Planning Your Dog Fence Installation

The first step to installing a do-it-yourself dog fence is planning ahead. This article covers the following topics related to planning your dog fence installation:

• Compare the different brands of do-it-yourself dog fences and purchase the product that is best suited to your pet's size and temperament.
• Call your local utility companies to mark any existing underground lines (like cable, telephone, or gas) before your begin installation.
• Make sure you have all the tools your installation requires.
• Decide exactly where you want your invisible boundary to go.

BUY A DIY DOG FENCE

Do-it-yourself dog fences are readily available both online and at local retail stores. Whatever product you purchase, make sure it has these features:

• A receiver with a variety of correction levels
• Lightning protection (buy this separately if you have to)
• Comprehensive warranty support

Visit Dog-Fence-Guide.com for an in-depth comparison of DIY dog fence brands.

MARK EXISTING UNDERGROUND LINES

Before you bury any dog fence wire, call your local utility companies to mark all existing underground lines (cable, telephone, gas, etc.). Some states have a centralized agency that manages this process for you with just one phone call. For example, residents of Central / Northern California and Nevada can call Underground Service Alert at 1-800-227-2600. Residents of Texas can call DIGTESS at 1-800-344-8377.

TOOLS

Make sure you have the following tools for your dog fence installation:

PLAN WIRE PLACEMENT

Before you begin digging, you should draw a sketch of where you want your wire to go.

• First, decide which areas of your yard you want your pet to access. Do you have flowerbeds, large equipment (like an air conditioning unit), or a pool you want to keep your dog away from?
  
  
• Also, consider the fact that the wire will emit a boundary signal at least 3 - 4 feet from where it is installed, so you should plan to install your wire several feet outside of the areas you want your dog to access.
  
  
• Remember that the wire must make a complete loop from the transmitter, around the area you wish to protect, back to the transmitter again. In other words, you can't have a loose, unattached wire.
  
  
• Finally, remember that if you install any two lengths of wire too close together, you will cancel the signal each wire emits. Leave at least 8 feet of space between any two lengths of wire that run parallel to each other.

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