When it comes to installing an invisible dog fence®, you may be wondering if this is something you should have done for you or if it is something you can accomplish on your own. Consider this. You will be paying big bucks if you have the invisible fence® company install an underground dog fence for you. On average, to pay for the installation and materials to set up an invisible dog fence®, you can expect to spend between $750 and $1,500 for a small ¼ acre. If you ask for lightening protection and an extra collar for your dog, your invisible fence® cost goes up by another $100 or so.
In comparison, you can buy an underground dog fence kit of equal or better quality and do it yourself for around $300. This saves you about 67%. This fact alone is significant enough to get many people to do it themselves. If you are wondering if it is a task that you can accomplish on your own, the answer is yes. Installing an underground fence is a relatively simple task to accomplish.
Systems and Brands Available
There are several quality brands of underground fence available that include PetSafe®, Perimeter Technologies®, and SportDOG®.
One of the most popular is the PetSafe® Rechargeable In-Ground Fence. One of its main advantages is its compact rechargeable collar. It recharges completely in a few hours and the charge lasts for about 2 months. It has one of the most lightweight collars made today. It features 4 levels of progressive static correction along with a tone-only mode. The correction is progressive, so the closer your dog gets to the boundary, the stronger correction he will receive.
Perimeter Technologies® Deluxe Ultra Dog Fence is another great choice. It has 5 correction level settings, also with progressive correction. This manufacturer offers one unique feature to the other brands. The collar has comfort contact points. Instead of metal touching your dog’s neck, Perimeter® has their points covered in rubber. That makes the collar more comfortable to your dog. The collar only weighs 1.1 ounces, so it is perfect for dogs both big and small.
The SportDOG® Containment Fence is made for larger dogs on a bigger amount of property. This system is able to control your dog on as big of a lot as 100 acres. It is designed for dogs that weigh anywhere from 20 to 220 pounds. The system allows you to choose a warning only mode, a correction only mode, or a combination of both. The collar is so waterproof that your dog can even swim with it on/
About Dog Fence Wire
Perhaps you have noticed all of the different options that are available when it comes to dog fence wire. Standard and budget underground fencing kits both come with 500 feet of 20 gauge dog fence wire. So why exactly are there other gauges of wire available?
When you get a 20 gauge wire, you are installing your dog fence with the lowest quality of wire that it will take in order for the system to work. It is made of several strands of copper woven into one wire. It is easy to work with and to stay in place, but it is also very thin. Because it is so thin, it can snap in two fairly easily. This usually means that within a few years or so, you will need to replace the wire at some point.
Getting a thicker wire for your system is a wiser choice. Although it does cost more money, it will save you a headache in the long run. Using a 14 gauge wire for your invisible dog fence® is a better option. If you have decided you would like the thicker wire, check out our PRO-Grade Fence Systems that are all equipped with a thicker 14 gauge wire, plus more upgrades. If you are looking to purchase the wire on its own, it costs about $60 per 500 feet. Twisted wire that is 14 gauge costs around $40 per 50 feet.
Shock Collars
Each system that is available comes with its own shock collar that is designed to work with that specific system. Should you have more than one dog, you will need to order another collar for each additional pet. In case you are wondering if the collar brands are interchangeable, the answer is no. For example, a Perimeter® collar will not work with a PetSafe underground fence. However, you can order different collars within the same brand. For example, you can order a PetSafe® Little Dog Fence collar and have it work on a PetSafe® YardMax Pet Fence.
Please give us a call on our expert customer service line at (800) 396-5517. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about an invisible dog fence®.
