The 8 Best Electric Dog Fences Australia: Tested & Evaluated 2024

On-leash walks are fun, but there’s nothing a dog loves more than the freedom of an open backyard. As dog parents, we love to see our pooches happy and content, but some issues prevent us from allowing them that.

Whether you’re living too close to the street, or your neighbour doesn’t like dogs, the reality requires us to keep our canine companions safe and secure within the boundaries of our yards.

When looking up an electric dog fence for the first time, the amount of information you’ll find can be overwhelming.

That’s why, in this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about electric dog fences, and step you through some of the best products on the market this year. In creating the most comprehensive list of the best electric dog fence Australia offers, we teamed up with veterinarians, dog parents, and other independent researchers to test dozens and dozens of options.

It took us months of research and plenty of discussion on our results, but we finally agreed on these top-notch products. Hopefully you're just minutes away from finding the best dog fence for your beloved canine companion!

Australia's Best Electric Dog Fences Reviewed

Now that you know all the most important features, let’s dive into our electric dog collar fence reviews. After testing out several dozen options, our panel of experts all agree that these products are the best on the market, and there’s something for everyone’s needs.

When you buy quality, you only buy once.

This is certainly the case when evaluating the Dog Line Pet Barrier DIY Invisible Dog Fence. Safety and reliability are the two most important features of any dog fence, and I'm happt to report that this option is head and shoulders above the rest.

This electric dog fence system is Australian made and owned which ensures the quality is unmatched, but what we really love is that it has been tested in Australian conditions.

In regards to safety, the Dog Line fence is SafeLink™ coded to a set digital FM frequency, which means it's secured from other radio signals and can't be corrupted. In addition, there is a warning alarm that will signal to you if any part of the wire is damaged or broken, and a safety shut down if it's needed for whatever reason.

When it comes to quality, there's a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty which includes fusion damage from lightning and power surges. And believe us, you won't find that anywhere else. In addition, the collar is completely waterproof and submersible, similar to our second choice. What sets it apart is its FastReact® technology that takes less than 1/8th of second reaction time, ensuring your dog doesn't escape.

In terms of the nitty-gritty stuff, included is 100 m of seven strand HDPe coated copper wire (which essentially means super strong and 20-year UV/sun protection guarantee), with the option of adding up to an extra 300 m if needed. The collar is powered by a lithium battery with anti-linger technology which saves battery life.

You can also add multiple dogs.

This option really is the best of the best.

If you’ve never used an electric dog fence system before, our independent research team says that this one from PetControlHQ has everything to get you started. This fence allows you to customise boundaries however you like. You can create dual zones and even pet-free zones around garden beds or pools. The packaging includes 150 m of boundary wire, which is more than our number one choice, but the system can be expanded up to an incredible 40,000 m² with additional wire!

The system uses a 1.8 mm thick heavy-duty single core copper wire, which is more than twice as thick as the standard wire. What’s also great is that you don’t even have to bury it underground. You can mount it to an existing fence, as long as it’s not made of sheet metal, as it can interfere with the signal.

The system comes with an adjustable collar, so it’s suitable for pooches whose neck sizes range from 21 cm to 68 cm. It has 3 progressive levels of correction as well as beep tone and vibration as the dog is approaching the fence. The collar is also waterproof, so don’t worry if your dog gets wet while wearing it.

A low-battery LED indicator shows you when it’s time to recharge the battery on the collar. The charger is included in the package, but any standard USB charger port will also work. The battery can last between 3 to 7 days, with rapid 2-3 hours of recharge every day when the dog’s not wearing the collar.

This invisible pet fence system from PetSafe has all the important features you need to keep your dog safe within your backyard. The boundary wire it comes with is 150 m long, but if you need more, you can buy additional wire to cover up to 20,000 m² of property, similar to our second choice. This system is compatible with an unlimited number of receiver collars, so even if you have 10 dogs, they all can enjoy their freedom within the fence system.

Unlike other dog fences on this list, the nylon collar comes in vivid red colour, is featherweight and adjustable. It’s suitable for dogs over 3 kg and its waterproof, so your pooch can enjoy pools and sprinkles if located within the fence boundaries. It has 4 adjustable levels of static correction, so you can match the sensitivity to your dog’s size.

I also appreciated how there’s also a tone-only mode, which was great for introducing the fence system to my pooch. The wire can be attached to an existing fence, but keep in mind it’s only 0.6 mm thick. If your pooch is a chewer, burying the wire is a better option.

The collar receiver is battery-powered, and when the battery level drops below 20%, a red indicator will flash every 5 seconds. It’s not rechargeable like our second choice, but it can last up to 6 months, depending on the weather.

Our expert panel also warns that your pooch shouldn’t wear the collar for more than 12 hours per day to avoid any possible skin irritation from contact points pressuring the neck.

There’s an old saying “Be stubborn about your goals and flexible about your methods,” and every owner of not-so-obedient pooches knows that’s the key method of training. Our dogs don’t always know what’s best for them, but eventually, they learn, even through multiple tries. To keep your dog off the street and safe from speeding cars, an electric dog fence system, like this one from My Pet Command is what you need.

The robust solid copper core wire is 1.8 mm thick and can be installed underground or attached to a non-sheet-metal fence. The package comes with 150 m of wire, but you can buy additional wire that covers up to 40,000 m², identical to the PetControlHQ. The system allows you to create dual zones, open access to water, dog-free zones - however you like.

Our team of researchers especially liked that the package includes 20 training flags, so your pooch can have an easier time learning the boundaries.

The collar is suitable for dogs with neck sizes ranging from 15 cm to 56 cm. The system is compatible with a limitless number of collars, and you can buy additional ones separately. The collar receiver is waterproof and rechargeable, with a battery lasting up to 7 days.

Unlike other options on this list, this fence system also comes with a whistle and a dog training guide. These can be of great aid when first introducing your pooch to the novelty.

This wireless dog fence system from PetSafe is by far the most manageable invisible fence to set up. No wires are involved, and there is no hardware you need to set up outdoors. Well, except for the training flags you'll use to teach your dog where the boundary is, a feature similar to our number four choice

Instead of wires, this system uses a wireless transmitter. The transmitter creates a circular field around it at the boundary's edge. You can set up the field size to be anywhere from 7 to 32 meters in diameter.

Unlike many of the other options on this list, the downside to this fence is that you cannot change the shape of the boundary - it will always remain a circle. What you can do, though, is combine multiple transmitters to create a larger field. 

If you have more than one pet like myself, you can order extra collars that work with the same transmitter. Upon opening the kit, I found that it includes a receiver collar with five static stimulation levels and an audio-only mode for gentle training. The collars are waterproof, charge quickly, and last up to 3 weeks with one charge.

The wireless fence system also includes all the necessary safety features. There are built-in alarms for power loss, transmission failure, and metal interference. In short, if anything goes wrong with the system, you'll be notified immediately so you can react accordingly and keep your dog safe.

If your pooch is a digger, there’s no fence deep enough that will prevent occasional escape attempts. However, an electric dog fence, such as Covono pet containment system, is what you need to carelessly sleep at night.

If your dog weighs anywhere between 4 and 54 kg, the collar will fit just fine. It has a traditional belt buckle which assures it won’t snap open by any chance. The receiver is waterproof and rechargeable, with a battery that lasts 7-15 days when fully charged.

Like many others on this list, the system is not limited to one dog. You can buy separately and connect as many receivers as you need.

The boundary wire is 0.8 mm thick and 200 m long. Our team of independent experts especially loved how the Covono system allows you to control the width of the boundary. As your pooch approaches it, the receiver will give a beep signal and correction.

But no matter if you buried the wire or attached it to a fence, it’s not irrational to get worried about possible wire breakage, which will end up in your pooch roaming the streets when you’re not watching. In the case of Covono, this shouldn’t be a problem. This system’s transmitter sends out a sound alarm if such a thing occurs.

Finally, if this electric fence for dogs isn’t up to your expectations, Covono offers a 90-day return period and a lifetime warranty.

A product from the Dog Line is already at the top of this list, so it's clear how we feel about this brand. It's simple: they offer high-quality electric fencing, made & tested right here in Australia.

What we have here is a complete system designed specifically for small dogs. The elements featured in this kit are very similar to those in the basic Pet Barrier kit from Dog Line. I think it's great that there is everything you need to install the system yourself, including a good manual that will guide you through the process.

But what's unique about this kit is the premium receiver collar designed to suit smaller dogs. The R9 and R7 collars (R7 is smaller and fits cats, too) are designed to be the gentlest possible option. They let you switch between 8 levels of correction strength, including an audio-only signal perfect for humanely training your dog to understand the fence.

Similar to our number six choice, a lifetime warranty covers the collars, while the whole system has a 3-year warranty. 

Imagine spending hours setting up an electric fence wire around your property. Then one day, your neighbour politely asks you to stop your pooch from peeing on his gardenias that are separating his property from yours. Does that mean you should dig out the wire to place it further away from his flowers? Not if you’re using the Masbrill electric fence!

This fence system allows you to adjust the signal range just by clicking on a +/- button on the transmitter. That way, a correction can keep your dog away for 5 meters from where the wire is, for example. There are as much as 100 levels of adjustment available. This means that no matter what you build or put around your property, you can adjust your pet’s boundary with a few clicks.

The kit comes with two receiver collars that are suitable for dogs whose necks are 20-66 cm. The receiver is waterproof, so if you own a pool, your canine companion is safe to swim with the collar on.

Like our first two choices, the package comes with a 200 m long copper wire, training flags and two sets of different-sized prongs. We also love how you also get silicone sheaths for covering prongs for those extra-sensitive pooches.

How To Choose The Right Electric Dog Fence

There are tons of electric fence options on the market that have different features with a range of price tags, so making the right choice is difficult.

A traditional, physical fence is a classic option. However, if you own a large property, that might end up costly and impractical. Another possible choice is an invisible dog fence (1).

Not only is that the more affordable choice, but it’s also a way of obedience training. After a certain trial-and-error period, your pooch will know the limits of wonder and enjoy the freedom the electric fence provides.

How do you know what to keep an eye out for as you start shopping for a dog fence? Our independent experts have some ideas where that's concerned. Here are a few things to think about before choosing a fence for your pet:

Wired or wireless

There are two types of electric dog fences - wireless and wired. The wireless fence uses radio frequency to create a boundary in a certain radius from the transmitter. Its setup takes a few minutes, and it doesn’t require you to dig up the ground. The ease of setup also makes it portable, which is great if you’re like me and often travelling with your canine companion. 

The downside of the wireless fence is that it creates a round-shaped boundary for your dog, which only works well for square-shaped yards. Furthermore, if you want to create a pet-free area within the boundary limits, you’ll need to put up a physical barrier as well. 

Wired electric dog fences, on the other hand, use the wire as the signal emitter. Most wired systems can be expanded to cover large areas, which makes them suitable even for farms. The wire is either buried into the ground or attached to a pre-existing non-metal fence. You can also create dog-free zones around gardens, pools and just about anything you don’t want your pooch to reach. The only real downside to a wired electric fence system is that the setup takes time and effort (2).

If you decide on a wired fence system, keep in mind that these products come in different wire sizes. Our researchers discovered that most systems use a standard 0.8 mm wire, but some use wires up to 2 mm thick. Each kit contains between 150 to 300 meters of wire, but the length can be expanded by purchasing additional wire packs.

Battery

Collar receivers are powered by either a primary or a rechargeable battery. Those that work on a primary battery usually require a classic watch battery, which lasts between 3 to 6 months before it needs to be replaced. When it comes to rechargeable batteries, these last anywhere from 3 to 15 days, depending on the brand.

Additional collar compatibility

Most electric dog fence systems are compatible with more than one collar receiver. Some actually can connect to a limitless number of receivers, so even if you live with 20 canine companions, each of them can enjoy the freedom within the electric boundary you’ve set up around your yard.

Our experts want you to keep in mind that additional receiver collars usually cost a pretty penny. However, some kits come with an additional collar included, and the whole kit cost less than what you’d spend on buying one separately.

Price

As with anything else, your budget determines your choice. In general, wireless electric fence systems are cheaper than wired ones, mainly because the wiring isn’t cheap. And in case your backyard is large or oddly shaped, you’ll need to get an additional wire to cover everything (3).

The Verdict

Picking the best electric dog fence on the market was no easy task, as there are some great options available. The Dog Line Pet Barrier DIY Invisible Dog Fence is the top pick from our team of independent experts for multiple reasons. It uses a strong wire that can cover up to 4000 ha, and it’s suitable for pooches of all sizes.

Our runner-up is a wired electric fence system from PetSafe, which is suitable for both small and large dogs, and uses a primary battery that lasts up to 6 months. While it covers only half the area the PetControlHQ system does, we think it’s also a great option you won’t regret buying.

Looking for different dog fencing options? Check out our below guides:

• Portable Dog Fences

References

1. PetMD Editorial. July 11, 2012. “The Invisible Guard: How Many Americans are Deciding to Go with Underground Dog Fencing” Retrieved March 08, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/evr_dg_invisible_guard_underground_dog_fencing
2. Dewitt, A. March 31, 2022. “How to Make Your Own Invisible Dog Fence (DIY)” Retrieved March 08, 2023. https://www.thepamperedpup.com/invisible-dog-fence-diy/
3. Buzhardt, L. “The Pros and Cons of Invisible Fences for Dogs” Retrieved March 08, 2023. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/the-pros-and-cons-of-invisible-fences-for-dogs
4. Williams, J. “How Old Should a Puppy Be to Train for an Underground Fence?” Retrieved March 08, 2023. https://pets.thenest.com/old-should-puppy-train-underground-fence-12758.html