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This PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence is the best invisible dog fence for stubborn pups. Read More
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Every dog owner knows that no matter how well you train your dog, most dogs wander. They get a scent, put their nose to the ground, and go. Unfortunately, this can lead to dogs getting lost or worse. A physical fence is the best way to keep stubborn or adventurous dogs in the yard. But traditional fences can cost thousands of dollars, can interfere with other types of use for the yard, or ruin the aesthetic of your home. Sometimes, they just aren't a good option.
There are two primary types of invisible dog fences: wireless and wired. Wireless dog fence systems require less work to set up, but they are generally limited to a circular shape with a set radius from a central station. Wired fences are much more flexible in terms of configuring specific boundaries for your pet, but require burying the wire in the ground.
Invisible dog fences can be an excellent way to keep your dog safely at home for a fraction of the cost. While invisible dog fences aren’t perfect, they are a great backup solution for many families. Invisible dog fences are also great for your life on the go, where you are able to bring the fence with you, whether that is to a campsite or vacation home.
It is important to note that it isn’t as easy as installing the invisible dog fence and letting your pup run around the yard. Having a dog fence will require proper training with your pup, which takes time and patience. As long as you choose a reliable dog fence, and take the time for your dog to learn how it works, you’ll have a successful invisible dog fence in your yard,
To help you find the best invisible dog fence, we dug through a ton of online reviews. After looking through several different options, we found these to be the best invisible dog fences available online right now.
Multiple color options
Halo App included
No installation required
Expensive
Unlimited collars
8 levels
Waterproof up to 8 feet
Labor-intensive installation
Can cause collar problems
Easy installation
Effective
Completely waterproof
Circular area is limiting
Inconsistent corrections
Contains unlimited pets
Static-free reentry
Expands up to 10 acres
Labor-instensive installation
Defective collars reported
776 acre coverage area
Doesn't need separate transmitter
Portable
Circular area is limiting
Weather interferes with GPS
Covers 40 acres
Adjustable signal field width
Wire breakage alert
Labor-intensive installation
Poor battery performance
In order to find the best invisible dog fences on the market, our experts have extensively researched user reviews, product specs, price points, and other important factors to determine which brands and options we can recommend to our readers. Although our experts haven’t tried out all of these invisible dog fences, they rigorously test and evaluate a wide range of pet products regularly—including dog collars , travel backpacks, cat litter boxes, and pet DNA tests. Our team is well-versed in understanding what features are important to look for when finding the best invisible dog fences. The options on this list have been carefully selected to meet our criteria, which is centered around the features, setup, range, price and real-life user experiences for each invisible dog fence.
There are two types of invisible dog fences: wired and wireless. The type you buy should depend on the size of your yard and how strict you want the boundaries of the invisible dog fence to be.
Wireless invisible dog fences are easier to set up and install since they don’t require digging or building. They’re ideal for a smaller yard or one with a physical fence in the ground. However, the boundaries of a wireless invisible dog fence may not be exact, so that’s something to keep in mind.
If your yard has a unique shape, then you may want to opt for a wired fence. This type of fence allows you to control where your dog wanders. It’s ideal for a big yard since the range coverage is more accurate.
Consider the range coverage you want for your invisible dog fence. This will depend on the size of your yard and how far you want the pup to wander. The number of acres each invisible dog fence covers varies, so check range coverage before purchasing one.
The gentle electric shock in stimulation collars alerts your dog that it’s too close to the edge of the invisible dog fence. You can adjust the intensity of each shock collar based on your dog’s sensitivity—every dog is different. Small dogs, for example, may not need as much of a shock as large dogs do.
Some dog collars have better battery life than others. The best collars will have rechargeable batteries. If you want a collar with a long-lasting battery, it may be worth investing in one with a large capacity.
To determine the best invisible dog fence to buy, look for one that covers the right amount of acres for the barrier you intend to create. For example, if you have two acres of land that you want your dog to run around in, then find an invisible dog fence that covers this amount of land. In addition, it’s essential to find one that has an adjustable collar, resists interference with any electrical systems nearby, is waterproof, has a strong battery life, includes multiple shock levels, and allows your dog to re-enter freely.
We love the Halo Collar 3 for its real-time GPS tracking, installation-free setup, and highly durable collar.
In addition, PetSafe makes some reliable, popular invisible dog fences, such as the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence. This invisible dog fence has a strong battery and easy-to-snap-on collar that’ll fit dogs of various sizes.
Installing regular fences can cost thousands of dollars. That is why opting for an invisible dog fence saves space in your yard and allows your pup to run around safely. The price of an invisible dog fence will vary based on the type of one it is, but overall, it will always be a lot cheaper than a traditional dog fence.
Wireless invisible dog fences you install yourself will typically cost between $100 and $300. If you opt for an invisible dog fence that runs on a GPS signal, it can go up to $1000.
Training your dog on an invisible dog fence takes some time and patience. Like all other times you’ve ever trained your dog, repetition, consistency, and reward are key. Here is a step-by-step process on how to properly train your dog on an invisible dog fence.
You’ll need to commit to training your dog on the invisible dog fence multiple times daily. The goal is to teach them to stay away from the fence's boundary and return to the yard if they cross over it. Begin your dog on a leash and approach the warning zone. Set off the alert and guide them back to your yard. Reward them with a treat.
Next, you’ll introduce the correction to show your dog that the consequence of going over the boundary is a shock through the collar. With your dog on a leash, have them approach the boundaries of the invisible dog fence. When they receive the correction, guide them back into the yard and reward them with a treat.
Once your dog is comfortable with the correction, continue to have it explore the boundaries, receive correction, and reward it with its favorite treats and toys when it returns to the center. Once it masters this step, you can begin to train it off leash. Supervise your pup off leash and work your way up to no supervision.
Over a few months, gradually remove the warning flags until your dog fully obeys the rules of the invisible dog fence. Although this process may sound time consuming, it’s worth allowing your dog to run freely in the yard without the need to install an expensive fence.
Even after extensive training, your dog may still run through the invisible dog fence you set up in your yard. Remember, your dog isn’t perfect, so don’t expect them to always listen. If your dog does run through the fence, they will receive the low shock that prompts them to return inside of the boundary. If training went well, then they should return home with no problem.
Most collars will vibrate enough to give your dog a few chances to return safely. Eventually, they will stop shocking your dog to ensure they aren’t uncomfortable for too long. This can be both a good and bad thing—your dog won’t feel discomfort for too long, but that also means they could be running free. You shouldn't have to worry too much if you’re patient during the training stage.
How you choose to keep your dog in your yard comes down to personal preference.
If you are considering options other than an invisible dog fence, then there are a few alternatives you can look at. One would be an outdoor dog kennel, which is a large, chained-in crate where the dog can still play in the yard. Similar to a dog kennel, an outdoor dog fence and gate is a small area where the pup can play outdoors, only it’s fenced in, which may make your dog feel more free than in a kennel.
You can also train your dog to stay within certain boundaries without installing an invisible dog fence and using a shock collar. This is riskier, but consider this option if you aren’t comfortable using a shock on your dog. Of course, another great solution would be to install an actual fence, but those are costly and may ruin the aesthetic of your yard.
According to a statistic, invisible dog fences are only about 70% effective. To know if the invisible dog fence you want will work will depend on how well your dog listens and learns, as well as the quality of the invisible dog fence you buy. For example, some may have issues with interference from nearby electrical systems, while others will be resilient to them.
Invisible dog fences require a significant amount of dedication to training your pup. The training process is long, so the invisible dog fence will only be as effective as your efforts. In addition, stubborn dogs may still run outside the boundaries you have implemented for your dog, so if you have a pup that struggles to listen, then consider alternative options to an invisible dog fence.
If you are willing to wait until your puppy is six months old, then an invisible dog fence may be a good option—veterinarians recommend waiting until your dog is this age to install an invisible dog fence. One big downside to an underground invisible dog fence is that other animals can still enter your yard. So, the question as to whether or not an invisible dog fence works will depend on your dog, training efforts, and the type of invisible dog fence you choose to buy.
Jean Levasseur
Contributor
Jean Levasseur became a professional writer over a decade-long career in marketing, public relations, and technical writing. After leaving that career to stay home to care for his twin boys, Jean has continued to write in a variety of freelance roles, as well as teaching academic writing at a local university. When he's not reviewing tools or chasing toddlers around the house, he's also an avid fiction writer and a growing woodworker.
Lily Hartman
Staff Writer, Search
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
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