Visual Guide

How It All Works, Animated

Every load-bearing idea in an underground dog fence, shown in motion: the field, the depth, the crossings, the training, and why buried wire holds a line that GPS can only estimate. Six parts, about seven minutes end to end. Each diagram plays once as you reach it; replay any of them from the corner button.

The whole system in six sentences

  1. The boundary is a physical field around a buried wire, not software. See it
  2. Depth, crossings, splices, and surge protection decide whether it still works in ten years. See it
  3. Training moves the line into your dog's head, and collar fit and wear instructions help reduce contact-related risk. See it
  4. Upkeep follows the actual equipment's inspection, power, and repair instructions. See it
  5. A cut wire is findable and fixable in an afternoon. See it
  6. GPS estimates where the line is. The wire is the line. See it
1The boundary2Built to last3Training4Maintenance5Repairs6Wire vs wireless

In a hurry? Comparing wire against GPS: start at part 6. Installing this weekend: part 2. Collar just arrived: part 3.

Part 1 of 6

The boundary is a physical thing

An underground fence is not software. It is a loop of copper carrying a signal, a field anchored to that wire, and a collar that listens. Start here and the rest of the system makes sense.

One continuous circuit#

The wire leaves the transmitter, encircles the entire house, and comes home. Every door opens into contained space.

property linedrivewayHousegaragetransmitterone continuous loop: no gaps, no dead endstwisted crossing: verify off the dogwire crosses the driveway (normal)
One continuous circuit. This example routes the circuit around the house and across the driveway, with a twisted two-conductor lead from the garage transmitter. Use the actual equipment's supported layout, connection and flag instructions. Check every doorway, intended crossing and the full boundary with a working receiver off the dog; the green shading does not establish containment.

Layout patterns guide

The field and the dial#

The dial setting is not a measured distance. Use the actual model's off-dog test procedure to verify its supported field across the complete route and usable safe area; the illustrated width is an example, not a universal setting.

illustrated burial: follow the actual manualhouselohiboundary width dialdocumented setupverify the supported fieldwarning: tonestaticExample field: test both sides with the actual receiverflag the beep line
The dial is signal strength, not feet. The field can extend in both directions from the wire. Warning and output behavior depend on the actual receiver, settings and system design. Follow its documented setup and test procedure with the receiver off the dog, including the usable yard and both sides of the route. The illustrated 12-24 ft total band is an example, not a universal target or preset width.

Boundary width and testing guide

The twisted-pair trick#

Twist the two return conductors 10-12 times per foot and their fields cancel. Your dog crosses that run all day without a tone.

housetransmittertwisted crossing: model-specificthe loop stays live: field on both sides of the wireillustrated free crossing
The twisted pair is the loop's two ends, braided together on the run back to the transmitter. Opposing current in the two conductors can reduce the detectable field along a supported crossing. Follow the selected system's conductor, twist-rate, connection and routing instructions. Verify receiver operation at the active boundary first, then test the crossing and complete route off the dog. Silence alone does not prove the crossing is correctly wired.

Twisted pair guide

Part 2 of 6

Build it so it stays working

Wire damage, connections, receiver power, and transmitter faults are checks worth making; no universal breakdown rate is established. Each has a known fix, and each fix fits in one picture. And before any of it: the free call that keeps your shovel out of the gas line.

Call 811 before the shovel#

Request 811 markings before digging, follow your state's notice and response process, and check private-line coverage. Marks are approximate locations, not guaranteed depth or complete coverage.

streethousethe planned loop, on hold811 ticket: freefollow the state notice periodconfirm all required responses123the color codeelectricgascommunicationswaterfollow local tolerance-zone rulesfollow the required crossing clearancesticket, responses and safe-dig rules all matterconfirm coverage; locate private lines
Utility marks are approximate, and private lines need checking. Request the complete excavation area through 811. Follow the actual state notice period, confirm all required utility responses, preserve the marks, and use the required safe-excavation and tolerance-zone procedures. Red identifies electric, yellow gas, orange communications and blue water. A ticket or visible paint alone does not establish readiness or clearance. Confirm which facilities are covered and arrange private locating where needed, including irrigation, propane, outbuilding power and old fence wire.

The 811 guide

Why depth matters#

Burial can protect wire from surface damage, but tool reach and actual depth vary. Follow the fence manual, locate the route before yard work, and retest after burial.

1"2"3"4"5"6"illustrated tool reach: about 3 inchesexample shallow depthexample: 4-6 inillustrated wire damageexample: ~3 incore aeratorexample gapfollow the supported depth; retest the field after burialflag the line before lawn work, at any depth
Burial helps protect wire. Tool reach still needs checking. The depicted depths illustrate one route and tool. Actual aerators and edgers can reach deeper, and wire depth varies over roots and rocks. Follow the fence manual's supported depth, retest off the dog at the documented receiver height after burial, and locate and avoid the route before aerating, dethatching, or edging. Extra depth is not a guarantee of clearance or an unchanged detection field.

Burial depth guide

Crossing a driveway#

An existing expansion joint is free. Otherwise one shallow saw cut, a seated wire, and matched sealant do the job.

driveway, in cross-sectionexisting expansion joint?use it first: no cutting, just sealapproved pavement saw and blade~1/2 in2-3 ft slack2-3 ft slackseal the cutconcrete: silicone or concrete caulk - blacktop: asphalt caulkcheck the lawn-edge detailallow for actual tool and plow reachillustrated sleeve: confirm material and depth with the actual instructions
Joint first, kerf second. A suitable existing joint may avoid a new cut. Otherwise follow the fence, pavement and cutting-equipment instructions, with a compatible blade and approved silica-dust controls. The 1/2-inch kerf, slack and nonmetallic sleeve shown are examples where supported. Wet cutting requires purpose-built equipment; do not spray an ordinary electric saw. Check utility clearance and site conditions before changing depth at the lawn edge. Use compatible sleeve and sealant materials, then retest the finished route with the receiver off the dog.

Crossings guide

The splice that survives burial#

Use the actual conductor-compatible splice method rated for burial, then record and test the joint. The pictured gel-filled assembly is one documented example; an ordinary indoor connector or tape is not a burial-rated repair.

example knot position1. strip to connector instructions2. wire nut, no copper showing3. strain-relief knottie it before the capsule goes on4. gel surrounds the nut, snap shutsealed joint: test the repaired loop
Strain relief before the capsule. This illustrates one compatible wire-nut-and-gel-capsule method. Follow the actual connector's stripping, assembly, sealing, strain-relief and pull-test instructions. Use connectors compatible with the conductor and rated for the installation conditions; tape alone does not substitute for a waterproof joint. A sealed joint has no universal verified service life. Rebury where the equipment and site permit it, retest the full route off the dog, and record the location for later inspection or repair.

Wire repair guide

Lightning has two doors in#

A power strip guards the outlet. Surges also arrive on the buried loop itself, which is why fence-rated protection clamps both.

house walltransmitternearby lightning strikesurge rides the buried wireunprotected: possible damagefence-rated surge modulecheck compatibilityillustrative discharge pathgrounding: follow device instructionsreduced exposureoutlet protection alone is not loop protectiona surge has two doors: the outlet and the loop
A surge has two doors in: the outlet and the loop. A nearby strike can induce a spike on the buried copper and reach the transmitter. An outlet-side protector alone does not establish protection for the loop connection. Use compatible protection for the actual system. Follow its actual terminal, grounding, power, and storm instructions; the animation does not establish protection from every strike. Ground connections and conductor sizes must follow the equipment instructions and applicable electrical requirements.

Transmitter and surge guide

Keep-out islands inside the yard#

A supported exclusion loop can mark an avoidance area, but electronic containment is not a physical barrier and does not replace required pool fencing.

property linehousepooltwo gel-capsule splicesexample perimeter around the houseillustrated yardisland field: verify receiver responsetwisted crossing: model-specificverify the intended crossingillustrated retreat
An inner avoidance ring can share a continuous circuit. This example connects an inner ring through two conductors to the perimeter. Follow the actual equipment's compatible layout, connections, twist rate, separation and flag placement. Test the whole circuit, usable yard and intended crossing with a working receiver off the dog. The illustrated retreat is not a containment result, and an electronic avoidance zone is not a physical pool barrier.

Exclusion zones guide

Part 3 of 6

Train the map into your dog

The hardware draws the line. The 14-day training program is what moves that line into your dog's head, and correct fit is one part of equipment care. Neither establishes suitability or freedom from welfare concerns.

Day 0 to day 30#

Five phases, flags that thin out on a schedule, and a dog that ends up turning back at a line it can no longer see.

Review readiness at each stage

  1. Equipment and suitability

    Check the actual receiver requirements, yard hazards and dog suitability. Test the whole route with the receiver off the dog.

  2. Calm boundary recognition

    Use visible flags, suitable leash control and rewards for retreat. Stop for fear, panic or persistent avoidance.

  3. Warning-cue practice

    Use warning-only work where the equipment supports it. Reward retreat and follow the documented settings; live correction is a separate suitability decision.

  4. Manageable distractions

    Keep leash or long-line control while practicing reliable responses. A session count does not prove containment.

  5. Review continued assistance

    Assess behavior, equipment and yard risks before reducing assistance. Continue supervision or leash control whenever needed.

Follow the actual equipment instructions and appropriate professional guidance. Elapsed days do not establish off-leash or unsupervised readiness.

Boundary training guide

Fit is the safety system#

Poor fit and prolonged contact can injure skin. Follow the receiver's fit, wear, and inspection instructions; a web diagram cannot diagnose a lesion or establish safety.

neck(seen head-on)coatcontacts touch skin through a parted coat, not furtoo tight: concentrates pressuretoo loose: slides and rubsuse the model's fit checkexample: reposition 1-2 hours(the strap just moved: that's the habit)PIG00-14582 example: 12 hr/day maxfollow the actual removal routineinspect contact area daily
Fit and wear instructions help reduce contact-related risk. This illustrates a fit and wear routine, not a universal safety test. Follow the actual receiver's placement, compatible contacts, repositioning, wear limits, and daily skin checks. The 12-hour limit and repositioning interval illustrate the PIG00-14582 manual, not every receiver. Use only approved longer contacts where needed; stop use for irritation or distress and seek appropriate veterinary advice. A diagram cannot diagnose an injury or establish suitability for every dog.

Collar fit and sores guide

When a squirrel runs#

Drive is faster than the fence. Staged-trigger training over 3-5 weeks builds the one skill first training never taught: stopping mid-chase.

outsideyard (safe zone)full chase: the field crossed in a fraction of a secondrepeat escapes: reassess suitability44% in one owner survey (66/150 dogs)illustrated retreat at the flags3-5 weeks: example calendarbefore further training, review equipment, behavior and suitability
Repeated escapes require reassessment, not a guarantee. These two approaches illustrate an escape and a desired retreat; they are not documented training results. In a 2017 JAVMA survey, 66 of 150 electronically contained dogs had escaped at least once. That historical survey does not prove this protocol eliminates escapes. The 3-5 week calendar is an example; reassess equipment, training, and suitability for repeated escapes or fear, and seek qualified help rather than assume stronger stimulation solves it.

Chase-proofing guide

Part 4 of 6

Keep it alive

Keep the system working with receiver checks, boundary tests, and seasonal inspections. Maintenance costs and charging or replacement intervals depend on your equipment.

The ownership year#

Follow your receiver's power indicators and instructions, inspect the wire, and retest the boundary when yard or weather conditions change.

springwire checkafter thawsummercollar fit +contact pointsfallflag crossingsbefore plowswintercheck power in colddeep snow: retestat dog-neck height(follow the receiver manual)MAMJJASONDJFreceiver-off boundary walk: follow the actual test schedulepower checks: follow your receiver manual and indicatorscharging, replacement, and costs depend on the modelrecheck after faults, yard work and changing conditions
Keep receiver power and boundary testing in your routine. Follow the actual receiver's charging or replacement instructions and low-battery indicators. Use its inspection and receiver-off test schedule, and recheck after faults or relevant changes. Inspect wire after thaw, check collar fit, mark crossings before plowing, and test at the documented height on the current surface. Snow is a reason to retest, not an automatic setting change. Cold-weather runtime and upkeep costs depend on your equipment; these icons represent checks, not a fixed number of battery replacements.

Seasonal maintenance guide

Part 5 of 6

When something breaks

A cut wire is a solved problem. Locating accuracy and fault-finding capabilities depend on the actual equipment and route. Confirm the fault and location before digging, and use a compatible burial-rated repair followed by the full system test. For live diagnosis of any fault, the free troubleshooter asks the questions a tech would.

Finding a buried break#

Steady tone over intact wire, silence past the break. Back up to where the sound died and you have found it.

drivewaylocatortransmitter off: locator signal on one end, ground stake in soilAM-radio method: supported systems onlywalk the linetone detected: check the circuittone lost: verify the causetone change: verify before diggingnext: splice repair with wire nut, strain-relief knot, gel capsule
The tone drops at the break. The pictured locator is an equipment example. Follow the actual tool's connection, grounding, detection and safety instructions, and verify the location before digging. Accuracy and partial-fault capability depend on the locator and circuit; the illustration does not guarantee a distance or diagnose an intermittent fault. An AM-radio method is suitable only where the transmitter supports it and continues transmitting with the fault present. Confirm current rental costs or repair-kit compatibility separately.

Wire repair guide

Part 6 of 6

How wired and wireless boundaries differ

Wired, circular radio-wireless, and GPS systems use different boundary mechanisms. These diagrams explain concepts; compare the actual model documentation and test the proposed setup.

12,550 miles vs a few feet#

A GPS fix rides a whisper of a signal through the ionosphere, weather, and tree canopy. The wire's field is generated in your yard.

GPS signalionosphere (changes hourly)weathercanopyhousereflectionarrives faintsignal left12,550 milesburied wireillustrated wire buriallocal field: test itsignal lefta few feetmade in your yard, not in orbit
One signal travels 12,550 miles. The other travels a few feet. Satellite reception and the receiver's design affect GPS position estimates. A wired system generates a local detection field, which still depends on equipment, settings, interference, and faults. The meters and journey effects are hypothetical illustrations, not measured receiver performance. Test the actual dog-height boundary off the dog and follow its manual.

The physics deep dive

The line you draw is not the line you get#

A GPS receiver estimates position. The variation and response depend on hardware and conditions; this illustration does not measure every collar's performance.

streethousethe line you drew in the appdrift makes it a band, not a linethe collar's guessillustrative position changeyour dog, sitting stillfalse correction: the dog never movedroad-clearance check:follow this model's manualburied wire: test the actual field
A position estimate can differ from the dog's location. The moving estimate and receiver response are hypothetical examples of position uncertainty. They do not quantify a particular collar's accuracy or establish a universal setback. Check the exact model's reception, boundary, and failure-behavior instructions. A buried wire supplies a physical reference; its detection field also depends on equipment, settings, installation, and conditions.

GPS vs in-ground comparison

Same yard, five skies#

A wire supplies a physical reference, but its detection field still needs testing. GPS estimates depend on receiver design and reception; this animation is not measured performance.

clear daystormtree coversolar stormdeep snowburied wireGPS estimatesnow: off-dog testsettings per manualsample estimatetest conditionscheck receptionnavigation riskcheck powerphysical reference; test fieldillustrative bands, not measured error
Conditions to check in your yard. These bands are hypothetical illustrations, not measured GPS collar errors or an unchanging-field guarantee. Check reception, power, warning behavior, and the actual dog-height boundary off the dog in changing conditions. Follow your model's instructions before changing settings; no diagram establishes containment reliability.

The physics deep dive

Ready to see it on your own yard?

Draw your boundary on satellite imagery and get wire footage, layout, and cost in a few minutes, or start with the full installation guide.

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