Invisible Dog Fence Reviews: Top Picks for 2023

Invisible dog fences have become increasingly popular among pet owners in recent years. These fences use a buried wire to create an invisible boundary for your dog, which can help keep them safe and contained without the need for a physical fence. Invisible dog fences are a great option for pet owners who want to give their dogs more freedom while still keeping them safe.

When it comes to choosing an invisible dog fence, there are a few critical things to consider. One of the most important factors is the range of the fence. You’ll need to make sure that the fence you choose can cover your entire yard and provide a safe space for your dog to play. You’ll also want to consider the size and breed of your dog, as well as any special training requirements that may be necessary.

At Pet Lover Guy, we’ve spent countless hours researching and testing invisible dog fences to identify the ones that offer the best combination of safety, reliability, and ease of use. Our team of experts has evaluated a range of products, from basic wired fences to advanced GPS-enabled systems. Whether you’re looking for a simple and affordable option or a high-tech solution, we’ve got you covered.

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Top Invisible Dog Fences

We’ve researched and tested the best invisible dog fences on the market to keep your pup safe and secure. Our roundup includes options for all yard sizes and budgets.

PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence for Stubborn Dogs

We recommend the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence for Stubborn Dogs because it offers a safe and easy way to keep your pup in your yard.

Pros

• This wireless fence is portable and easy to install.
• The fence creates a circular boundary up to 3/4-acre, making it perfect for most yards.
• The collar has five adjustable correction levels that you can personalize to your dog’s needs.

Cons

• The warning tones were not consistent, making it hard for some dogs to understand the boundary.
• The rechargeable battery is not replaceable, so you’ll need to replace the entire collar when it dies.
• The collar is not suitable for dogs under 5 pounds.

We found the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence for Stubborn Dogs to be an effective way to keep our dog in our yard. The wireless fence is easy to set up and adjust, making it perfect for those who don’t want to deal with burying wires or building a traditional fence.

The collar has five adjustable correction levels, so you can find the perfect level for your dog. We appreciated being able to personalize the collar settings to our dog’s needs. Additionally, the collar is waterproof and rechargeable, which is convenient.

However, we did find that the warning tones were not consistent, making it hard for some dogs to understand the boundary. We also wish that the rechargeable battery was replaceable, as it can be expensive to replace the entire collar when the battery dies.

Overall, we recommend the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence for Stubborn Dogs to anyone looking for an easy and effective way to keep their dog in their yard.

PetSafe Basic In-Ground Pet Fence – Two Dog System

We highly recommend the PetSafe Basic In-Ground Pet Fence – Two Dog System for pet owners who want to keep their furry friends safe and secure while giving them the freedom to roam around their yard.

Pros

• Allows you to create a secure 1/3 acre wire boundary around your yard to give your pet freedom to explore.
• The waterproof collars feature a tone-only mode for training, plus 4 levels of adjustable correction depending on your dog’s temperament.
• Each collar has a low battery indicator and up to 2 months of battery life.

Cons

• The range set up is sensitive and takes some tweaking to get it just right.
• The system is finicky and requires trial and error to figure out.
• The collars adjust to fit neck sizes between 6-26 inches and are recommended for pets who weigh 8 pounds and up.

We found the PetSafe Basic In-Ground Pet Fence – Two Dog System to be easy to set up and use. The clear step-by-step instructions made it a weekend do-it-yourself project that anyone can do. The lightweight, waterproof receiver collars are designed to fit small, medium, large, and x-large pets that are 8 lb and up with neck sizes 6-26 in. The unlimited number of collars can be added to the fence system and set to match your dogs’ personality.

The PetSafe Basic In-Ground Pet Fence – Two Dog System is a great investment for pet owners who want to keep their dogs safe and secure while giving them the freedom to roam around their yard. The quality promise of PetSafe brand has been a trusted global leader in pet behavior, containment, and lifestyle innovations since 1998 to help keep your pet healthy, safe, and happy.

Sources: Amazon.com.

PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence

We highly recommend the PetSafe Wireless Containment System for pet owners who want to keep their dogs safe without the hassle of burying wires or installing physical fences.

Pros

• Covers up to 1/2 acre of circular area
• Portable and easy to set up
• Waterproof collar with long battery life

Cons

• Not a physical barrier, so it’s not failsafe
• Signal only works in a straight line, so it may not work for yards with slopes
• Inconsistent radius around the perimeter

We live on a corner lot and have no reasonable way to fence our yard, so we tried the PetSafe Wireless Containment System. Although it’s not a physical barrier and our dog has left the perimeter a few times, it’s still a great option for keeping him safe. The system is easy to set up and is portable, which makes it perfect for camping or vacation homes.

The waterproof collar has a long battery life, and the system can cover up to 1/2 acre of circular area. However, the signal only works in a straight line, so it may not work for yards with slopes. Also, the radius around the perimeter is inconsistent, which can be frustrating.

Overall, the PetSafe Wireless Containment System is a great investment for pet owners who want to keep their dogs safe without the hassle of burying wires or installing physical fences.

PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence

We highly recommend the PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence for those who want to keep their dogs safe while giving them the freedom to play outdoors.

Pros

• Sets up in just a few hours without digging or burying wires
• Proprietary circular boundary gently guides your dog back to his play area
• Portable system is terrific for camping, vacation homes, or anywhere you travel with access to an outlet

Cons

• Harder to set up than it says, a lot of trial and error to find the right spot in the house to place the base
• Where you locate it in your house affects how much yard your dog will have on all sides of your property
• Replacement unit may be needed after a few years of use

The PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence is the most accurate wireless fence that will give you peace of mind knowing that your dog is safe within the boundary. The LCD screen displays how far your pet’s play area expands and lets you know if there is a warning or error with your fence.

Setting up the wireless fence is easy and takes only a few hours without digging or burying wires. The circular boundary is proprietary and gently guides your dog back to his play area, making it the most reliable wireless pet fence available.

This portable system is terrific for camping, vacation homes, or anywhere you travel with access to an outlet. You can create up to a 3/4-acre circular boundary, and the rechargeable, waterproof receiver collar comfortably fits dogs 5 lb and up and adjusts to fit neck sizes 6-28 in.

In summary, the PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence is a reliable and portable system that gives your dog the freedom to play outdoors while keeping them safe within the boundary.

SportDOG Brand Rechargeable In-Ground Fence Systems

We highly recommend the SportDOG Brand Rechargeable In-Ground Fence Systems for pet owners who want to keep their dogs safe and secure.

Pros

• The kit includes everything needed to cover 1 1/3 acres of land for one dog and can be expanded to cover up to 100 acres with more wire and flags.
• The collar is waterproof and rechargeable, featuring lithium-ion batteries with a 2-hour quick charge and one to two month battery life.
• The collar gives tone (beep) and vibration (buzz) warning before moving to one of seven static stimulation levels, allowing you to choose the best level for your dog.

Cons

• The collar itself is a belt buckle style and not very convenient to use.
• The wire break alarm on the transmitter can be overly sensitive, causing false alarms.
• The collar may not fit dogs with neck sizes smaller than 10 inches.

We found the SportDOG Brand Rechargeable In-Ground Fence Systems easy to install and dependable in any environment. The collar is submersible to 25 feet and features dryer technology, making it suitable for all weather conditions. We also appreciate the anti-linger feature that prevents dogs from standing in the warning zone to drain the collar battery.

We were able to contain an unlimited number of dogs with additional collars (SDF-CR), and the transmitter features built-in lightning protection for added safety. The kit also includes a two-year manufacturer’s warranty, and we were impressed with the customer care we received when we called their US-based customer care center for support.

In conclusion, the SportDOG Brand Rechargeable In-Ground Fence Systems is an excellent choice for pet owners who want to keep their dogs safe and secure. It’s easy to install, dependable, and comes with several safety-focused features.

Buying Guide

When looking for the best invisible dog fence, there are several factors to consider. We have compiled a list of features to look for when choosing a product that suits your needs.

Coverage Area

The coverage area of the invisible dog fence is an essential factor to consider. It is crucial to ensure that the fence covers the entire area you want to keep your dog contained within. Consider the size of your yard and the number of dogs you have. Some fences can cover up to 25 acres, while others cover only a few acres.

Boundary Width

The width of the boundary is another important factor to consider. This is the distance between the buried wire and the boundary line. The wider the boundary, the more space your dog will have to roam. However, a wider boundary may also allow your dog to get closer to the edge of the fence, increasing the risk of them escaping.

Correction Levels

Most invisible dog fences come with different correction levels. These levels determine the strength of the shock your dog receives when they cross the boundary. It is important to choose a product that allows you to adjust the correction level to suit your dog’s temperament.

Battery Life

The battery life of the collar is another important factor to consider. Some collars can last up to six months, while others need to be charged every few days. Consider how often you want to replace the battery or charge the collar and choose a product that suits your needs.

Warranty

Finally, consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. A good warranty will give you peace of mind and protect your investment. Look for a product that offers a warranty of at least one year.

In conclusion, when choosing the best invisible dog fence, consider the coverage area, boundary width, correction levels, battery life, and warranty. By considering these factors, you can choose a product that suits your needs and keeps your dog safe and contained.

FAQ – How to Choose the Best Invisible Dog Fence

There are a number of considerations to keep in mind when choosing an invisible dog fence depending on how many dogs you are looking to contain and how large the breeds are. 

Some invisible fence brands work especially well for larger breeds and others work better for smaller breeds.

There are invisible fence products that are particularly well designed for large scale yards or that are adaptable for adding on additional acreage while others are for smaller yards or spaces. 

The best way to choose an invisible dog fence is to weigh the pros and cons of the various products available against your particular needs to determine which product best addresses your own individual needs.

What is an invisible dog fence?

Invisible dog fences and electric fences are wired or wireless fences that create electrically charged boundaries to keep your dog within a specific boundary without a physical fence. 

The dog then wears a collar around its neck that communicates with the fence in order to keep the dog within the boundary.

What features should you be looking for?

Determining which features matter most in choosing an invisible dog fence is ultimately up to which features matter most as a dog owner. 

If you have a large breed dog, several dogs, or have a particularly large or nontraditional shaped plot of land, then you will want to consider invisible fence products that cater to your needs.

If your dogs are particularly stubborn and resistant to training or you have had invisible fence products that have failed in the past, then you will want to select a product with more adjustment levels to meet your needs.

Choosing the right collar is similar in that you will want to meet your specific needs and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to meet all needs. 

Choose a collar that fits your specific dog or dogs and that is not too powerful for their size and breed. Make sure that the collar is adjustable both in terms of size and power level so that you do not overdo it.

What about power surges?

Most wireless fence systems for dogs are designed to run directly from electrical current in the home. It is important to protect against power surges which can result in an overload of your system. 

A power surge could harm your dog or cause damage to your home.

As such, you will want to choose a wireless dog fence designed specifically to resist energy overloads and to work with your home. There are specific designs that work well for this including GPS dog fences in addition to low-energy invisible dog fences.

Does it include failure notification if the fence goes down?

It is important to make sure the invisible fence system you choose has a failure notification system built in. When a boundary breaks down a failure notification system will alert you of the breach so you can keep your dogs out of danger and repair the breach immediately.

No matter which invisible fence system you decide to purchase you will want to make sure to look into what failure notification options are available and how they work. This way if the battery fades on a collar or if the fence fails, then you will have a warning and will be able to remedy the problem.

Is it easy to setup and maintain?

When considering an invisible fence product you will want to look at how easy a product is to set up and maintain. This is going to be an especially important consideration if this is your first time owning an invisible fence.

Wireless fences are generally easier to install because they do not require you to dig out, install, and maintain an actual fence however they bring additional maintenance considerations just like with any wireless electronic product.

It will generally pay for you to begin simply by choosing a system that will include a reasonably sized collar and a good amount of latitude when it comes to available voltage. If you choose too much voltage you could harm your dog or cause a power surge in your home.