The right Electric Dog Fence for your dog

So, you need a dog containment system but you're not sure about the right one? We've put together this quick guide to take some of the guesswork out of choosing the right dog containment fence for your dog and your property.

When choosing a fence system, there are a few things you need to consider:

  • Your dog's weight
  • Your dog's temperament
  • The size of additional dogs you need to contain
  • The size of the area you need to cover
  • Your existing fencing
  • Sheet metal on your property

All containment fence brands (DogWatch, Dogtra, PetSafe, and SportDOG) have the same set-up (transmitter, wire and receiver collar), the key is to find the system with the right features for your situation. With those things in mind, let's take a look at each system!

DogWatch Hidden Fence 1200FMD

The World's Best Dog Fence!

Dog Size | Tiny to extra large dogs
Dog Weight | 2.5kg - 100kg+
Dog Temperament | Timid to stubborn
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars are available for dogs from 2.5kg to 100kg+
Maximum Coverage  | Up to 400 acres (with additional wire)
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside all types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | Yes

Quick Overview

We've put this fence first because it's the best containment fence in the World. The DogWatch Hidden Fence 1200FMD is the most versatile, reliable and durable fencing system designed for all dogs on all types of properties. It's the only system that features dual surge protection (internal & external) and the only system that does not encounter interference from sheet metal. Whether you need to create a small boundary along your driveway or create a boundary around a 400-acre farm, the DogWatch system does it all!

For more information about the DogWatch Hidden Fence 1200FMD, click here.

Dogtra E-Fence 3500 Dog Containment Fence System

Rechargeable receiver collar

Dog Size | Small to extra large dogs
Dog Weight | 7kg - 100kg
Dog Temperament | Mild to stubborn
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars only available for dogs above 7kg
Maximum Coverage | Up to 40 acres (with additional wire)
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside most types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | No

Quick Overview

Unlike other fencing systems that require replaceable batteries, the Dogtra E-Fence 3500 has a rechargeable receiver collar that saves you the ongoing cost of batteries. The Dogtra E-Fence receiver collar (and additional receiver collars) is slightly larger in size. We only recommend this system for dogs above 7kg. The Dogtra E-Fence 3500 covers up to 40 acres making it a suitable system for suburban properties and acreages.

For more information about the Dogtra E-Fence 3500, click here.

SportDOG Rechargeable Dog Fence SDF-100C-22

Rechargeable Receiver Collar

Dog Size | Medium to extra large
Dog Weight | 5kg+
Dog Temperament | Mild to Stubborn
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars available for dogs from 5kg
Maximum Coverage | Up to 100 acres (with additional wire)
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside most types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | No

Quick Overview

The SportDOG SDF-100C-22 is great for larger working dogs above 5kg on properties over 1 acre. The waterproof receiver collar has 7 static stimulation levels designed for dogs with a mild to stubborn temperament. The heavy-duty transmitter features lightning surge protection and has the power to cover up to 100 acres (with additional wire).

For more information about the SportDOG Rechargeable SDF-100c, click here.

SportDOG Contain + Train System SDF-CT-22

The Ultimate 2-in-1!

Dog Size | Medium to extra large
Dog Weight | 15kg+
Dog Temperament | Stubborn
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars available for dogs from 2.5kg
Expandability (Remote Trainer) | Up to 3 dogs
Maximum Coverage | Up to 100 acres (with additional wire)
Maximum Range (Remote Trainer) | 450m
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside most types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | No

Quick Overview

The SportDOG Contain + Train combines the capabilities of the SportDOG SDF-100A dog fence and the SportDOG SD-425E remote trainer into one easy-to-use system. Due to the size of the collar module and strength of the stimulation levels, we only recommend this system for dogs above 15kg with a stubborn temperament. The SportDOG SDF-100A covers up to 100 acres with additional boundary wire and can contain an unlimited number of pets providing they are wearing additional receiver collars.

The SD-425E remote trainer included with the system is the perfect short-range communication tool for pet dogs and working dogs above 15kg. Whether you're in a single-dog situation or multiple-dog situation, the SD-425E remote trainer has the signal range and correction strength to rectify disobedient behaviour and reinforce training commands.

For more information about the SportDOG Contain + Train, click here.

PetSafe Deluxe Adjustable Dog Fence PIG19-15394

Budget-Friendly Dog Fence for Pet Dogs

Dog Size | Small to large dogs
Dog Weight | 4kg - 30kg
Dog Temperament | Mild
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars available for dogs from 2.5kg
Maximum Coverage | Up to 10 acres (with additional wire)
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside most types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | No

Quick Overview

The PetSafe Deluxe Adjustable Dog Fence is a budget-friendly dog containment fence great for use on suburban properties and small acreages. The system can cover up to 10 acres with additional wire and the receiver collar is suitable for dogs above 5kg.

For more information about the PetSafe Deluxe Adjustable Dog Fence PIG19-15394, click here.

PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence PRF-3004XW-20

Budget-Friendly Stubborn Dog Fence System

Dog Size | Medium to large
Dog Weight | 15kg+
Dog Temperament | Stubborn
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars available for dogs from 2.5kg
Maximum Coverage | Up to 10 acres (with additional wire)
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside most types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | No

Quick Overview

An electric dog fence designed with larger stubborn breeds in mind. The PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence has a larger waterproof collar with a training mode and 4 levels of heavier correction. The same transmitter as the standard version and will cover a 10-acre property. Best suited for larger dogs from 15kg that are stubborn or a working breed. Although this system can cover up to 10 acres, if you're thinking of covering more than an acre, we recommend purchasing the SportDOG SDF-100C.

For more information about the PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence PRF-3004XW-20, click here.

PetSafe Stay + Play Wireless Containment Fence PIF17-13478

Wireless Boundary

Dog Size | Small to large
Dog Weight | 5kg - 30kg
Dog Temperament | Mild to medium
Additional Dog Sizes | Additional receiver collars available for dogs from 5kg
Maximum Coverage | Up to 3/4 of an acre
Existing Fencing | Suitable for installation alongside most types of fencing and properties with no fencing
Suitable for Installation near Sheet Metal | No

The PetSafe Stay + Play System emits a wireless circular boundary, safely containing your dog. Please note: because this system is wireless, it is prone to a lot more variables that may affect the consistency of the radio signal.

For more information about the PetSafe Stay + Play System, click here.

Additional Receiver Collars

What if I have dogs of different sizes and temperaments?  Do I need to install different containment systems? 

No, you don't! If you need different types of collars to fit different-sized dogs, the only thing you'll need to consider is that the additional receiver collar is compatible with your existing/chosen fencing system:

  • All PetSafe receiver collars (except Stay + Play) are compatible with any PetSafe fencing system and *some* SportDOG models.
  • The SportDOG Rechargeable Collar is only with the SportDOG SDF-100C system. The SportDOG Contain + Train Collar is compatible with the SportDOG Contain + Train and the PetSafe Systems.
  • All DogWatch receiver collars are only compatible with any DogWatch fencing system.
  • All Dogtra receiver collars are only compatible with any Dogtra fencing system.

Receiver collar sizes:

PetSafe receiver collars are available in designs suitable for dogs from 2.5kg up to extra large dogs with stubborn temperaments.

SportDOG Receiver collars are available in designs suitable for dogs from 5kg up to extra large dogs with stubborn temperaments.

DogWatch receiver collars are available in designs suitable for dogs from 2kg up to extra large dogs with stubborn temperaments.

The Dogtra fence only has one compatible collar and due to the size of the collar unit, we only recommend it for dogs above 7kg.

Properties with no Fencing:

If your property has no fencing at all ('run through zones'), we recommend using receiver collars that have adjustable correction levels. This way, you can increase the correction strength according to your dog's temperament. If you have a larger-sized dog, we recommend choosing a stubborn dog fence system/receiver collar.

Well, that ought to do it for now! As you can see, there is a dog containment fence system for each individual situation. You can click into each product for more information, and if you have any more questions, give us a call us on 1300 668 931. We are always happy to help!

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