How to Trace & Fix an Underground Electric Dog Fence

An underground electric dog fence can help your dog stay active and safe at the same time. You can let your dog out into the yard without a leash, and the underground fence will ensure that no wandering occurs. However, you should frequently look for breaks in the wire by tracing across it to ensure that your dog stays safe. Once you find the break, fixing it is a simple process that you can do yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Radio frequency choke
  • AM radio
  • Trowel
  • Wire strippers
  • Weatherproof wire nut
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Instructions

    • 1

      Trace the underground electric dog fence by simply walking the perimeter. If you see an area in the ground that has been cut through, such as by yard equipment, it could be the location of the break.

    • 2

      Assemble and radio frequency choke, which is used for finding a break in the underground wire. Connect the two wire leads on the transmitter for the fence to the legs on the radio frequency choke.

    • 3

      Turn on an AM radio and trace the perimeter of the fence by walking along it. The radio will be emitting a throbbing noise. Walk slowly. When the throbbing noise is disrupted, that's the location with the break.

    • 4

      Dig up the underground fence carefully with a trowel.

    • 5

      Use wire strippers to remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the broken portion of the wire on both ends of the break.

    • 6

      Connect the two broken pieces with a weatherproof wire nut to fix the break.