How to Set Up an Electric Fence for Dogs

Dogs need boundaries when playing in the yard.

You may have already decided that an electric dog fence is the perfect solution to your pet problems. However, there are a few things you need to do before you actually purchase the electric fence kit. First, you need to take your dog to your veterinarian to make sure it can tolerate an electric fence. It could cause excessive stress for some smaller dogs and ones with certain health conditions. Your next task is learning how to set up the electric fence to ensure it works properly for you and your pooch.

Things You'll Need

• Electric fence kit
• Flags
• Shovel
• Saw
• Waterproof connectors
• Sod
• Caulking gun

Instructions

1. Walk the entire perimeter of your property and figure out exactly where you want the electric dog fence situated. As you walk, place small red flags every few feet so you know where you dig.

2. Place a wide, straight-edged shovel in the ground where you plan to bury the fence wire. Push it about one to three inches into the soil. This will create a slit just wide enough for the wire. If you're running the fence along a driveway or another cement path, you will need to use a saw to make this line.

3. Connect all the wire you will need to make it around your entire property. You can add lengths of wire by stripping away about ¾-inch of the coating on each wire end and using waterproof connectors to connect them.

4. Bury the wire. Simply slip the wire into the slits you made. The wire should be one to three inches in the ground. Cover the lawn areas with dirt or sod and caulk the cement areas with a caulking gun. Be sure no wire is visible when you're finished.

5. Mount the transmitter for your fence inside your garage or shed. It needs to be in a well protected, dry area near an electrical outlet. Most transmitters will come with a few screws you can use to mount it on the wall.

6. Run the excess wire into the shed or garage so you can connect it directly to the transmitter. This is what will give the fence its power. You can connect the two wires to the base of the transmitter.

7. Plug the transmitter into an electric outlet and test the fence. Place the receiver on your dog's collar and put the collar around a sensitive area of your body, such as your neck or wrist. Move over the underground wire you buried to test the shock. You should feel it, but there should be no pain sensation. If there is, you know the setting is too high for your dog. Remember, your dog is likely more sensitive than you to the shock; plus, your dog will not know the shock is coming.

References

• Ron Hazelton's House Calls: How to Install an Underground Dog Fence
• The Daily Puppy: How to Bury Electronic Dog Fence