How does an electronic invisible dog fence work?

A discreet boundary wire sends a coded FM radio signal to a lightweight receiver collar. As the dog approaches the boundary, the collar gives an audible warning tone; if the dog continues, a mild static sensation reinforces training so the dog retreats to the safe area.

Is a dog fence safe and humane?

Yes. The system uses a low, momentary static sensation only after a clear audible warning. Training is gradual with visual flags and positive reinforcement. Collars shut down rapidly if a pet lingers in the zone and reactivate once the pet returns to the safe area.

Will other signals or Wi-Fi interfere with the fence?

No. DogFence systems use a secure, digitally coded FM signal designed to resist interference from Wi-Fi, garage doors, baby monitors, or household electronics, providing consistent operation.

How long does training take?

Most dogs understand the boundary within a few days. With our professional guidance and daily short sessions, confidence and reliability build quickly.

Can one fence work for multiple dogs or cats?

Yes. You can pair multiple receiver collars to the same boundary. Each collar can be individually programmed to suit each pet’s temperament.

How big an area can the fence cover?

From small gardens to multi-acre properties. The layout is customised during installation to protect driveways, gates, ponds, or flowerbeds with 'no-go' zones if required.

How The Dog Fence Systems Work

How the Dog Fence Works

Every dog deserves freedom and safety. The DogFence electronic dog fence system creates an invisible boundary around your garden, giving your pet space to explore while keeping them secure. Using advanced FM radio technology—the most reliable signal type used for electronic pet containment—our system provides a safe, precise, and humane way to stop dogs from escaping.

How Our Invisible Dog Fence Works

A thin boundary wire is installed discreetly around your property and connected to a digital control unit. This wire emits a coded FM signal that is detected by your pet’s lightweight receiver collar.

Audible Warning: As your pet nears the boundary, the collar emits a gentle tone to prompt them to stop.
Correction Zone: If they continue forward, the collar delivers a mild static sensation—similar to a gentle tap—helping reinforce training.
Safe Retreat: Your dog quickly learns to turn back to the safe zone when they hear the warning tone.

Because the system uses a secure FM digital signal, there’s no risk of interference from other radio devices or Wi-Fi. This makes the DogFence containment system one of the most dependable and consistent systems available in the UK.

Training Your Dog to the Fence

Our professional trainers guide you through a gentle introduction process using visual training flags and positive reinforcement. Most dogs learn their new boundaries within a few days and gain confidence quickly. Once trained, your pet can enjoy complete freedom within your chosen area—without risk of escape or harm.

With over 22 years of experience and systems proven worldwide for over 45 years, DogFence Ltd is the UK’s most trusted name in electronic pet containment.

Top view diagram showing audible warning zone, correction area and boundary wire for an invisible electronic dog fence

how-dog-fence-works-home-boundary-wire-layout-example

Training and Learning the Boundary

Once training is complete, your pet will quickly learn to recognise the warning tone and return to the safe zone before reaching the boundary. During the early training phase, we use temporary visual flags to help your dog or cat clearly see where their new limits are. With repetition and positive reinforcement, pets associate the tone with turning back—building understanding and confidence within just a few days.

This gentle and consistent approach gives your pet something to hear, something to see, and something to feel, creating a clear and stress-free learning experience. The DogFence system has been developed and refined over more than 45 years of global success, ensuring your dog or cat enjoys safe freedom while you enjoy complete peace of mind.

Rear garden only or semi-detached (banana loop)
Boundary cable runs around the area to fenced and then back on itself to form the loop. This type of installation is ideal for properties where a full loop is difficult to install. The boundary wires need to be run 2ft apart or more in order the signal to be emitted.

Front and or Rear garden (pinch loop)
Single cable around the boundary which is “nipped in” either side of the house – this prevents the dog from running from the front to back garden and vice versa whilst still protecting the entire boundary.

Single Boundary or Driveway (banana loop)
Ideal if only one or part of the boundary requires fencing – Boundary cable runs along the area to fenced and then back on itself to form the loop. The boundary wires need to be run 2ft apart or more in order the signal to be emitted.

Full Boundary excluding swimming pool and play area
As well as containment the freedom fence can be used to exclude pets from area such as pools, ponds, play areas or flower borders by adding in a loop connected to a twisted cable (twisting the cable cancels the radio signal)

Dog Fence and Freedom Fences Detailed description

As with Freedom Fence and Invisible Fence the control box sends a coded radio signal which is transmitted through the boundary wire. The difference between DogFence and other brands is that our signal is an FM signal. Freedom Fence and Invisible Fence systems use the older, less secure AM signals.

Transmitter

A small transmitter box is installed somewhere on your property. This needs to be in the dry and plugged into a standard electrical socket. The fence does not pass any electricity through the boundary wire but the transmitter requires a small amount of power to run the system. The average running cost = 5 – 8p per day. We usually recommend that the box is installed in garage, utility room, tack room etc.

Boundary Wire

A heavy duty 16 AWG boundary wire is laid around the perimeter of your property and runs back to the transmitter box. If we are installing for the customer this is generally buried using our burial equipment. The wire carries a safe encoded radio signal which uses our patented FM technology. The signal can easily be adjusted to make the invisible zone larger or smaller (from as little as 2ft to 16ft). The radio signal is usually zeroed from the point at which the wires leave the transmitter box to the boundary and the signal is only “live” around the perimeter or the designated area.

Receiver Collar

The pet wears a small receiver collar which is coded to only react to our FM signal. The DogFence receiver collars are the smallest & lightest available worldwide. When the pet enters the avoidance zone the collar picks up the radio signal. The collar then gives the out a high pitched “beep” to alert the dog or cat. If the pet continues further the collar emits a low static impulse (correction). All our collars have flexible training levels and can be set to audible only. Each dog or cat will have their own correction level tailored to their personality. DogFence systems are the ONLY system worldwide to give a 100% no false activation guarantee due to the patented FM signal. The FM signal does not use OOK (on off keying) and gives total protection around the boundary.

Training

Through our Gentle Touch Training process, using audible and visual aids, your pet learns to identify and stay within his boundaries. Cat training is slightly different using the patent pending training protocol. The pet learns to respond to an audible signal (a beep that comes from his collar). If he continues to go beyond the audible signal, he receives a mild correction from the receiver collar. To aid your pet the new boundary is marked with temporary training flags. All pets learn easily and quickly to respond the audible warning signal rather than the correction. There is no maintenance required for the system simply a battery change in the receiver collar every 6 months or 2 years depending on the receiver type.

Technology

Our new generation of freedom dog fences use wifi capability to keep you connected to your pets at all times. You can monitor the status of the boundary wire, transmitter and receiver collar. You can even see when your pet is active or inactive. click here to learn more.

DogFence Ltd is an authorised, full service dealership and is not to be confused with other brands of dog fencing, cat fencing, dog fence or cat fence company like Freedom Fence, Invisible Fence Brand or Canicom who all claim to provide a dog fence or cat fence.