Every responsible dog owner that does not have an above-ground fence already installed where they live, faces the daunting task of determining what type of containment system will work best for their beloved pet, while also working with the pet owner’s property and potential limitations. If a pet owner’s home does not already have a traditional, above-ground fence, it can be time consuming, expensive, and difficult to install one. And in some cases, there are individuals who have dogs, but do not live in a place in which they are allowed to install an above ground fence. Furthermore, there is always the issue of containing your beloved pet on the go, in areas that do not have proper containment methods built-in for your pet. Such as when you take your canine companion camping, traveling, or to visit a friend or family member who does not have a fence.
For these reasons and more, many dog owners have considered the options of both wireless and underground wired electric pet containment systems for their various containment needs. While these two types of fencing systems are different in that one is wireless and one includes boundary wires that must be buried one to three inches deep, in the ground around the containment area’s perimeter, these two kinds of containment systems also have many similarities to one another in how they work in order to try to contain your pet. In this article, you will find extensive details about how wireless versus wired pet containment systems work, as well as answers to “Common Questions” often asked about wired and wireless containment systems. In addition to the “Must Know Facts,” “Critical Tips,” and “What to Watch Out For” sections that are included in this article in order to inform users of the critical components and warnings that come along with using wired and wireless electric containment systems with your pet. Please make sure to read this article in its entirety in order to ensure the safety of your pets when using a wireless or wired containment system.
PRODUCT 1: PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System PIF-300
Key Features:
Pros:
- Comes with a 2-pack of PetSafe brand batteries.
PRODUCT 2: PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System for Two Dogs
Key Features:
- Completely wireless and portable.
- Containment shape is circular and adjustable.
- Five levels of static shock correction and a tone-only option.
- Includes two fully waterproof and adjustable receiver collars.
- Fits dogs above 8 pounds and up, with neck sizes of 6 to 26 inches.
- Covers up to a ½ acre of containment area (up to 180 feet in diameter).
- Covers up to one acre, total with purchase of one additional transmitter.
- Fence transmitter can be plugged into a power outlet or run on batteries.
- Has an over-correction feature that will not allow your dog to be shocked for more than :30 continuous seconds.
- Has a safety feature that will not shock your dog when they reenter the containment boundary, should they escape.
- Adjustable boundary zone that can be set anywhere between two to three feet within the perimeter of the containment center to create a larger or smaller play area.
Pros:
- Over-correction feature that will not allow your dog to be shocked for more than :30 continuous seconds.
- If your pet escapes the containment boundary, he or she will not be shocked upon reentering the containment area.
- Five different levels of static shock correction, as well as a tone-only option for pets who do not need to be shocked in order to stay within their containment area.
- This system is completely wireless and portable for pet owner’s on-the-go containment needs, such as camping, traveling, and visiting friends who don’t have fencing.
- Quick to install, because it is wireless, users do not have to take the extra time to dig trenches all the way around their containment boundaries in order to bury boundary wire.
Cons:
- Some users report that the system malfunctions and shocks their pets unnecessarily.
- Some users report that the power adapter that comes included with the system does not work and will not power the transmitter box.
- Several users report that the transmitter part of the system will not hold a charge well enough to work with the batteries alone, and must be plugged into a standard outlet.
- Some users report that the collar clasps and snaps are made cheaply and constantly break, causing the receiver collars to fall off of their pets, rendering the system useless.
- Some users report that their dogs are shocked when coming back into the containment area, as well as when they are within the containment boundary due to the system randomly malfunctioning.
- Quite a few users report that their dogs walk right over the boundary and do not mind being shocked in exchange for their freedom, especially dogs that are over 50 pounds in weight and/or are stubborn and difficult to train.
- Some users report that this system is not effective because once their pet escapes the boundary, the receiver collar stops administering a static correction shock (after a short period of time), therefore pets will stay outside of the containment area and not return.
- Several users report that this PetSafe system that comes with two collars is much more difficult to set up than the PetSafe PIF-300 system that comes with only one collar, and that often times the additional collar that comes with this system malfunctions or doesn’t work at all. Therefore, these users recommend purchasing the PetSafe PIF-300 system and simply buying an additional PetSafe Wireless receiver collar, separately, as they report that this method worked more reliable and was easier to set up. Also, it is less expensive to purchase the PIF-300 kit and purchase one additional collar separately, than it is to purchase this system with the two receiver collars included (depending on when and where you purchase these products).
PRODUCT 3: PetSafe Basic Underground Wired Pet Containment System
Key Features:
- Creates a square or rectangular shaped containment area.
- Four levels of static shock correction and a tone-only option.
- Fits over 8 pounds and up, with neck sizes from 6 to 26 inches.
- Loop indicator light that indicates when the boundary wire is making a complete loop.
- Over correction protection that will not allow your pet to be shocked for more than :30 continuous seconds.
-
- Has a safety feature that will not shock your dog when they reenter the containment boundary, should they escape.
- Can contain a boundary of up to 1/3 acre with the included 500 feet of boundary wire, and up to 5 acres total with the purchase of additional boundary wire and training flags.
Pros:
- Receiver collar comes with a battery that is reported to last up to two months.
-
- Will not shock your dog when they reenter the containment boundary, should they escape.
- Has an LED Loop indicator light that indicates when the boundary wire is making a complete loop.
- Over correction protection will not allow your pet to be shocked for more than :30 continuous seconds.
- The transmitter that is included with this system is capable of containing up to five acres of land with the purchase of additional boundary wire.
- Four levels of static shock correction and a tone-only option for pets who do not need to receive a shock in order to stay within their containment boundaries.
Cons:
- Users report that the collar shocks their dog randomly and without reason, when the dog is within the containment boundary.
- Dogs, especially those weighing 40 pounds and over, have been reported to cross the designated boundary without being deterred by the shock.
- Users report that the system has been completely blown out and ruined by storm surges, and if not powered off and taken off of your pet, this could bring harm to your dog.
- The collar that the system comes with has been reported by multiple users to have plastic snaps that are not as durable as expected, causing the collar to fall off of active dogs.
- Users report that the boundary wire is not very durable and breaks / shorts out easily, leaving open spaces in the containment perimeter that pets can easily escape through.
PRODUCT 4: Havahart Underground Wired Pet Containment System
Key Features:
- Creates a square or rectangle shaped boundary.
- Five levels of static shock correction and a tone-only option.
- Works with pets above 8 pounds and up, with neck sizes of 6 to 30 inches.
- LED loop indicator light that lets you know that the fencing loop in complete.
- Is capable of containing up to 1/3 of an acre with the included boundary wire and up to 13 acres total with the purchase of additional boundary wire.
- Has run-through protection, which is a feature that uses a high intensity static shock to correct your dog should they run through the containment boundary.
- Receiver collar has an over-correction feature that will stop the shock being administered to your pet after :10 continuous seconds and will not accept any more shock signals from the fence for the next :30 seconds, and then will return to normal functioning.
Pros:
- LED loop indicator light that lets you know that the fencing loop in complete.
- Over-correction feature that will not allow your dog to be shocked for more than :10 continuous seconds.
- System is capable of containing a rather large area of up to 30 acres with the purchase of additional boundary wire.
Cons:
- Users report that this system is very cheaply made, and there are several complaints of it breaking quite often.
- Many users report that receiver collars are cheaply made and stop working all together, for unknown reasons.
- Users report that the power adapter for the transmitter stops working, causing the entire system to stop working.
- Multiple users report that receiver collar replacement batteries cost at least $4.00 and last only 4 to 5 weeks, at most.
- Users report that even the highest shock level is not enough to deter large dogs (40+ pounds) from leaving their containment area.
- Users report breaks in the containment area boundary, in which dogs are able to walk right through without being shocked, due to weak and ineffective boundary wire.
How Were the Containment Systems Compared?
Below you will find a table chart comparing the four systems included parts and features. This is how the four containment systems were compared. The most common customer complaints for each system were also taken into consideration during the comparison process for these four invisible, electric fencing systems. As you can see, these four systems have a lot of similar parts and features, therefore, customer reviews of each product were quite helpful in the final decision.
SYSTEM NAME: | PetSafe PIF-300 Wireless System | PetSafe Two Dog Wireless System | PetSafe Basic
Underground Wired System |
Havahart Underground Wired System |
Containment Type | Wireless | Wireless | Underground Wired | Underground Wired |
Containment Area Shape | Circle | Circle | Rectangle or Square | Rectangle or Square |
Containment Area Size | Standard: 1/2 Acre Up To: 1 Acre with purchase of 1 additional transmitter box |
Standard: 1/2 Acre
Up To: 1 Acre with purchase of 1 additional transmitter box |
Standard: 1/3 Acre
Up To: 5 Acres with purchase of additional boundary wire |
Standard: 1/3 Acre
Up To: 30 Acres with purchase of additional boundary wire |
Pet Weight | More than 8 pounds and up | More than 8 pounds and up | More than 8 pounds and up | More than 8 pounds and up |
Pet Neck Size | 6 to 26 inches | 6 to 26 inches | 6 to 26 inches | 6 to 30 inches |
Portable or Not | Portable | Portable | Not Portable | Not Portable |
Batteries Needed / Included | 2 required
3 Included Not rechargeable |
2 required
2 included Not rechargeable |
1 Required
1 Included Not rechargeable |
1 Required
1 Included Not rechargeable |
Transmitter Box Dimensions | 7 x 6.3 x 6.3
inches |
7 x 6.3 x 6.3
inches |
12 x 4.4 x 6.1
inches |
5.2 x 10 x 10
inches |
Product Warranty | One Year, Limited | One Year, Limited | One Year, Limited | One Year,
Limited |
Customer Review Rating | Above Average | Above Average | Above Average | Below Average |
PetSafe PIF-300 | PetSafe Two Dog | PetSafe Basic | Havahart | |
FEATURES: | ||||
Static Shock
Correction Options |
5 levels of shock, plus a tone-only option | 5 levels of shock, plus a tone-only option | 4 levels of shock, plus a tone-only option | 5 levels of shock, plus a tone-only option |
Over-Correction
Protection |
Yes, :30 seconds | Yes, :30 seconds | Yes, :30 seconds | Yes, :10 seconds |
Run-Through
High-Intensity Shock |
Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Low Battery Indicator Light | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
LED Loop Indicator | n/a | n/a | Yes | Yes |
Surge Protector | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Waterproof | Water Resistant |
Type of Wire Included | n/a | n/a | 20-gauge | 20-gauge |
Feet of Wire Included | n/a | n/a | 500 feet | 500 feet |
Boundary Line Stability | Impacted by wireless internet signal strength, as well as any large objects & neighboring systems. | Impacted by wireless internet signal strength, as well as any large objects & neighboring systems. | Impacted by boundary wire being low quality, can purchase better boundary wire to improve this. | Impacted by boundary wire being low quality, can purchase better boundary wire to improve this. |
Which Containment System is the Best?
Based upon many hours of extensive research and review, resulting in the wide-range of information that has been provided above, the best containment system out of the four options reviewed in this article is the PetSafe Basic Underground Wired Pet Containment System. This decision was based on all of the information that was provided in the comparison chart. In addition to countless customer reviews, both positive and negative, that were read and analyzed by the reviewer.
Because each of the four products that are reviewed in this article are more similar than not, the final decision came down to which containment system is the most reliable at keeping your beloved pets contained, because if pets are not properly contained, they can escape their containment and become lost or get hit by a car and never return. Therefore, if a containment system’s boundaries are not reliable, and your pet escapes, there is no longer a pet to contain, which renders all of the other options and features useless, if the systems containment boundaries are not stable.
That being said, a large majority of the negative reviews of the two wireless PetSafe containment systems that are written about above, were concerned users of these systems reporting that the boundary lines of their wireless containment systems are dramatically impacted by pretty much everything that surrounds them, resulting in the containment boundaries being extremely inconsistent at best, and nonexistent, at worst. Not only do inconsistent and nonexistent boundary lines allow your pet to walk right out of the containment area, leaving them at risk for harm, unstable boundary lines can also traumatize your pet and cause he or she to be too afraid to go into the containment area, at all, for fear of being shocked randomly.
However, if what you are looking for is a permanent containment solution for you and your pet’s at-home containment needs and you are unable to install a traditional, above-ground fence, the PetSafe Basic Underground Wired Containment System is the best option of the four containment options that are reviewed in this article, for all of the reasons discussed above and more reasons that are discussed below. Despite the fact that using an underground wired system does require a bit of time and effort to bury the boundary wire along the containment borders, it is still the best option of the four options reviewed, for several important reasons. First of all, within the market of underground electric fencing, the PetSafe brand is one of the most well-known, longest standing, and trusted brands. Havahart is not as well known or trusted within this market. Therefore, the PetSafe Basic Underground Wired Containment System is the best option out of the two underground wired containment system options reviewed, here. Furthermore, the underground wired system that is made by Havahart had a significantly below average customer review rating at the time in which this article was written, in addition to not being available for purchase anywhere that these types of systems are sold. The Havahart Underground Wired Containment System also includes fewer features than the PetSafe Basic Underground Wired Containment System, yet it costs more money.
However, just like with any invisible fencing system, this one has undeniable downfalls. One of which is the boundary wire, itself. Users of underground wired containment systems report that the boundary wire that is included with these types of systems is often cheap or thin, causing it to break or short out easily, leading to inconsistencies in the containment area borders in which dogs can escape through. This problem can often be remedied by purchasing stronger, and more reliable boundary wire that is made for outdoor use. However, that is an extra cost that users of these types of systems would have to take on, which is one of the cons of using wired systems.
MUST KNOW FACTS AND COMMON QUESTIONS
How Do Underground Wired Containment Systems Work?
PLEASE NOTE: The transmitter boxes for each of these systems must be kept out of the elements and placed in a shaded area that is two to four feet above the ground, in order to work properly. The signal is capable of transmitting through walls, but the product’s training manual makes it clear to users that the transmitter box should not be placed in a closet or in any confined space, because this could cause the transmitter to overheat and stop working.
PLEASE NOTE: Each of the systems that are reviewed in this article are capable of working with an unlimited number of pets, with the purchase of additional receiver collars for each pet to wear. It is important to know that only collars that are made for use with wireless containment systems will work with wireless containment systems, and only collars that are made for use with wired containment systems will work with wired containment systems. The two types of collars are not interchangeable, and often it is the case that only PetSafe brand collars will work with PetSafe brand systems, and only Havahart collars will work with Havahart systems. If you are unsure of whether or not your equipment is compatible, please call the customer care line number that is available in every containment system’s instruction manual and online.
How Deep Do the Boundary Wires Have to Be Buried?
In most situations, with most systems, the wires must be buried in a trench that is between one to three inches deep. The reason that the trench containing the wire has to be so shallow is because the buried boundary wires need to be located fairly near the surface of the yard in order for the receiver collar to pick up the signals that the wires are putting out. If the wire is buried too deep, receiver collars will not get a signal from the wires and the containment system will be ineffective.
Do Electric Fences Work for Large Dogs?
Electric dog fences seem to be a less effective containment method for large dogs. This is due to several factors. A low-level shock is not an effective method of keeping a large dog within the containment area. Whereas a high intensity shock may or may not be able to keep a large dog in the containment area, but regardless, it is not recommended to shock your pet with the highest shock setting, especially not on any kind of regular basis, because doing so can bring harm to the dog, both physically and mentally. Large breeds of dogs have also been known to be intelligent enough to figure out how to escape the boundaries without receiving an electric shock, as well as strong enough to run through the boundary, even with the shock. As a result of being shocked, some dogs, especially large breeds of dogs, have been reported to become aggressive due to the distrust and confusion that they develop when they are shocked.
Do Electric Fences Work for Small Dogs?
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
- A low battery in the transmitter or collar can cause the system to malfunction. Do not use the system if the battery is low, and make sure the low battery indicator light is working properly.
- When you set up your containment system be sure to test out the boundary area, shock intensity, and frequency before training your dog. NEVER put the collar on your dog before testing each of these things and continue to re-test them periodically.
- It is impossible to know how your dog will react to being shocked. Some dogs will become afraid and refuse to leave the containment area, even when you would like them to, or refuse to reenter their yard should they escape. Experts and pet behaviorists warn that your dog may start to distrust humans due to being shocked. Dogs who are receiving shock training are reported to be more likely to become aggressive with their handlers.
- You will still need to keep an eye on your pet when using this system, and beware of the fact that these kinds of containment systems are reported to be only approximately 70% effective. Dogs can escape if they really want to, because these systems do not create a physical, solid boundary. Some users report that smart dogs are able to use the beep-warning to determine where the boundary of the yard is that causes the beep, and proceed to set the beep off until the collar battery dies, then simply cross the boundary. And some dogs will run through the boundary, and are not deterred by the shock that they receive.
CRITICAL TIPS
CONCLUSION
Based on the reviews of the four invisible electric dog fences that are detailed above, it appears that when it comes down to a choice between wireless and wired invisible fencing systems, wired systems work more consistently and have boundary lines that will not change drastically due to interference with a wireless signal. While completing the research required to write an informative review of these types of containment systems, it became clear that the boundaries of wireless containment systems vary drastically according to the containment area’s surroundings and wireless signal strength. It has been reported by quite a few users of wireless pet containment systems that the containment boundaries will cease to work at all due to any number of stationary objects that are located nearby (vehicles, trees, large bushes, etc.). It is also the case that any kind of wireless containment systems that your neighbors might be using will interfere with your own containment system, making it impossible to use this type of containment if any of your neighbors use a wireless containment system, as well. Due to the inconsistencies and lack of reliability that comes inherent with wireless containment systems, using a wireless system is not your best bet and should only be used in situations where it is the absolute only option for containing your pet. Such as when you have on-the-go containment needs for your pet while camping, traveling, or visiting people who do not have fencing.
However, if installing an invisible fence is your only option for containing your dog, an underground wired electric fence is better than a wireless electric fence, and within the marked of underground wired containment systems, the PetSafe Basic Underground Wired Pet Containment System is the best option, of the four options reviewed above.