If you’re in the market for a wireless dog fence, there are a lot of things to consider, including the size of your yard, the breed of your dog, training needed, and price.
The most important factor, however, is the effectiveness of your fence.
Although there are many factors for you to consider before deciding on a brand, we recommend the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence as the most powerful, effective, and wallet-friendly invisible fence out there.
Let’s take a look at why we think this fence is such a great option.
What is the Most Powerful Wireless Dog Fence?
Powerful and able to cover a lot of space, the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Dog Fence is the fence we found to be the most powerful.
Here’s what you need to know about their coverage:
- It covers ¾ of an acre for your pup to roam. That is more coverage that the other wireless invisible fence systems.
- Since this fence only uses a transmitter and not an underground wire, it’s easy to install and very flexible. You can even move your dog’s play space around by simply moving the transmitter.
- This fence is so easy to move and set up that it’s also perfect for taking in the RV on road trips.
- The boundary radiates out from the transmitter for a circular yard.
- You can also adjust how far you want the boundary, from 40 feet up to 210 feet.
- If you want your yard to have a bigger space, you can purchase multiple transmitters and connect them together to create a larger yard.
Additionally, you will be able to choose between 5 different settings for your dog’s receiver collar, ranging from a simple beep to a strong shock for more stubborn dogs.
This allows you to set the power of the fence to fit your dog’s needs.
Read our related article on How to Expand Wireless Dog Fence Systems for a larger play area for your pooch!
Safety Measures in the Stay & Play
Whatever level of correction you use will stop after 15 seconds if your dog decides to stay inside the correction zone or cross the barrier line and stay out.
This is a safety measure to avoid over-shocking the dog.
Most dogs respond within the first second of shock correction and run back into the yard.
If a dog is persistent for 15-seconds, additional shocking won’t change their mind. The correction level is too low.
Additionally, if your dog does leave the yard, this receiving collar won’t deliver another shock when they return to the yard, the way some other wireless systems might.
This encourages the dog to return home.
The Stay & Play receiver collar is waterproof. Your dog can play in the rain or dip in the kiddie pool without getting shocked or changing the intensity of the shock correction settings.
The Stay & Play Can Contain Multiple Dogs
This fence is also powerful enough for multiple dogs. You simply purchase extra receiver collars for multiple pets in the backyard.
There’s no limit to the number of dogs you can contain with the Stay & Play.
These collars work for dogs of most sizes and ages. The manufacturer recommends them for dogs 5 pounds and up and for dogs that are at least 6 months old.
So, at what age can a puppy use an invisible fence safely? Find out more in this guide.
Why We Like the PetSafe Brand
The PetSafe brand is a respected manufacturer of quality pet products.
Here are a few quick facts about their company:
- They were founded in 1991 and have a great reputation for reliability and product longevity. We’re still using PetSafe products, including a wired invisible fence, that’s almost 15 years old.
- Not only do they retail numerous types of pet products based on top research, but they also provide the training resources to help pet owners properly use their products.
- Their company has quickly spread across the world, reaching 52 different countries to date, delivering high-quality products and service around the world.
- Their parent company is Radio Systems Corporation, which also sponsors other well-known pet companies such as Invisible Fence Brand, SportDOG, and Innotek.
- PetSafe is also well-known for its top-notch customer service. If you experience a problem with one of their products, you’ll be able to speak with a customer service representative who should be able to fix the issue right away.
You can be sure that when you purchase from PetSafe, you’re investing in a quality product for your pet.
We did a review of the best electric dog fences and featured some of the top options from PetSafe!
Can a Dog Run Through the Stay & Play Invisible Fence?
As great as this wireless dog fence is, no invisible fence will ever be 100% effective.
Be aware that it’s still possible for your pup to break through the fence, especially if your dog wasn’t properly trained, is easily distracted, or is particularly stubborn.
We can’t stress enough that training is key to using any type of invisible fence system.
The dog has to learn where the boundaries are, how to stay inside the boundaries, and learn to enjoy time in the yard.
Still, even with the best training and constant reinforcement training, some dogs just won’t cooperate.
If your dog has an extra stubborn nature, you may want to consider another product from PetSafe called the Stay & Play Wireless Fence for Stubborn Dogs.
This fence has a few key differences from the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence:
- It comes with a rechargeable battery instead of replaceable batteries. That doesn’t really change the effectiveness but it does save you some cash.
- It’s designed to keep even the most stubborn of pups safely inside their yard. This is thanks to higher levels of correction available to get your dog’s attention and keep it. It still will never cause any harm to your dog.
- It’s more expensive than the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence.
This fence may be a good option for you if you have an extra stubborn pup.
The Stay & Play may not have high enough correction levels to get their attention and make them remember the deterrent.
If you find this is the case for your dog, the Stubborn Dog version is better.
You should still use the lowest level of correction possible for your dog, but the increased levels available should enable you to find one that works.
Read More: Is the PetSafe Wireless Fence Waterproof? Whether you have a pool or live in a rainy climate, you may wonder if the PetSafe fence can withstand the water. Here’s what to know.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Wireless Fence
There are many factors you should think about when choosing the right brand of wireless fence for your dog:
How Much Area Do You Need To Cover?
How big is your yard? Do you want your dog to have access to all of it or just part of it?
The PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence covers up to ¾ of an acre, which is as good as it gets without switching to a wired invisible fence.
Other brands can cover up to ½ acre more, although they may be more expensive or not as reliable.
What Kind of Installation Do You Want?
Although this particular PetSafe fence is wireless, other types of invisible fences may need a wire buried underground.
The PetSafe Stay & Play will cast a circular perimeter for the dog to stay inside. The transmitter will sit in the middle of the circle.
The transmitter must be plugged in and protected from the weather.
It also has to be located away from large metal objects that will interfere with the signal it sends to make the perimeter.
If this doesn’t work for your yard, you’ll have to switch to a wired model.
Wired invisible fences use a buried wire (1 to 3 inches deep) to make a custom perimeter that can cover up to 5 acres of ground.
The installation isn’t nearly as easy, but the result is more logical for dogs to understand.
Read our related article on How to Install PetSafe Wireless Fence for an in-depth guide!
What Is the Size and Age of Your Dog?
Most invisible fences come with requirements and recommendations for size and age.
For example, The PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence has a minimum weight requirement of at least 5 pounds and recommends not to begin the rigorous fence training until your pup is at least 6 months old.
We love that the 5lb lower weight limit makes this a viable fence for keeping both dogs and cats at home.
What Is the Breed of Your Dog?
Some dog breeds are notoriously stubborn. Of course, we love ’em anyway, but some dogs make it clear they’re not going to go with the program.
If that is your pup, do your research on whatever fence you choose to buy to make sure it will be a good fit for your stubborn dog.
Read reviews by other pet owners to get the best insight into a particular product.
Do You Have Multiple Dogs?
Some wireless dog fences are built for just one dog.
With some brands, such as PetSafe, you can purchase additional receiver collars, and connect them to the same transmitter base so your dogs can play together in the same yard.
What Kind of Batteries Do You Prefer?
While some collars have rechargeable batteries, the receiver collars of many wireless fences will require the batteries to be replaced every so often.
You’ll have to buy the specific battery to fit the collar, and they can run between $15 and $20 for a pack of 2 batteries.
The batteries typically last for several months, depending on how often your dog triggers the collar. You’ll get a low-battery warning light to know when it’s time to change the battery so you don’t have downtime.
Other collars have rechargeable batteries that last several weeks. You’ll have hours of downtime on the fence while you recharge, but it isn’t a problem if you remember to charge overnight.
How Much Do You Want to Spend?
Set a budget for what you can afford to spend on a wireless fence. Depending on the size, features, and capabilities of the fence, they can range anywhere from $200 to $800.
Do some research to make sure you are getting a quality product for what you pay.
Do You Want To Do The Training?
No matter what fence you purchase, your dog will need extensive training on how to safely play in the yard with their new wireless fence.
Many brands, including PetSafe, come with perimeter flags to set up in the yard, and most also include training materials.
No matter what invisible fence you choose, pay careful attention to each of these factors when purchasing your new wireless fence.
If you have your invisible fence professionally installed, the company may offer dog training as part of the installation package, giving you a head start on keeping your dog at home.
Here’s a video from PetSafe that explains the process of training your dog to stay inside the invisible fence boundary:
Final Thoughts
Overall, when it comes to the most powerful wireless dog fence, we recommend the PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence.
It has that power you’re looking for, it’s effective, relatively affordable, and it will keep your dog safely contained in your yard while it plays.
