Many pet owners swear by their wireless dog fences to keep their dogs free to roam within a specified boundary.
However, if you are considering purchasing one, or already own one, you may be wondering if a wireless dog fence can put you or your dog at risk.
In this article, we explore what a wireless dog fence is, how it operates, and if it poses any kind of health risk to you or your furry friend.
Are Wireless Dog Fences Safe for Humans?
Yes, wireless dog fences are safe for humans. The type of radiation emitted by the central transmitter is known by the EPA to be safe for humans and pets alike.
Likewise, the static correction shock administered by the receiver collar is known to be safe for humans and dogs alike.
While feeling the shock is uncomfortable, it never causes temporary or permanent damage.
Read More: Can GPS Dog Collars Kill Dogs? GPS collars are becoming more common, but can they negatively impact your pooch?
What is a Wireless Dog Fence?
Wireless dog fences are an electronic system used to keep your dog contained within your yard and replace the need for a physical fence.
Wired invisible fencing works by a boundary wire around your property line.
The transmitter connects to the collar anywhere inside the boundary wire which can be any shape and cover several acres.
A wireless invisible fence system on the other hand works by emitting a wireless radio signal that creates a circular boundary line inside your yard, preventing your dog from roaming freely.
Read More: Most Powerful Wireless Dog Fence. We found the most effective wireless dog fence to keep stubborn dogs home.
How Does a Wireless Dog Fence Work?
How do invisible dog fences work?
A wireless dog fence system consists of two parts, a transceiver that is plugged into an outlet inside your house, and a receiver that is attached to the dog’s collar.
When the transceiver is plugged in, it emits a wireless containment circle around your home that is made by radio waves.
When your dog approaches the boundary and comes within a certain distance, an audible warning beep is emitted, which should deter your dog from proceeding toward the boundary line.
If your dog ignores the audible warning beep, the receiver will deliver a mild electric shock to the collar receiver to keep your dog within the set boundary of the containment system.
As long as your dog stays within the boundary the collar will not emit a shock. By using the shock collar, the dog learns to stay within the invisible fence.
Want to learn more? We wrote a complete guide, How Does a Wireless Dog Fence Work? that covers the ins and outs of how these fences operate!
How is a Wireless Dog Fence Installed?
The installation of a wireless invisible fence is very simple.
The transmitter is plugged into an outlet inside your house or on a covered porch area and the wire is run underground through shallow trenches.
Once the transmitter is plugged in, you simply set the desired size of your containment circle and mark it with training flags so the dog can see the boundary during training.
The transmitter is paired to a receiver collar that stays on the dog and delivers warning beeps or corrections as needed to keep the dog inside the boundary.
Then all you have to do is train your dog not to cross the boundary by using the receiver attached to the dog’s collar.
Read More: How to Bury Dog Fence Wire Under Your Driveway. Installing an invisible fence under these yard features can be difficult. Here’s how to speed up the process.
Advantages of a Wireless Dog Fence System
One of the most obvious advantages of a wireless dog fence is that it’s invisible.
Many homeowners are deterred from traditional yard fences because they do not want their view to be obstructed.
Wireless invisible fences also allow people to freely move through the boundary while the dog remains contained.
Another advantage to installing a wireless dog fence is that it is more cost-effective than installing a traditional physical fence.
A physical fence can cost thousands of dollars depending on the desired size, while an average wireless dog fence will cost a homeowner only a few hundred dollars.
Installing a wireless fence is also more convenient than installing a physical one because it can be installed quickly without having to dig trenches and install posts.
Wireless systems are also convenient for those who rent their homes because they can easily be uninstalled and moved to new locations.
Read More: Do GPS Dog Fences Work? GPS dog fences use satellites to locate your dog and monitor boundaries in your yard. Find out if they’re effective and right for you!
Disadvantages of a Wireless Dog Fence System
There are some disadvantages to consider when purchasing an invisible fence for your dog. There are some limitations to what the device can do.
If your property is on a hill, has a sloping yard, or has too many trees the device may not work properly.
This is also true if you have a metal roof, stucco siding, or a large metal object within the containment area that disrupts the transmitter signals allowing your dog to escape your yard.
Another disadvantage to consider is that wherever the transmitter is plugged in becomes the center of the containment circle.
There isn’t a way to change this. It can be hard to make the circle cover the yard.
This may be a deterrent to pet owners who have a larger house or property because the average containment circle can only encompass about a 1/2 acre of land, some up to 3/4 acre.
Another disadvantage to electronic containment systems is that they do not protect your yard from other animals, other dogs, strays, other pets, or wild animals.
Depending on the location of your home, you may want to consider these aspects before purchasing a wireless invisible fence system.
Read More: Are Electric Dog Fences Legal? Your locality may prohibit the use of electric fences. Here are potential reasons why and alternatives to consider!
Are Wireless Dog Fences Safe For Dogs?
Yes, wireless dog fences are considered safe for dogs.
Can shock collars cause seizures? There is no evidence that the shock received from the collar will cause seizures in healthy dogs when used correctly.
Shock collars are designed to only shock your dog hard enough to deter bad behavior, but not strong enough to burn the dog’s skin or seriously injure your dog in any way.
The shock that a dog feels when it gets too close to the fence is similar to the static shock you feel when you touch something metal.
It gets your attention and may even cause some pain, but it is never harmful to your skin or nerves.
Read our related article, Does an Electric Fence Hurt a Dog? for more information on how above-ground and in-ground electric fences affect dogs.
The key is to keep the correction level as low as possible for your dog. When used properly, wireless fencing products are perfectly safe for your dog.
If you want to see how easy it is to set up a wireless pet fence, check out this quick video from Lowe’s that shows you how to set it up with a few tips for success.
Disclaimer
Before opting for an electric fence, we strongly suggest obedience training and taking the time to understand and carry out the process.
Training your dog can prevent the potential stress of an electric fence collar, and focuses on positive cues to reinforce boundaries.
While electric fence collars aren’t physically harmful, for certain dogs they can cause potentially severe emotional distress without the proper training.
Brain training techniques are a science-backed way to help prepare your dog for new boundaries without the use of force or dominance!
Read up on Electric Fence Shock Side Effects in dogs so you know what to keep an eye out for should you decide to go with this method!
Can Wireless Fences Cause Injury to Humans?
A major consideration when purchasing a wireless dog fence is the safety of the fence, not only for your dog but for yourself and your family.
Wireless fences utilize non-ionizing radiation to set the containment circle.
Non-ionizing radiation poses no risk to humans, especially in the very low amounts used by a wireless dog fence.
The type of radiation emitted from wireless invisible fences is also emitted from other household items such as light bulbs.
Most wireless fences can transmit power from 5 to 15 watts, and a typical lightbulb in your home transmits 75 watts.
Another concern for pet owners is if they will receive a painful shock from the receiver while testing that the boundaries of the containment circle are working properly.
Although the shock may be unpleasant, there is little risk of significant danger or injury to an adult.
You’ll feel it more than your dog will because your dog has fur to buffer the shock from the prongs.
We still don’t recommend letting children play with the receiver collars because the shock can be traumatizing to a child even though no injury occurs.
See our related article on How to Touch an Electric Fence Without Getting Shocked. Need to repair your fence or make adjustments? Here’s how to do it safely.
Final Thoughts
There aren’t any health concerns to be worried about when using wireless pet fences for you, your neighbors, your children, or your pets.
The greater risk to your dog’s health is letting it run without any type of containment system.
This puts your dog at a greater risk of being hit by a car or eating something that makes him sick.
