Introduction
Creating a safe yard for your dog is a priority for most families. But depending on your location, layout, or HOA rules, a traditional fence may not be practical or even allowed. That’s where underground dog fences come in.
This guide explains how these systems work, what training involves, and why they’re a trusted option for thousands of families looking for a reliable pet containment solution.
What Is an Underground Dog Fence?
An underground dog fence is also known as a hidden dog fence or electric pet containment system. It creates a virtual boundary using a buried wire, transmitter, and a collar your dog wears.
How Underground Dog Fencing Works
An underground wire is installed along the edges of your property to define the containment area. A transmitter, typically housed in your garage or utility area, sends a continuous signal through that wire. Your dog wears a lightweight receiver collar that picks up the signal whenever they get close to the boundary.
As your dog approaches the boundary line, the collar emits a warning tone. If your dog continues forward, the collar delivers a mild correction. Over time, this sequence helps your dog recognize where the boundary begins and encourages them to turn back toward the safe zone. Training is key to a successful experience for your dog. When paired with clear instruction and positive reinforcement, most dogs respond quickly and confidently to the system.
Wired vs. Wireless Dog Fences
Wired Dog Fence Systems
Wired dog fence systems use a physical boundary wire that’s installed underground. These systems are highly customizable and can be adapted to fit any property shape, including complex layouts. Unlike wireless systems, they are not affected by slopes, trees, or nearby buildings, making them a reliable choice in a wide range of environments. Wired fences also offer pinpoint boundary accuracy, which is especially helpful for properties with gardens, pool areas, or unique landscaping features.
These are ideal for homes with gardens, pool areas, or custom layouts.
Wireless Systems
Wireless dog fences rely on a radio signal to create a containment area and do not require a buried wire. They are often easier to set up and are popular for temporary or mobile use. However, the boundary is always circular and cannot be adjusted to fit specific yard layouts. Wireless signals can also be affected by surrounding terrain, physical structures, and other forms of interference, which can limit their accuracy and consistency.
While convenient in certain open spaces, wireless fences may not be the best fit for most residential yards.
The Zones That Keep Your Dog Safe
Modern underground pet fencing systems are designed with multiple layers of feedback to help your dog learn and respect their boundaries. These zones work together to gently guide your dog’s behavior and keep them safely within the designated area.
The Safe Zone is the main area of your yard where your dog can roam freely. There is no signal in this zone, so your dog can play, relax, and explore without hearing a tone or receiving any correction. This is the area where your dog should feel the most confident and comfortable. It’s where you’ll spend time reinforcing positive behaviors and building trust throughout the training process.
The Warning Zone, often referred to as the Smart Zone, sits just outside the edge of the safe area. When your dog enters this zone, the collar emits a tone followed by a mild correction. This alerts your dog that they’re approaching the boundary and encourages them to turn around and return to the safe zone. During training, visual flags are placed along this zone to help your dog associate the tone and correction with a clear visual cue.
Beyond the Warning Zone is the Correction Zone. If your dog continues past the warning area, the collar delivers a stronger correction. This final layer is meant to stop forward motion and redirect your dog back into the safe zone. After proper training, most dogs avoid this zone entirely. The goal is for your dog to recognize the warning cues and stay well within the safe area on their own, even when distractions are present.
These layered zones are a key part of why underground fencing works. With consistent training and clear signals, dogs learn to stay safely in their yard without the need for a physical barrier.
Is It Safe for Dogs?
Yes. The correction from the collar is adjustable and designed to startle—not scare or harm—your dog. When paired with proper training, underground dog fences are extremely safe and effective.
Pet Stop’s GentleSteps™ Training
Training is the most important part of making an underground dog fence successful, and at Pet Stop®, we use a method called GentleSteps™ to help dogs learn safely and confidently. This approach introduces the boundary gradually, starting with the lowest correction level your dog can feel. The goal is to provide clear guidance without overwhelming or scaring your dog.
From the very beginning, we pair boundary training with treats, praise, and gentle leash work. Your dog learns what the tone and correction mean while building positive associations with staying inside the safe zone. This slow, encouraging pace helps reduce anxiety and creates a learning experience that’s built on trust rather than fear.
As each training session builds on the last, your dog becomes more confident navigating the yard and recognizing where the boundary starts. Because the system is introduced in such a gentle, supportive way, dogs typically learn very quickly. Most are running free in their yard within a week, with a solid understanding of the system.
The Four Phases of Training
With Pet Stop®, training isn’t something you’re left to figure out on your own. A certified trainer handles everything for you, guiding your dog through each phase of the GentleSteps™ process. The trainer adjusts the approach to fit your dog’s learning style and pace, ensuring a smooth and successful experience from start to finish.
Phase 1: Leash and Flag Introduction
Training begins with a calm walk around your yard while your dog is on a leash. The certified trainer introduces boundary flags that serve as visual cues. As your dog approaches the edge of the safe zone and hears the tone from the collar, they are gently redirected with the leash. They receive praise and treats for returning to the safe area, helping them build positive associations right away.
Phase 2: Leash Drag
Next, the trainer allows the leash to drag behind your dog. This gives your dog a bit more freedom while still allowing gentle intervention if needed. Your dog continues learning how the system works, but starts making decisions more independently.
Phase 3: Off-Leash Training
Once your dog is responding consistently, the trainer removes the leash entirely. At this point, your dog has a clear understanding of the tone and correction and will retreat to the safe zone on their own. The trainer monitors and supports as needed to make sure your dog is truly ready to enjoy the yard safely.
Phase 4: Distraction Training
In this final phase, the trainer introduces distractions such as toys, movement, or other animals to test your dog’s focus. The goal is to make sure your dog can maintain safe behavior even when something exciting is happening nearby. If your dog needs a little extra help at this stage, the trainer can make quick adjustments to support their success.
By the time training is complete, your dog is comfortable, confident, and happily enjoying the yard with new freedom. Best of all, you don’t have to do any of the teaching yourself. Your certified trainer takes care of the entire process for you.
What Makes Pet Stop® Different?
There are plenty of pet containment brands on the market, but Pet Stop® stands out for several important reasons:
- Complete Training Included: Every installation includes GentleSteps™ training, which helps your dog learn the system gradually and confidently. Unlike companies that leave training up to the customer, we handle it all for you with support from a certified trainer.
- Local Service: You’re not calling a national hotline or waiting for someone you’ve never met. You’re working directly with people who live and work in your community and understand the importance of fast, reliable support.
- Multiple Collar Options: We provide different collar options to match your dog and your preferences. One collar is designed specifically for containment, while another connects to an app on your phone and can be used as a remote trainer both inside and outside the fenced area.
- Waterproof, Rechargeable Collars: Our collars are completely waterproof and rechargeable, eliminating the need to constantly purchase replacement batteries.
- Industry-Leading Warranty: Our equipment comes with one of the strongest warranties in the industry, including coverage for dog chews. You’ll have confidence knowing your system is built to last.
- Compatible with Existing Systems: We’re compatible with many Invisible Fence® Brand systems, so families looking to upgrade or replace older equipment often don’t have to start from scratch.
- Quick Support: If your system ever needs attention, we’re available for quick wire repair and upgrades. Pet Stop® is focused on long-term results and local relationships, not just equipment.
Already Have an Invisible Fence® Brand System?
If you’re currently using an Invisible Fence® Brand system and want better service, upgraded features, or replacement parts, we can help. Many families come to us looking to improve or maintain the system they already have in place, and we offer solutions that work with your existing setup.
We can replace lost or broken collars with Pet Stop® compatible receivers that offer more flexibility and comfort. If the boundary wire is damaged or not working properly, we can repair or replace it to restore consistent coverage. We also provide upgrades to rechargeable battery collars, which are easier to manage and more cost-effective over time.
If you’ve added a new dog or your yard layout has changed, we can reprogram the system to match your current needs. Our team regularly works with Invisible Fence® Brand systems, and we carry a full line of compatible parts. This means you can upgrade or repair your system without needing to replace everything.
What About GPS Dog Fences?
GPS-based dog fences have become more popular in recent years, especially with families looking for portable or DIY options. While the idea of setting boundaries without any digging sounds convenient, these systems aren’t always the best choice for residential yards. Many GPS fences experience issues with signal drift, false boundary alerts, and inconsistent timing when delivering corrections. These issues can lead to confusion for your dog and frustration for you.
One advantage of GPS systems is that they don’t require any trenching or wire installation, which makes them easy to set up. They’re also portable, so you can take them with you when traveling or camping. In wide-open fields or rural spaces, they can be a decent fit.
However, GPS fences also come with some serious downsides. The boundaries can shift unexpectedly due to weather conditions, nearby trees, or satellite positioning errors. Because the boundaries are invisible and not marked by anything physical or visual, your dog doesn’t get clear cues to help them learn. Battery life is typically shorter than wired systems, and in neighborhoods or wooded areas, signal interference often makes these systems unreliable.
For some situations, GPS may be a workable short-term solution. But for most homes, a wired underground system provides far greater accuracy, consistency, and long-term success.
How Much Does an Underground Dog Fence Cost?
The cost of a dog fence depends on several factors, including the size of your yard, the layout of the space, the number of dogs you have, and the level of training and service included. Traditional fencing often ranges from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on materials, height, and whether permits or HOA approvals are required.
Wired underground fencing is typically more affordable, with most systems falling between $1,200 and $2,500. These systems are highly customizable, work in a variety of yard types, and include durable equipment and hands-on training.
Wireless GPS systems usually cost between $300 and $800, especially for DIY kits. While they may seem budget-friendly at first, they often come with limitations in reliability and long-term use.
Pet Stop® systems are professionally installed and include certified training, service, and local support. This gives you long-term peace of mind without the higher price tag of traditional fencing.
Pet Stop Installation Process
Many homeowners wonder what to expect when having an underground dog fence installed. At Pet Stop, we’ve refined our installation process to be minimally disruptive while ensuring maximum effectiveness and reliability.
Professional Site Assessment
Before installation begins, one of our trained professionals will visit your property to conduct a thorough site assessment. During this visit, we’ll walk your property to identify any potential challenges such as existing irrigation systems, buried utility lines, or landscaping features. We’ll discuss your containment goals and design a custom layout that works perfectly for your property and your dog’s needs.
Custom Design and Layout
Unlike one-size-fits-all solutions, Pet Stop systems are custom-designed for your specific property. We’ll create a boundary plan that accommodates gardens, pools, driveways, and other features you want to either include in or exclude from your dog’s roaming area. We can even create special “pass-through” areas that allow access to certain parts of your yard while keeping other areas off-limits.
Professional Wire Installation
On installation day, our technicians use specialized equipment to place the boundary wire approximately 3-6 inches underground. This shallow depth allows for effective signal transmission while protecting the wire from damage. Our installation is designed to minimize disruption to your landscape – we take care to avoid damaging plants, preserve your lawn, and ensure everything looks clean and tidy when we’re finished.
For areas where burying isn’t possible (like under paved surfaces), we can cut a seam and fill and seal it in or use a culvert pipe to pass under the driveway. Our experienced technicians know how to handle any installation challenge your property might present.
System Setup and Testing
After installation, we’ll set up your transmitter in an appropriate location (typically a garage or utility room) and verify that all connections are secure. We then check that the wire signal is working properly. We walk the property and make sure it is left clean.
Owner Orientation
We will set up your first training session later that day or as soon as we can coordinate with your schedule. The trainer will provide a comprehensive orientation session to show you how your system works. We’ll explain maintenance procedures, and answer any questions you might have about your new Pet Stop system. While you won’t need to handle the dog training yourself, understanding how your system operates ensures you can get the most benefit from your investment.
This detailed process ensures that your Pet Stop underground dog fence will provide years of reliable containment with minimal maintenance required. Our careful installation approach is one of the key reasons Pet Stop owners report such high satisfaction with their systems.
Common Questions
Will this work for more than one dog?
Yes. You can use the same system with multiple collars, each programmed to fit the individual dog.
What’s the warranty?
Our systems come with a limited lifetime warranty on the electronics and collar that even includes dog chews.
Is the collar rechargeable?
Yes! We offer two types of rechargeable collars. One is for the fence only and the other has an app for your phone. It can act as a remote trainer inside and outside of the yard. It also has other features to let you know the battery is low and connect to us, if needed.
What if I move?
You can take your equipment with you and the system can be reinstalled at your new home, and we’ll help make the transition smooth for your dog.
Customer Feedback
“Our dog was escaping our backyard regularly. Pet Stop® came out, walked us through the options, and installed a system that just works. The training was fast, and now we never worry.” — Nicole T., Sarasota FL
“We had an Invisible Fence® system for years, but the batteries were expensive and the collar was clunky. Pet Stop® helped us upgrade and saved us money long-term.” — Dave R., Richmond VA
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re replacing an old system or installing your first underground dog fence, we’re here to help.
Visit petstopdealer.com to request a free quote. We’ll walk your yard, meet your dog, and design a system that works for your space and lifestyle.
Serving Dogs Throughout:
Richmond and surrounding areas
Virginia Beach/Outer Banks region
Sarasota, FL and Florida’s Gulf Coast
Contact your local Pet Stop team for a free consultation.