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Let your dog run free without the hassle of putting up a fence in your yard. Wireless dog fences are an excellent alternative, especially if you don’t want the hassle of digging up your yard to bury in-ground wires.
Article Overview
Why Get A Wireless Dog Fence?
Here are a few reasons why you might be a good candidate for a wireless dog fence:
- Strict neighborhood regulations don’t allow fences
- Don’t want the eyesore of a wooden or metal fence surrounding your yard
- Block other outdoor areas like the swimming pool or garden
- Can easily move to new location or take with you on vacation
- Easy to set up and more affordable than traditional fencing
Many dog owners use both a wireless dog fence and a traditional fence to keep their dog safe. For example, if you have a white picket fence around the outside of your property, but your dog loves to dig in your garden, then you can use a wireless dog fence to keep them from getting into your tomatoes.
The same goes for other things like the sandbox your kids play in. You probably don’t want your pup going potty in it! Wireless dog fences can help maintain more boundaries to keep your dog where you want him to be.
How Do Wireless Dog Fences Work?
A wireless dog containment system has two parts: the transmitter and the receiver.
The transmitter plugs into an electrical outlet, and the wireless dog collar has the receiver. The transmitter sends out a radius of radio frequencies, and you can adjust the signal distance to your desired boundary space. If your dog goes beyond the perimeter you set, she’ll receive an electric shock. The static shock is not painful or traumatic – it’s similar to a splash of cold water in the face.
Some shock collars, however, cause slight skin irritation. The Humane Society encourages owners to clean their dog’s neck and contact points regularly and not leave the shock collar on for extended periods of time. But what’s the best wireless dog containment system?
Wireless Dog Fence Reviews
Now that you know how they work, let’s dig right into our top three picks for the best wireless pet fence.
PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System (PIF-300) Review
A top manufacturer of quality pet products, PetSafe takes our first place spot for the best wireless dog fence. The PetSafe PIF-300 Wireless Pet Containment System wins our top choice for its reliability, durability and affordable cost.
Although yard coverage isn’t as large as other systems, you can expand your coverage with additional transmitters.
Pros | Cons |
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Pricing
- $266.90
- 6-volt battery included
- $129.95 additional collar
- Check Amazon for availability additional transmitter
- $27.80 ($3.48 / Count) additional batteries (8 pack)
- Warranty: Lifetime (limited)
PetSafe Stay+Play Wireless Fence Review
Another top product from PetSafe, this PetSafe Stay+Play Wireless Fence takes second place. The PetSafe Stay+Play Wireless Dog Containment Fence is an upgrade to their Wireless Pet Containment System (our number one pick). The major differences? The collar is smaller and more lightweight and has a rechargeable battery.
The transmitter is 67% smaller than the original and covers an extra quarter of an acre. Both units have excellent signal reliability and are easy to set up. However, this collar is more expensive and doesn’t have as many great reviews as the #1 pick, which is why we’ve chosen it as our #2 pick.
Pros | Cons |
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Pricing
- $299.95
- Rechargeable battery included
- Check Amazon for availability additional collar
- Warranty: Lifetime (limited)
SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems
SportDOG’s parent brand is INVISIBLE FENCE so you can trust that their product comes backed with a solid reputation. Its range is massive compared to the other two fences, so this system is ideal for those who live on large plots of land or farms. It comes with 1-1/3 acres coverage out of the box, but can expand up to 100 acres with additional wire and flags. It comes with 100 flags and works for dogs 10 pounds and up.
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Pricing
Wireless Pet Fence Reviews Compared Side-By-Side
To help you easily compare the features of each best wireless dog fence system side-by-side, we give you our best wireless dog fences comparison table.
| 1st Place: PetSafe PIF-311 | 2nd Place: PetSafe Stay+Play | 3rd Place: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems | |
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| Price | Check Amazon for availability | $299.95 | $297.95 |
| Minimum Dog Weight | 8 Pounds | 5 Pounds | 10 Pounds |
| Collar Neck Size | 6" to 28" | 6" to 28" | 12" to 26" |
| Coverage | 90 Foot Radius (1/2 Acre) | 105 Foot Radius (3/4 Acre) | 100 acres |
| Correction Levels | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Tone-Only Mode |  | | |
| Receiver Battery | 6 Volt | Rechargeable | Rechargeable |
| Maximum Number of Dogs | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Training Flags Provided | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Waterproof Collar | | | |
| Tech Support | Monday-Saturday by Phone and Email | Monday-Saturday by Phone and Email | Monday-Saturday by Phone, Live Chat and Email |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | 2 years |
| Return Policy | 30 Days | 30 Days | 30 Days |
| 1st Place: PetSafe PIF-311 | 2nd Place: PetSafe Stay+Play | 3rd Place: SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems |
How To Install A Wireless Fence?
This three-minute video from Lowe’s walks you through the steps, including where to put the transmitter and other tips on easy setup (using one of our top recommended fences as an example).
On The Fence About Which Type To Choose?
If you’re looking for a cheap wireless dog fence or something to cover your entire yard? You may want to go with an in-ground wired fence. These fences are typically cheaper than wireless fences, but they also take more time to be installed and aren’t portable.
For more information, check out this article covering invisible fences for dogs. But, if you want smaller boundaries within your yard, don’t want the hassle of burying wires or need something portable, wireless fences are an excellent option.
Are you a wireless invisible fence owner? Have any tips or tricks to share?
The information contained in this article and website is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional safety advice; it is provided for educational purposes only.
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Wondering if somehow the dog goes past wireless fence what happens? Does it get shocked again or would dog feel they couldn’t cross back over to correct area?
If the dog sees something he really wants to chase or is frightened by something inside the yard, he may breach the electric fence ignoring the shock. When the dog leaves the wireless fence, the dog feels the shock. However, when the dog wants to come back inside the yard, there are different options with fences. Some fences may create that same shock when a dog re-enters the yard while others do not have a beep or shock upon returning home.
Does the house block the signal around it?
Can you use the stay and play around your tomato garden to keep your dog out of it?
As long as your garden isn’t within the radius you have set for the unit, it would work.
I am looking for a way to keep my CAT in the yard. Frisky and a wanderer…suggestions ? will this fence work and collar ? this collar will come off cats easy..need suggestions please
How big is your cat? What size (in inches) collar does your cat wear?
Thinking about it, having a wireless pet fence would make more sense, being that my dog likes sometimes to dig under the regular fence trying to escape. On certain parts of the my fence we have woods covering the hole our dog made. That would be one good reason to consider getting a wireless fence. Kimberly, great post thanks for sharing, I will keep this in mind.
I had a stray “Golden Retriever Mix” approx. 1 yr old weighs 43 lbs. come to me about 2 months ago, NO one claimed him, so I decided I would keep him, have taken him to Vet, shots, neutered and 1st. physical.. I live on 2 acres and he stays out side and seems to be learning basic commands, he is good during the day, but at night I think he travels the neighborhood, which is not a GOOD IDEA> was wondering if a wireless fence could help keep him in my yard. if so, what would be some good suggestions??
Yes, a wireless fence would help keep him in your yard. Check out our top picks in the review above.
I have a dog that likes to be an escape artist. Because of that, my wife and I have been looking into dog fencing. I think that if we can get a dog fence, we can help protect our dog from any dangers.
It might be a good idea for me to get a wireless fence in my yard. I’m planning on getting a dog soon and want to make sure it’s contained in my yard. Using extra measures to make sure it doesn’t get out will help me have more peace of mind.
I wanted to thank you for everything that you had to say here about wireless dog fences. Just as you explained, if your dog goes past a certain point, the wireless dog collar will receive a transmission from the transmitter and provide a tiny shock to your animal. Not only would this allow for your dog to roam in the yard without a huge fence, but it would help teach your dog discipline. At the end of the day, I think any kind of fence is absolutely necessary. Thanks again!
I am still “on the fence” (no pun intended) about wireless fences. After reading this review I am confident that they work and are reliable but I am curious from other dog owners who have them if they are harmful or hurtful to your pets. I am sure they are not as wireless fences are pretty well known and popular now a days but I want to be sure 100% before investing in installing a system that my dog won’t be physically or mentally effected as a result of the electric shock. I like the example that the shock is “like a splash of water to the face” but still wonder if a more traditional fence is the way to go? Any advice? Thanks!
We recently moved into a new house and the back yard was not fenced in. I got a few estimates and I was shocked at the price. I ended up buying the Sport Dog 100 Acre system. It was pretty easy to install, taking the better part of a Saturday, but the savings were so worth it. After a brief training period, I can now let my dogs out the back door without any worries.