How to Find a Break in a Wireless Dog Fence

An open, expansive yard is a feature many home buyers with pets strive to own. Erecting a traditional fence on a large yard for a dog can be expensive and makes a property look smaller, while tie-outs and dog runs are options for keeping pets contained. Lately, many owners are turning to wireless dog fences to give their pets more room to explore. Wireless units can malfunction, however, and breaks need to be identified and corrected as soon as possible to keep your dogs safely on your property.

Things You'll Need

  • Receiver collar Wireless fence control unit Lithium-battery tester Wireless fence-testing tool
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the batteries from your dog's collar and place them on a lithium-battery tester. Weak battery strength is one of the primary reasons for wireless fencing failure. If the battery tester shows the batteries are weak, replace them with new ones.

    • 2

      Unplug the fence control unit and leave it unplugged for at least 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Wireless fencing units can often be reset by simply cycling power to the controller.

    • 3

      Test the collar with the wireless fence-testing tool. Hold the collar in your hand and press the ends of the fence-testing tool against the metal prongs protruding from the inside of the collar. The testing tool will produce a green light if the collar is working and a red light if it is not.

    • 4

      Reset the range on the control unit. Malfunctioning wireless fences can often be corrected by dialing the range down as far as possible, then turning it back up. Turn the range adjustment knob down as far as it will go and gradually increase the range, testing it at every increment. Hold the collar and walk away from the unit, listening for the warning tone that indicates you are approaching the boundary.

    • 5

      Remove metal objects within range of the wireless dog fence. Large metal objects such as storage sheds and playground equipment can interfere with the radio signal emitted by the controller. Move metal obstructions outside the perimeter of the fence and cycle powder to the control unit to reset the fence.

    • 6

      Turn off all other wireless devices in your home. Wireless dog fences emit a radio signal in the 17.5 KHz frequency range that can be disrupted by signals emitted by other devices, such as cordless telephones and routers. Turn wireless devices on one at a time and test the wireless fence after each device. Replace any wireless devices that fall within the same frequency range as the fence.