How to Test Electric Fences for Dogs

Most responsible dog owners take great pains to keep their dogs on their property. One way to do this is to use an electric dog fence. These fences use electrified wire in the ground and a collar on the dog. When the dog approaches close to the wire the collar gives a mild electric shock warning the dog to avoid the area. Occasionally, the buried wire will break and the system must be tested to find the break. This is a job that most dog owners can do with a few tools and some supplies purchased at nearly any home center.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gauge wire
  • Shovel
  • Wire cutters
  • Utility knife
  • Electrical tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn off the electric dog fence controller. Identify the center of the existing dog fence. Use the shovel to dig and find the electric fence wire. Expose the wire and use the wire cutters to cut it. Use the utility knife to strip 2 inches of insulation from each end of wire.

    • 2

      Unroll the purchased 20-gauge wire. Use the utility knife to strip 2 inches of insulation from each end of this test wire.

    • 3

      Attach one end of the cut wire to one end of the test wire. Attach the other end of the test wire to the electric dog fence controller. This now isolates one half of the electric fence. Turn on the electric fence controller. If the controller shows the fence is working properly then that half of the fence is good.

    • 4

      Turn off the electric fence controller. Attach the other end of the cut wire to the test wire. The other end of the test wire is still connected to the fence controller. The opposite half of the fence is now isolated. Turn on the electric fence controller. If the controller shows the fence is not working then this half of the fence has the problem.

    • 5

      Identify the center of the problem half of the fence. Use the shovel to dig and find the electric wire. Follow the same procedure as steps 3 and 4 to further identify which part of the fence has a problem.

    • 6

      Continue to do this until the exact location of the break has been found. Repair the break in the wire. Reconnect all places where the wire was cut and thoroughly cover with electric tape. Cover each cut area with the dirt that was removed. Check the electric fence controller to make sure the fence is working properly.