The Best In-Ground Dog Fence Reviews

Dogs are social, hyper, and energetic creatures that love exploring and playing around. This can be quite dangerous as your dog’s adventurous side can take it out on the street where it faces potential danger of being hit by a car or getting lost.

Invisible or underground fences are kits that typically come with training flags, wires, a receiver collar, probes, and a digital transmitter. This entire kit works together to help you train your dog to remain within the boundaries, keeping it safe from harm.

This article contains everything you need to know about the how in-ground fences work, tips to buy in-ground fences, and reviews of some of the best in-ground fences to get for your dog.

1. Types of Invisible Fences

There are two main types of invisible fencesto keep your dog contained safely within the boundaries of your home –underground dog fences and wireless dog fences.

Both these containment systems function in a similar manner: they use a signal that is teamed up with a single or multiple receiver collars, creating an invisible boundary around your backyard. If your dog tries to approach the boundary when wearing the receiver collar, the collar begins to beep to warn them from getting too close. If your dog still keeps on approaching the boundary, the receiver collar delivers vibrations or static correction to make your dog turn away.

Even though the purpose of both these fences is pretty much the same, here is the difference between both thefences.

1.1 What Is An Underground Dog Fence Or In-ground Fence System?

An underground or in-ground dog fence creates a boundary around your property using a buried wire. A radio signal is sent through the wire via a transmitter, creating a boundary that your dog can’t cross. An in-ground fence system requires some extra effort setting up as the wire needs to be buried in the ground.

1.2 What Is A Wireless Dog Fence?

A wireless dog fence doesn’t come with any wire. It simply uses a transmitter to send radio signals to form an invisible boundary. This radio signal emanates from a central transmitter and is typically spherical in shape. Most wireless dog fence containment systems allow you to adjust the size of the boundary.

2. How Does an In-Ground Dog Fence Work?

Also known as an invisible or underground fence, an in-ground fence offers an effective solution to prevent your dog from escaping your property and running onto the street. This pet containment system is much preferred over wooden or metal fences. By installing an in-ground fence, you can allow your dog to roam freely and enjoy your backyard within an invisible boundary.

An invisible in-ground fence is basically made up of a wire that is buried under the ground in your backyard. This wire can also be mounted on the ground and secured with lawn staples. Radio signals are sent through the wire to the electronic receiver collar that your dog wears to control its behavior.

The wire is highly customizable; it can be set in any shape or size around your landscape. In-ground fences are ideal especially if you have a large garden. There’s no limit on how big you can go when you have the right amount of wire.

Every time your dog attempts to cross the invisible boundary, the transmitter sends a signal to your dog’s collar and deliver correction. Most in-ground dog fence systems come with various levels of adjustable correction, ranging from beeps to vibration to static shocks (they are completely safe). The collar typically starts by beeping as your dog advances towards the invisible fence. Then, it moves onto vibration mode before eventually delivering a mild static shock to keep your dog within the boundary.

However, one important aspect of getting an invisible fence system is – training. An in-ground fence won’t work effectively on your dog until you train it. All underground fencing systems come with instructions on how to train your pup to respect the fence.

Boundary training includes the use of a visual cue in the form of a flag. This helps determine how far your pup can go before the collar starts emitting a warning tone. It is important to keep your dog on a leash and reward him with lots of praise and treats to ensure that he stay well within the boundary.

Eventually, your pup is to be introduced to static correction. This is only when he surpasses the boundary beyond an acceptable level.

3. What to Look for When Buying an In-Ground Fence?

Here’s what you need to look for in an in-ground fence.

3.1 Range of the Fence

Many in-ground fences often come with long wires that can help cover hundreds of acres. Depending on how big your backyard is or the coverage area you want, make sure to select an in-ground fence that fulfills this requirement. Moreover, you can also opt for in-ground containment system that provides you with the option to purchase extra wire.

3.2 The Size of the Receiver Collar

The receiver collar is one of the most important components of an in-ground containment system. You need to check the size of the receiver collar to ensure that it will fit your dog’s neck comfortably without causing it any harm. There are many collars available that can be used for dogs from as small as 5lbs to dogs that weigh 250+ lbs. It’s best to opt for an adjustable collar to ensure a perfect fit.

3.3 Features of the Receiver Collar

Apart from being adjustable, you should search for a receiver collar that is waterproof so that your dog can participate in water-based activities or take a walk in the rain. The receiver collar must also be durable since many dogs tend to rough house.

3.4 Levels of Static Correction the Receiver Collar Offers

A receiver collar should have different levels of adjustable static correction. This will allow you to set the correction level according to your dog’s behavior. For instance, static correction may make your dog more aggressive, but the vibrate mode of the collar may help correct its behavior and stop it from escaping.

3.5 Battery Backup and Surge Protector

Power failure can cause your dog fence to stop working unless the system is equipped with battery backup, which can cause your dog to escape. A pet containment system with a battery backup and surge protector will keep the system operational even during a power outage.

4. Best In-Ground Dog Fence Reviews

4.1 Extreme Dog Fence – Second Generation -2020- Standard Grade (Essential) Kit Packages

4.1.1 How it Works

The Extreme Dog Fence Standard kit is a premium-quality D.I.Y static correction dog fence that offers almost 6 acres of coverage for dog parents. Unlike many other pet containment systems, this kit is manufactured in the US. This electric dog fence is a complete package that offers everything you need to contain a dog for almost 1/3 acre. You can purchase an addition 20-gauge fence wire to extend the boundary to 6 acres. TheExtreme Dog Fence is compatible with multiple receiver collars, enabling it to support multiple dogs at the same time. The receiver collar comes with 7 correction levels ranging from ‘beep only’ to static correction, and can be individually programmed based on every dog’s individual need.

4.1.2 Inside the Package: What Does the Kit Feature?

The Extreme Dog Fence Standard kit features 500’ of 20 gauge boundary wire that can either be mounted with lawn staples or buried underground for safety, offering up to 6 acres of coverage. The kit includes a digital transmitter with power supply that will ensure that your dog doesn’t escape in case of a power outage. Another main element of this kit is the waterproof receiver collar that allows your dog to play water sports or even walk in the rain. It further includes a set of short and long contact probes (5/8″, 7/8″), which is suitable for dogs with short and long-haired fur. The set of conductive rubber comfort covers ensure that your dog remains comfortable when putting on the receiver collar.  This kit also includes a 6v receiver collar battery to keep it running. The package comes with 50 training flags that are used as visual cues to make the training process easier. Lastly, the Extreme Dog Fence Standard Grade kit also comprises of 2 waterproof splice kits that are extremely user-friendly and can withstand any weather conditions. Our in-depth review of the “Extreme Dog Fence Standard Kit” can help you to learn more.

Pros

Easy to setup

Ease of use

Customizable wire fence

Good quality wire

Reliable

Comfortable collar

Good signal quality

Waterproof collar

Collar with battery

Cons

Low battery life

Not the best collar fit

4.2 SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence Systems

4.2.1 How it Works

The SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence is an easy-to-install containment system that includes everything you need to cover 1 1/3 acres for one dog. With more wires and flags, this system allows you to set up almost a 100-acre boundary. This system includes a rechargeable waterproof collar that works effectively with the fence as well as a handheld remote. The fence is compatible with various receiver collars to train an unlimited number of dogs. The collar comes with seven levels of correction include tone, vibrate, and static correction. The transmitter of this system also comes with a wire break alarm and an in-build lightning protector in case of a power outage.

4.2.2 Inside the Package: What Does the Kit Feature?

The SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence includes a receiver collar that is compatible with the wire fence and remote trainer with a 500-yard range, allowing you to control the collar from far away. The kit comes with 1000 feet of wire, 2 splice kits, and 100 training flags that can contain 1 1/3 acre. You can also get additional wire and flags to contain a 100 acres more. The fence transmitter has a wire break alarm that alerts you of the potential problems with the boundary wire. The remote is equipped with DryTek Technology, making it waterproof.

The receiver collar is fit for dogs that weigh 10 lbs. and more.It offers 7 levels of correction ranging from tone and vibrate modes to static correction, and is also waterproof and submersible, allowing your dog to enjoy water-based activities in the backyard. The collar also comes with three modes of operation: training-only mode, containment-only mode, and containment and training mode. Both, the receiver collar and the remote have a low battery indicator. The fence also comes with in-built lightening protection that will keep your dog within the boundary even during a power surge. This dog containment system also has an anti-linger feature that prevents pups from standing in the warning zone to drain the collar battery.

This pet containment system is compatible with multiple receiver collars to protect many dogs at the same time. Lastly, theSportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence kit also comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. Our in-depth review of the “SportDOG Brand In-Ground Fence” can help you to learn more.

Pros

Huge area coverage

Fully customizable fence wire

Wire break alam

Waterproof collar

Lightning protector

Flexible for multiple dogs

Low battery indicator

Rechargeable collar

Cons

Requires a lot of digging and fencing

Battery issues

4.3 Petsafe Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence, PIG00-10777

4.3.1 How it Works

You can lay down the 500 feet boundary wire to cover 1 1/3 acre. You can also purchase more fence wire to cover an additional 25 acres of your property. All you have to do is set up the system and plug in the power adaptor of the transmitter. You can put on the receiver collar on your pup and adjust the level of correction. It won’t be too difficult to train your pet to get used to this system as it comes with 50 training flags and a detailed guide.

4.3.2 Inside the Package: What Does the Kit Feature?

The PetSafe Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence comes with 500 feet of 20-gauge boundary wire and a receiver collar that is good for dogs that weight over 20 lbs. You can cover an additional 25 acres by purchasing extra fence wire. The receiver collar comes with 4 adjustable static correction levels, and a beep and vibrate-only mode for training. The level of electric stimulation tends to increase as your dog gets closer to the boundary wire. This system also has a safety time out that stops the correction after a maximum of 30 seconds. It also comes with an anti-linger prevention feature that deliver static correction in case your pup lingers in the warning zone for longer than 2 seconds.

The PetSafe Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence is compatible with many receiver collars, and can handle an unlimited number of dogs at the same time. The system gives a warning in case of low battery of the receiver collar, and also features wire break alarms in case the fence wire gets damaged. The PetSafe Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence kit also includes a surge protector in case of a power outage. The kit also features 50 training flags and a warranty from the company. Our in-depth review of the “PetSafe Stubborn Dog In-Ground Fence” can help you to learn more.

Pros

Fully customized to any shape or size

Covers almost 25 acres (can be extended with additional dog fence wire)

Clear containment perimeter

Supports multiple dog collars

Compatible with other PetSafe collars

Low battery warning indicator

Safe time out and linger prevention

Cons

A bit strong for dogs under 20 lbs

Collar strap may wear out quickly

Non-rechargeable collar batteries

No battery backup for transmitter

4.4 Extreme Dog Fence – Second Generation – 2020 – Professional Grade (Premium) Kit Packages

4.4.1 How it Works

The Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade is a pet containment system that includes 14-gauge wire that covers up to 10 acres of your property. It is a step above the Extreme Dog Fence standard grade kit. The wire is durable enough that you don’t even need to bury it; you can simply mount it. This kit also comes with a twisted wire that you can use to connect the boundary loop to the transmitter. The Extreme Dog Fence comes with a waterproof receiver collar for one dog, but you can connect multiple receiver collars to this system to support unlimited dogs. The receiver collar comes with 7 levels of correction and 1 beep-only level.

4.4.2 Inside the Package: What Does the Kit Feature?

The Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade system kit features 1000’ of 14 gauge thick polyethylene fence wire and 50’ of twisted 16 gauge wire that can be buried or mounted. In case you decide to mount the wire, the kit contains 10 landscape staples. This kit also comes with a waterproof receiver collar (with a 6v receiver collar battery) and a digital transmitter with backup power supply that keeps the system running even when there’s a power outage. You will find a set of short and long contact probes that you can use according to the size of your dog’s fur coat. The set of conductive rubber comfort covers in the kit make the collar-wearing experience comfortable for your dog. The Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade kit also includes 4 waterproof splice kits and 100 training flags that act as visual cues during the training process. Our in-depth review of the “Extreme Dog Fence Professional Grade” can help you to learn more.

Pros

Easy installation

Fulfills all essential needs of a dog fence

Receiver collar with five adjustable correction levels

High-quality, durable and great performance

Cons

Non-rechargeable battery

Only delivers a few beeps before shocks

Requires a lot of fencing and digging to set up

4.5 PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable In-Ground Fence for Dogs and Cats

4.5.1 How it Works

The PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable helps maximize the amount of yard space to allow your pet to play safely in. This system comes with a transmitter, rechargeable collar, and fence wire that secures a 1/3 acre boundary. This in-ground fence can be expanded up to 10 acres with additional wire and training flags. You can either buy the wire or mount it as per your personal preference. The collar fits dogs with neck sizes between 6 and 26 inches who weigh 5 pounds and up. The rechargeable and waterproof receiver collar comes with a beep-only mode and 5 levels of adjustable static correction. The collar also gives a warning beep when your pet nears the boundary, followed by static correction to keep your pet within the boundaries. The PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable fence supports multiple receiver collars and can train limitless dogs at the same time.

4.5.2 Inside the Package: What Does the Kit Feature?

The PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable fence features a transmitter with a power adaptor, 500 feet of 20 gauge solid copper wire, and an adjustable collar. The collar fits dogs with neck sizes between 6 and 26 inches who weigh 5 pounds and up. The kit comes with a set of short and long contact probes that are for short and long-haired pets. This pet containment system also comes with waterproof splice capsules and wire nuts and a surge protector to protect the system from power outages. The PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable fence also includes 50 training flags and a product manual to train your pet easily. PetSafe also offers a one-year warranty. Our in-depth review of the “PetSafe YardMax Rechargeable” can help you to learn more.

Pros

Easy Installation

Completely waterproof receiver collar makes water games accessible

Rechargeable collar with fast charging

Huge area covarage

5 adjustable levels of static correction

Cons

Labor intensive setup

4.6 KoolKani Remote Dog Containment Fence System Combo

4.6.1 How it Works

The KoolKani Electronic Dog Containment Fence System comes with 23-gauge boundary wire of approximately 150 meters that can cover 1/3 acres. You can get additional wire to expand the space for your pet to safely play in. You can bury this wire 3 to six inches deep in the ground. The receiver collar is meant for dogs with 7″-24″ neck sizes. This kit comes with a remote with an LCD display that allows you to adjust the settings to your liking. The remote offers a 1200 meter range, making it possible for you to send commands to the receiver collar from afar. All you need to do is set up the fence wire in any shape and size that you prefer, and put the receiver collar on for your dog. Then you can safely control and adjust the correction level of the receiver collar to control your dog’s behavior.

4.6.2 Inside the Package: What Does the Kit Feature?

The KoolKani Electronic Dog Containment Fence System features a 23-gauge Boundary wire of approximately 150 meters that can be expanded with the purchase of additional wire. This kit comes with 3 adjustable and rechargeable collar receivers and a TPU strap that fits dogs with neck sizes between 7 to 24 inches. It includes a rechargeable remote control with a large LCD display, allowing you to control your dog’s behavior from far away. The kit also includes an indoor wall-mount base transmitter. You will find a set of long metal prongs in the kit that is appropriate for long-haired dog breeds. Moreover, the kit also comes with 3 test bulbs for static pulse stimulation, 20 training flags, 3 charger plugs, and a user manual.

Pros

Two-in-one system for dog containment and remote training

Compatible dog collar

Offers a 1200 meter range

Rechargeable and fully waterproof training collar

Supports multiple dog collars

Remote training system can train up to three dogs

Cons

Collar has a slow response to the remote control

Requires digging and fencing to install

5.FAQs

Does The Wire Need To Be Buried?

No, they wire doesn’t necessarily need to be buried. However, it is recommended that you bury the wire in order to avoid any accidents such as tripping. It is entirely up to you to plan the layout of the wire. Some people also choose to do a combination in which they both, bury and mount the wire. Deciding whether to bury or mound the wire also largely depends on the area that you are fencing. Those who regularly mow their lawn prefer to bury the wire, whereas those who barely mow their lawn, simply lay down the wire and use lawn staples to keep it in place.

How Deep Does The Wire Need To Be Buried?

A dog fence wire doesn’t even need to be buried as it functions that same with or without the burial. However, many people choose to bury the dog fence wire to maintain the aesthetics of their backyard and to keep it from becoming a trip hazard or posing any other danger. If you do plan on burying the wire, you should consider a depth between 3″ and 24″. Burying the wire deeper than that can impact the signal strength of the transmitter, and may also pose a risk to other buried lines and wires in your yard.

How Long Does It Take To Train a Dog with an In-Ground Fence?

It takes an average time of about six weeks to train your dog for an in-ground fence. Fence training isn’t a miracle that can take place overnight. It requires a lot of patience, determination, and cooperation from both, you and your pet. Moreover, with the extremely easy to use and comprehensively designed pet containment systems, training your dog may be a little easier, and maybe even fun.

6. Tips for Buying an In-Ground Fence

Shopping around for an in-ground dog fence but not sure what features to look for? Here are some tips for buying an in-ground fence.

Check the Area Your Fence Can Cover

The transmitter is the main element that determines how much area the electric fence can cover. You should consider getting an electric in-ground fence that offers additional wire (maybe at a cost) that covers a large area, especially if you have a big backyard.

Check if the System has Lightning Protection

All pet containment systems operate through electricity. An in-ground system very obviously run due to the transmitter. This make is quite vulnerable to power surges. An in-ground dog fence with a surge protector can help protect your pet containment system from any electrical problems.

Battery Back-up

If the power toyour pet containment system’s transmitter fails, you will require a proper back-up power source to keep the system running. If you don’t want your dog to wander free outside the perimeter during a power outage, then search for an n-ground fence with battery back-up.

Consider Durability and Quality

The quality of both, the wire and the collar of the pet containment system should be good. These must have the potential to withstand any sort of conditions. The receiver collar should be waterproof, durable, and shouldn’t stain easily. In case of the wire of the fence, it should be durable and should remain intact even if you decide to mount it instead of burying it.

Adjustable Receiver Collar

The bark collar that comes with the in-ground fence should offer adjustability that isn’t just limited to its size, but also its overall mechanism. An adjustable bark collar will keep your dog comfortable during the training process. In terms of its mechanism, a receiver collar should offer a certain level of control i.e. you should be able to set the intensity of the collar according to what’s best for your dog. If the intensity is too low, your dog will continue to make escaping attempts and if the intensity is too high, your dog might experience some discomfort. This is why you should opt for a pet containment systems with different correction levels.

 

7. Buying an In-Ground Fence Made Easy for You

The purpose of this guide was to provide dog parents with the necessary information to invest in the best in-ground fence for their beloved pup. This is why we started by telling you about the two different kinds of pet fences – wired and wireless – to help you decide which system is best applicable for your situation.

In the next part of the buying guide, we briefed you about how in-ground pet fence systems work to give you a thorough idea about how effectively this works as a pet containment system. This was followed by a few suggestions about what features you need to look for in an in-ground fence so that you get a proper idea about what factors you need to base the decision of your in-ground fence purchasing on.

The next portion of the guide review 7 of the best in-ground dog fence reviews, with each of them divided in a few sections: How they work, what their kit features, and their pros and cons. Finally, we concluded the article with some FAQs about in-ground fences and tips for buying an in-ground fence.

In short, this guide was constructed with lots of thorough research to ensure that you make the best purchase decision when it comes to investing in an in-ground fence system for your beloved canine.

8. Final Word

When buying an in-ground fence, you need to ensure that you choose a model that is safe for your dog and meets all your requirements. It is recommended that you always go through the user manual and training guide present in the fence kit package to make sure that you use the pet containment system like it is meant to be used. All in all, we hope this comprehensive guide helps you choose the best in-ground dog fence that suits all your needs and keeps your dog safe!

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