Tag Archive for: invisible dog fence safety

Young girl cuddling her dog in a safe garden protected by a DogFence system, showing dog fence safety for children

Dog Fence Safety for Children | Family-Safe Containment

/in , , /by

Dog Fence Safety for Children: A Complete Family Guide

Ensuring dog fence safety for children is one of the top priorities for families exploring electronic pet containment.
Parents often wonder whether an invisible fence is child-safe, how it works, and how it fits into busy family life.
With DogFence, the answer is simple: our systems use a harmless FM radio signal—not electricity—making them perfectly safe for children, pets, and the home environment.

This guide explains how our technology works, why it supports a safe and happy family lifestyle, and how children can play an active role in helping their treasured dog learn the boundary.

Why Dog Fence Safety for Children Matters

Modern family life can be chaotic, and pets bring enormous emotional, social, and developmental benefits for children.
Research shows that growing up with dogs or cats helps kids develop empathy, responsibility, and emotional resilience. Pets also encourage outdoor play, increase daily activity levels, and provide companionship that supports mental wellbeing.
With so many benefits, it’s crucial to keep pets safe at home—without compromising the safety of children who share the garden.

At DogFence Ltd, we’ve installed more than 20,000 systems across England, and our FM-based technology ensures complete dog fence safety for children. There is no electrical current in the boundary wire, no shocks above the ground, and nothing that children can feel, touch, activate, or interfere with. Only the dog’s programmed collar interacts with the radio field, making DogFence one of the safest child-safe dog fence solutions available.

Young girl cuddling her dog in a safe garden protected by a DogFence system, showing dog fence safety for children

Children can enjoy safe outdoor time with their pets thanks to a DogFence containment system

How the System Works (Simple, Safe, and Family-Friendly)

Our electronic dog fence contains your pet using three components:

  • A transmitter positioned inside the home
  • A boundary wire professionally installed underground
  • A lightweight receiver collar worn by your pet

The transmitter sends a coded FM radio signal through the buried wire.
This is the same type of harmless signal used in radios, baby monitors, and home electronics.
Your dog learns the boundary through visible training flags and audible cues such as the warning beep.

Children can walk, run, play football, ride bikes, or cross the boundary line as often as they like—absolutely nothing happens. Only the pet’s collar interacts with the system. Parents often tell us they love how discreet and non-intrusive the system is—it keeps their dog safely contained without fencing off views, gardens, or play areas.

To see the process in a simple diagram, visit our illustrated guide:
How the DogFence System Works.

Is a Dog Fence Safe for Homes with Children?

Yes. The DogFence system is fully safe and simple for families to live with. The boundary emits a low-frequency FM signal that is harmless, contact-free, and completely undetectable to children or adults. Your dog receives a gentle warning beep as they approach the boundary, followed by a mild static sensation if they push further. It’s comparable to the tiny static zap you get touching a car door—and is designed to interrupt behaviour, not punish.

Our collars include:

  • Automatic shutdown after 15 seconds
  • Anti-linger technology to prevent over-correction
  • Full waterproof sealing
  • DEFRA-tested and approved components

You can find more safety information and commonly asked questions on our
DogFence FAQ page.

The Benefits of Owning Pets for Children and Families

A well-contained pet doesn’t just protect your garden—it supports the whole family’s wellbeing. Dogs and cats offer comfort when children feel worried, help them navigate big emotions, and provide a steady, non-judgemental presence at home. For many children, a family pet is their first “best friend”, and that bond can be incredibly powerful.

Pets also teach practical life skills:

Feeding, grooming, and walking a dog helps children learn about routine, responsibility, and caring for another living being.
Family walks, games in the garden, and simple training exercises get everyone moving and away from screens, creating quality time together. By combining these benefits with reliable dog fence safety for children, families can enjoy all the positives of pet ownership without the constant worry of escape or road accidents.

Helping Children Understand the Boundary & Training Process

One of the biggest advantages of our system is how easily children can be involved in the training process. Involving children helps them understand why the dog wears a collar, how the boundary works, and what to look out for during playtime. This turns the dog fence into a shared family project rather than a mysterious system in the background.

Ways Children Can Safely Participate

  • Helping place the training flags: Kids love helping set up the garden boundary, turning training into a family activity.
  • Watching the early sessions: Children can observe from a distance as your pet learns the visual cues.
  • Rewarding the dog: When your dog retreats to the safe zone, children can offer treats, praise, and encouragement.
  • Learning terminology: Kids quickly understand “safe zone,” “flags,” and “beep,” making the system easy to follow.

Children often become valuable helpers in reinforcing safe, positive behaviour with their pet, supporting both good manners and ongoing dog fence safety for children in the garden.

Why Families Choose DogFence Ltd

  • Harmless FM radio signal – not electricity
  • Safe for children, pets, and gardens
  • DEFRA-tested technology
  • Lifetime warranty on professionally installed systems
  • Tailored dog training for all temperaments—including nervous dogs
  • Invisible, aesthetic, and non-intrusive

Our containment systems help reduce stress for busy families by allowing dogs to enjoy freedom while giving parents reassurance that the garden remains safe and secure. This balance of freedom and safety is why DogFence remains one of the UK’s most trusted systems for dog fence safety for children.

“Children playing safely in a garden while their dog runs freely within a DogFence containment system, showing dog fence safety for children

Children enjoying garden playtime while their dog runs safely using a DogFence electronic containment system.

Ready to Keep Your Pet Safe?

Call us on
01628 476475
|
Message us on WhatsApp
|
Request a Free Quote Online

 

Dog safely enjoying garden freedom with invisible dog fence system

Invisible Dog Fence Maintenance & Safety Checks | DogFence

/in /by

Invisible Dog Fence Maintenance & Safety Checks: How to Keep Your System Reliable

You’ve invested in an invisible dog fence, but are you keeping up with the invisible dog fence maintenance checks that are essential to keep your system running safely and effectively

gives your pet freedom while keeping them safe, but like any system, safety depends on correct use, training, and maintenance. Whether you’re considering an invisible fence or already using one, these safety tips will help you get the most out of your system — and keep your pet secure for years to come. While this guide focuses on dog fence safety tips, many of the same principles apply to cat fence safety too, ensuring both dogs and cats can enjoy secure freedom outdoors

1. Choose the Right System for Your Dog

Not all fences are created equal, and safety varies hugely depending on the system you choose.

  • GPS dog fences can drift, leaving dangerous gaps (see our guide on how GPS dog fences work).
  • Cheap online kits may look tempting, but they often use thin wire that breaks easily, unreliable collars with short battery life, and offer no training or support. Many owners find they fail within months.
  • Professionally installed wired systems, like DogFence, are accurate to the inch, DEFRA-recognised for safety, and backed by expert installation, training, and ongoing support.

For small gardens, or if you live near roads, a wired fence installed by DogFence Ltd is the safest and most reliable choice.

2. Check Collar Fit and Comfort

  • The collar should fit snugly but not tightly — you should be able to slide one finger under it.
  • Regularly check for rubbing, especially on smaller dogs or cats.
  • Avoid leaving the collar on for 24 hours straight — remove it at night if your pet is indoors.

Watch how to fit the DogFence collar correctly for a safe, comfortable fit: Trainer fitting invisible dog fence collar on dog during safety demonstration

3. Monitor Battery Life

A flat collar battery = no protection.

  • Set a reminder to check batteries monthly.
  • At DogFence Ltd, our collars last up to 2 years (industry leading).
  • Watch out for GPS collars that need charging every 12–24 hours — easy to forget, leaving your pet unprotected.

Join our battery renewal programme – sent out at the correct interval for your collar.  

4. Why Regular Invisible Dog Fence Maintenance Boundary Walks are important

A quick walk around your garden can reveal:

  • Broken wires (rare, but can happen if digging).
  • Flag gaps if you’ve removed them too soon.
  • Unusual pet behaviour near the line, signalling a possible fault.

5. Buy the Correct Dog Fence Cable

Why cable thickness matters for invisible dog fence maintenance:

Cheap online systems often use thin 0.25 mm cable, which is easily damaged by weather, gardening tools, or even pets chewing. This type of cable is not designed for direct burial and frequently breaks down within months.

By contrast, DogFence uses heavy-duty 2.5 mm boundary cable, engineered for durability and long-term performance. It is specifically designed for direct burial, ensuring your fence remains reliable year after year.

Comparison of heavy-duty 2.5mm black dog fence cable and thin 0.25mm red cable showing durability difference

DogFence uses 2.5mm heavy-duty boundary cable designed for direct burial, unlike cheap systems with fragile 0.25mm wire

6. Use Natural Barriers Where Possible

As part of good invisible dog fence maintenance, it’s important to think about how your boundary works with the natural layout of your garden. Electronic dog fences are most effective when they complement the natural features of your property rather than compete with them. Combining visual, physical, and sensory boundaries helps your pet learn faster and stay confident within their safe zone.

Hedges, walls, fences, or paths act as clear visual markers that naturally reinforce your dog’s training. When the electronic boundary aligns with these familiar features, your pet can more easily associate the warning tone with a physical landmark — reducing confusion and improving reliability.

Placing the wire slightly inside these natural boundaries also gives your pet a clear “turn back” area, helping to prevent accidental corrections and keeping the containment both safe and humane.

For the best results:

  • Run the wire slightly inside existing features such as hedgerows, flowerbeds, or paths. This creates a clear “buffer zone” that prevents dogs from reaching the physical edge and reinforces the learning line.
  • Avoid placing the boundary too close to dense shrubs or walls that may trap the signal or limit your dog’s ability to turn back comfortably.
  • Blend with existing landscaping: The wire can be buried just below soil level, laid neatly along paths, or fixed discreetly to fence lines to remain invisible yet consistent.
  • Add small loops around areas you’d like to protect (ponds, veg patches, or children’s play zones). These serve as “no-go zones” and integrate naturally into your garden layout.

This balance of natural and electronic boundaries ensures your pet respects both the training and the physical cues of the environment — creating a safe, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing containment solution. Read more about it works here:

7. Keep Children Informed

Explain to children that the collar is a safety tool — not a punishment.
This builds confidence and ensures they don’t interfere with training.

8. Know the Law

Electronic containment fences are DEFRA-recognised and remain legal for use in England, Scotland and Wales, provided they’re installed and used responsibly. When fitted by trained professionals and paired with welfare-led training, these systems fully comply with current UK animal-welfare standards.

When the Government reviewed the use of remote training collars, handheld shock devices were restricted, but DogFence Ltd and other experts were invited by DEFRA to demonstrate how containment fences differ. Our input helped secure their official exemption, as the system is preventative and educational, not punitive — the warning tone teaches pets to stop long before any correction occurs.

To stay compliant and protect your pet’s welfare:

  • Ensure professional installation or follow manufacturer instructions precisely, using approved cable and surge protection.
  • Use structured, reward-based training so pets understand the safe area without confusion or fear.
  • Set adjustable correction levels appropriately for each pet’s size, coat and temperament.
  • Carry out regular safety checks to confirm collar fit, cable integrity and signal strength.

Used correctly, a dog fence is a humane, reliable and legally compliant way to prevent roaming and road accidents.
Learn more in our guide: Are dog fences legal in the UK

FAQs About Dog Fence Safety

Q: Is an invisible fence cruel?
No — when installed and used properly, it’s a safe training tool. Our Professional collars have in built safety settings to ensure that your pet is not over corrected, and training prevents most dogs from ever receiving more than warning beep after the initial training.

Q: What if my power goes out?
DogFence systems have the option for a battery back-up on our Performance and Smart Fences.   If your wire is broken the alarm will sound and with our Smart Fence you can receive live notifications to your phone.

Q: Can cats use a dog fence?
Yes — thousands of UK cats are safely contained, and cat fence safety is just as important as dogs.”

Q: How old should my pet be?
Most dogs and cats can start training at 4–6 months old, once they’re confident and responsive.

5-month-old kitten safely enjoying garden freedom with DogFence cat fence collar

Leno, 5 months old, loving the freedom of his CatFence system.

Regular invisible dog fence maintenance isn’t just about keeping your system in good working order — it’s about protecting your pets and giving them freedom with confidence. Whether you’re safeguarding an adventurous dog or a curious cat, simple routine checks and welfare-led training ensure their safety every day. With proper upkeep and responsible use, your DogFence system will continue to provide a safe, secure, and reliable boundary that gives your pets the independence they love — and you the peace of mind you deserve.

 

 

Dog Fence Safety Tips: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

/in , , , , , /by

Dog Fence Safety Tips: What Every Pet Owner Should Know

Keeping Pets Safe with Invisible & Electronic Dog Fences

When choosing a dog fence, safety should always be the number one priority. Whether you have an escape-artist dog, a curious cat, or a property near busy roads, a properly installed hidden dog fence can provide peace of mind. But not all fences are created equal — and there are a few key things every pet owner should know.

1. Choose a System Designed with Safety First

Not all electronic fences are the same. Cheap DIY kits often use thin cable and underpowered transmitters that break down quickly, while GPS collars rely on weak satellite signals that can drift or fail altogether. These cut corners leave pets vulnerable.

At DogFence, our systems are:

  • ✅ DEFRA tested and proven safe for dogs and cats.
  • ✅ Waterproof, chew-proof, and durable — designed for real pet life.
  • ✅ Programmable to your pet’s size & temperament, not “one-size-fits-all.”
  • ✅ Equipped with safety features like automatic shut-down after 15 seconds and anti-linger to prevent battery drain.

Learn how our system works ›

Happy dog enjoying the garden safely with DogFence invisible fence collar

Enjoying freedom with peace of mind — this happy pup shows how DogFence provides reliable dog fence safety tips in action. Alternative with syn

2. Professional Installation Matters

A hidden fence is only as safe as the way it’s installed. At DogFence Ltd:

  • Our installers carefully bury the boundary cable using specialist equipment.
  • We avoid hazards like underground pipes and electric gates.
  • You’ll get a tailored boundary design that protects both your pets and your garden.

This reduces the risk of gaps, interference, or weak spots that could put pets at risk.

3. Training is Key to Safety

Even the best system won’t work without consistent training. That’s why DogFence provides full training on installation day:

  • Dogs (and cats) learn to respond to the warning beep and flags before feeling the impulse (correction).

  • Our training uses gentle, positive reinforcement so pets understand boundaries quickly.

  • The dog always has something to see (flags), something to hear (beep) and finally something to feel (correction).

Every dog is different — some pick up the concept like a duck to water, while others are naturally cautious and take a little more time. Just like people, pets all learn at different paces. The most important thing is to follow the full training programme step by step, without skipping ahead, so your pet builds confidence at the right speed.

Above all, training should always be upbeat and positive. By keeping the sessions short, consistent, and encouraging, your dog will associate the fence with freedom rather than restriction. Most pets are safely contained within just a few sessions — and owners are amazed at how quickly their dogs adapt when training is done correctly.

See our installation & training process ›

DogFence professional training a dog with invisible fence boundary flags in garde

Expert training with DogFence — clear boundaries, safe pets, and peace of mind.

4. Regular Collar Checks

Your pet’s safety depends on keeping their computer collar fitted and functioning correctly. A hidden fence is only as reliable as the collar your pet wears, so it’s vital to make these checks part of your routine:

  • Check the battery regularly – When the battery runs out, the fence can’t do its job, and your pet can run out. At DogFence, our collars have the longest battery life in the industry, but even so, we recommend testing the collar monthly (using the test lamp supplied) and replacing batteries at the correct intervals to avoid any lapse in protection. Why not join our battery programme? Contact us here to learn more.

  • Ensure the collar fits correctly – If the collar is too loose, it becomes nothing more than an ineffective necklace, as the contacts won’t touch the skin. Too tight, and it can cause pressure sores. The simple rule: lift your dog’s head up to the sky; when the neck is stretched, you should be able to slip just one finger between the collar strap and the skin.

  • ⚡ Surge and lightning protection – Our professionally installed systems come with lifetime warranty and built-in lightning protection. If lightning ever strikes the boundary wire, our surge protection unit safely diverts the current into the ground, preventing it from entering your home’s electrics.

By keeping up with these simple checks, you’ll ensure your fence remains a safe and reliable barrier that protects your pet every day.

Watch our quick video guide on how to check your dog’s collar fit — making sure it’s snug, safe, and comfortable every day.

5. Creating “No-Go Zones” with Inner Loops

One of the unique advantages of an invisible dog fence is that you can protect more than just the perimeter. By running an inner loop off the main boundary wire, we can create “no-go zones” inside your garden.

This works because the boundary cable carries a harmless FM radio signal. When we twist the cable together — a bit like bringing two magnets together — the signal cancels itself out. That means we can route the wire across the lawn to form a small protected zone without the dog receiving an activation along the way.

Illustration of invisible dog fence boundary layout with inner loop no-go zones

Typical DogFence boundary layout — with inner loops to protect ponds, flowerbeds, or toxic plants inside the garden.

What Can You Protect?

  • Ponds and swimming pools – preventing accidents and keeping pets safe around water.

  • Flowerbeds or vegetable patches – protecting your plants (and stopping your dog digging them up!).

  • Toxic plants – such as acorns, yew, or foxglove, which can be highly poisonous to dogs.

These inner loops give you the flexibility to keep your dog away from danger while still giving them the freedom to roam safely in the rest of the garden.

Discover invisible no-go zones ›

Real Customer Story: “It’s Given Us Peace of Mind”

“We were nervous about using a hidden fence at first, but safety was our top concern. Our Labrador, Daisy, had escaped twice and nearly caused an accident on the main road. Since having DogFence installed, we haven’t had a single incident. The training was simple, the collar is comfortable, and Daisy is now free to enjoy the garden safely. It’s given us real peace of mind — worth every penny.”

– Mr & Mrs Griffiths, Oxfordshire

First hand stories like these show how the right system, properly installed and trained, makes all the difference in keeping pets secure without compromise. See more success stories from our customers testimonials .

Dog wearing a DogFence invisible fence collar enjoying the garden safely

Final Thoughts: Safety = Peace of Mind

A dog fence should never be a compromise on your pet’s welfare. By choosing a Pro Range Dog with professional installation, and proper training, you’ll have the confidence that your pet is secure, safe, and free to enjoy the garden.

Ready to Keep Your Pet Safe?

Call us on
01628 476475
|
Message us on WhatsApp
|
Request a Free Quote Online