ll be able to customize the layout of the containment area.
Your dog
Another important consideration in choosing an electric fence is your dog himself. Large dogs will do just fine with the default level of static correction from the collar, but smaller dogs may be more comfortable with a wireless dog fence that can provide a lower level of correction.
You also want to consider your pet’s age when you’re looking for the best wireless fence system. The best age to introduce your puppy to an electric fence is at 4 to 6 months.
At this age, your pup has most likely gotten over the fear of unfamiliar objects and is ready for learning commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’. Once he has learned to follow these commands, you can start training him for the wireless fences.
The number of dogs you have
If you have more than one canine pal at home, then you want to look for a wireless dog fence for multiple dogs. These fencing systems often come with enough collars so you can use the wireless dog fence for 2 or 3 dogs, if needed. Some invisible dog wireless fences also allow you to purchase additional collars for use with the system.
Extra features of the fence system categories
Wireless dog fence systems can also come with plenty of bells and whistles for more convenient use. More advanced categories for wireless dog fences come with GPS for tracking your pet’s exact coordinates, so your dog gets static correction in a more timely manner.
Other wireless fences categories also have waterproof receivers. This way, you can keep your dog safe even if he’s playing in the snow or rain or going for a swim.
Many fully wireless dog fences are adjustable, so you can set the radius of the containment area as needed.
Your choices for the best wireless dog fence on the market today
To make shopping easier for you, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 of what we think are the best wireless dog fences (fully wireless and semi-wireless) for 2019.
- 20-gauge wiring can cover up to 6 acres
- Advanced digital transmitter
- Waterproof collar can be submerged in up to 10 feet of water
The fencing system allows you plenty of customization. You can set a boundary zone anywhere from a few inches to up to 32 feet in diameter. You can choose between two frequencies for the transmitter to avoid interference with other electrical devices, like your neighbor’s invisible dog fence. The transmitter’s electronics will also compensate for colder temperatures or fluctuating power to stabilize the fence’s performance.
One of the best features of this wireless fencing system is the submersible collar. Your dog can go for a dip in the pool without affecting the collar’s functions. Contact covers and two different sizes of contact points ensure that, whether he has long or short neck hair, the collar won’t irritate your dog.
The collar offers 8 correction levels, so you can lower or raise the level according to your pet’s behavior. It’s also lightweight and adjustable, so it will fit dogs as small as 8 pounds. The heavy-gauge wiring included in the kit is rated for direct ground burial, so you can expect it to last through years of exposure to the elements.
- Fully wireless fencing system for easy setup
- Covers up to a half-acre in all directions
- 5 levels of correction with tone-only mode
Through a dial on the transmitter, you can choose the size of the containment area and the boundary zone, which you can adjust up to 90 feet in all directions.
The receiver on the collar is adjustable, which makes it easier for you to set an appropriate correction level for your dog’s size and behavior. The tone-only mode comes in handy for training your pet to back off once he hears the beep.
For your convenience, the collar also has a low-battery indicator. You’ll know exactly when the receiver needs fresh batteries.
- Coverage up to ⅓ of an acre
- Adjustable, waterproof collar
- 4 correction levels, including the highest intensity available
- Tone and vibration warning
With these levels of correction, this invisible fence system is more suitable for use with dogs weighing more than 30 pounds. The fence is a good choice if you have, for instance, an especially curious Alaskan Malamute who can’t resist the squirrels around your property.
The vibration warning provided by the collar, along with the marker flags, also works great at teaching hearing-impaired dogs to respect the boundaries of the containment area.
- 500 feet of 14-gauge wire with a 16 ml polyethylene coating
- ⅓-acre coverage
- 4 levels of correction, with a Progressive setting
- Comes with a surge protector
According to the manufacturer reviews, the wiring can also last for up to 25 years thanks to its thick jacket.
Another great feature of this wireless dog fence is the Progressive setting on the collar. On this setting, the static correction increases in intensity as the dog moves closer to the boundary line. This may come in handy if your furry, four-legged pal tends to be a little stubborn.
- Covers up to ¾ of an acre
- Rechargeable ergonomic collar
- 5 levels of correction, with tone-only mode
The system offers 5 levels of static correction, which come in 15-second bursts. The tone-only mode can help you train your dog to respect the boundary lines.
The collar is also highly adjustable and can be used with dogs 5 pounds and up. You’ll be able to use this fully wireless dog fence even with large dogs, as the collar will fit necks up to 23 inches in size.
The collar’s battery is rechargeable, too. The battery takes around 3 hours to fully charge and can last through 3 weeks of use on one charge.
- Coverage of up to 1.2 acres
- 955 feet of solid copper wire can be installed in-ground or above ground
- Rechargeable, waterproof collar
The transmitter features a dial for adjusting the level of static correction from the collar. Together with fence’s updated copper wire, radio signals are stronger and more reliable.
The collar’s rechargeable battery can last approximately one week on a full charge. A blue LED flashes to let you know that the battery is fully charged
- ¾-acre coverage through 650 feet of boundary wire
- ‘Speed Detection’ function on the collar
- Adjustable collars fit dogs up to 120 lbs
The system comes with 2 collars, both of which are rechargeable and waterproof, with an IP66 rating. The collars can also fit dogs weighing up to 120 pounds, so they’re perfect if you’re the owner of a giant breed.
- Coverage of 1 ⅓ acres with 1,000 feet of wire
- Anti-linger feature and 4 levels of static correction
- Built-in lightning protection
The collar offer 4 levels of static correction plus a handy anti-linger feature. The anti-linger feature provides static correction if your dog stands too long in the warning zone (where only the tone and vibration is usually triggered), encouraging him to move away from the area.
Built-in lightning protection ensures that the entire electric dog fence system, and your home, is protected from power surges. Wire break alarms will also sound off if the wiring is somehow cut underground.
- Independently adjustable correction distance and warning distance
- Waterproof collar with 8 levels of static correction
- 2 pairs of contact points for the collar
If you want to be able to customize the zones where your dog gets the warning tone and static correction, we think this may be the best wireless dog fence for you. This adjustable feature comes in handy if you want to give your pet more leeway as he’s adjusting to the wireless fence.
Eight levels of static correction also allow you to fine-tune the correction’s intensity level so it’s more suited to your dog’s temperament. The higher levels may be more ideal for stubborn canines.
Two pairs of contact points also ensure that your pet pooch can comfortably wear the collar, whether he has short or a long coat.
- 429 feet of 13-gauge boundary wire
- 10 progressive levels of vibration and static correction
- Comes with a remote control to aid dog training
One unique feature of this wireless dog fence system is that it comes with a remote control, which you can use to manually activate static correction from the collars. This makes it significantly easier for you to train your dogs not to cross the fence’s boundary lines.
The remote control offers 10 levels of vibration and static correction. When used with the electric fence, the collars provide 3 levels of automatic static correction.
The collars are also designed to comfortably fit most dogs, even those weighing up to 154 lbs and with neck sizes of 27 inches. This is a great option if you own large dogs.
The effectiveness of an electric dog fence largely depends on the training you give your dog prior to the fence’s activation. It’s crucial that your dog learns to back off once he approaches the boundaries of the containment area.
Your first priority when training your dog for a wireless fence is to get him familiar with the boundary flags and the warning sound the collar makes. With the collar’s static correction level set to ‘tone only’, walk your leashed dog to the flags or the boundary zone.
Once the collar begins to beep, allow your pet stay in the zone for up to two seconds before moving him back to the safe zone. Give your dog a treat once he’s out of the boundary zone, so he acknowledges retreating with something positive.
Eventually, your pet will start resisting going into the boundary zone (this may take a few days). Once that happens, repeat all these steps with static correction activated. Increase the correction by one level until your dog responds and refuses to go near the flags.
Check out this adorable Great Pyrenees puppy’s first encounter with an electric fence:
Tips on making your dog ready for a wireless fence
Keep your dog fences training sessions short and fun.
This way, the process is as stress-free as possible for your pet pooch.
Use distractions
Distractions like his favorite treats and toys, to try to get your dog into the boundary zone. If he ignores all these distractions and chooses to stay in the safe zone, your pet is ready to be unleashed around the activated wireless fence.
Give your pet plenty of treats and praise each time he retreats into the safe zone, with or without your help.
Our final word on the best wireless dog fence reviews for 2019
The Extreme Dog Fence Second Generation (2019) Single-Dog Standard-Grade Kit is our favorite system among all the fully wireless and semi-wireless dog fences categories we reviewed. The adjustability of the transmitter’s frequency and the boundary zone’s size definitely make the fence more efficient.
The Extreme Dog Standard-Grade fence system is a good choice for small breeds like the Yorkie and the Chihuahua. The collar receiver has a lightweight design that will fit dogs as tiny as 8 pounds.
The PetControlHQ Wireless Combo Electric Dog Fence System with Remote Control comes with a collar that can fit dogs weighing up to 154 pounds, making it the best wireless fence for large, strong breeds such as German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies.
Of course, the best wireless dog fence is the system that best suits your backyard and your dog. If you have a medium-sized, wide-open yard with few obstructions, based on our reviews, a fully wireless dog fence like the PetSafe Wireless Fence Pet Containment System will work best at keeping your dog contained in a safe area.
If you have an irregularly shaped yard or if you have a larger property, you want to go for a semi-wireless fencing system. The SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence System, for instance, comes with 1,000 feet of wiring that will let you create a variety of customized containment areas.
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