Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install along an existing physical fence?
Yes you absolutely can. Some people use zip ties to connect their boundary wire to their existing fence. You can also weave it through the fence. There is one exception to this. If the fence is made of metal that is not galvanized, the signal can be thrown askew and cause a problem.
How long do the batteries last?
If you have the eXtreme® Dog Fence, the collars run on proprietary batteries. These batteries are available on the eXtreme® Dog Fence website, as well as on Amazon. People commonly wonder how long the batteries last. The short answer is 3-4 months. However, when you first get your fence, your dog is learning (and so are you.) During this time, the collar gets activated more often. This can cause the batteries to drain quicker than normal, as your dog is being trained to use the fence. eXtreme® active collars run on 6-volt collar batteries, and our hyper/stubborn collar runs on 7.5 volt batteries.
What are the differences between each of our eXtreme® Dog Fence Systems?
Wondering which one of our systems is right for you? Please take a look at our dog fence comparison chart, which you can find here. Would you rather ask a person? Feel free to contact us 6 days a week at 800-305-6116. We are happy to point you in the right direction for your specific needs.
How deep should I bury the dog fence wire?
3-6 inches is recommended.
Can I leave the Collar on my dog all of the time?
The short answer is no. You shouldn’t leave your dog’s collar on more than 12 hours a day. Leaving the collar on for too long can cause a condition called Pressure Necrosis, which you can read about here.
Can I place my dog fence transmitter outdoors?
Here’s the thing. Outdoor temperatures have no effect on the dog fence transmitter, but water does. The transmitter must be protected from all moisture, as it is not waterproof. As a side note, you should know that the receiver collars ARE completely waterproof.
So, to answer your question, if you put the dog fence transmitter outside, it must be in a completely waterproof enclosure, with access to a waterproofed outlet to plug it into.
How old does my dog need to be to use the dog fence?
There is no hard and fast rule about how old the dog needs to be before using an electric dog fence. With that being said, a dog that is around 6 months old may be a good age to start with. The most important thing is that the dog is able to obey basic commands, such as ‘come’, ‘sit’ and ‘stay’. This is because training plays a vital role in the success of an electric dog fence.
Does your collar work with another company’s equipment?
The eXtreme® system is not interchangeable with any other company’s equipment, including Invisible Fence® brand. No other brand of transmitters or collars will work with the eXtreme® Dog Fence.Do you have an Invisible Fence® Brand Fence? Save yourself the headache of expensive batteries and service calls by switching over to Extreme. Check out our Invisible Fence Replacement system here.
What does the static correction feel like?
Logically, as a dog lover, you want to know what the static correction feels like to your pet. An electric dog fence is a safe and humane way to contain your pet. Some people choose to hold their collar with the probes in their hand and walk toward the wire to find out themselves. While you can certainly do that, we will just describe what it feels like. The feeling is similar to the sensation you feel when you walk across the carpet in sock feet, and then touch a doorknob. It is surprising, but by no means painful. As each collar is programmed independently, you can select a static correction level that you are comfortable with for each of your pets.
How do I know if my dog needs a Hyper/Stubborn Dog Collar?
While breed can have something to do with it, size and temperament of the dog should be taken into consideration. A dog that is large in stature and is a guardian breed may be a good candidate for a hyper/stubborn collar. Here are a few breeds that commonly utilize stubborn dog collars: Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, Rottweilers and Pit Bulls. With that being said, every dog is different. Some dogs are easier to train than others, and some dogs are more strong-willed. If you would describe your dog as a strong-willed dog, then a hyper/stubborn collar may be right for him or her.
The difference in a stubborn dog collar is that every level on it is stronger than the regular active collar is. It also has an additional level it operates on, which is a level 8.
How can I take my dog for a walk after installing the dog fence?
It is a good idea to wait until your dogs are successfully contained for 2-3 weeks before starting the exit protocol. Follow this routine will make learning to leave for a walk a simple process for your dog and your family. If you are not able to wait until the dog is ready for the exit instructions, be sure to consult your trainer to determine an alternative solution.
- Select a specific word that will give the dog permission to cross over the electric dog fence.
- Examples include ‘gate’ or ‘bridge’, etc.
- Avoid selecting a word that you use every day, like “yes”
- The word that you select should only be used for crossing over the fence.
- Remove the dog’s receiver collar, while inside of the house, and put on his walking gear.
- Pick a specific location where you will exit and enter the yard. Use this spot every time for taking your dog on a walk.
- Walk out to the specific spot you have chosen, and have the dog sit at the edge. Let him clearly see you remove the flag out of the way. Set down the flag somewhere away from where you are exiting. Now, this location becomes your “invisible gate.”
- Using the exit word that you have chosen, have the dog walk over the line to go for a walk.
- When it is time to come home, confidently walk back into the yard and have the dog stop when he is inside of the fence line. Now, make sure the dog sees you replacing the flag. This means that the invisible gate is now closed.
- Return to the house to remove his walking gear. Put his dog fence receiver collar back on.
- After time has passed and it is time to slowly remove the dog fence flags, you need to be sure that the ‘gate’ flag is the last flag to go away.
- After all of the flags have been removed, you can just use the open and close motion to signal to the dog when he can leave the yard and when the gate is closed.
I have one acre of land. How much wire do I need?
You would need to order 1,000 feet of wire with your kit, since the wire comes in 500 ft. increments. Regarding a more specific number you will end up using, you would need to take into consideration the shape of the boundary. For example, if the boundary is shaped in a square, you would need approximately 836 feet total.
Does the dog fence wire need to be ran in one continuous loop? Can it just be ran on one side of the property?
Yes, as with any dog fence, your dog fence wire must be ran in one continuous loop. Yes it can be ran just on one side of the property, but a double loop must be created there, with 4 feet separating its parallel sides.
What is the twisted wire used for?
Twisted wire is used to connect the boundary loop to the transmitter. When used in this way, twisted wire is neutral and won’t correct your dog for crossing over it. However, twisted wire can never be used as part of your boundary loop itself.
In a double loop installation, can I put both parallel wires in the same trench together?
No you can’t. The parallel wires must be separated by 4 feet, which means they must be buried in 2 separate trenches.
Does it alert you if your dog gets out?
No, there is no alarm or notification at the transmitter if the dog gets out of the boundary.
Can additional collars be added in the future for other dogs?
Absolutely! An unlimited number of dogs can be contained on this system.
Do I need to be an electrician to install this fence?
No you don’t need to be an electrician. Hooking up your dog fence is quite simple, and doesn’t require any special skills to complete. All you need to be able to do is hook up 2 wires to 2 screws on the transmitter.
Will the entire dog fence work if there is a break anywhere in the wire?
No it won’t. If there is even the smallest break in your dog fence wire, your entire fence is compromised, and an alarm will sound at the transmitter. This alarm means that if your dog is out in your yard, he is not protected and can get out of the fence. This is why choosing the right dog fence wire in the first place is so important.
Will a yard that has a lot of trees disrupt the dog fence signal?
Absolutely not. No amount of trees will interfere with the signal coming off of our eXtreme Dog Fence Wire.
How many collars come with the kit and can I order extras?
One collar comes with the kit. You can add as many collars as you need by using the dropdown menu to do so.
Do you have a remote trainer that works with your dog fence?
Yes, we sell a remote trainer, but it doesn’t use the same collar as your dog fence does. However, what you can do is remove the receiver from the remote trainer collar and slide it onto your dog fence collar, so that both receivers are on the one collar.
Is there a vibration feature as well as tone and a shock?
No, there is no vibrate feature on the eXtreme Dog Fence.
Can I just wait until the spring to bury the wire? Will the wire be OK if there is snow on top of it?
Our Prograde and Max grade wire are definitely sturdy enough to weather the elements. You can certainly wait until the spring to bury your dog fence wire.
Does the transmitter need to be mounted in a temperature-controlled environment?
No it doesn’t. High or low temperatures are not an issue; however your dog fence transmitter can absolutely NOT get wet.