Electric Dog Fence Installation Guide

Any electric dog fence sold by K9 Electronics can be set up in the following ways. The Innotek IUC-4200 is referenced just as one example of a quality pet containment system.

Basic Installation Front and Back Yard

This is the easiest and most common set up; the entire lot, including the house, is within the boundary of the containment system.

A transmitter for the electric dog fence should be placed in the garage. Double strand or twisted wire runs from the transmitter to the boundary of the pet containment system. This does not create a boundary that provides correction if your dog crosses it. Some containment systems come with double strand wire. If the model you buy doesn't, you can create it by twisting two strands of boundary wire together, or it is available for purchase separately.

A concrete or paved driveway can be crossed by running boundary wire through an existing crack or through an existing drainage pipe under the concrete. Or, you can cut the drive, bury the wire, and seal the crack with asphalt patch or caulk.

Crossing the drive will place the wire deeper underground than when buried under grass alone and might interrupt the radio signal. You should test the system to make sure the collar receives the radio signal.

Basic Installation Back Yard Only

This is also an easy boundary to install. It is used to enclose the front or back yard. This set up does not allow your dog access to the house.

As with the previous installation, double strand wire is needed to connect the transmitter to the boundary. 100 feet of pre-twisted (double strand) wire comes standard with the IUC-4200.

Double Loop Installation Back Yard Only

The double loop installation is appropriate for most yards. It creates a double wide field that defines three sides of the containment area; the house is the fourth side. The area between the two wires should be three to eight feet; it will depend on the field width settings.

Again, double strand wire is needed to connect the transmitter to the perimeter wire. Innotek recommends this installation for most yards. This is convenient because the dog has access to the house with this set up. More wire is necessary with the double loop set up. The IUC 4200 has 500 feet of wire, but additional wire may be necessary depending on the size of your yard.

Innotek cautions users not to leave a gap between the fields. You should test the system before burying the wire.

Double Loop Installation Back Yard with Pool or Shed

This set up is similar to the standard double loop, with a deviation that allows you to keep your dog away from smaller areas that it shouldn't be in such as the pool or garden shed.

Like the standard double loop set up, this installation has three wire boundaries with the house as a fourth. The two wires should be three to eight feet apart. The dog has access to the house with this installation.

Again, gaps are bad. Set up the boundaries above ground and test the system. If there aren't any problems, you can bury the wire. If necessary, move the boundaries and re-test.

PetSafe Electric Dog Fence

Innotek IUC-5100 Contain and Train In-Ground Pet Fencing

Double Loop Installation with Existing Electric Dog Fence

This is another double loop variation; this set up uses an existing fence as a boundary. Double strand wire doesn't cause a correction and should be used along existing fences.

Again, double strand wire is used to connect the transmitter and the boundary. Although the IUC 4200 doesn't include double strand wire, you can create your own or buy it separately.

Innotek cautions users to keep the boundary wire away from chain link fences and other metallic objects. Testing the system before burying is again recommended. If there are any problems or the collar isn't receiving the signal, modify the boundaries. Do not leave a gap between the fields.

Gate Blocker Installation

This is another type of double loop; it keeps the dog away from gates or other openings in fences. Although the dog won't be able to access gates, it will be able to enter the house.

Double strand wire should be used to connect the inner loop to the boundary wire as well as from the transmitter to the boundary. Double strand wire is not sold with the IUC 4200, but it can be purchased separately, or you can make it with two pieces of boundary wire.

As with the double loop with existing fence, Innotek recommends that users keep the boundary wire away from metallic objects. Innotek offers the following advice.

• Test the system before burial. Boundary wire might have to be moved if it is too near chain link or other metal.
• Do not create a gap between the fields.
• Block off the area around the gate, not just the gate opening.
• You can cross a concrete or asphalt drive, but test the system since it will be buried deeper than when in the yard.
• Use existing cracks or drain pipes or cut the drive with a circular saw. Fill in cracks with sealant.

Combination Installation

An Innotek customer wanted to use the system to enclose his entire yard and protect his putting greens and keep his dog away from the pool. To do this, a combination of the single and double loop installations was used to create effective boundaries.

Flower Bed Protection

This is another version of the double loop installation and can be used to protect particular areas of the yard. It can be used with existing fences and other containment systems. Like all other double loop installations, this one allows your dog access to the house.

Use double strand wire to connect the boundary and the smaller loop. The double strand wire will also be needed to connect the transmitter to the boundary wire. The double strand does not cause a correction to your dog.

• Do not put the wire too close to the exterior walls of the house. If too close, the field could correct your dog when it is inside the house.
• Test the system before burying the boundary wire. If the collar doesn't receive the radio signal or if the dog receives a correction while in the house, move the wire and test again.
• Do no leave a gap between the fields.

Wireless System with Single Transmitter

The PetSafe instant wireless fence transmitter creates a containment zone of up to a 90 foot radius, 180 feet across. The radius is adjustable to fit your yard. The containment zone is circular; shape cannot be changed.

Transmitters must be placed indoors.

Wireless Systems with Multiple Transmitters

Several wireless transmitters can be used to create overlapping containment zones. Dogs can go from zone to zone without receiving correction.

Each wireless transmitter creates a circular containment zone with up to a 90 foot radius. The radius is adjustable. Multiple transmitters can be used to contain a dog in big areas or neighboring yards.

Transmitters must be placed indoors.