Basic FAQs

We hope that you will find the answer to your questions either in FAQ or on another page of our website. There is a lot of valuable information here but it is worth it to read it all. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please feel free to use the form at the bottom of this page to send us your question. We will get back to you as soon as possible with an answer .

What is the average time needed to train a dog to a pet containment system?

The training time varies with each dog and each owner or dog trainer. It will depend on what you are trying to train the dog to do, the trainer's skill, and the type of dog being trained. The dog learns in small stages, his understanding is tested at each stage. On an average it takes 10 minutes twice a day for 2 weeks to train your dog to be comfortable with the electric dog fence. Please refer to our training your dog page or your specific dog training DVD or contact the professional dog training support help line free with purchase of an electric dog fence.

Do electric dog fences work?

If you train your dog with the fence properly, electric dog fences have a great success rate. The problem is most people do not select or install their fences correctly, or take the time to properly train their pets.

 Is my dog too big or too little? 

The Innotek and PetSafe dog fences have been proven safe and effective for all pets over 8 lbs, with a minimum neck size of approximatley 6", the adjustable collar allows you to create a perfect fit for your pet. For dogs with a neck size smaller than 6”, there are not any collars available.

I have 2 dogs a large and a small one will this work for both?

YES,  the K9 Electric dog fence, has PetSafe and Innotek products for all the dog sizes in your family the kit includes only one collar but additional collars are available separately for different sizes of dogs, some small and some large. 

Will the correction in the dog collar harm my dog when he crosses the electric fence boundary wire?

NO. The mild correction that your dog feels is designed to get your dogs attention and to be undesirable so your dog will avoid it, yet is totally safe, harmless and humane.

Will it harm me or anyone else to walk cross the electric dog fence boundary wire. 

NO you will not be harmed. Some people who do not know about it are concerned about this when they first learn about the electric dog fence, but you just need to reassure them that, they will not get a correction unless they are holding the dog collar probes between their fingers and then walking across the electric fence boundary wire. 

 What is the difference between water resistant and waterproof?

A water-resistant dog collar receiver can be worn in the rain, snow or other inclement weather. However it would be damaged if it is submerged in water. A waterproof dog collar receiver can be worn when bathing  or swimming. Being submerged in water wil not harm the collar receiver. 

How long do the batteries last?

Battery life varies greatly depending on the type of battery, how you use and maintain the product, as well as the operating temperatures. Please call Consumer Services at 800-826-5527 or consult our online troubleshooting guides if you have questions on your
specific system.  The rechargeable battery collars should hold the charge for about 2 months

How old should my dog be before using an electronic device?

Innotek recommends that the dog be at least 6 months old or when your pet understands basic commands such as sit and stay. 

The first time the pet receives the correction should he be on the leash?

 Yes definitely on the leash. This way the owner can easily redirect the pet to the appropriate behavior.

 How long should the owner leave the flags up? 

The flags should remain for at least 2 weeks but in some case as long as 30 days.

Once the dog is trained to the system what is the best way to take him out of the boundary or pet containment area?

You create what is called and invisible gate, in a certain spot and take the pet only through this gate- refer to the owners manual

Why can't I leave the dog collar receiver on my dog for more than 12 hours?

Any dog collar receiver worn for extended periods(more than 3 days) could cause a condition similar to bedsores. Best to just take the collar off at night and put on in the morning again, but we have left it on the dogs for several days when we went away and nothing has happened , it might depend on the type of dog.

What is a In-ground Pet Fence system or electric dog fence?

There are 3 parts to a In-ground Pet Fence system or electric dog fence:

1. The Transmitter: This plugs into a standard outlet and emits a radio signal.

2. The Wire: Waterproof wire that you bury and connect to the transmitter that makes a boundary to contain your dog in a pet containment area of your choosing.

3. The Dog Collar Receiver: The receiver is worn on your dog’s collar. The transmitter emits a radio signal that travels through the wire. The receiver on your dog’s collar picks up the radio signal and alerts the dog as he nears the boundary (buried wire). If the dog continues toward the boundary wire, he will receive a correction from the radio signal.

How do electric dog fences work?

For in-ground types of electronic dog fences, there is wire that is connected to a transmitter that resides inside your house or garage. The wire is installed around the area you want to allow your pet access to. The wire emits a signal, 360 degrees around the wire, to the electronic dog collar that beeps if the dog gets too close to the wire. If the dog continues past the beep, he will receive a correction. When a dog is properly trained, he learns to go back towards the house when he hears the beep.

There are also wireless dog fences. These work in a similar fashion to the in-ground type, but the boundary area is established by an energy field emitted from the transmitter rather than a buried wire. This field has a range specified by the product model. When the dog moves to close to the limits of the field, a beep and eventually a correction are given in the same fashion as the in-ground models.

What type of fence should I buy?

There are both indoor and outdoor fences. Indoor are wireless or Citronella based systems. Outdoor fences are available as either in-ground or wireless systems with many quality brands and models to choose from. The information here is mostly on outdoor in-ground systems as these are the most traditional but the information provided is generally applicable to other models as well.

There are a few really important things you should look for in the system you ultimately select. One of the most important features is having an adjustable signal or boundary field level and knowing how to properly adjust it. The differences between "good, better, and best" electric dog fences are generally related to the:

• size of the area the system can support
• collar size, weight, weather or waterproof, charge ability & durability
• correction strength and levels
• technology used by the collar to address the size, weight, and stubbornness of the dog

These features will vary by brand and by model. Often, electric dog fences are provided as bundled kits with everything you require. You may still need to purchase additional accessories like extra wire, flags, and sod staples if you plan to install in a larger area than what is provided for by the kit; and extra collars if you have multiple pets.

There are even electric fences on the market today designed specifically for cats that use smaller, lightweight collars.

Will it work in my yard?

Yes, the K9 electric dog fence products from both Innotek and PetSafe work in yards of all sizes, regardless of layout. (see our layout and planning pictures)If your yard is larger than 1/3 of an acre however, you will need additional wire and flags which are available separately. The 500 foot roll of wire in the fence kit will only d about 1/3 of an acre.

Where can I install the wire?

The great part about an underground fence is that you can fence out flowerbeds, driveways, go around trees, down steep lots, and even run it underwater! Product models contain detailed instructions about how to install the wire in these environments.

The wire needs to make a complete circle around the area you want to allow the dog to freely roam. Where the wire ends meet, you TWIST the wires or use the TWISTED WIRE to cancel the signal and then run the twisted part to the transmitter in your house or garage. That allows your dog a free zone all the way around the house. You can also use this twisting wire method to fence out gardens, landscaping, etc. In some places you will need to bury the wire, put the wire through a water hose (such as with underwater installation), and sometimes just attach it to a surface such as an existing fence. Do not use garden hose with a metallic coating as that would block the signal. Adjust the signal field by taking a charged collar and walking toward the wire. Set the boundary flags in the ground when you hear the collar beep. Adjust the button if the beep happens to close or to far from the line. Continue this around the entire containment area setting your flags.

Is this complicated?

NO, It is not complicated, it is actually very simple, from the installation through the training, the enclosed, easy to use manual and DVD to walk you through every step of the process. We have pages and video clips on our website, about training and planning and installation of our fence. Plus if you have a question our customer service center is here to help. Innotek 1800-826-5527 and PetSafe 1-800-732-2677  

What are the most common mistakes people make?

1-       Rushing the training or putting the fence up and expecting the dog to know how it works. See how to train below.

2-      Putting out too few flags. You may have seen people install the flags every 12-15 feet apart in their yards. This is one of the most common mistakes. Dogs do not sit around connecting the dots and will often attempt to run in between the flags. Definitely get enough flags to mark the wire every 5 feet and a good suggestion is to use string or marker tape to go from flag to flag, or grade stakes to show the dog a clear line.

Does the wire have to be buried?

No, the system will operate properly above ground, this is a good feature if you purchase your electric fence system and the ground is frozen you can just lay it on top of the ground until the spring thaw and then bury the electric fence wire.  Innotek recommends that the electric fence wire be buried approximately 2- 3 inches to prevent damage to the wire. You can rent an electric edger or trencher. It quickly makes the slit in the ground for the wire. One person can go along with the edger to make the slot, the second person can follow along behind with the fence wire, drop it in the slot and step on it to close the slot. You can do this all around the boundary of your pet containment area and it takes no time at all to finish burying the wire.

What is meant by the pet area or pet containment area?

This is the area where the dog can roam freely without getting a static correction. 

What is the warning boundary area or signal field area on either side of the wire?

One of the most important features is having system with  an adjustable signal field level and knowing how to properly adjust it. The signal field is what controls the distance from the boundary wire where the collar gives a warning beep. Many of the horror stories you hear about dogs running away is that people have the signal field set at only 3 feet from the wire. That only makes the signal field 6 feet long and 3 feet high (remember the signal is 360 degrees around the wire). Many dogs can jump that and at high speeds it’s really nothing to discourage the dog. It is recommended that you set the signal as far back from the wire as your property allows, minimally set the signal 6-8 feet. If you set the signal field at 8 feet then the correction zone is 8 feet high and 16 feet wide. Most dogs will not test that kind of correction.

Can I contain more than one dog with my electric dog fence ?

Yes, additional dog collar receivers can be purchased separately. Both Innotek’s and PetSafe pet containment systems are designed to use an unlimited number of  dog collar receivers and for dogs of different sizes.

Will the electric dog fence, keep other dogs out of my yard?

No, the other dogs must be wearing a PetSafe or Innotek dog fence collar for it to work.

How do I train my pet to the system?

Expect to spend three good weeks training to use the fence. It takes practice to make sure the dog understands the expectation. Spend one week training with the dog on leash; one week on a 20-30 foot line; and then one week off leash. This ensures you set the dog up for success and make him learn that staying within the yard is safe.

Initially walk the dog on leash toward the string with the collar next to his ear. When you hear the collar beep, smack the string or flag, and rush the dog back toward the center of the yard, and then PRAISE. This is a very important step. Picture this, I am walking through my yard and get stung by a bee. Do I automatically think... “Oh! Running towards the house makes me feel better.”? No. I just run away from the pain. That is often why people say their dogs run through the fence boundary...because the dogs have learned RUNNING makes the correction stop, not running back towards the house!

After completing one week of training on leash, start adding distractions such as you walking across the line (toss treats at them when they are in the yard); have kids run by; throw a ball outside the line, etc. Let the dog get himself corrected. If he doesn’t immediately run back toward the house than lead him out with the leash. You want to make sure the dog gets corrected while on leash so you can help him understand how to make the correction stop. It is also very important to spend just as much time in the center of the yard playing so the dog doesn't begin to dislike the yard.

Then spend a week on long line training, adding in distractions, etc. Again if the dog gets corrected and doesn't seem to know how to get out, than use the long line. If you are continually having problems then you are not doing something right.

Finally, spend a week training the dog off leash and with you out of his sight. You should not leave dogs in the fence area when you are not at home. It is important to keep an eye on him as these systems do not keep people or other animals out. Safety should always be your main goal and you should also check with local codes to confirm that underground fencing is considered legal confinement in your neighborhood.

Is this a safe and effective way to train my pet?

Yes, absolutely while the correction is unpleasant it is harmless to your pet . These types of fences and training devices require interaction and training from the owner to achieve desired results therefore both Innotek and PetSafe Radio Systems Corporation provide comprehensive video and training manuals with each training product. These tools were developed with veterinarians and animal behaviorists to ensure safety and peace of mind for you and your pet.

Can I use this system to train my dog to stop jumping over or digging under a wood or metal fence?

Yes the fact is that approximately 40% of those buying an electric dog fence. already own an existing physical fence. 

I want to contain my dog in the yard but would also like to control my dog on walks or at the park. Do you have a product that fits my needs?

Yes, Innotek has Contain N Train Systems to fit your needs. The SD-3000 and IUC-5100 come with a hand held remote or transmitter that communicates with the same dog collar receiver that your dog wears for pet containment inside the electric dog fence.

Link to Innotek Dog Fence, Remote Trainer & Bark Collar Product Manuals

Go to The Support then Downloads then Product Manuels

There are manuals here for all of the Innoteks Products.

They contain everything you will want to know about the products

You can downloaded them for your benefit

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We have been using the in-ground Innotek fencing system for one year now and have been very pleased with it. Our rough collies have been easy to train and do not charge the fence nor do they break through it. Even in play, they stay away from the edge of the property as lined off by the invisible fencing. We do not have to put collars on all the time since the collies seem to know the boundaries and will respect them. We can also turn off the system and put the collars on and during seasons of electic storms and the collies have still respected the boundaries. Thank you for an easy to install, easy to train and use fencing system. **** 5 Star Rating


Lynn and Margie Smith          August 8, 2004