How to Fix Problems With an Underground Dog Fence

An underground dog fence is for non-aggressive animals that weigh 8 or more pounds. The system produces a radio signal from a fence transmitter to a receiver the dog wears as a collar. The underground wire serves as a boundary, setting a maximum distance the dog can roam. If the dog tries move outside the boundary, he will receive an electric shock correction from the collar. Trouble might occur if the system isn't working properly. The dog yelping inside the house means the signal is too strong. The dog running through the boundary means the signal is too weak. There are ways to troubleshoot the system.

Things You'll Need

  • Transmitter
  • Battery
  • Power adapter for fence transmitter
  • Lighting Protection kit
  • Replacement collar
  • Installation video
  • Training video
  • Receiver collar
  • Super pet receiver collar
  • Boundary wire
  • Boundary flags
  • Wire and flag accessory kit
  • Fence transmitter
  • Wire break locator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the batteries in the transmitter. Put the batteries into a flashlight that uses the same type battery. If the flashlight doesn't work, then the batteries are dead and need replacing. Check the batteries if both lights are not lit on the fence transmitter. Replace batteries if necessary.

    • 2

      Test the receiver on the dog collar. There is a test button on the receiver similar to a battery detector test button. Push the button on the receiver. If the test light flashes then the receiver is working. If there is no light, then replace the receiver collar since it has malfunctioned.

    • 3

      Feel the looseness of the receiver collar around the dog's neck. If you can put more than your fingers in between the throat of the dog and the receiver collar, then it is too loose. Tighten the strap of the receiver collar around the dog's neck.

    • 4

      Adjust the distance the dog can travel. Locate the boundary width-control knob on the fence transmitter. Turn the knob clockwise to increase the distance and counterclockwise to decrease the distance where the dog can roam freely. You can change the strength of the radio signal by changing the setting on the fence transmitter. The setting switch is near the boundary width-control knob. Turn the setting switch clockwise to increase signal strength and counterclockwise to decrease signal strength.

    • 5

      Observe the dog's behavior inside the house. If the boundary wire is too close to the exterior walls, it might be sending a correction to the dog's collar while he's in the house. If signal is too strong, the dog might howl, bark repeatedly or yelp. Check to be sure the underground wire is at least 5 feet away from the house. If not, dig up and rebury the boundary wire further away from the exterior walls of the house.

    • 6

      Survey the perimeter and follow the wire to the fence transmitter. Look for appliances and large metal objects that are 3 feet or closer to the transmitter. These objects can interfere with transmitter. Move any metal objects at least 4 feet away from the fence transmitter.

    • 7

      Check boundary wire placement in conjunction with electrical wires. If there is interference from electrical wiring the boundary wire needs to be moved at least 5 feet away form the electrical wires.

    • 8

      Push the power adapter into the fence transmitter all the way. A poor connection can cause the underground fence system to not work properly. Periodically check the power adapter. Look for frayed wires and a loose connection.

    • 9

      Look to see if both ends underground wire plug into the boundary wire terminals on the fence transmitter. Touch the wire going into the terminal. If it feels loose push it further in. The underground wire needs a continuous connection with the terminals.

    • 10

      Check for exposed wires. Replace wires with insulated copper wiring. Do not try and make repairs to exposed wire. The best repair is total replacement. Purchase replacement wires that have a protective coating suitable for outdoor exposure. Protecting wires from outdoor moisture will guard against shorts in radio signal transmission.

    • 11

      Repair broken boundary wire. You splice new wire into broken wire, but the best repair is complete replacement of the boundary wire --- which means digging it up. If the underground boundary wire is not a solid, continuous strand the radio signal will not transmit to the receiver collar on the dog.