Top Picks for Electric Dog Fences
1. Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade Premium Kit
The top of the line with all bells and whistles
The Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade is the best for anyone looking to get the most out of an electric fence. This system contains everything you need to secure anywhere from 1 to 5 dogs in just one purchase! While this kit is one of the most expensive options on this list, it earns each penny and has the reviews to back it. If you’re a “buy it once” type, this is the pick for you.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 25 acres of coverage |
Replacement collars are expensive |
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Completely waterproof; dogs can swim with collars on |
Collars are easy to chew through |
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Supports 5 dogs with collars |
Still not strong enough to stop an especially determined dog |
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Includes splice kits and battery checks |
Specialized collar batteries that must be purchased through the manufacturer |
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14-gauge wire and 16-gauge twisted wiring |
2. Extreme Dog Fence Standard Grade Essential Kit
The top of the line without too many frills
The Standard Grade Essential Kit is a slightly more modest option from the Professional Kit by Extreme Dog. It won’t cover quite as much land and has fewer tricks up its sleeves, but it will still meet most fencing needs. This kit still features most options the Professional Kit offers but in a smaller package and at a lower price point.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 6 acres of coverage |
Replacement collars are expensive |
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Supports 5 dogs with collars |
Collars are easy to chew through |
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Includes splice kits and battery checks |
Still not strong enough to stop a determined dog |
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20-gauge wire with a heavy protective jacket |
Specialized collar batteries that must be purchased through the manufacturer |
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Key Features |
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3. PetSafe YardMax In-Ground Fence Cordless or Rechargeable System
High-end system with options and compatibility
The PetSafe YardMax comes in two options, one with a rechargeable transmitter that can handle up to 10 acres. If you don’t need quite as much range, the cordless option with a subtle waterproof receiver will cover up to 1.4 acres and can be placed anywhere in the yard. With either system, an unlimited number of pets can be added.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 10 acres of coverage |
Replacement collars are expensive |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Prongs should be monitored for falling off |
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Includes 500 ft of wire |
Collar batteries are not replaceable |
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Compatible with other PetSafe products |
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Batteries are known for lasting years |
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Tone-Only Setting |
4. SportDOG In-Ground Fence
Mid-priced fence with range
SportDOG packs a lot of features into a lower cost fence with their in-ground fence. This fence has an incredible range, comes with a waterproof collar, and doesn’t limit the number of dogs you keep with it. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles but you still want a lot of strong features, this is a fantastic choice.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 100 acres of coverage with additional wire |
Collar battery is bulky |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Perimeter isn’t always consistent |
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Includes over 1 acre of wire |
Collar material is poor |
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Waterproof |
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2-year warranty |
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Collars accept 9-volt batteries |
5. PetSafe Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence
Mid-range fence for a stubborn dog
PetSafe focuses on more stubborn dogs in the in-ground market here. The Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence supports huge range while continuing to be compatible with many of their other products. Best of all, you’re not limited to how many of your dogs you can call “stubborn” as it supports them all.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 25 acres of coverage |
Collars fail often |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Perimeter doesn’t work consistently |
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Includes 500 ft of wire |
Transmitter fails often |
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Compatible with other PetSafe products |
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Collars are relatively inexpensive |
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Collar accepts 9-volt battery |
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Highest intensity correction |
6. Sit Boo-Boo Hidden Fence System
All the bells and whistles on a budget
In this hidden fence system, you can set up your fence above or underground. It keeps all of the features of many more expensive options such as an IPV7 rating on top of welcoming as many dogs as you’d like. If you’ve got a large yard, this hidden fence can still support your needs. In addition, the Sit Boo-Boo fence has a host of features even more expensive fences don’t have, such as auto-correction.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 20 acres of coverage |
Inconsistent transmitters |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Sometimes complicated set-up |
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Includes 500 ft of copper wire |
More frequently requires troubleshooting |
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IPV7 rating (up to 3 ft of water) |
Collar fails frequently and early |
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Long-lived rechargeable battery |
Auto-Correct will skip warning tone when the dog is approaching quickly |
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Can include a trainer remote |
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Semi-portable; can be used above ground |
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Built-in surge protection |
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Auto-Correct reacts to your dog’s intent |
7. Sit Boo-Boo Secure Pet Hidden Fence
Budget option for long-range coverage
If you’ve got a tight budget, you’d like to get an area quickly, or you have a small dog, the Secure-Pet is a perfect choice. It may not carry every feature, but the kit comes with enough wire to cover over an acre of ground and it still carries many of the features of more expensive kits!
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 5 acres of coverage |
The included wire is thin |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Not enough flags for the provided wire |
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Includes 955 ft of copper wire |
Dial is deceptive |
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Waterproof |
Difficult set-up |
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Lifetime warranty |
Doesn’t always send warning tone before correcting |
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Five correction levels |
Inconsistency with shock range |
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Semi-portable; can be used above ground |
Sometimes fails very quickly |
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No minimum dog size |
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Consistently great customer service |
8. Free Spirit In-Ground Fence
For modest needs with solid features
The Free Spirit in-ground fence doesn’t cover a large yard or offer a plethora of options, but it does deliver what it promises and has all the features most people need. This in-ground fence covers enough ground for most homes while keeping the more comfortable features of higher-end products like waterproofing, customized boundaries, and warning tones.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 1 acre of coverage |
Included wire seems low quality |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Not enough flags for the provided wire |
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Includes 1/3 acre of wire |
No surge protection |
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Waterproof |
Difficult set-up |
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Lifetime warranty |
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Five correction levels with tone and vibration |
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Customers have had luck with an above-ground installation |
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Minimum dog size is only 5 lb. |
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Low-cost collars |
9. PetSafe Stubborn Dog Stay & Play Wireless Fence
Best for Stubborn Dogs
For a wireless fence that carries most features of a wired fence with a difficult dog, PetSafe has one of the best options on the market. With multiple modes for training and correction and long battery life, you can feel secure about even your most difficult dog staying with you with the Stubborn Dog Stay & Play.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to ¾ acre of coverage |
Stubborn dogs may still jump through the fence |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Some dogs don’t feel the highest setting |
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Waterproof |
Short battery lifespan |
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Portable; no wires to bury |
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Five correction levels with tone-only mode |
10. PetSafe Stay & Play Kit
High-End Wireless Fence
The PetSafe Stay & Play is designed for dogs who aren’t quite as determined. Offering basically everything the Stubborn Dog model has, it is only short the strongest correction option. This fence is best for having a full-featured wireless fence for dogs who don’t need quite as much persuasion.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to ¾ acre of coverage |
Stubborn dogs may still jump through the fence |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs |
Doesn’t have maximum correction strength |
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Transmitters can be overlapped for more coverage |
Short transmitter lifespan; worse if transmitter set up near humid areas, metal objects, appliances |
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Waterproof |
Inconsistent perimeter |
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Portable; no wires to bury |
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Five correction levels with tone-only mode |
11. OKPET Wireless Dog Fence
Best mid-range wireless fence
If you’d like to have a fence without buying from the top shelf, you won’t be skimping with OKPET. The OKPET Wireless Dog Fence still includes everything you’d be looking for in a wireless fence with its own features. On top of every standard feature, this fence boasts up to 1,000 feet in range. This is a great choice for anyone at any budget level.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 1,000 ft of coverage |
Instructions are in broken English and difficult to understand |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs (over 10 lb) |
Customers have better luck with it working downhill than uphill |
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Water resistant IPX7 |
Shock strength isn’t very strong |
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Comes in a 2-dog set |
Inconsistent perimeter |
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Portable; no wires to bury |
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Easily adjustable perimeter |
12. JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence
Fence for modest needs
While most electric fences are pricey and packed with options, the JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence hits pretty low on price while still maintaining a hefty list of features that are more than enough for most dog owners. Coming equipped to support two dogs and a huge range for a wireless fence, there’s not much negative to say about this pick!
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Up to 900 ft of coverage |
May not work well on sloped ground, worse on an upward slope |
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Supports an unlimited number of dogs (over 10 lb) |
Shock strength isn’t very strong |
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Water resistant IPX7 rating |
Inconsistent perimeter |
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Comes in a 2-dog set |
Warning tone doesn’t always trigger |
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Portable; no wires to bury |
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The large range allows for some success in areas sloped downhill |
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Easily adjustable perimeter |
13. PetSafe Indoor Radio Wireless Boundary Fence
Easiest indoor boundary control
Not all fences are to keep your dog inside a region. In this case, the PetSafe Indoor Radio encourages your pets to stay away from something. Most commonly, this might be the litter box, a plant, furniture or a nursery. If your needs fall more into the range of keeping your pet out of something than in something, this is a perfect choice!
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Relies on your pet approaching something rather than boxing it in |
Radio is a 9-inch disk that customers find unsightly |
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Up to a 10 ft radius |
Doesn’t work well near metal |
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You get to choose a collar that meets your pet’s needs |
Collar sold separately |
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Portable; just plug and play |
Inconsistent boundary |
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Compatible with other radios to extend the range |
Some pets like to sit in the warning zone |
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Compatible with other PetSafe collars, seamless transition from fence to radio |
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Customers have successfully paired with SportDog fence |
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Longer-lived than many fences |
14. PetSafe Pawz Away Pet Barrier
Best at creating indoor and outdoor boundaries
For pet owners where getting into the trash can is as much of a concern as digging in the garden beds, the PetSafe Pawz Away Barrier is the best on the market for discouraging your pet. This barrier comes in three options: The Mini, like the Indoor Radio but smaller, Outdoor, Threshold, and Indoor. Unlike the PetSafe Indoor Radio, these are battery powered.
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Key Features |
Things to Keep in Mind |
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Relies on your pet approaching something rather than boxing it in |
Everything is battery-powered and should be monitored |
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Indoor options offer from 2 inches to 32 ft of range |
Often has a short lifespan |
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The outdoor barrier protects 8 ft or combines with wire for up to 150 ft. |
Frequently doesn’t affect long-haired pets |
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Purchase with a collar or just an extra barrier |
Ineffective on double coats |
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The included collar is compatible with YardMax |
Inconsistent boundary |
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Well-established product with over 2,500 reviews |
Electric Dog Fences Buying Guide
With so many features and additional considerations, it can be hard to choose which features are right for your situation. Not all considerations are negatives, and not all features are good for everyone. We’ll go over many of these basics to make sense of what you should know when selecting your fence.
Size of Your Dog
The size of your dog makes a big difference on what fence to buy. Most fences won’t support an animal under 10 lb. If your pet falls under 10 lb., make sure the collar on your fence will support it. Most fences support smaller dogs with a collar that can be cut, but some also support them with simply smaller electronics. At the very least, most collars will also advise you on how small of a neck they’ll fit.
If your dog is especially large or has a thick neck, ensure their collar will fit. Most can fit a neck size of 24-26 inches, with a few up to 28 inches. For most dogs, this is enough, but if it doesn’t quite reach, you can look for a different system or pursue a different collar that you can attach to the electronics of the system’s collar.
For most dogs that fall in between, the size of a standard collar shouldn’t be an issue.
Electric Fences: What to Know
Generally speaking, an electric fence is a charged wire fence that will shock anything that touches it. In the context of dogs, we mean an in-ground wire that traces the boundary a dog is safe to roam in. The dog must wear a collar that communicates with the wire. Once the dog approaches the wire, it will send a signal to the collar for what level of warning or correction to offer.
In-ground fence pros:
- Low maintenance
- Larger range
- Sensitivity to your dog’s intentions
- Permanence
- Wire isn’t loyal to a brand and can be changed out in a moment’s notice
- Handles sloped land, trees, metal fixtures, and other common hindrances to a wireless fence’s signal
- Can be set up in any shape
In-ground fence cons:
- Wire must be wrapped around the boundary, whether it needs to be buried or not
- Perimeter not easily adjustable
- Only somewhat portable with above-ground wire
- Quality wire is expensive
- Wire can be damaged and need to be replaced
Wireless Fences: What to Know
Wireless fences are sometimes entirely wireless between the transmitter and collar. They work by setting up a transmitter in a central location. It communicates with the collar to determine its location and sends out correction signals when the dog begins to leave its range. These fences can have their range adjusted from the transmitter in a moment and don’t require manually tracing the perimeter.
Wireless fence pros:
- Fast set-up
- Very portable
- Most systems can extend the range by simply adding another transmitter
- No wires to damage or replace
- Battery powered transmitters aren’t as likely to be damaged by lightning
Wireless fence cons:
- Sloped land, especially where it slopes upward
- Trees, metal fixtures and roofing, and anything else that interferes with radio signal
- Radio signal can make the perimeter more inconsistent
- Radio won’t penetrate walls, so a second transmitter is often necessary to cover the front yard and back yard
- Only works in a circle
In-ground wire gauge
The thicker a wire is, the more reliable and durable it is. Copper wire is a big feature for its reliability and strength of the signal. The thickest wires often sold are 14 gauge while 20 gauge is on the lower end of what’s sold.
If a product offers thin, low-grade wire, it’s more likely to struggle with tracking your dog and staying in one piece. On the other hand, it will usually come with a lower price tag if you’re still trying to test the waters. Not all dogs respond to an electric fence, and it isn’t feasible for everyone to take a gamble with a high-end product.
Thicker wire is very expensive, especially if you’re considering covering a large yard. However, compared to a physical fence for large areas or areas with a lot of changes in the boundaries, it can be well worth the investment. Thicker wire is going to last longer, often more protected, and won’t need to be replaced often.
Wireless Dog Fence Range
It’s easy to get disoriented reading descriptions of fences covering 100 acres of range and another just 5 acres. While a wireless fence might “only” offer 200 ft of coverage, that might be more than enough for most of us! So, how much do you need to buy for?
For an in-ground fence, you’ll want to know the total perimeter size of the land since it’ll trace the outside completely. Some descriptions will tell you how many acres their product will cover, which is usually all you need if you know the size of the area. If you’re not sure and the land is quite a bit, you can always measure the longest side and multiply it 4 to get the square perimeter. As always, buy more than you expect to need.
For a wireless fence, get the radius by measuring from the center of the range (where the transmitter will be placed) to the furthest point out. Multiply this number by 2 for the diameter, or the range of the transmitter. Keep in mind the transmitter won’t penetrate walls very well so you may need to do this for the front yard as well as the back yard.
Warning Levels for Your Dog
Not all fences will warn your pet at the same point for the same level. If your dog handles warnings in a one-size-fits-all manner, then fences without customizable options will work fine for you. This is an area where it is best to know your dog’s temperament.
If your dog is especially stubborn, you should consider a fence that gives a stronger correction than your average dog.
If your dog is especially timid, a fence with a warning-only setting is a great choice. For some pups, any warning is more than enough to ruin their day, and a full correction could be traumatizing. For them, it may be best to avoid any fence that doesn’t offer warnings. Due to many fences offering an inconsistent border, it may also be better for them to be kept on a warning-only setting.
Another feature is fences that detect the speed of your dog’s movement. If they’re moving slowly and curious, it will take a lot to move past warning tones. If they’re approaching too quickly, it will skip straight to correction levels. Some dog owners take issue with this, and if you would prefer your dog always get a warning for training purposes, it’s best to pass on a fence with Auto-Correct.
Type of dog coat: does it matter for an electric fence?
While many of the fences offer prongs for long and short hair, it is a feature to double check if you have a dog with long hair or even a double coat. Prongs designed for long hair are surely too much for a short-haired dog, but dogs with double coats may not even feel the long-hair prongs. If your dog has a double coat, it’s best to check if the fence has long-hair prongs included and if reviews mention any issues with it reaching through these coats.
Waterproof or Water Resistant Dog Fence?
Most fences and electronics will tout “waterproof,” but it’s a much more detailed conversation than just “waterproof.” While “water resistant” is a term meaning it won’t promptly fail if it touches any water and can handle being slightly submerged, “waterproof” implies it might even handle going for a swim.
If your dog is prone to getting his or her collar wet or you have a water feature, check the water rating before purchasing.
A rating of IPV7 means the collar can be submerged up to 3 feet, while an IP67 rating means the collar can take a powerful stream of water. If your pup likes to splish-splash and frequently takes a bath, make sure the manufacturer states what rating they have, and what that rating means.
Collar Batteries: Replaceable or Rechargeable
Collars usually come in two options: Replaceable batteries or rechargeable batteries.
Many rechargeable collars are made to be much smaller than using a standardized battery, making them more comfortable and agreeable to smaller necks. Best of all, you won’t need to run out to buy batteries when they get low. On the other hand, they are specialized, and you’ll often have to buy a whole new collar when the batteries wear down.
Some collars allow you to replace the batteries yourself, and you can use your own rechargeable batteries if they fit! These are cheaper and may last longer since you’re watching for other parts to wear down rather than the batteries. Of course, these collars are often bulkier and a real nuisance to smaller necks. If you have a smaller dog, they’ll be much happier with a rechargeable variety.
Training Your Dog With a Wireless or Electric Fence
Any fence will require training with your dog. They need to understand what’s up with the flags, the beeping, and the buzzing. If you don’t take ample time to help them grasp the concept, they might be more traumatized than anything. Even if it doesn’t mention it or how to do it, make use of the training flags that come with it and give your dog time to understand the change you’re introducing.
Additional Purchases
There are a few extra purchases you might be looking at with a wireless or in-ground fence.
You or your dog might not like the actual collar it came with. You can DIY a more agreeable collar, or purchase wireless fence adaptable collars that are designed to fit the electronics.
You might need more wire or a different wire. If you’re doing an in-ground fence, you might want to price this out ahead of time. Some fences have a very cheap starter kit, but if you want to replace the wire with better quality, higher gauge options or just more, you might save money going with the more expensive kit in the first place.
Some kits don’t come with enough training flags. If you want to teach your dog to avoid a certain marker in general, you’ll want to purchase more of the flags or your own markers you can reliably get your hands on.
A good surge protector is a must for any piece that is plugged in, especially the transmitter. A small surge can damage your transmitter and make it unreliable or completely nonfunctional. A surge protector with a good UL rating and an internal circuit breaker can maximize the life of your transmitter.
Sources
About IP ratings
https://www.enclosurecompany.com/ip-ratings-explained.php
Quality of wires and cables
https://edisontechcenter.org/wires.html
Why and how to use a surge protector
https://www.ucop.edu/risk-services/_files/bsas/safetymeetings/powerstripsafety.pdf
