How to Fix a Broken Underground Dog Fence

Spotting a broken underground dog fence can be as simple as noticing that your dog is out of your yard. Finding where exactly it is broken and fixing it can be frustrating and time consuming. However, there is a simple way to do this. You must be aware of any other underground wires (phone, cable) or gas lines before doing any digging and repairing your underground dog fence.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog fence collar
  • Shovel
  • Electrical wire
  • Electrician's pliers
  • Underground splice connector
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Call your local utility companies, and verify the locations of any underground utility wires or lines. If necessary, they will come out to your home and mark the locations on the ground.

    • 2

      Remove your dog's electronic fence collar. Turn it on, and hold it so the transmitting prongs are pointing away from you. Grasping it by the case will allow you to feel when the collar is triggered, but you won't get shocked.

    • 3

      Start at the source of power to the underground dog fence and follow it, swinging your hand that is holding the dog's collar over the line where you know the fence is. You will feel the collar vibrate as it is triggered. When the collar is swung over the fence line and is not triggered, you have located your break. Turn the collar off, and lay it on the ground to mark the point. Turn off the power to the underground dog fence as well.

    • 4

      Dig up the area until the underground fence is uncovered. Dig across the soil rather than pushing the shovel vertically down so you do not break the wire even more.

    • 5

      Expose the break in the wire. Cut and strip the ends of your splicing wire (which should be rated for outdoor use for this purpose), and strip the two broken ends in the ground.

    • 6

      Open the small plastic splice box that is designed for such repairs of underground wiring. You will see two channels, one for each wire. Place each wire in its own channel, and snap the box closed. Repeat this splicing on the other end.

    • 7

      Turn the underground fence on, and then turn the dog collar on and test that the splice is working. Resplice it if it is not, or bury the wire again if everything seems fine.