Underground fencing for dogs is a great option that countless pet parents use to contain their canine companions.
That said, how do you cancel out parts of underground dog fencing so your pet can safely cross the boundary?
The only way to cancel out parts of underground dog fencing is to twist the included boundary lines together.
You can do this with the ends of the boundary lines, but you may have to purchase longer boundary lines to ensure success.
If you would like an extended explanation on canceling out parts of underground fencing we have included more information below that we hope you’ll find helpful!
How Do You Cancel Out Parts of Underground Dog Fencing?
The only way to cancel out parts of installed underground dog fencing is to twist the included boundary lines together.
We recommend verifying that your lines are long enough to connect at the ends properly, especially when twisting them.
You will want to have your boundary line layout dug to the depth specific to the fence system, and the pre-measured appropriate boundary line length.
If you need extra boundary line length, splicing the wires is always an option you can explore.
For training purposes, we recommend having some sort of boundary that marks off the fence’s dead zone so it is easily identifiable by both you and your dog.
A boundary could be a small gate, ground stakes, or boundary markers.
There are endless underground fencing products that are marketed as effective for dogs.
We understand difficult decisions like this, which is why we have tested and reviewed the best underground dog fence!
Can You Splice an Underground Fence?
It is possible to splice underground fencing wires and boundary lines.
And here are some additional materials required to successfully splice an underground fence wire:
- Wire stripper tool
- Wire cap
- Splice capsule
Splicing may be necessary during the twisting method mentioned previously to cancel out a section of underground fencing.
Always ensure that all components of the transmitter and underground fence boundary wires are safe to handle before beginning the wire stripping process.
Background electrical knowledge is especially handy during the installation.
If you would like to learn more about the steps best followed for this process, PetSafe has a helpful instruction page on its website.
Here’s a quick video showing how to cancel out parts of your underground dog fence:
Do Underground Fences Need to Make a Loop?
Underground fence wires will need to form a loop to function properly.
Generally, underground electric fencing kits will come with layout options you can base your installation off of.
Boundary wires will need to be buried in the perimeter of the selected area and the wire needs to form a closed loop with the ends connected to the fence transmitter.
We recommend planning your installation before purchasing a specific underground fence kit to ensure you have selected a kit that works best with your property.
Here is a helpful article that details the best ways to plan your installation process.
How Deep Can You Bury an Underground Fence Wire?
The depth that underground fence wires need to be buried depends on the specific kit that is purchased, but most will need to be buried one to six inches underground.
We have written an in-depth guide on how deep is an invisible fence buried to assist with proper underground fence installation that you may find helpful during your research.
Keep in mind that underground fence installation requires digging a trench-like boundary around the yard you have selected, and burying the boundary wire completely.
Can You Use Any Wire Type for Underground Fencing?
Underground fencing wires should be made of copper wire that is covered by an insulating material such as polyethylene and plastic.
When purchasing underground fencing, the proper wire type will normally come with the kit you receive.
We recommend verifying the contents of an underground fencing kit to verify all of the required materials are included before purchase.
Professional underground fence installers generally have their own installation method and may have a different wire type that they prefer to work with.
Is Underground Fencing Reliable?
Underground fencing kits are produced by various companies with differing features and electrical components.
We recommend researching which company has the features you would like your fencing system to have before purchase.
PetSafe is a company that is trusted and relied on by countless dog owners across the US.
They produce easily installed underground and wireless dog fencing kits. If you’d like more information about this company, here is a helpful web page!
Underground fences are used for dog containment but they also pair well with boundary training.
If you would like more information about boundary training, here is an article that details how to train your dog with an invisible fence.
Does Underground Fencing Hurt Dogs?
Underground fencing generally connects to a collar worn by your dog.
This collar will detect when your dog is approaching or trying to cross the boundary line and correct them.
The types of collar corrections vary between systems, but the idea is the same.
The collar may emit small noises and electrical pulses to correct your dog, but you can always test the electrical pulse strength on yourself before using it on your dog.
It is recommended to not leave the correction collar on your dog for longer than 12 hours at a time.
In fact, the best course of action is to only leave the collar on your dog when they are outside and during training sessions.
The collar should be removed while indoors, or if your dog needs to leave their boundary line.
Extended periods of collar wear may cause lesions on your pet’s neck where the connector pieces touch their skin.
An underground fencing system that is properly used and installed should not cause harm to a pet.
If your companion is prone to anxious behavior they may become startled or have an adverse reaction to the correction at first.
Conclusion
We hope that this article was able to provide you with helpful information and resources to look over in your pet containment research, and wish you the best of luck on this journey!
