Dogs make great traveling companions, but without fences and other comforts of home, it can be difficult to keep them safe when you’re on the go. Portable dog fences are an easy and effective way to help keep your dog close by when you’re not at home. Whether you’re just visiting a friend down the street or set to go on a road trip through the mountains, finding just the right portable dog fence is important to keep your dog safe so you can both have a good time.
With the help of our veterinary advisor, Dr. Jamie Whittenburg, we put together a list of the top five portable dog fences. Whether you need a small portable dog fence or a large portable dog fence, we combed through multiple types of fence styles to find the best portable dog fence available. With our advisor’s expertise, we brought you the best overall choice, a good budget pick, a portable dog fence outdoor lovers will like, and a couple of lightweight portable dog fence options, one for indoors and one for outdoors. Our vet, Dr. Whittenburg, chose the FXW Dog Playpen Outdoor as the top choice in portable dog fences thanks to its versatility, stability, and ease of setting up. A variety of heights are offered, from 24 inches to 50 inches, and you get to choose your perimeter size with the number of panels you select.
While this was Dr. Whittenburg’s top choice, she also offers a series of her top tips for what to look for in choosing the best portable dog fences, a section on who should avoid purchasing them altogether, and she personally selected the best fence for a variety of specific use cases.
The 5 Best Portable Dog Fences
- Best Overall – FXW Dog Playpen Outdoor
- Best Budget – EveryYay Essentials Adjustable Exercise Pen for Dogs
- Bet Plastic – Iris USA Exercise Pet Play Pen with Door
- Best for Camping – Artmalle Puppy Pet Playpen Metal Portable Dog Fence
- Best Outdoor – Yaheetech Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Fence
Portable Dog Fences Compared
Here are the top picks from our veterinarian. Compare the ratings and key features of each of the different fences.
| Vet’s Picks | Model | Rating | Weather Resistant | Add or Remove Panels | Human-Friendly Entry and Exit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | FXW Dog Playpen Outdoor | ||||
| Best Budget | EveryYay Essentials Adjustable Exercise Pen for Dogs | ||||
| Best Plastic Portable Dog Fence | Iris USA Exercise Pet Play Pen with Door | ||||
| Best Portable Dog Fence for Camping | Artmalle Puppy Pet Playpen Metal Portable Dog Fence | ||||
| Best Outdoor Portable Dog Fence | Yaheetech Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Fence |
*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 Portable Dog Fence
- You like to travel with your dog – If you usually take your dog with you wherever you go, a portable dog fence would be a great addition to your canine carry-all. A fence like the roll-up portable dog fence is available in rolls of flexible wire or plastic, comes in a variety of heights, is easy to set up and take down, and stores out of the way.
- A vacation means including your pooch – Maybe you don’t travel all the time with your pooch, but she’s certainly a part of all your vacation trips. Convenient to set up, take down, store, and carry, portable dog fences are a must if you travel at all with dogs.
- You’re going camping – Check the park where you’re camping to ensure portable dog fences are allowed, but most parks allow a portable dog fence for RV camping. This type of fence is made to stand freely or anchor into the ground with minimal harm to the earth.
- You need a temporary solution – Sometimes you just need a temporary containment system for your dog. A portable dog fence offers you the opportunity to quickly and safely keep your dog in an enclosed area.
Who Should Not Buy a Portable Dog Fence
- When you need a long-term solution – A portable dog fence can be a good idea for temporary solutions or travel, but when you need something more permanent, portable fences are not as secure as more solid, permanent structures.
- If you have an extra large, aggressive, or fearful dog – Most portable dog fences are not made for the over-rambunctious pooch who might try to jump, climb, or otherwise escape the enclosed area.
Research Tips from a Veterinarian
Portable dog fences are ideal for traveling with your dog, whether you’re investigating new places, going camping, or doing some RV travel. Having a portable enclosure gives your dogs a chance to move freely and relax while still keeping them safe. Research the main features, safety, and reliability of each fencing system. Speak to someone who has used the system you’re considering, and ask your veterinarian or other pet care professional for recommendations.
- Consider why you need a portable dog fence – The first thing to determine before you purchase a dog fence is your needs. When and where will the fence be used? How large are your dogs? How much space do you need? Does the fencing system need to be portable?
- Find the fence style that matches your dog’s specific needs – Once you know why you need a portable dog fence, consider the different styles. From invisible fences, such as the wireless portable dog fence or GPS dog fence, to folding dog fences made from wire or plastic, match the style of dog fence to your dog’s needs. Some dogs are amenable to being trained to obey the boundaries of a wireless fence. Others will need to be contained within physical fences.
- Put safety and effectiveness first when choosing the right portable dog fence for your pooch – Consider the size and height of the fence to give your dog a safe place to be. Use a tall portable dog fence for dogs who might attempt to jump the fence. Consider heavy-duty dog fences for large or strong dogs. Select a portable dog fence that allows enough space for your dog to be comfortable.
- Consider durability, stability, and additional features – Portable dog fences need to be secure and stable in order to be safe and effective. Research the durability and stability of the materials used and choose the correct one for your needs. Consider any additional features the dog fence offers, such as a cover, multiple doors, floors, and other accessories.
How Much Do They Cost?
$50 to $200
Portable dog fences range in price depending on the type of fence you’re looking for. Averaging $50 to $200, small, indoor, or plastic dog fences run on the cheaper end, while heavy wire or metal portable dog fences tend to cost more. For instance, small, indoor dog fences cost roughly $30 to $75, relative to height and the number of panels. A portable dog fence for large dogs costs roughly $50 to $100, also relative to the height and number of panels. Other portable dog fences, such as outdoor wood and wire fences, range from $60 to $300.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Pet News Daily
Using my expertise from the veterinary profession and based on my personal experience, I selected the top five portable dog fences based on several factors, such as safety, durability, strength, and effectiveness. When choosing a portable dog fence for your dog, it’s a good idea to ask other dog owners, as well as your veterinarian, for suggestions. Read reviews from other customers that have purchased and used the dog fence you’re considering getting. – Dr. Jamie Whittenburg
The Best Portable Dog Fence Reviews
1. Best Overall – FXW Dog Playpen Outdoor
Available in 24-, 32-, 40-, and 50-inch panels, the FXW Dog Playpen Outdoor is our vet’s top choice for portable dog fences. Select the number of panels you want to configure the fence size and shape for your needed area. Great for dogs of all sizes and yards of all shapes, the FXW dog fence is made from powder-coated wire, which is weather-resistant for added durability. Ground stakes are also included to keep the fence more stable. They’re outfitted with a finished top to protect your pup.
The FXW portable dog fence features a built-in gate in one of the fence panels, which is raised slightly from the bottom of the fence perimeter. This allows the door to swing freely without getting caught on the ground, and it also provides access so you can also step into the fenced area. The built-in door features an automatic lock so when you close the door it latches and locks shut. Add or remove the dog fence panels to customize your dog fence to suit your portability needs. Optional accessories, such as an RV stake bag, floor protectors, and muffler tubes are also available for purchase separately.
- Collapses and folds easily
- Sturdy construction for safety
- Configure various shapes and sizes
- Human walk-through door
- Entry and exit require stepping over the fence
2. Best Budget – EveryYay Essentials Adjustable Exercise Pen for Dogs
The best budget choice is the EveryYay Essentials Adjustable Exercise Pen for Dogs. Easy to set up, use, and store, this portable dog fence is available in sizes from small to extra extra large with heights from 24 inches to 48 inches. This portable dog fence features eight wire panels, one of which has a sliding-lock door that reaches the ground. The door is large, though it is not human-friendly so you’ll have to stoop to walk through it.
Keep your dog enclosed in the EveryYay Essentials dog fence using the clips that are included to fasten the fence together for a freestanding enclosed area. Ground stakes are also included to help keep the fence more secure in the yard. This portable fence folds in on itself and is easy to store away in between uses.
- Folds for convenient storage and transport
- Fence panels can be configured to any shape
- Rust-resistant
- Cannot add or remove panels
- Door is not human-friendly
3. Bet Plastic – Iris USA Exercise Pet Play Pen with Door
Our vet’s pick for the best plastic portable dog fence is the Iris USA Exercise Pet Play Pen with Door. Great for indoors, this exercise pen features either four or eight panels, but you have the option of adding on more portable dog fence panels to create a larger space for your pooch. Available in 24 inches and 34 inches in height, this plastic dog fence is made from heavy-duty molded plastic.
Meant for versatile use, the plastic panels have interlocking hinges, conveniently secured with a large plastic rod so you can easily add or remove panels and reconfigure your shape. The fence is lightweight and features nonskid rubber feet to help keep the playpen in place and protect your floors. The Iris portable dog fence is also outfitted with a small door for your pooch to come and go. The door also latches and locks when you want it to remain shut.
- Lightweight with nonskid rubber feet
- Rust-resistant
- Can add extra panels
- Small dog door
4. Best for Camping – Artmalle Puppy Pet Playpen Metal Portable Dog Fence
The best portable dog fence for camping is the Artmalle Puppy Pet Playpen Metal Portable Dog Fence, thanks to its simplicity. When you need a dog fence that’s RV-compatible or campsite acceptable, the Artmalle folding portable fence fits the area of most campsites, allowing your dog to enjoy camping safely. Featuring eight panels of wire mesh measuring 24 inches in height with a lockable, gated door, this dog fence is a camping necessity for many RVers. It’s lightweight, easy to set up and take down, and folds conveniently for storing in your rig.
The Artmalle portable dog fence comes with four ground stakes to help keep the fence secure at your campsite. The fence is outfitted with three snap clips to lock the fence ends together in whichever fence shape you choose to create. Though this model doesn’t come with removable panels, you can purchase a second fence kit and connect the two together to give you and your dog more space. Link two fences together next to your RV to create a small yard right outside your door, which is a good idea for a good portable dog fence for camping for large dogs.
- Lightweight, easy to set up and take down
- Ground stakes are included
- Configure multiple shapes and sizes
- Human-friendly door
- Entry and exit require stepping over the fence
- Cannot add or remove panels
5. Best Outdoor – Yaheetech Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Fence
Our veterinarian chose the Yaheetech Heavy Duty Pet Playpen Dog Fence as the best outdoor portable dog fence due to its heavy-duty structure and weather-resistant finish. It is available in a number of panels from two to 32, and various heights from 24 inches to 40 inches. This outdoor dog fence also features a lockable gated door. Made from strong, durable iron, this portable dog fence is rust-resistant and easy to set up and take down.
The Yaheetech heavy-duty portable dog fence is connected together via long metal poles. This allows you to add or remove fence panels so you can customize the size and shape of the fenced area. The long metal poles also double as ground stakes to anchor the fence in place. One of the fence panels features a gated door that locks in two places. The corners of the fence are rounded for your dog’s safety.
- Rust-resistant metal
- Easy to set up and take down
- Configure for various shapes
- Human-friendly door
- Entry and exit require stepping over the fence
Frequently Asked Questions
If you regularly have windy weather, consider the type of fence you put up. Dog fences made from heavy wood, concrete, or wrought iron will be much stronger than rolled wire.1
Additional 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:
- 90+ creative and inexpensive dog fence ideas
- DIY dog fence ideas to build your own dog fence
- How to keep a dog from jumping a fence (or climbing a fence)
- How to keep a dog from digging under a fence
- How tall should a dog fence be?
As well as in-depth reviews of each category of dog fence (with recommendations generated by licensed veterinarians):
- The best dog fences (overall)
- The best in ground dog fences
- The best portable dog fences
- The best GPS dog fences
- The best invisible dog fences
- The best wireless dog fences
- The Best Outdoor Dog Fences
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.
- A Fence Exposed to Strong Winds. Jacksons-fencing.co.uk. Published November 24, 2020. Accessed August 29, 2022
Pet News Daily writers are experts in pet care, health and behavior. We are members of Society for Professional Journalists and practice ethical journalism.
