Troubleshooting PetSafe Radio Fence

Collar Problems

• If the receiver on the collar isn't beeping or giving corrections, check the battery to make sure it's installed correctly. Check the lights on the transmitter. If both aren't lit, do a short loop test (see below).

  If the receiver collar beeps but the dog doesn't respond to the correction, test the receiver on the collar with the test light. If it flashes, check the collar to be sure it fits and is making contact with the dog's skin. If needed, trim the fur or use the longer contacts. If the receiver is making contact with the dog's skin, re-train the dog, beginning with the first step. If the receiver is working but does not seem to be effecting your dog, you can buy a larger, stronger collar by calling the customer service number.

  If the collar only works when it's directly over the boundary wire, check the battery and replace it, if necessary. Increase the distance from the receiver to the boundary wire with the boundary width control, or set the boundary control to another setting. If you're using a double loop, be sure the boundary wires are three to five feet apart. If the collar still only works when held over the wire, do short loop test (see Section 4).

  If the collar comes on when the dog is inside, use the boundary control to shorten the distance from the receiver to the boundary wire. Make sure the wire isn't too close to the house, since the signals can penetrate the walls. Check to make sure that the boundary wires are twisted from the boundary to the transmitter.

Signal Problems

• If the signal isn't consistent, check to make sure that the transmitter isn't too close to large metal objects such as appliances. Determine whether the curves in the boundary wire are gradual and that it's at least five feet away other pet fence systems, electric or phone wires, TV cables or satellite dishes. If another pet fence is the source of the problem, call the customer service number, since using a system of another frequency might resolve the problem.

Light Problems

• If both the power and the loop indicator lights are off, make sure that the power adapter is plugged into the transmitter. Try a different outlet. If the lights still don't work, you'll need to replace the system. Call the customer service number.

  If the power light is on but the loop indicator light is off, and the alarm is triggered, check the terminals to be sure the boundary wires are on securely and that the ends of the wires were stripped (showing some copper) so that they're making contact with the terminals. Do a short loop test to see if the boundary wire is damaged or you need to replace the transmitter. If the transmitter works, the boundary wire is broken (see below).

Short Loop Test

• This test will let you know whether the collar, transmitter and boundary wire are working correctly.

  Remove the boundary wires from the terminals and replace it with a short piece of leftover boundary wire about ten feet long. Put the test light on the collar. Arrange the test boundary wire in a circle, set the boundary control switch on B and the boundary width to ten. If the loop indicator doesn't light, the transmitter isn't working and you need to call customer service. If the loop indicator is lit, take one end of the wire off the terminal; if the alarm doesn't sound, the transmitter isn't working. If the alarm does go off, put the end of the boundary wire back on the terminal. Hold the collar near the test boundary wire. It should beep when it's about a foot away from the wire and the test light should start flashing. If that doesn't happen, replace the battery in the receiver. If that doesn't solve the problem, call customer service. If the collar does beep, there's a problem with the boundary wire (see Section 5).

Finding a Break in the Wire

• Find your original splice and make sure the connection is still secure. Check the area that's enclosed by the wire to see if it could have been damaged by animals, lawn maintenance, shovels or any other activity.

  If you still can't find the break, you can either call customer service and buy a locator device, or do the following:

  Unplug the transmitter and connect both ends of the boundary wire to one terminal. Cut a piece of leftover boundary wire that's half as long as the one in use, and connect one end of it to the other terminal. Find the mid-point of your boundary and cut the boundary wire. Splice the free end of the test wire and one end of the boundary wire together. If the indicator light doesn't come on, the break is in that section of the boundary wire. You should check the other end of the cut boundary wire to determine if there's a break in that section, as well. Replace the broken wire with new wire and connect the ends to the terminals. If the indicator light comes on, test the collar to be sure it works with the new wire.