In this article, we’re taking a look at the best wireless dog fences, the pros and cons of these invisible dog fencing systems, and whether a wireless fence is the right choice for you and your furry companions.
Best Wireless Dog Fences
SpotOn Virtual Dog Fence
The SpotOn Virtual Fence is one of the next generation intelligent wireless dog fences, with GPS tracking via a mobile app.
SpotOn uses GPS data from multiple satellites, and offers real-time dog tracking with sensors located in your dog’s collar. Smart True Location AI can pinpoint your dog’s whereabouts exactly.
This portable fencing system creates a highly accurate boundary that keeps your dog safe without physical barriers. Unlike other fencing systems, you can create wireless fences of any shape and size from 1/2 acre to thousands of acres with SpotOn.
With all the latest technology, this fencing system is one of the pricier options, but the added GPS tracking can be a huge benefit for some dog owners, especially if you’re on a large scale property.
Features
- 1 collar included
- 50 x boundary training flags
- 2 x static contact points
- Static contact point tester
- Training target and stakes
- Wall charger
- 1 x USB cable
- Rechargeable battery
- Quick Start Guide
PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Dog Fence
PetSafe is one of the brand leaders in wireless dog fencing systems, and they’ve become a well established company in the pet product industry over the last 30 years.
Formerly known as the “Free to Roam” fence, the Stay and Play Wireless Dog Fence is one of the most popular models in the PetSafe range.
We’ll talk about some of the other top models in this range too, as they are perennial favorites with dog owners.
This fencing system is portable and compact, so it’s perfect if you travel or go on vacation. All you need is a power outlet.
The Stay and Play allows you to add as many additional collars to the transmitter as you like, which lets you keep all of your pets safe with the one fencing system.
Features
- 3/4 of an acre of circular coverage (22 to 105 ft from the transmitter in all directions)
- Set up takes a couple of hours in most cases
- No wires to bury
- 5 correction levels
- Tone-only mode with no static correction
- Static-free re-entry if your dog passes the boundary and then comes back
- 1 waterproof receiver collar
- Long battery life – up to 2 months
- Collar uses a RFA-67D battery
- Low battery indicator
- Protect unlimited pets on one system with the purchase of additional collars
- Customer care based in the USA
PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System
PetSafe’s Wireless Pet Containment System is one of the most popular wireless dog fences on the market.
It’s a simple, effective fencing system. The PIF-300 is completely portable, which means you can create a safe pet area when you’re traveling.
Full setup takes under two hours and there’s nothing to install or bury, which is a huge time-saver.
Features
- 1/2 an acre of circular coverage from the transmitter base
- Portable, indoor transmitter
- No cables to bury
- Fast to set up
- Static free boundary re-entry – no corrections for your pet if it goes out of the boundary and comes back in
- Perfect for camping or holiday homes
- Waterproof collar
- Collar fits dogs 8 pounds and above
- Adjustable collar fits neck sizes between 6 and 28 inches
- Collar is compatible with any PetSafe transmitters
- Low battery indicator
- Battery life of up to 2 months
- Collar uses a RFA-67D-11 battery
- Tone-only training mode
- 5 levels of static correction
- Add unlimited collars to one fencing system
- Customer care based in the USA
Pet Control HQ Wireless Remote Training Pet Containment System
Pet Control HQ offers a hybrid wired fence and remote training fencing system.
If you have a large yard or complicated terrain on your property, the combination of wired and wireless can be a better option than trying to go completely wireless – giving you more peace of mind that your dog is safe.
Features
- Wireless remote
- Up to 10 acres of safe roaming for your dog (requires extra wire)
- 492 feet of wire included
- Shape the boundary to suit your property
- Collar has tone and vibration modes
- 10 levels of correction training
- Collar is effective to stop jumping, digging, and biting
- Up to 7 days of battery life
- Comfort Collar
- Full collar charge in under 3 hours
- Fits neck sizes 8 to 27 inches
- Suitable for dogs 11 to 154 pounds
- Waterproof collar with IPX7 rating
- Safe and humane training for your dog
JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence and Training System
The JUSTPET 2 in 1 fencing and training system is new to market, and already getting rave reviews from dog owners. It combines the wireless fence with training functions, and collars that are comfortable for your dog.
Boasting a transmitter signal that’s both strong and stable, the risk of major boundary wobble is greatly reduced. Easy to set up, and the collar is super safe for your pets, with low voltage and two conductor types to suit the size and hair length of your dog.
Features
- 433MHz frequency that won’t interfere with other electronics
- Adjustable boundary up to 100 feet from the transmitter
- Sound-only mode
- Adjustable static correction levels
- Long-distance dog training system
- Low voltage that ensures the safety of your dog
- Adjustable collar from 8 to 28 inches
- Suitable for dogs 10 to 110 pounds
- Waterproof collar
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- USA patent pending
PetSafe PIF-300 Wireless 2-Dog Fence Containment System
The PetSafe PIF-300 containment system is one of the newer offerings in the PetSafe range, and a top contender in the best wireless dog fences category.
It’s a portable, compact, and wireless system – and covers up to half an acre of land out of the box, plus it can be expanded with extra transmitters.
This system offers both tone and static corrections for your pet, depending on your personal preference for training.
On Amazon, this product is rated 4.1 out of 5 by customers. In the box, it has a wireless transmitter, collar, longer contact points for shaggy dogs, an operating manual, and 50 x boundary flags for training.
Features
- Suitable for dogs weighing 8 pounds and above
- 1/2 an acre of circular coverage
- Includes an extra PIF-275-19 collar
- Collar adjusts to fit necks from 6 to 28 inches
- Waterproof receiver collar
- Set up in under 2 hours
- 5 adjustable levels of static correction
- Tone-only mode
- Automatic correction shut-off of 30 seconds to protect your dog
- Range can be expanded with extra wireless transmitters.
- Fencing system can cater for an unlimited number of dogs with additional collars
- Built in RDA-67 rechargeable battery in the collar
- Setup and training manual included
PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Fence for Stubborn Dogs
If your dog is a little stronger willed than you might like, and won’t stop chasing squirrels in your neighbor’s yard, no matter what you do – PetSafe comes to the rescue with their wireless fencing system for stubborn dogs.
Rated 4.5 stars out of 5 by over 3,000 Amazon customers – this is a great starting point when you’re making a list of best wireless dog fences for your needs.
The main difference between this fencing system and PetSafe’s other wireless fences are the correction modes, which are stronger (but still safe) for your best friends.
Features
- 3/4 of an acre of circular coverage from the transmitter
- No cables to bury
- Sound-only mode
- 5 levels of static correction to deter even the most stubborn pets from straying
- Static free property re-rentry
- 1 x waterproof receiver collar
- Rechargeable collar
- Collar fits dogs 5 pounds and above
- Fast set up in under 2 hours
- Collar charges fully in under 3 hours
- Adjustable collar to fit neck sizes 6 to 28 inches
- Compact and portable for travel
- Buy additional collars for unlimited pets to use on the one system
- Customer care based in the USA
FAQS About Wireless Dog Fences
What is a wireless dog fence?
Electric dog fencing systems have been around for about 40 years now. They traditionally needed you to dig trenches and place a physical boundary cable in your yard – but with the new wireless technology, this is a thing of the past.
Wireless dog fences consist of a transmitter and a receiver collar. The transmitter emits a circular signal that creates a boundary for your dog. When the transmitter is turned on, it sends a signal to your dog’s receiver collar that can buzz or beep to deter your dog from going past the edge of the invisible fence.
Is a wireless dog fence better than a wired dog fence?
Wireless dog fences have numerous advantages over wired fences, especially if:
- Your property lease or neighborhood doesn’t allow you to build a fence around your property
- You can’t afford/don’t want a traditional wood or metal fence around your house
- You have a pool or garden you don’t want your dogs to get into
- You move house or go on vacation – you can take these fences with you
- Easy and fast to set up
- Much cheaper than physical fencing
Why use a wireless dog fence?
Wireless fences take the hassle out of keeping your dog safe. There’s no digging trenches, no burying cables, and no huge costs that are associated with other types of fencing.
You simply position the transmitter in a central place, plug it into a power source, and turn it on.
Instead of digging trenches and burying wire, you simply position the transmitter unit in a closet, plug it in and turn it on, then put your dog’s collar on and sync it with the transmitter. It’s as easy as that!
How does an invisible wireless dog fence work?
From your central, portable transmitter, a circular, invisible boundary is created. This creates a “no go” zone for any dog that’s wearing the matching collar to the transmitter. The transmitter constantly sends a signal to your dog’s collar as long as it stays within the boundary area.
If your dog roams outside the designated boundary, they will hear an audible beep or feel a buzz in their collar as a warning signal to move back inside the boundary. Your dog will quickly learn where the edge of the boundary is once they get familiar with the sensation of the collar, and understand which areas of your property are the safe zones.
Will a wireless dog fence hurt my dog?
Wireless dog fences are safe and humane for your dog, as long as you follow the manufacturer’s guides to the correct age, breed, and size of dog that their system is designed for. Vets, trainers, and behavioral experts all recommend these fencing systems to keep your pets safe if traditional fencing isn’t an option.
You’ll need to train your dog so that they understand where the boundaries are. Initial training should take place with the transmitter turned off.
Most wireless dog fences come with perimeter flags, which help your dog learn where they can and can’t go. Keep walking your dog around the boundary so they become accustomed to their walking area. Once they begin to understand their range is limited on your property, you can begin training with the transmitter on.
Set the collar/transmitter to the lowest power setting to start with. As you walk your dog around, let them experience what happens when they’re inside the boundary versus outside it. Your dog will begin to understand that the buzzing or beeping sensations mean they’re outside of their safe zone.
Most dogs learn quickly that they need to turn around and move closer to your house when they hear the collar’s warning signal. Once they have reached this stage of training, you can remove your perimeter training flags, and adjust the transmitter/collar to their normal settings.
Pros and cons of wireless dog fences
Pros
- They’re fast and easy to install
- No boundary wires to lay
- Can easily be moved if you shift house
Cons
- Wireless dog fence boundaries can fluctuate which may cause confusion for your dog
- Wooded areas, metal objects, and fencing can cause dead spots
- May not be suitable if you have a narrow property (less than 30ft wide)
- Not ideal for sloped or terraced properties
- Dog collars for wireless fences can’t be worn indoors
- The collars are also heavy and bulky, so not suitable for all dogs
What to think about when you’re making a list of the best wireless dog fences for your needs
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re trying to understand what the best wireless dog fences might be for you and your dog.
- Shape of the fence
- Fence diameter
- Size and terrain of your property
- Correction time
- Type of collar
- Is the collar adjustable?
- The weight, age, and size of your dog
- Area of coverage provided
- Battery life
- Boundary wobble
- Is it portable?
- How many dogs can use the wireless fence at the same time?
- How much does it cost for a good wireless dog fence?
How to choose the best invisible fencing for your dog
Let’s dig a bit deeper into the above points that you need to think about when you’re making a list of the best wireless dog fences for your pups.
The size of the wireless fence range vs the size of your property
Every wireless dog fence has a maximum range of operation – so you need to choose a fence that works with the size of your property.
Invisible dog fences may have a range that can expand if you connect extra transmitters. This will create overlapping areas of fencing, and create a larger coverage area.
Your property shape
If your property is long and narrow, you may find that a wireless fence won’t work well. The transmitters create a circular coverage area, which in turn creates an invisible circular fence for your dog. If your property is narrow, or an odd shape, then a wired fence may be a more suitable option.
The terrain of your property
Wireless dog fences operate using radio waves. Unlike bluetooth transmission, radio waves need a straight, uninterrupted line of transmission to work properly. If you have large trees, fences, metal doors, or other metal objects on your property, this can “break” your fence – causing dead zones in the invisible boundary that your dog can escape through.
Radio waves are also unable to travel up or down. If your property has hills, steep slopes, or terraces, a wireless fence might not work for your needs.
Boundary wobble
Due to the radio wave transmissions, your boundary range can “wobble”. This can be caused by things like variations in weather, temperature, or humidity. Much like these elements can affect the clarity of a radio show, they can also affect your wireless fence.
Boundary wobble can fluctuate anywhere from 1 to 10 feet. If you’re looking at a wireless dog fence and the manufacturer’s specifications say the wobble is greater than 10 feet – don’t purchase it, as it is likely to be an overall low-quality and unreliable fence.
Many pet owners consider boundary wobble to be one of the main reasons to avoid wireless dog fences, as the random changes in boundary shape and range can be confusing and unfair for their pets.
The weight of your dog
Manufacturers typically state the minimum weight of dogs that can use their specific wireless fencing system.
Due to wireless dog collars emitting a small electric shock to keep your pet within the boundaries of the invisible fence, it’s important you know how much your dog weighs. This is to avoid the collar causing harm to your dog if it’s too small and light.
The breed of your dog
Your dog may be a fast learner – or a sensitive snowflake! It’s important that you understand the learning behavior of your dog in relation to its breed. This ensures you set the right correction levels for the wireless fence, and can undertake the correct training process for your furry friend.
Your dog’s age
Your dog must be over 6 months of age to use a wireless dog fence. Puppies under 6 months aren’t old enough to understand how the collar works, or why they’re being punished if they step outside the boundary of the invisible fencing system.
In addition, young pups may be adversely affected by the mild electric shock. This has been known to cause brain damage in some puppies – and that’s not something you want to happen to your brand new friend.
How many dogs you have
Check the manufacturer’s specifications for the number of dogs that can use the wireless fencing system. Some systems only allow two dogs to use the fence at any one time. Other systems allow unlimited dogs to be contained within the fence – you’ll just need an additional collar for each dog and make sure all collars are tuned in to the same transmitter.
The size and weight of the collar that comes with the wireless dog fencing system
Some wireless dog fence collars can be big, bulky, and heavy. The neck area of any dog is sensitive, so you need to make sure there’s a lightweight collar option if your dog is a smaller breed. This will help avoid irritation and discomfort when your dog is wearing it.
Battery
All wireless dog collars rely on batteries to operate. While most manufacturers use rechargeable batteries, you’ll need to check they’re fully charged before your dog goes outside. It’s best to check your wireless fencing system comes with batteries that have rapid charge, and an extended wear time. You should also have replacement batteries on hand if the original ones fail for any reason.
Transmitters
Your transmitters need to connect to a power outlet to function. This means you need to protect against both power surges and power outages which might cause your fence to fail while your dog is outside. Having a battery backup can be helpful in these circumstances.
Cost
One of the biggest barriers to choosing a wireless dog fence can be the price. It’s advisable to purchase the best fence that’s within your budget. Very cheap wireless fencing systems can often be a waste of your money.
Most quality invisible dog fencing systems cost around $200 to $400, which can be a steep investment for a lot of people. This will typically only cover one dog.
If you have multiple dogs, you’ll also need to factor extra collars in for each dog. If you have a larger section, you might also need to factor in extra transmitters to expand the range of your fence.
Is a wireless dog fence right for me?
Wireless dog fences work incredibly well for some dog owners. If you have a flat, square yard that’s unfenced, with no impediments to the transmitters, this is the perfect situation to install an invisible fence.
Another consideration is that you should be prepared to remove your dog’s collar when it comes back inside – as the collar will then stop working due to interference from electronics and walls, and it can be a hindrance to your dog.
Where can I buy an invisible wireless dog fence?
Most leading pet stores online and offline sell wireless dog fences. A quick search on Amazon will also bring up hundreds of wireless dog fencing options – just make sure to read the reviews and specifications first.
And if you’re in any doubt about what to purchase, ask another dog owner or a qualified pet expert in your area.
The best wireless dog fences – in conclusion
The SpotOn is one of the best wireless dog fences on the market right now, due to its amazing high tech solutions and tracking options. The SpotOn also covers a huge range, which is something other wireless fencing systems aren’t able to match. While it has a fairly steep price tag, it’s well worth it to keep your best friends safe and secure.
For a standard fencing option, we love the PetSafe Wireless Fence Pet Containment System for its simplicity, ease of use, and affordability.
Whichever wireless fencing system you end up choosing, make sure you read the manufacturer’s guide thoroughly before you use it. Set aside some quality time for you and your dog to get used to using the system, so your dog understands where it can and can’t go with the collar on.
Most dogs get used to a wireless fence within 3 weeks, and they’ll enjoy the freedom they have to roam safely in your yard with no leashes or physical fences.
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