This weekend project lets you play it safe with your pup while they play in your yard
No pet owner wants to worry about their dog chasing a squirrel off the boundaries of their property and wandering. If you opt for an invisible fence and have prior experience with electrical equipment, you can learn how to install an electric dog fence over a weekend. Many retail stores offer DIY electric fences so if you purchase a kit, follow the instructions provided. Below are the general steps you’ll need to take.
There are many fence options to keep your pup safe—from classic wooden pickets to chain link mesh—but you might not always love the look of a fence.
On the flip side, electric fences can be controversial. Some believe they pose a health risk and cause behavioral issues (especially if there’s a conflict with a neighbor’s dog and you need a more tangible type of dog fence). It’s important to talk to your vet before you make any major decision about the health and safety of your dog.
If you don’t have the time for training or the budget for an electric fence setup, it isn’t always a good option. All dogs are different. Some are more persistent than others and will ignore a vibration or beep.
Additionally, some states and counties may not allow this type of fencing to be installed, so always check local ordinances.
Since you’ll need to dig for your electric fence, it’s important to check for underground utilities and power lines. If you have a contractor, they’ll check with the city. If you’re doing the job DIY, call Dig Safe before you start.
The standard transmitter typically covers 25 acres, though basic electronic dog fences only come with 500 feet of wire (about enough to enclose one-third of an acre). If you want to enclose a larger area, you’ll need a higher-powered transmitter and additional wire. Know how much you’ll need before you begin.
It’s also important to choose a fence with the right features. For large or aggressive dogs, you might need a more powerful correction. Talk with your vet about which option would work best for your dog.
Plan your fence layout before you start your installation. Use graph paper to plot out your yard and map the fence line. Since transmitters don’t do well with right angles, always round off your corners. Keep the following in mind when planning the layout:
Make sure your layout is a continuous loop.
Make sure your fence is within range of the transmitter.
Don’t put the fence’s wire near other electrical wires, telephone cables, TV cables, or satellite dishes.
Don’t cross utility wires, but if you must, always cross at a right angle or they may cause interference.
Make sure boundary wires are separated by at least 4 feet, or they can negate the signal.
Keep your fence 6 to 10 feet from a neighbor’s electric dog fence.
With your layout in hand, install your transmitter in a protected indoor area. Many homeowners choose a garage but avoid places like an unfinished barn or shed. Moisture comes with a risk of fire or electric shock. You should also keep your transmitter away from breaker boxes and large appliances since they could cause interference.
When you install your transmitter, you can set the distance at which your dog will get a warning. You want to make sure they have enough room so that going outdoors isn’t uncomfortable. Some systems send out a signal when your dog gets within 30 feet of a boundary, while others can measure down to a foot.
Lay down the boundary wire according to your plan. You may need to place wires within the boundary to reach your transmitter—for example, if you’re installing the fence around your property line, but your transmitter is in a mudroom or basement. If that’s the case, twist the wires together to negate the signal. Your dog will be able to walk over twisted wires without being buzzed.
Once the boundary wire is in place, it’s time to connect it to the transmitter. If you have any areas where you’ve added additional wire, you’ll need to connect those to complete the circuit. In that case, strip both ends of the wire and put them in a connector. For extra protection, apply silicone caulk to the connector to seal it, then wrap it in electrical tape so you can safely bury it.
It’s important to test your electric fence to ensure it works—but don’t test the collar on yourself or your dog. Instead, use the beep-only setting, and walk up to the boundary wire while holding the collar. If it beeps as it should, then you’re good to go. For extra peace of mind, test it around the perimeter, including any areas with twisted wires to make sure they’re safe to cross.
Typically, you’ll need to bury your wire about 3 inches deep, but refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you’re sure there aren’t any underground utilities in the way, you can simply dig out a small trench with a shovel, place the wire inside, and backfill it with dirt.
If your wire crosses a dirt or gravel driveway, put it inside a PVC pipe for protection. If you have to cross asphalt or concrete, you’ll need to cut into the area with a masonry saw and patch it with the correct material.
You’ll need to ground your electric fence system to prevent damage from lightning and power surges. Check the owner’s manual for instructions on proper grounding. Typically, this involves plugging your transmitter into a grounded (three-prong) outlet or surge protector.
After burying the wire and grounding the fence system, test out the collar one final time before putting it on your dog.
Installing an electric pet fence is pretty straightforward, but you can get super creative with the design. There’s no one way that works best. If you’re planning your project, these pet fence installation tips can help make the job easier and keep your pup pleased.
Boundary wires come with a lot of caveats. They'll cancel out the signal if they’re within 4 feet of another boundary wire. Other wires, like power lines and satellite hookups, can interfere with the fence. When planning your design, pay close attention to the existing electrical systems on or near your property.
If you’re running a large amount of wire within your boundary, you can purchase pre-twisted wire. This way, you won’t have to twist it yourself to cancel out the signal.
If you already have an existing fence that closes off your backyard, you can hang the boundary wire on the fence. Just make sure to keep parallel wires at least 4 feet apart. This helps you avoid digging, though you will have to lay the wire underground where there’s a gate.
Alternatively, if you already have a fence in your backyard, you can put an electric fence solely around your gate. This will prevent your dog from leaving out the only entrance or exit.
A hidden electric fence only works if your dog understands and obeys the warning signal. This requires some training. If you’re not prepared to train your dog independently, consider hiring a professional.
Handy homeowners can install DIY dog fencing. You can find a retail option for as low as $400 at a pet store or online. You’ll save a significant amount on labor costs. That said, a faulty installation could endanger your pet, especially if there’s interference from nearby wires and the signal doesn’t sound.
For most homeowners, an invisible electric dog fence costs between $1,100 and $2,500. You’ll spend more if you have a larger yard or you’re covering terrain that’s difficult to clear, like rocky ground or hills. For a more accurate quote, call an invisible fence installer near you.
For the safest installation, hire a dog fence installer near you. They’ll be able to handle complicated layouts and difficult terrains, like masonry or slopes, as well as electrical equipment. It’s better to be safe than sorry—especially when it comes to the safety of your pets.
An electric dog fence does need to make a complete loop to and from the transmitter. That said, some choose to lay parallel wires to create a boundary where a traditional loop isn’t possible or necessary. Just make sure the wires are at least 4 feet apart.
If you can’t lay down a continuous loop without cutting into your boundary, twist the wires to negate the signal. Twisted wires create a safe zone that your pet can cross in peace. Test the perimeter to be safe.
Technically, you don’t need to bury an electric dog fence. The wire doesn’t emit a shock like a traditional electric fence used for livestock. Some even choose to hang their boundary wires along an existing fence.
The main reason to bury the boundary wire is to prevent damage. It’s a potential trip hazard, and an aboveground wire can shift in bad weather or tangle inside a lawn mower or snow blower.
If you don’t ground your electric dog fence, it’s vulnerable to a power surge or lightning strike. This could permanently damage your system or trip a breaker, leaving your dog to roam freely without warning. It could also cause shock and an electrical fire.
Grounding is the best way to prevent serious electrical damage. With an invisible fence, it’s fairly straightforward. Plug it into a surge protector or grounded (three-prong) outlet. The cost to ground an existing outlet is typically around $135 to $300.
Though electric dog fences are a good option for many, they do come with some problems. The largest is a lack of protection. Electric fence setups don’t always prevent dogs from leaving; sometimes, if they really want to chase an animal, they’ll tolerate the warning signal and escape. This is more likely if your dog gets frustrated by the barrier because they can’t interact with a neighboring dog or another nearby critter.
In addition, your fence might prevent your dog from leaving your property, but it won’t prevent a hazard from entering.
The wire on a hidden dog fence does not produce a shock. Instead, it sends a signal to the accompanying collar, which will beep, vibrate, or shock your dog. That said, you should never touch an above-ground electric fence. This type of fence is typically used for livestock and carries an electrical current. Since livestock is usually much larger than a human, it can be quite dangerous for a person to touch.
