The Best Wireless Dog Fence (For Every Use)

A wireless dog fence can be a great tool for keeping your dog contained in areas where the fencing is lacking.

But choosing the wrong wireless dog fence for the wrong dog can cause a number of issues for your pup. The humane society does a great job breaking down some of the potential concerns with wireless fences:

Shock collars use electric current passing through metal contact points on the collar to give your dog an electric signal.
This electric signal can range from a mild tickling sensation to a painful shock.
Shock collars may be sold as training devices, although more and more companies are pulling them from the shelves. They are also used with pet containment (electronic fencing) systems.
Shock collars are often misused and can create fear, anxiety and aggression in your dog toward you or other animals while suppressing unwanted behavior.

Wireless fences may or may not be classified as “shock collars” and many don’t meet the level of painful shock mentioned above, but it can be difficult to tell the difference.

To help walk you through an important decision, we asked our veterinary advisor, Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, to review each of the major wireless dog fences on the market.

Dr. Whittenburg chose the PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System as her top choice for the best wireless dog fence. “I especially like that this system does not correct your dog if they return into the boundary from outside it,” Dr. Whittenburg said. “This is integral to successful training.”

PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System

The PetSafe Pet Containment System covers up to a half acre and is easy to set up.

While this is Dr. Whittenburg’s top choice, she also shared the most important things to look for in choosing a wireless dog fence, which owners and their dogs may not be a fit for a wireless dog fence and offered her top selections for a variety of specific use cases.

The 5 Best Wireless Dog Fences

Best Overall – PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System
Best Budget – OKPet GPS Wireless Dog Fence
Best Portable – PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence
Best for Large Areas – JustPet Wireless Dog Fence

Wireless Dog Fences Compared

Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and features of different models.

Vet’s Picks	Model	Rating
Best Overall	PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System	4.3
Best Budget	OKPet GPS Wireless Dog Fence Pet Containment System	4.8
Best for Multiple Pets	Invifence Wireless Dog Fence and Training Collar	4.5
Best Portable	PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence	4.2
Best for Large Areas	JustPet Wireless Dog Fence	4.8

*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers

In This Article

Who Should Buy a Wireless Dog Fence

Your yard has uneven terrain. A large benefit to a wireless dog fence is you have the ability to fence in an otherwise un-fencible area. Whether your yard is an odd shape or on uneven terrain, the wireless fence can pattern the perimeter.
You have plenty of time to train your dog. Training your dog to use the wireless fence is a must. Your dog will not instinctively learn how this technology works. You must teach him. Do not get this type of fence if you don’t have the time to put in the training.
Your dog chews through, climbs, or digs under traditional fences. A wireless dog fence might be a consideration if your pooch is the escape artist who chews through, digs under, or scales traditional fencing. But this doesn’t mean a wireless fence is infallible to the drive a dog might have to leave the yard.

Who Should Not Buy a Wireless Dog Fence

You don’t have time to train your dog. Training is essential to a positive outcome. Patient training is required to help the dog learn the boundaries of the fence. Some fencing systems can be frustrating or even ineffective for some dogs. This could lead to serious injury.
Your dog is the anxious or fearful type. Negative stimuli, such as the corrections associated with wireless fencing, can exacerbate negative behaviors in anxious, stressed, or fearful dogs.¹

Buying Guide: Research Tips From a Veterinarian

As a veterinarian, I often get asked how to choose a good wireless dog fence. Here are some tips and best practices to consider when purchasing a wireless dog fence. Be sure to do adequate research on the product you are considering purchasing to look for key features, and ask your friends, family, or veterinarian if they have any recommendations on wireless fences for dogs.

Consider your individual situation – How large is your dog? Do they learn quickly with minimum correction? What environment are you expecting to use the fence in? Are there dangers that could come into the fenced boundary? Are there distractions that may cause your dog to leave the boundary regardless of collar corrections? How large of a space do you wish to control? Do you have time and patience to effectively train your dog to understand the fence?
Be aware of both the pros and cons – Wireless dog fence systems can be much more cost-effective and visually pleasing than a traditional fence. They are also more adaptable to uneven terrain and frequent moving. However, wireless fences do not offer protection to the dogs inside the boundary from people, predators, or other pets that may enter the yard. Power outages or failure to recharge the components can also lead to fence failure and put your dog at unnecessary risk of escape and injury.
Training is essential – Training your dog to understand a wireless fence is required, though these fences may still be ineffective for some. Many wireless dog fence systems offer alternative corrections, such as vibration or sound, but shocking your dog for correction is a method that you may not be comfortable with.
Speak to someone you know who has used a wireless dog fence system – It is crucial to research the features and reliability of a wireless fence when choosing what is best for your dog. Speak to your veterinarian or another pet care professional for recommendations.
Avoiding systems that do not include training aids – Since training to use the wireless dog fence is of the utmost importance, avoid systems that don’t use visual aids such as boundary flags. Also, avoid systems that have no option other than shocking for correction. Do not use wireless fences that correct the dog if they enter from outside the boundary, as this is confusing to the dog and discourages their return to the boundary if they ever get out.

Using a wireless dog fence as a way to restrict your dog to your yard includes regular training with your pooch. Seek out a professional dog trainer or consult with your personal veterinarian to help you keep your dog safely contained in your yard.

How Much Do They Cost?

$40-$400

Wireless dog fences vary greatly in price, from about $40 to $400, depending on the type of system you wish to purchase. Wireless fencing systems under $50 tend to cover a smaller area for smaller dogs, and may not include helpful items such as boundary flags. Budget-friendly systems usually have to be buried on your property and don’t offer more options past the shock correction. Wireless dog fences in the pricier range offer multiple correction methods, often allow for multiple fences to be linked together, cover a wider area and are better suited for larger dogs.

Our Methodology: Why Trust Us

With what I’ve learned through the veterinary profession and my personal experience, I selected the top five wireless dog fences based on several factors, such as reliability, safety, and effectiveness. It’s important to research the type of wireless fence you want to use to ensure your dog is safe. – Dr. Jamie Whittenburg

The Best Wireless Dog Fence Reviews

1. Best Overall – PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System

PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System

The PetSafe Pet Containment System covers up to a half acre and is easy to set up.

The PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Pet Containment System is our vet’s top pick because it’s easy to set up and use, and functions reliably. Recommended for dogs over 8 pounds, the wireless fence is waterproof and uses tone and static correction to keep your dog in the yard. With up to a half-acre of coverage, you don’t need to bury the wire so you can set it up pretty quickly. In line with our vet’s suggestion, this fence allows your dog to reenter the fenced property without receiving a correction.

The PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence comes with an indoor transmitter, waterproof collar, and barrier flags. The transmitter is portable so you can set up your wireless fence anywhere you go. The collar fits neck sizes between 6 and 28 inches, and the battery features a long life of up to two months before you need to replace it. The collar is also compatible with other PetSafe wireless fence transmitters. You have the option of using sound-only training or five levels of static correction.

This wireless dog fence allows you to add another base unit transmitter to widen your coverage area. Purchase additional collars if you have multiple pets. Personalize your coverage from 5 to 90 feet in all directions, starting from the base of the transmitter, up to 180 feet across.

Pros

Easy to set up
Covers half an acre
Long battery life

Cons

Not meant for tiny dogs
Extra collars sold separately

2. Best Budget – OKPet GPS Wireless Dog Fence

OKPet GPS Wireless Dog Fence Pet Containment System

For a more budget-friendly option, the OKPet Wireless Dog Fence covers up to nearly 3,300 feet.

The OKPet GPS Wireless Dog Fence is our vet’s top choice for a budget-friendly wireless fencing option. The system uses GPS satellite positioning technology to keep tabs on your pooch. Stable and reliable, the wireless fence doesn’t use a base transmitter or boundary wires, above or below ground, and sends out a signal up to 3,281 feet.

The OKPet system comes with a waterproof collar with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 15 hours on one charge. There are three correction methods with three levels of intensity: beep, vibration, and shock. Should your dog leave the wireless area, the vibration and shock continue for three cycles and then shut off. If you don’t set a correction stimulus, the collar defaults to a beep.

Pros

GPS to track your dog
Easy to set up

Cons

Frequent charging needed
Barrier flags not included

Pros

- - Easy to install
  - Covers up to 1,000 feet

Cons

- - Correction continues outside boundaries
  - Barrier flags not included

4. Best Portable – PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence

PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence

The PetSafe Stay and Play wireless dog fence covers a wide area without burying wires.

The PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence is Dr. Jamie Whittenburg’s choice for the best portable wireless dog fence. The small size and easy setup make it ideal for traveling and on-the-go moments. The system covers up to a three-quarter-acre area with no wires to bury. The PetSafe Stay and Play is an overall easy unit that features a plug-in transmitter and battery-operated, receiver collar.

The PetSafe collar is waterproof and features a static-free reentry, so your dog is not corrected on the return pass over the boundary. There are five intensities of static correction, plus a tone-only correction mode. The collar is adjustable from 6 inches up to 28 inches in neck size. The PetSafe Stay and Play Wireless Pet Fence include barrier flags to give your dog a visual aid when the fence is in use.

Pros

- - No correction on reentry
  - Barrier flags included

Cons

- - Extra collars sold separately
  - The battery needs replacing after 1 to 2 months

5. Best for Large Areas – JustPet Wireless Dog Fence

JustPet Wireless Dog Fence

The JustPet fencing system covers up to 2,000 feet.

The JustPet Wireless Dog Fence is our vet’s pick for the best wireless dog fence for large areas (read our review of JustPet Wireless Dog Fence). With an adjustable range from 100 feet to 2,000 feet, this wireless fencing system has one of the largest boundary areas on the market. The package includes a base transmitter, waterproof receiver collar, charger, and training flags. Signal transmission is not blocked by walls or objects when the base is in the house. Multiple receiver collars can be used on one transmitter.

The JustPet Wireless Dog Fence comes with a receiver collar that adjusts to ten levels and three intensities of electric shock. The wireless system is equipped with a warning method as opposed to responding immediately with a shock. If your dog travels outside of the set boundary, the collar issues a vibration warning before giving a shock. The collar cycles twice and then continue to beep until your dog returns to the fenced area.

Pros

- - Range up to 2,000 feet
  - Barrier flags included

Cons

Correction continues until reentry
Multiple correction options are not available

Frequently Asked Questions

Do wireless dog fences work?

Yes and no. Many wireless dog fences work as advertised, but wireless dog fences require a power source. Should the power source fail for any reason, the invisible fence is rendered useless. Many dogs will attempt to escape the yard, even if they have been trained, because an animal’s natural instinct is to hunt, chase, or ease their own curiosity by venturing out of the yard. Wireless fences do not keep intruders or other animals from entering the yard either. If your dog gets out and there is a correction on reentry, your dog may not come home.²³

How can I keep my dog in the yard without a fence?

What dog doesn’t want to roam? Whether they believe something is better in your neighbor’s yard, they caught a whiff of something interesting, or they spotted a squirrel to chase, dogs love to walk, run, and roam. Keeping an unleashed dog in an unfenced yard is a tall task. Unfortunately, most dogs need protection from the outside world. Speak with your veterinarian or a local trainer to determine the best way to safely and effectively keep your dog in your yard.⁴⁵

Can you train a dog to stay in an unfenced yard?

Many dogs can be trained to do a lot of things. Some dogs might do very well staying in a yard that doesn’t have a fence. But dogs are animals and have animal instincts. Even the best-trained dog may chase prey outside of the yard. Natural curiosity usually leads to dogs wanting to explore as far as they can physically go.⁶

Is an invisible fence cruel?

There’s a lot of debate as to whether or not an invisible fence causes harm to the animals who use it. Most experts agree that negative reinforcement does more harm than good.⁷⁸⁹ But some invisible fences allow for methods of correction that don’t involve an extreme such as electric shock. Other methods of correction include tones, beeps, vibrations, or a combination.

Additional Sources & Resources

Looking for more information about dog fences? We have a library of in-depth information about various aspects of dog fences. Including tips and ideas for keeping your dog from jumping and building your own dog fence:

As well as in-depth reviews of each category of dog fence (with recommendations generated by licensed veterinarians):

And in-depth product reviews of some of the leading dog fence brands:

Article Sources

Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Todd Z. Dog Training, Animal Welfare, and the Human-Canine Relationship. Companionanimalpsychology.com. Published February 12, 2014. Accessed March 24, 2022
Buzhardt L. The Pros and Cons of Invisible Fences for Dogs. Vcahospitals.com. Accessed March 25, 2022
Electric Fences. Positively.com. Accessed March 25, 2022
Reisen J. How to Help Prevent Your Dog From Escaping the Yard. Akc.org. Published November 12, 2020. Accessed March 25, 2022
Buzhardt L. The Pros and Cons of Invisible Fences for Dogs. Vcahospitals.com. Accessed March 25, 2022
Electric Fences. Positively.com. Accessed March 25, 2022
Electric Fences. Positively.com. Accessed March 25, 2022
Training Methods. Positively.com. Accessed March 25, 2022
Buzhardt L. The Pros and Cons of Invisible Fences for Dogs. Vcahospitals.com. Accessed March 25, 2022

Pet News Daily Staff
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.