10 Best Invisible Dog Fences: In-ground vs. Wireless

Niki Tudge, a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant from the Pet Professional Guild, said that there's a risk of fallout behavior among dogs trained with invisible collars.

“What happens is that dogs start to generalize the pain to what they see and hear around them. Then you end up with dogs who become reactive and aggressive towards children going past on bikes or people walking by.”

–Niki Tudge, Founder, Pet Professional Guild

On the other hand, no one can contest the adaptability and convenience of an invisible fence.

The truth here is invisible fences ONLY work if your dog has proper training.

Otherwise, you may just be hurting your dog without him fully understanding why he's getting shocked.

So if you're confident your dog's gonna get past the initial “shock” of this new system, scroll further for our comprehensive list and review of the Top 10 Best Invisible Dog Fences.

Now, on to our invisible options.

What's the difference between a wireless and an in-ground dog fence, you ask?

How much does each one cost, and what are their pros and cons?

Here's a brief on both of them.

Wireless Dog Fence

• It's simple to install, remove and adjust
• Average setup time: 2-5 hours (depending on the system)
• Covers only circular areas up to 3/4 of an acre

Pros: Ease of use and setup
Cons: It's less reliable and covers only circular and small areas

In-ground Dog Fence

• It can be custom-tailored for each yard and pet(s)
• It takes longer to install and remove
• Average setup time: 1 day (a DIY project)
• Covers preferred areas and up to 11 acres in size

Pros: Much more reliable coverage setup that can be customized, largest cover area.
Cons: It takes longer to install and remove.

If a small DIY project that will take about a day to do does not scare you, then I'd say the in-ground option is better due to its larger coverage and reliability.

When is An Invisible Dog Fence the Right Choice for You?

While many people disagree, these systems could be effective in keeping your dogs contained.

After all, most owners use invisible fences to keep their dogs away from getting into trouble.

It could be far worse than a quick electrical shock!

That said, remember that not all dog containment systems are created equal.

And if you're not sure whether this is the right choice for you, consider the questions below:

• Have you first considered other ways to contain your pet, such as physical fencing?
• Have you already tried boundary training your dog? Training should be your first choice.
• Is your dog healthy enough to be wearing a shock collar? Consult with a vet beforehand.
• If at all possible, can you have an animal behaviorist check your fencing setup for safety?
• For the device that you're buying, is there a non-shock setting as the first point of stimuli?
• Are you prepared to get rid of the electric fence if your pet doesn't respond well to it?

Consider these questions carefully before deciding whether you should get an electric fence or not.

If you decide to buy, we've listed below ten of our favorite best invisible dog fence brands we've reviewed over the years.

Top 10 Best Invisible Dog Fence

1 Second Generation In-Ground Electric Dog Fence
by Extreme Dog Fence

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 10 acres
• Wire: 500′ to 5000′ 14 Gauge
• Dog size: 8 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground dog fence

The Extreme Dog Fence System jumps up to our first spot.

My colleague, Samantha, did a comprehensive review of this unit, and she really liked it.

Currently, this is the most popular company and product in the whole invisible dog fence market.

It's also a long-time Amazon bestseller.

Extreme Dog Fence has manufactured the highest quality invisible dog fence with a ton of perks, features, and additions that are hard to beat.

Sure, their price is higher than the average invisible fence out there.

But they have a far better cost-to-value ratio since they offer the largest cover area, best-rated, and largest wiring with many additional options.

It extends from 500 to 5000 feet of the highest rate 14 gauge wiring, depending on how much you need to cover the areas on your property you want to have fenced in.

The receiver collar contains five correction levels, so you can keep it at low power if necessary.

We liked that it comes with a surge protector, which is handy in case of lightning strikes or power surges.

The kit also contains an underground dog fence wire (waterproof professional-grade twisted), waterproof splices, and other necessary installation material for your very first electric fence for dogs.

This is our first pick due to its ease of installation and additional features compared to most other brands.

And a huge amount of positive reviews from other owners have proved our assessment to be true.

What Pet Parents Say

Other dog owners were impressed by the quality of this electric doggy fence.

Many have noted the importance of this being high-quality and made in the USA.

Of course, no one wants to deal with haywire every time there’s a rainstorm, so the waterproof is especially useful.

One pet owner even said it was “heavier duty than most of the retail systems you can buy on the market.”

The battery life of this wireless fence for dogs is long-lasting.

No, it's not rechargeable.

But that's fine because charges tend to lose their power after a long period of time anyway.

Pros and Cons

Extreme Dog Fence System's heaviness and ease of installment are two big pluses if you're looking to secure your pets using a high-quality fence in the yard.

The downside is that it can be rather unwieldy.

This electric dog fence is heavy, especially the wiring, so you’re going to do some lugging when you’re setting it up.

Customers also shared their recommendations for laying down the wire.

One suggested digging a trench, whereas others thought of threading it through a PVC pipe.

Overall, this is, without a doubt, the best invisible dog fence on the market.

However, it comes at a price, and I highly recommend it if you're really serious about your dogs' containment.

2

 Yardmax Rechargeable In-Ground System for Dogs
by PetSafe

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1/3 acre
• Wire: 500′ 20 Gauge
• Dog size: 5 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground dog fence

PetSafe essentially dominates the market with different types of pet fencing systems.

This in-ground fence system is rechargeable and not battery-powered like our first pick.

It has also been tested and found to conform to pet safety and health measures.

This in-ground fence for dogs uses a transmitter and buried wire to encircle the property.

The pet collar is rechargeable, and the warning tone and static are quickly emitted if he or she crosses the boundary.

PetSafe Yardmax Rechargeable System is our second top-rated dog fence because the wiring isn’t as long as that one on the first dog fence.

The correction levels aren’t as flexible, yet they are still high-quality and very effective for the price.

With this Yardmax technology, if your dog receives static when he leaves the boundary, he will not be shocked again upon return after fifteen seconds.

This way, your dog won’t be afraid to return back to your yard, even past the wireless dog fence.

PetSafe dog fences are also made of very hardy material, so they won’t be damaged easily, especially considering the wiring is in-ground.

You'd want to purchase a heavier gauge wire for your future in-ground electric dog fence, just in case you'll need to have extra-strength wiring.

It’s very simple to install, but make sure you have a shovel.

The wire doesn’t have to be deeply under the ground, but it still does need to be buried.

Overall, it's a solid choice for a much lower price than the Extreme Dog Fence System.

3 Underground Wire Dog Containment Kit
by SportDog Brand

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1 1/3 acre
• Wire: 1000′ 20 Gauge
• Dog size: 10 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground

This in-ground fence kit contains 100 flags and costs slightly less than the SportDog fence listed below.

The wire also stretches 1,000 feet.

There's also an option to expand the transmitter’s reach to your other dogs simply by buying another SDF-R receiver, which is convenient for canine owners with multiple dogs.

The battery life is great, with four levels of corrective action available on the collar.

This electric dog fence is an effective containment system that works consistently and as it should.

We advise using a staple gun to ensure that the wires stay in place.

Also, make sure that you check the screws on the battery pack often on your dog to make sure it won't fall off.

After using it for a while, the battery life still holds up, and everything seems to stay in place well.

The downside of this invisible fence is that the corrective levels on it don’t stretch as high as the ones before it.

But if you're asking me, the added flags and wiring make it a great bargain.

Something that should be said for all invisible fences for dogs is that they’re not right for some pets.

If your canine has a nervous temperament, he or she could become more fearful and stressed because of this electric dog fence.

Before purchasing this or any other electric equipment, ensure your pet has the personality and the health to handle it.

4 In-Ground Dog Fence System, SDF-100A
by SportDOG

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1 1/3 acre
• Wire: 1000′ 14/16/18 Gauge
• Dog size: 10 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground dog fence

SportDog is one of the top manufacturers of dog shock collars and dog GPS collars, among many other pet tech products.

Now they've entered the invisible dog fence market.

All their invisible fence, including this one, has 1,000 feet of heavy-duty 20-gauge wire.

This is the main reason why we got this on the 4th spot.

It can also enclose two-thirds to one acre, which is great.

SportDog's invisible dog fence also has a lightning surge protector and is recommended for dogs over ten pounds.

When laying it down, they recommend marking the area with flags first because the strength of the wiring will make it hard to redo. Although we liked its wiring, we found it slightly difficult to get into the transmitter.

But it sure is durable and hefty, which is a plus.

You'd be sure that you won’t run into any issues like damages on the wire just as long as it's buried properly.

We also liked that we could install these ourselves at home without professionals.

The adjustable zone and power levels also reach a wide range, so you’ll be able to program the transmitters to whatever level you think is appropriate and necessary.

Just make sure you don’t mix the two up, as that can lead to your dog possibly getting a nasty shock!

And another thing worth mentioning…

The insulation may not be able to prevent a creature with large teeth who'll chew on it.

We’re talking more like a bear, but I'm sure a really large and enthusiastic dog can also chew through some of this pet fence.

But overall, this is still a pretty solid choice if you plan to install a dog invisible fence.

5 Free To Roam Wireless Fence for Dogs
by PetSafe

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1/2 acre
• Dog size: 5 lbs and up
• Type: Wireless dog fence

By its own design, a wireless dog fence simply cannot beat an invisible dog fence.

That's why we're only getting to them with the top options out of the way.

We picked the PetSafe kit as the 5th best invisible dog fence because it comes with two extra battery packs and a great connection and range, compared to some other wireless dog fence brands below.

It covers a circular area of ½ an acre and is adjustable to the distance you need it for, which is always great.

You can put it in the tone-only mode or in the correctional level, but those are adjustable too.

This is a wireless dog fence, and it's also easily portable if you need to move it.

However, the battery packs were spotty for some customers, and the acreage it covered wasn’t as high as the others.

But, if you have a smaller yard and purchase extra packs—and the costs obviously add up—it will most likely work well for you.

The convenience of this fence is the best part.

It’s very portable and easy to install, but it is also very durable and water-resistant.

This is one of the more durable models on the list, which makes it a great bargain for its current price.

Also, whether it's a pro or a con, the fence is not in-ground, so setup is less labor-intensive.

We did notice a battery issue with the collar.

The replacement batteries have a shorter life and differ from the actual battery.

6Elite Little Dog Invisible Dog Fence
by PetSafe

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1/3 acre
• Wire: 14/16/18/20 Gauge
• Dog size: 5 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground

Yet another good invisible dog fence from PetSafe, designed for smaller dogs between 5 and 50 pounds.

It’s compatible with several different types of correctional collars for dogs and can also work for multiple canines.

The collars it’s compatible with include Deluxe Ultralight Collar, cat collars, SportDOG in-ground fence collars, and most rechargeable dog collars.

It also works with the PetSafe indoor barrier.

PetSafe Elite Little Dog In-Ground Fence is the sixth-best product for us.

Not because it isn’t a good pet fence but because the size limit makes it restrictive to only small breeds.

We liked the quality of this invisible dog fence, but for the price, some may think it's not worth it, especially for little dogs.

We were impressed at the versatility of this invisible dog fence and the way it works with multiple dog collars for multiple purposes, both indoor and outdoor.

PetSafe Elite Little Fence is also very easy to install and set up, a relief for dog owners who are tired of dealing with pet equipment that seems needlessly complicated.

We suggest edgers or hand shovels cut through the ground and bury the wire.

It's a good system for extremely energetic puppies and small dogs who have trouble obeying instructions and constantly try running into the street.

And if you're planning to get it anyway for your bigger dog, don't bother.

We tried it ourselves.

We experienced a user error, and the large breeds blasted straight through the fencing.

So I suggest you take heed of the instructions.

Also, note that a double wire is possibly necessary to install if you live in an area where the wiring could be damaged, such as near woods where creatures might chew on it or in an area with a lot of lightning strikes (tornado alley).

7PIF00-12917 Stay and Play Wireless Invisible Dog Fence
by PetSafe

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 3/4 acre
• Dog size: 5 lbs and up
• Type: Wireless dog fence

As we continue with more PetSafe dog fences, they have another newer model out called “Stay and Play.”

With this new PetSafe's PIF00-12917 model as our seventh choice, you'd think there's not much left to offer, and you're almost right.

There are no wires to bury, and the transmitter is portable, as with all other wireless dog fences.

There are five levels of static corrective power, and you can also set it to “tone only,” which has no static in it.

These invisible fences from PetSafe are also compatible with the PetSafe PIF-300, which is the original PetSafe dog fence and electric collars.

The perimeter of this invisible dog fence is ¾ of an acre, which is definitely a decent area.

It can be set up wherever you need it to be, and not just at home.

Though the wireless system on PetSafe PIF00-12917 Stay and Play Wireless Fence is convenient, certainly, the transmitter doesn’t always cover all of the areas it needs to.

Again, it depends on the size of your yard.

Smaller yards probably work better, which is why many customers still find this to be one of the best brands you can purchase.

But we'll leave it at number seven and present you with more reasons as to why below.

The portability of this electric fencing kit is what draws many customers to it.

If you travel frequently or need your wireless dog fence for other outside purposes, it is possible to set it up anywhere.

PetSafe PIF00-12917 Stay and Play Wireless Fence also work with smaller dogs that are around five pounds.

Customers with, as one put it, “oddly shaped yards” were delighted that these animal fences worked with their ground plan and weren't that inconvenient for them.

The fence is also simple to set up and use and works with multiple dogs.

Several customers who purchased this dog electric fence pointed out that if your lawn is on a hill or steep slope, the signal won’t curve with the slope and will not reach the ground level.

Be aware of that before purchasing this model.

If you have a yard that is on an incline or decline, you may want to look into in-ground fencing instead, like the ones we’ve listed above.

8 Wireless Pet Containment System
by PetSafe

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1/2 acre
• Wire: 500′ 20 Gauge
• Dog size: 8 lbs and up
• Type: Wireless dog fence

Another product from PetSafe is their Wireless Pet Containment System, a brand that has been tested and found to meet the safety and health levels required by canines.

It covers a range of ½ an acre in diameter (180 feet) and is definitely worth being on this list.

It works for pets that are eight pounds or more, and there are no wires to bury, making the system easy to set up.

The static correction is also set at a low level that the company describes as “startling but not harmful.”

The company also notes that the pet area is only workable in a circular area and cannot be transferred into a square/rectangular shape.

PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System is the eighth most popular invisible dog fence that covers a smaller area, and the connection problems when around metal objects were definitely something to take heed of (see the cons section below).

However, it remains a potentially great option from this list as many customers were still very satisfied with their purchase.

This is arguably one of the best wireless dog fences out there, but due to some flaws, it ranked slightly lower.

However, despite the fact that the shape is circular only, customers still found that it provided enough space and “wiggle room” for their dogs.

Customers reported the effectiveness of this wireless dog fence, saying that their pets were trained with little to no extra effort necessary (dogs are good at figuring these things out most of the time).

Owners with labs especially said that this eighth brand had been successful for them.

Be aware that your dog shouldn’t wear this while in the house because of false corrections spurred by metal objects.

This is a huge con for this product and a big potential problem for the owner if you ever forget.

It's also the main reason we've ranked this as the eighth fence overall.

One pet owner reported that the metal items in the kitchen ended up setting off the collar.

However, this is still anecdotal evidence, and more proof would be needed to make sure that this is certainly the case.

These things do happen, of course, so be careful to take the collar off the dog if you have a lot of metal materials or simply opt-in for any other option from this list.

9Stubborn Dog Fence
by PetSafe

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 1/3 acre
• Wire: 500′ 20 Gauge
• Dog size: 30 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground

The ninth dog fence on the best invisible dog fence list is the fourth product from PetSafe.

Their Stubborn fence works with dogs that are stubborn and large and probably haven’t responded well to training or prior fence implementation.

This invisible dog fence has four different static correctional levels, with the highest one being 50% stronger than most collars.

Again, the fence works mostly for larger dogs that have shown no interest in being trained and told to stay within their boundaries.

You can purchase extra shock collars, which are sold separately, for unlimited amounts of other dogs.

There also is a tone-only setting for the collar that doesn’t emit any static.

The wire is 14 gauge and very durable (it may require some extra muscle to weave it into the transmitter).

Included in the kit are 500 feet of wire, a transmitter, a training guide, 50 boundary flags, and a few other essentials.

PetSafe Stubborn Canine Fence is placed here because although it’s very good at correcting stubborn dogs, it did pose a problem for some owners when it came to the wire getting chewed through.

The wire strength didn’t withstand good chewing from some larger dogs, and nobody wants to run into that.

I suggest you do your due diligence if, for some reason, you'd like to choose this item over anything else on this list.

The size of the dog and the coating thickness is the most determinable factors in getting your dog to listen effectively to the static of your invisible dog fences.

Other customers remarked that it was “perfect for awkward yards.”

Meaning that people with yards that aren’t in a perfect circle or square will find this inground dog fence to be well worth the money and installation time.

If you have a smart dog, as one irritated purchaser did, he or she may be able to discover what is actually the source of the shock—the wire.

This individual’s dog, who the owner termed a “very talented escape artist,” figured out that the wire shocked him and chewed through it with some effort.

After doing that, he was able to run out, and this invisible dog fence was truly invisible to him.

I doubt that this ingeniousness is typical of many dogs, but it is something to be aware of (do consistent boundary checks if you think your dog is the type to do this).

10Extreme Dog Fence – Standard Grade – Second Generation – Invisible Dog Fence
by Extreme Dog Fence

Find it on Amazon

• Coverage area: 11 acres
• Dog size: 8 lbs and up
• Type: In-ground

Our last pick is the product from Extreme Dog Fence, a trusted company manufacturing in the United States.

This invisible dog fence standard grade verge has coverage of up to 6 acres, more than most other invisible dog fences on this list.

To use this, dogs must be over eight pounds and have neck circumferences of 14-16 inches.

It is also waterproof and can work for two dogs.

The correction levels are adjustable, and the wired fence allows you to place the boundary right where you want it.

Even though it's at number ten, Extreme Dog Fence's invisible dog fence is still one of the top-rated invisible dog fences you can find to purchase on Amazon or most other online retailers.

And apparently, their customer service is above and beyond normal companies if you need help with training and setup.

On top of its coverage being large, it can be used for up to 5 dogs and is waterproof for up to 10 ft if submerged.

This tenth-rated invisible dog fence provides adequate coverage for pet owners who live on large spaces of land.

Customers with several acres said that they were excited to finally have a canine fence that would cover the necessary areas.

The “trigger zone” is three to six feet, a shorter zone than most, so be aware when deciding the boundaries you want this fence to be—keep it away from the road.

Although customers may find it tedious to dig and bury this invisible dog fence, hundreds of customers were relieved that this was very reliable.

If registered, the warranty lasts up to 10 years (depending on what model you choose).

Seven correctional levels of the Extreme Dog Fence also provide leeway when teaching your dog not to cross the boundary.

FAQs about Invisible Dog Fences

How does an invisible fence for dogs work?

An invisible fence for dogs works by using a collar that emits a warning beep and then a static correction if the dog crosses a predetermined boundary.

The boundary is established by burying a wire around the perimeter of the property.

How do I train my dog to use an invisible fence?

To train a dog to use an invisible fence, it is important to start with basic obedience training and positive reinforcement.

Gradually introduce the dog to the boundaries of the fence and use the warning beep and static correction as needed to reinforce the boundaries.

Can an invisible fence for dogs be used on all breeds and sizes of dogs?

An invisible fence for dogs can be used on most breeds and sizes of dogs, but it is important to choose a collar that is appropriate for the dog's size and weight.

Some breeds may require more intensive training to adapt to the fence.

What are some common problems with invisible fences for dogs?

Some common problems with invisible fences for dogs include dogs becoming fearful or anxious due to the static correction, dogs ignoring the warning beep, and the fence being ineffective if the dog is highly motivated to cross the boundary.

What happens if my dog ignores the invisible fence and crosses the boundary?

If a dog ignores the invisible fence and crosses the boundary, it will receive a static correction to deter it from continuing.

It is important to address any issues with the fence or training to prevent the dog from repeatedly crossing the boundary.

How do I maintain an invisible fence for dogs?

To maintain an invisible fence for dogs, it is important to check the collar regularly and replace the batteries as needed.

The wire should also be inspected periodically for damage or breaks, and any repairs should be made promptly to ensure the fence is functioning properly.

Related Articles:

• 11 Dog-Friendly Backyard Ideas on a Budget
• Best Non-Harmful Alternatives to Electric Dog Fences
• 12 Pros and Cons of Wireless Dog Fences [Infographic]
• When Dog Fences Are Absolutely Necessary

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