Invisible Fence Instructions

"Invisible" fences have been around since the mid-1970s and use a boundary wire, transmitter and dog-collar receiver to keep your pet inside your yard without the need for standard above-ground fencing. These systems are humane and effective, helping keep your pets and your neighbors safe.

  1. Considerations

    • Although generally trouble-free, there are a few possible disadvantages of an invisible fence. Since it can't be seen by people walking past your house, visitors, work crews and walkers might be frightened to see a charging dog coming after them, even with the warning signs usually included with these systems. Also, other animals could inadvertently enter the yard and be attacked by the dog before having a chance to defend themselves, and neighborhood dogs not wearing a radio collar can still enter your yard. Occasionally, there are dogs with a high pain threshold that will still go through the barrier if a distraction is tempting enough. The system's success also depends upon making sure batteries are replaced and collars fitted properly. Most of the manufacturers of invisible fences will not sell them to dogs which have a history of aggression, biting or running away. Also, some breeders and shelters will not provide animals to homes where these systems are installed.

    Best Fit for Dog Collar Receiver

    • With the battery not installed, center the prongs (contact points) underneath your dog's neck. Keep in mind that with thick-coated dogs, you'll need longer prongs, and it may be necessary to trim the hair a bit around the points. Insert one finger between the end of a prong and your dog's neck to ensure that the fit is snug but not too tight. After your dog has worn the collar for several minutes, moving around normally, you can double-check the fit to make sure it's still acceptable.

    Dog Training

    • Once the system is installed according to the instructions included with your particular unit, place flags along the fence line. During Week #1, keep the dog on a long leash with the receiver collar on. For the first few days, you should tape one prong on the collar so the dog can hear the warning tone without feeling the correction. Each time the dog nears the fence and hears the signal, jerk the leash back so that the dog is back in the "safe" area and make sure you give lots of praise. Limit sessions to 10 to 15 minutes, gradually increasing to more than an hour, and never leave the dog unattended. After a few days, you can remove the tape and the dog will experience a correction. Once the dog has gotten the idea the boundary causes the correction, it's time to add distractions outside the fence. Each time the dog ignores the distraction, it's time for more praise and play. During Week #2, remove the leash so the dog will learn the correction comes from the boundary and not the leash. After the two weeks are up, remove every other flag each day until all the flags are gone.