An electric fence is a great way to keep your dog contained, without a physical fence. Often an electric fence is used at home, using an installed wire or radio transmitter.
If you travel with your dog, you may want a portable wireless fence that doesn’t need a lot of setup.
We love to go camping with our dogs, and we know how hard it is to find the right fence to bring alone.
We decided to test some of the best portable wireless dog fences and review our favorites! We chose our top 3 as well as 3 honorable mentions.
Our Top Picks
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence | This compact wireless pet fence offers a great smaller alternative for wireless fencing on the go! | Check Price |
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Runner Up: Petsafe Wireless Pet Fence Containment System | PetSafe’s wireless fence is quick to set up, includes training flags, and has a nice coverage area. | Check Price |
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Best For Easy Setup Wireless Fence: WIEZ GPS Wireless Dog Fence | This wireless fence from WIEZ uses GPS tracking to enforce virtual fencing. | Check Price |
Disclaimer
Before opting for a wireless fence, we strongly recommend obedience training and taking the time to understand and carry out the process.
Training your dog can prevent the potential stress of a wireless fence collar, and focuses on positive cues to reinforce boundaries.
While wireless 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!
How We Picked the Best Portable Wireless Dog Fences
In our search for the best portable dog fence for camping and travel, we searched for the most reliable brands available.
We came upon brands like PetSafe, which arguably offer the best pet containment options!
We then went to websites like Amazon, PetSmart, and Chewy to take a look at what real dog owners had to say about their experience with these brands.
From there we chose 5 wireless fences we wanted to test ourselves. We tested these wireless fences for effectiveness, features, and portability.
Ultimately, 3 wireless fences made the list of our top picks, plus 3 honorable mentions. Continue reading to see how we picked these products and in-depth reviews!
If you have a stubborn dog, we featured a portable wireless fence in our Most Powerful Wireless Dog Fence article. Check it out!
Best Portable Wireless Dog Fences – Our Reviews
1. Best Overall: PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4.5/5 |
| Portability | 4.5/5 |
| Quality | 4.5/5 |
| Features | 5/5 |
Collar Size: 6″ to 28″ | Closure Type: Buckle | Brand: PetSafe | Coverage: ¾ acre | Dogs: Small to Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Easy installation
- Rechargeable Battery
- Correction-free reentry
- LCD Warning Display
- Safe for dogs over 5 pounds
- Expandable for multiple dogs
What We Didn’t Like
- Inconsistent quality control
This wireless fence comes from one of the most trusted brands for electric fences. You can buy a whole kit or an individual receiver collar.
The PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Pet Fence is undoubtedly the best portable wireless fence available!
If you don’t use a permanent installation method at home, you can bring the transmitter, collar, and boundary flags with you on your travels to keep your dogs with you when you’re outside.
Portability
While wireless fences are much easier to uninstall than a physical fence, they can still be a hassle at times.
We wanted to find wireless fences that were not only easy to remove, but also easy to reinstall.
For PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence, we found it to be a standard option for portability.
Although it does rely on a transmitter in the home, it was much smaller than many other options and it was easy to stash in the RV and set up once we landed in our spot for the night.
Furthermore, we found it relatively easy to install this unit, usually taking only a few minutes to set up the new boundaries and put up the flags for the dogs.
Effectiveness
PetSafe is well known for its expertise in pet confinement and behavior, especially through its wireless fences.
This definitely showed through during testing, and we didn’t really have to question the effectiveness of the fence.
We did experience one quality control issue where one collar receiver stopped working. We confirmed it wasn’t the battery and were able to send it back and receive a new one in just a day.
Keep all your dogs contained in the same area by purchasing additional collars and pairing them to the same transmitter.
Features
When it comes to features, we mostly looked at the receiver collar, whether it was waterproof, what kind of correction modes it had, and so on.
This wireless fence from PetSafe does come with a waterproof receiver. Our dogs were fine getting caught in the rain, playing in a kiddie pool, or getting sprayed by the hose.
This PetSafe wireless fence has 5 increasing levels of static correction. This was great as we were able to adjust the level based on our dogs’ size and sensitivity.
There is also an option for a tone-only mode. This allows your dog to receive an auditory warning without physical correction.
The shape of the fence is circular, and you’ll have the choice to cover up to ¾ of an acre.
Traditionally, electric fences would correct the dog once they’ve left the boundary, and until they are back within it – a scary experience for a dog!
Thankfully, this doesn’t happen with PetSafe.
PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence has a correction-free re-entry mode that will stop static correction after a few seconds to avoid overshock.
It always allows your dog to come back home without any corrective shock.
This is awesome, as it teaches the dog that going away from the boundary receives consequences while going towards the boundary does not.
It’s also less time that your dog is receiving physical correction from the collar!
By the way, while we are on the topic of collars, take a look at our review of the Best Vibrating Collars that never use static shock to correct behavior.
They use beeps and vibrations only – totally humane!
There is also an LCD screen that tells you how far the boundary goes and warns you if there’s an issue with the wireless fence. We found this to be quite helpful!
Read More: Is the PetSafe Wireless Fence Waterproof? If you’ll be traveling to a rainy climate or near water, you need to know the waterproof capabilities of PetSafe. Here’s what to know.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON2. Runner Up: PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Containment System
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4.5/5 |
| Portability | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4.5/5 |
| Features | 4.5/5 |
Neck Size: 6” -28” | Closure Type: Buckle | Brand: PetSafe | Coverage: ½ acre | Dogs: Small to Large Breeds
What We Liked
- Adjustable Collar
- Whole kit or individual collar
- Tone Only Mode
- Safe for dogs over 8 pounds
- Expandable for multiple dogs
What We Didn’t Like
- Non-rechargeable battery
- Transmitter is bulky
Coming in just behind our Top Pick is the PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence. It’s very similar to the first fence with a few differences that made it a close second.
Portability
As mentioned, we didn’t just look at the size of the wireless fence, but also the ability to bring it to and from places with ease.
The transmitter for this wireless fence is quite a bit larger than the Stay & Play.
If you’re looking for an inconspicuous option, this may not be the one. Still, it’s easy to take it anywhere.
However, this product made up for its size with its installation and uninstallation process. Setup was relatively simple, with easy-to-follow instructions provided.
While uninstalling took a little effort, it was definitely worth keeping our dogs safe, whether at home or on a campground!
It covers up to 1/2 acre of ground and the perimeter is easily adjusted on the transmitter unit.
Effectiveness
This wireless fence worked beautifully! With proper training, we found the dogs responded well to all correction levels.
Most of the time we had the collar set solely to an audio warning, and this worked just fine.
Not all of our dogs were easy to train, and we often had to get creative with training.
Be sure to train every dog to understand and respect the wireless fence before leaving them alone in it.
Be sure to check out our guide on How to Train a Dog That is Not Food Motivated, as it offers great tips on alternative methods for training besides treats!
Features
Keeping the durability of the receiver in mind, the collar with this wireless fence also has a waterproof battery.
We had a few instances of sudden rainstorms, or sprinklers turning on, and the collar showed no signs of damage whatsoever!
They kept working reliably, giving us greater peace of mind.
Most PetSafe wireless fences operate similarly. This one also uses 5 levels of static correction as well as a Tone Only mode.
Plus it has a correction-free re-entry feature so your dog is never punished for coming home!
The area in which this fence will cover is up to ½ acre in a circular shape.
We found this to be enough coverage to let even our most energetic dogs get the space and exercise they need!
If you have multiple dogs you can buy additional collars to use with the same receiver.
Looking for a head-to-head comparison? We jumped into the PetSafe Wireless Fence vs Stay and Play debate and here are our thoughts!
SEE PRICE ON AMAZON3. Best for Large Radius Wireless Fence: WIEZ GPS Wireless Dog Fence
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4.5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Portability | 5/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
| Features | 4/5 |
Brand: WIEZ | Coverage: 98’- 3,281’ Radius | Dogs: Small to Large Breeds
What We Liked
- No transmitter to bring alone
- Ten static correction levels
- Covers a wide area that’s highly adjustable
- Perfect for picnics, camping, and fishing trips
What We Didn’t Like
- Not compatible with all yards/areas
- Must be able to use satellites in the area
Offering a truly portable wireless fence, WIEZ offers a GPS fence system at an affordable price.
We love this portable fence because the collar is all you need to set the boundary.
Once the initial placement perimeter is set (using the collar) the unit uses GPS tracking to keep the dog inside the virtual fence.
This collar is the ultimate in portability, though you’ll need to have a separate unit for each dog, so it can get pretty expensive to set up multiple dogs.
Curious about how GPS dog fences work? Click here to find out!
Portability
Again, this wireless fence is truly a portable option.
The collar transmits location to a GPS satellite which tracks the dog’s movements in the collar, and warns or corrects when teh dog gets outside the perimeter.
This is the one virtual fence you can take with you anywhere at all, without having to plug in a transmitter to keep your dog with you.
Setting this virtual fence up is very simple, as you use the collar to set the boundary. By standing in a spot, and activating the collar, you set the center point for the fence.
From there you can increase the range of the virtual fence to fit your desired coverage.
If you’re on a camping trip, backpacking trip, fishing trip, or family picnic, you can use the same method to set up a safe perimeter for your dog to roam while not getting lost.
Read our related article, Best Virtual Dog Fence 2022, for more virtual options perfect for keeping up with your pet in small yards or on large acreage!
Effectiveness
We did not encounter any issues with this unit once set up and training was done.
We noticed that it was efficient in warning dogs when possible, and correcting dogs when necessary.
Yet, we would like to point out that this wireless fence isn’t suitable for every yard.
The minimum radius for this fence is 98 feet, meaning it may not be the greatest option for smaller areas.
This is because the GPS can’t be accurate to a very small area.
So this is a small portable virtual fence, but it’s better for applications where the dog has a wider space to roam like a dispersed camping area.
Have you considered an in-ground electric fence for your home? They offer customizable boundary shapes and sizes! Check out our review of the Best In-Ground Dog Fences!
Additionally, we noticed in some places the receiver couldn’t find or communicate with satellites because we were in a heavily wooded area.
It’s a good idea to have a back-up plan if you run into this problem.
Features
This collar for this fence was most certainly waterproof, proving to be sturdy and hard-wearing as dogs splashed in puddles and took a dip in the river!
The collar has 3 levels of power: Low, Medium, and High ranging numerically from 1-10. 1-3 is low, 4-6 medium, and 7-10 high.
The correction mode will cycle through continuous vibration and shock for 16 seconds, then pause for 30 seconds up to 3 times.
If the dog has not returned to the boundary by then, the collar will stop correcting until the dog returns to the boundary and leaves again.
This is called overshock protection and is a vital feature.
SEE PRICE ON AMAZONComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Runner Up | Best for Easy Set-Up |
| Overall Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Portability | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Features | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
In the end, we chose the PetSafe Stay & Play Compact Wireless Fence as the best overall option for a portable wireless fence for dogs.
The compact design, and effectiveness of the wireless fence made it an easy choice for the list of our top picks! It’s easy to take it with you and set it up wherever you go.
How to Choose the Best Portable Wireless Fence for Your Dog
Finding the right portable wireless fence may not be easy, but it definitely isn’t impossible.
Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when shopping for a portable wireless fence!
Coverage
Consider how much area you need to cover in your yard. Do you need a unit that has a wide radius, or could you get away with less coverage?
Furthermore, while many of the boundary shapes for wireless fences are set there are some that offer custom shapes, or allow for more adjustment to the boundaries.
Features
We found an important recurring theme for the best wireless fences for dogs was their waterproof features.
It’s important that your dog can get a little wet outside, without damaging the collar.
If you’re sure that you can keep up with recharging the collar batteries as needed, then then a collar with rechargeable batteries will save you money in the long run.
If you want the convenience of popping in a new battery every few months with no downtime, then replaceable batteries are the way to go.
Research
Finally, know what you’re looking for in a wireless fence.
Make sure you know exactly how much area you need to cover, any possible obstructions or interferences, and the size of your dog.
Be sure to train your dog to the fence before you take off on a camping trip with it.
If your dog knows how to stay in the fence at home, it will only take a few minutes to get it set up at the campsite.
Read More: Wireless Pet Containment System PetSafe Instructions. We cover what you need to know about the Dog and Cat Containment System, and link to the manual for instructions!
How to Train a Dog to Use a Wireless Fence
As grand as it would be, your dog isn’t going to instantly understand the concept of the fence, especially without a physical barrier there to stop them.
Training your dog to understand the boundaries set forth by the wireless fence may take some time, but it all depends on your patience and your dog’s capabilities.
We’ve decided to provide a quick and easy guide on how to train your dog to use a wireless fence and everything you need to know!
What to Remember – Training Your Dog To An Invisible Fence
Confidence
Your dog relies on your confidence and cues to understand what behavior you’re expecting of them.
Make sure you know where the boundary is set, and that the flags have been placed correctly.
You don’t want to wait until you begin training to find out the boundary needs to be adjusted, as this will only cause confusion for your dog.
Safety
The best way to train your dog with the wireless fence is on a leash at first, so that you can guide them correctly.
Attaching a leash to the receiver collar can put a strain on your dog’s neck through the prongs and can cause skin irritation or even injury.
You should attach a separate collar or harness to attach to the leash. Make sure it doesn’t interfere with the invisible fence receiver.
Patience
Fully training your dog can take weeks! Furthermore, dogs have shorter attention spans than humans. It’s best to use short training sessions with your canine.
Try limiting these sessions to about 15 mins around 3 times a day. That way you keep your dog engaged without overwhelming them, and getting frustrated!
Training Your Dog to Use a Wireless Fence – Step by Step
- With your dog on the leash, lead them to the boundary.
- Once you approach the boundary and hear the warning signal, retreat back to the center of the yard, or away from the boundary.
- Upon returning, give your furry friend lots of praise, love, and treats! You want to make sure they understand walking away from the boundary is the desired behavior.
- Repeat this process multiple times. You want to really convince your dog that turning around at the warning is the correct behavior.
- Eventually, your dog will get the hint. You should see them begin to turn around on their own upon receiving the warning signal. Repeat this until you feel they can go off-leash.
This is how you successfully accustom your dog to the wireless fence. There are further steps to take to really ensure your dog stays within boundaries.
For example, once comfortable with your dog off-leash, you can introduce distractions such as toys and treats inside the boundary that may tempt them to be unwary of the boundary.
You can also use people as a distraction to the dog.
Play inside the boundary and make sure the dog pays attention to the warning beep and stays inside reliably before leaving him alone in the invisible fence.
Do not ever try to lure the dog out as this may confuse them.
Instead, test their ability to resist temptation when say a child runs by, the mailman comes around, or a neighbor walks by and waves hello.
Always reward them for staying within the boundary!
Read our related article on How to Train Your Dog With an Invisible Fence for a more detailed guide with helpful tips!
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 3 options that didn’t make our Top Picks list for the best portable wireless fence for dogs.
1. Dog Expedition Border Patrol – Considered For 2 in 1 GPS and Training System
Looking for a reliable wireless fence that uses GPS, and doubles as a training collar? Look no further than the Dog Expedition Border Patrol!
While this wireless fence option is great, it’s really expensive.
Although we recommend this product, we suggest going with WIEZ GPS Wireless Dog Fence for an affordable GPS option.
2. JUSTPET Wireless Fence – Considered for Compact Wireless Dog Fence
This wireless fence from JUSTPET is a great option, but we feel the collar is a bit cumbersome for smaller dogs.
The whole thing feels like a bit much for a portable dog fence.
While we believe this is a worthy option, we suggest PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Pet Fence as it offers a quality that just can’t be beaten!
Read our JUSTPET Wireless Dog Fence Review for a closer look at this option!
3. OKPET Wireless Dog Fence – Considered Best for Multiple Dogs
OkPet offers a wireless fence with a range of up to 1,000 feet.
You can add another transmitter to increase or broaden the range, and purchase additional collars for more dogs on one transmitter.
However, we recommend sticking with PetSafe Wireless Pet Fence Containment System if you’re looking for reliable coverage for many dogs.
