Invisible Dog Fence FAQ

Technically, yes, but probably not in the way you're imagining. Let's be direct about how it works:

The collar delivers a static correction (similar to touching a doorknob in winter) when your dog approaches the boundary. The correction is designed to startle, not to hurt. We use the term "stimulation" or "correction" rather than "shock" because "shock" implies something painful or dangerous, and that's not accurate.

With our GentleSteps™ training, we start at the lowest perceptible level and only increase to what's necessary for your specific dog. Many dogs learn from the warning beep alone after training and rarely receive corrections.

Yes, and we encourage it. During installation, we're happy to demonstrate what the correction feels like at various levels. This transparency helps you understand exactly what your dog experiences. Most people describe it as a surprising tingle, not pain.

Not when trained properly. The GentleSteps™ method is specifically designed to build confidence, not fear. We introduce the boundary gradually, using positive reinforcement (praise, treats, play) alongside the training.

If your dog shows signs of stress during training, we adjust the approach: lower correction levels, slower progression, different techniques. The goal is a dog who casually respects the boundary, not one who's afraid of their yard.

Important note: If your dog has existing aggression issues toward people or other animals, an invisible fence may not be appropriate until those issues are addressed with a trainer. In those cases, we typically recommend a physical fence.

Stubborn dogs and high-drive dogs are trainable, but they require the right settings and training approach. We have "No Run Thru" settings specifically designed for determined dogs, and we can remove the half-second delay that some dogs learn to exploit.

We've successfully contained German Shepherds, Huskies, Pit Bulls, Beagles, and many other breeds that owners worried about. In 16 years and nearly 2,000 pets safely contained, we've only encountered 5 dogs we couldn't train.

Critical rule: If your dog ever runs through the boundary, contact us immediately. We'll adjust settings and modify the training plan. Don't try to guess or improvise.

No. This is a containment system for your dog, not a perimeter security system. The boundary only affects pets wearing a programmed collar. Stray dogs, wildlife, delivery people, and anyone else can enter your yard freely.

If you need to keep animals out, you'll need a physical fence.

Yes. The boundary wire carries a radio signal, not electricity. It's completely different from an electric livestock fence. Children can walk, crawl, or play anywhere on the property without any risk. Only a pet wearing an activated receiver collar will experience anything at the boundary.

This is why proper training matters. A well-trained dog will stop at the boundary even when tempted. However, if it does happen, here's what to do:

Calmly bring your dog back inside (do not punish them). Contact us immediately so we can adjust settings. We may need to increase the correction level, remove the half-second delay, or modify your training approach. With the right adjustments, most dogs won't repeat the behaviour.

Absolutely. Each pet gets their own collar with customized settings. Your 10-pound terrier and your 80-pound lab will have completely different programming appropriate for their size and temperament. There's no limit to the number of pets you can add.

Yes. Our collars have ultra-low settings that work well for cats. We've successfully contained many cats, especially for keeping them out of specific areas indoors or preventing them from leaving the property outdoors. Cat containment is less common than dogs, but it works.

Most puppies can begin training around 3–4 months old, depending on temperament. Younger puppies can be introduced to the flags and boundary concept with leash walks, then progress to collar training when ready. We'll help you determine the right timing during your consultation.

Most dogs complete training in about one week, though some take 10+ days. Here's what "done" looks like: your dog approaches the boundary, hears the warning, and calmly turns back, even with distractions like squirrels, other dogs walking by, or kids playing.

We don't allow off-leash freedom until your dog has successfully completed all training steps, including exposure to distractions. Rushing this is the #1 cause of problems.

Here's the typical progression:

Day 1 (Installation day): We walk the boundary with you and your dog on leash, showing them the flags and letting them hear the warning beep. The correction is set to an imperceptible level. We're building the foundation by pairing a verbal command with the beep (e.g., "Come back!") and rewarding with high-quality treats and affection every time your dog turns away from the boundary. The goal is to build a positive reinforcement association from the very first session. This takes 30–45 minutes.

Days 2–4: You continue boundary walks on a long leash, 1–2 sessions per day, 10–15 minutes each. Correction is gradually increased every 1–2 days depending on your dog's temperament.

Days 5–7: You add controlled distractions (toys, treats at the boundary, children). Most dogs by this point are showing they understand where the signal field is and will not approach the line unless tempted.

Days 7–10: Longer line, then final off-leash temptation test. We start removing flags (typically every other flag first).

We're available by phone throughout this process if you have questions or notice any issues.

See our complete day-by-day training guide →

It depends greatly on your dog's temperament. Tough, unbothered, or treat-driven dogs often need full laps around the boundary, 20 minutes at a time, for a week straight. Timid dogs may only need 5 minutes every other day.

We observe your dog during the installation-day session and ask owners about their dog's personality. From there, we build a custom schedule. As a general starting point, most dogs do well with 1–2 sessions per day, 10–15 minutes each.

Yes, but it's straightforward and not difficult. We provide detailed instructions on installation day and have training guides available on our website.

Cameron is available 7 days a week by phone or email if you have questions or run into any issues. We also include one free revisit within 30 days of installation.

For customers who want us to handle it, we offer a Complete Training Package at $500 per dog (4+ visits over the training period). Additional dogs are available at a reduced rate.

Usually after your dog passes the final off-leash test. We recommend removing flags gradually over 1–2 weeks once training is complete. Every other flag first, then the rest. Dogs can memorize the flag pattern without learning the actual boundary, so removing them too early can cause confusion.

No. Not if you need containment. The collar is part of the system. Even well-trained dogs can eventually "forget" the boundary if they spend significant time without the collar. If your dog is outside and needs to stay contained, the collar should be on.

We recommend removing the collar daily (at night or during indoor time) to prevent skin irritation, but it should be on for any unsupervised outdoor time.

Start early and pick a specific exit and return spot. Build a routine: take the collar off, walk your dog across on leash, give a treat, go for your walk, then treat again on the return. Your dog learns the exception is with mom or dad.

After training is complete, your dog will understand that "collar on = respect the boundary" and "collar off, on leash = allowed to cross."

If you prefer, we can design your layout with a "gate" area, a path to the driveway where the collar won't activate.

Here's the typical process:

1. Quote: We discuss your property, dog(s), and goals. We may use satellite imagery to propose an initial layout, or we can schedule a free on-site visit.

2. Scheduling: Once you're ready, we book an installation date. Lead times vary seasonally (sometimes a few days, sometimes 3–4 weeks during spring rush).

3. Installation day: We arrive, do a walkthrough to finalize the layout, bury the wire, mount the transmitter, set up your collars, and train you and your dog. Most installs take 3–5 hours.

4. Training week: You continue training at home following our plan. We're available by phone for questions. Complete Training Package also available upon request.

5. Support: Unlimited phone/text support going forward. One free revisit within 30 days if you want another demo or need help.

Most installations take 3–5 hours. This includes the walkthrough, wire burial, transmitter mounting, collar setup, and initial training session. Larger properties or complex layouts may take longer. Multiple dogs add time as well, since each dog is trained one at a time.

Minimal. We use a trencher that creates a small slit in the ground. The trencher wheels close the cut behind them, so the wire goes in and within a week or two you won't be able to see where it was installed. We clean up walkways and driveways after crossing them. The whole process is unobtrusive.

In tight spaces, garden beds, or heavily landscaped areas, we may hand-bury short sections. In very rare cases (dense roots, heavy deadfall), we may secure the wire above ground for short stretches.

We typically bury the wire about 4 inches deep. In wet or sandy areas, we go deeper (up to 6 inches). In rocky sections, depth may be shallower in short stretches. The wire won't affect lawn mowing, and normal gardening is fine. Just avoid deep digging directly on the boundary line.

Wire can be run through conduit for a small fee in areas you know you'll be digging, such as gardens. If you're planning landscaping, a patio, or a pool in the future, let us know so we can route the wire accordingly.

It depends on the surface. For gravel driveways, we trench the wire underneath about 4–5 inches down. For asphalt, we cut a shallow slot or use existing seams, then seal it. For concrete, we typically use expansion joints or existing cracks. The goal is minimal visible impact.

For gravel driveways where extra protection is needed, or for farmers with heavy machinery, we offer conduit installation as an optional upgrade (additional charge). This protects the wire and makes future repairs easier.

A few things help installation go smoothly:

Confirm your containment area: Know where you want the boundary to go.

Point out buried utilities: Sprinkler heads, septic tank lids/caps, and private cables (hand-dug cables less than 4 inches deep). Let us know if you have landscape lighting. We use a cable locator to avoid cutting fiber/cable lines, but private utilities aren't always detectable.

Mention future plans: Upcoming patios, pools, or landscaping projects affect how we route the wire.

Keep your dog inside: During installation, your dog should be inside or otherwise secured until we're ready for training.

No problem. We work around irrigation systems all the time. Point out sprinkler heads during our walkthrough, and we'll route the wire to avoid the lines. Our installers are experienced with this.

Yes. If the ground is frozen, we can pin the wire to the surface, complete the full loop, and train your dogs right away. We then come back in the spring to bury the wire. There is a small additional fee for this, but it's not substantial.

Booking in winter ensures you're first in line when spring arrives.

Yes. The wire runs along the perimeter of both the front and back yards, then along the sides of the house close to the house itself. This creates two containment zones. Your dog can travel between them only through the house or garage.

We can also do full-perimeter layouts where the wire runs around your entire property, or back-yard-only layouts. We'll design whatever works best for your situation.

Yes. We can run wire around gardens, pools, play structures, or any other area you want to protect. Your dog learns to avoid those zones just like the outer boundary.

Keep in mind: this is still training, not a physical barrier. Some layouts are more complex than others, and extremely small exclusion zones can be tricky. We'll discuss what's feasible during your quote.

Yes. The transmitter and collars come with you. You'll need new wire installed at your new property. If you move within our service area, we can do the reinstall. If you move elsewhere, Pet Stop has dealers across North America who can help.

No. Wireless fences use a base station that creates a circular boundary. Our system uses buried wire, which means we can create any shape boundary: rectangles, L-shapes, custom contours around gardens, you name it. The wire also provides more consistent boundary detection than wireless systems.

No, and here's why: GPS technology has limitations that make it unreliable for pet containment. GPS signals can drift 5–15 feet due to atmospheric conditions, tree cover, buildings, or terrain, meaning your dog could cross the boundary without correction, or receive correction inside the safe zone.

GPS fences also require cellular subscriptions (ongoing monthly fees), have shorter battery life due to power demands, and can be inconsistent in urban areas with signal interference.

Our underground system provides pinpoint accuracy, consistent boundaries in all weather and terrain, no monthly fees, and longer battery life. If you want smart features, our LINK collar offers app connectivity without GPS drawbacks.

Read our full GPS vs Underground comparison →

The basic system works without any internet connection. The transmitter sends a radio signal through the wire, and the collar responds to that signal. No Wi-Fi, no cell service needed.

If you upgrade to the LINK collar, it connects to your phone via Bluetooth. The app works within Bluetooth range (typically through walls in your home and yard). For remote alerts when you're away (wire breaks, low battery), you'd need the LINK Wi-Fi transmitter, which does require home internet.

What it can do:

Within Bluetooth range, the Pet Stop LINK app lets you check collar battery status, adjust GentleSteps correction levels, view activity history (warnings/corrections by day/week/month), use the built-in nightlight, and use the remote trainer function (send warning beeps or corrections from your phone).

With the LINK Wi-Fi transmitter (sold separately), you can receive alerts when you're away: wire break alerts, low battery warnings, etc.

What it can't do:

It's not GPS tracking. You cannot see your dog's location on a map. Remote trainer functions require Bluetooth range. You can't send corrections from across town. Some collar settings require dealer-side changes and aren't available in the customer app. These settings are available upon request and can be easily sent from the dealer at no charge.

Yes. The transmitter has a wire-break alarm that beeps and flashes when it detects an incomplete circuit. You'll know immediately if the wire is damaged.

If you have the LINK Wi-Fi transmitter, you'll also get a push notification on your phone.

When a wire break occurs, keep your dog inside or supervised and call us. We can usually locate and repair wire breaks within 72 hours.

Usually not. Our systems use specific signal frequencies, and we configure each installation to avoid interference with nearby fences. If you're aware of a neighbour's system, let us know during your quote so we can plan accordingly.

If you ever notice unusual collar behaviour near property lines, contact us. We can troubleshoot and adjust.

About once a month for most dogs, though it depends on activity level. The collar has a low-battery indicator (and the LINK app shows battery percentage). Just plug it in overnight when needed.

We recommend removing the collar for charging at night anyway to give your dog's neck a break.

The collar's LED indicator blinks differently when the battery is low. If you have the LINK collar, the app shows the exact battery percentage. We'll show you how to read the indicator during installation.

The collar is water-resistant. Rain, puddles, and normal wet conditions are fine. Both the Ecolite and LINK receivers can be swum with. Just don't submerge them for extended periods.

The transmitter alarm will alert you to a wire break. Keep your dog inside or supervised, then call us. Wire breaks are our most common service call, usually caused by landscaping, digging for utilities, or planting trees. We can typically locate and repair the break quickly.

Stay calm. Here's what to do:

1. Bring your dog back inside or put them on a leash. Do not punish them.

2. Call or text us immediately. We need to know so we can adjust settings.

3. Don't assume the fence failed. The collar may need higher settings, the delay may need removal, or training may need adjustment.

We'll troubleshoot with you and make the necessary changes. In most cases, dogs don't repeat the behaviour once settings are corrected.

Without power, the transmitter stops sending the boundary signal. Your dog's collar won't activate at the boundary. Keep your dog inside or supervised during outages.

For homes prone to outages, we offer a battery backup unit, either as a stand-alone addition or as part of our Complete package. Realistic backup time is about 8–24 hours depending on your system's signal strength and wire length. The battery recharges automatically when power returns.

A standard installation includes: custom layout design, professional wire burial, transmitter installation, one receiver collar (programmed for your dog), diagnostic charging cradle, training flags, hands-on training session with you and your dog, a training plan for the following week, and unlimited phone/text support.

One free revisit within 30 days is also included if you want additional help or a training refresher.

Every installation also includes a 1-year money-back containment guarantee and a Lifetime UltraCare warranty.

The main factors that affect pricing:

Property size and wire length: Larger yards require more wire and longer installation time.

Number of dogs: Each dog needs their own collar.

Driveway crossings: More than two asphalt or concrete driveway crossings will incur an extra fee. Gravel driveways are included at no extra charge.

Complexity: Exclusion zones, garden loops, rocky terrain, dense landscaping.

Collar type: Standard vs. LINK (app-enabled).

Add-ons: Indoor units, battery backup, extra collars, upgraded collar straps.

Location: For customers outside of our typical service area, we do charge extra for travel.

Standard installations start at $1,945 + HST.

Final pricing depends on your specific property and requirements. We provide a detailed quote before any commitment.

No deposit required. Payment is due on completion of installation.

Yes. You can pay in full, or we offer 4 equal payments over 3 months with no interest or fees (first payment due on installation day).

Financing options are available for customers who prefer lower monthly payments.

We offer a 12-month containment money-back guarantee. If we can't contain your dog, you get a full refund. Here's what's required on your end:

1. Follow the training plan as specified.

2. Contact us if anything is unclear or if your dog challenges the boundary. We'll adjust settings and help troubleshoot.

3. Give us a fair opportunity to try different settings and approaches for your dog.

Exclusions: The guarantee doesn't apply if your dog escapes through an open gate (unless wire protects that gate), if the collar isn't being worn, or in cases of owner negligence unrelated to our equipment.

Our rechargeable systems include UltraCare, a Lifetime warranty covering the Ecolite receiver collar, Ecolite LINK receiver collar, and OT-300 transmitter. UltraCare covers equipment failure and damage.

When you file a warranty claim, there's a deductible equal to 20% of the original sale price of the covered equipment, much less than full replacement cost.

The warranty is tied to the equipment and transfers to new owners if you sell your home.

Just call or text us. We'll walk you through adjustments over the phone at no charge. If you have the LINK collar, you can adjust GentleSteps correction levels yourself through the app. Some advanced settings require dealer-side changes, which we can do remotely.

Yes. We repair wire breaks and provide service for Invisible Fence®, PetSafe®, DogWatch®, Dog Guard®, and most other brands. We also sell compatible replacement collars and batteries.

Note: Manufacturer warranty coverage depends on the brand. We can service the equipment, but we can't file warranty claims with other manufacturers on your behalf.

We serve a large portion of Southern Ontario. Our core service areas include the Niagara Region (St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Niagara-on-the-Lake), Hamilton and Halton (Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Ancaster, Stoney Creek), Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge, Guelph, Fergus, Elora, London, Stratford, Brantford, Simcoe, Caledonia, Dunnville, Orangeville, Barrie, Orillia, Collingwood, the Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora), Durham Region (Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering), Peterborough, and Kawartha Lakes. For a full list, see our Service Areas page.

It varies by season. During slower periods, we can sometimes install within a few days. During spring rush, we may be booked 3–4 weeks out. Winter installations depend on ground conditions (frozen ground = wire pinned to the surface).

Contact us for current availability.

We're open 7 days a week, 9am–6pm.

For emergencies (like a dog that got out), we do our best to respond quickly outside normal hours.