3 Best Dog Wireless Fences For German Shepherds
Dustin Manning
Author: Dustin Manning
Dustin Manning, a knowledgeable breeder and practical skills expert, applies his wide-ranging expertise to animal care and training.
Published date: September 10, 2022
Updated date: February 5, 2024
This article was reviewed and fact checked If you have found any errors, please contact us!

3 Best Dog Wireless Fences For German Shepherds

We all want to let our dogs run free, enjoying the world with no worries. Unfortunately, the rest of the world isn’t always okay with that plan.

Whether we like it or not, we are forced to confine our canine friends from time to time.

There are many ways to do this, but the wireless fence might be the best all-around method.

While it doesn’t utilize cruel or inhumane measures, it does a good job of deterring even the largest dog from leaving its territory.

Unfortunately, some low-quality dog wireless fences have proven to be ineffective or even dangerous. That’s why you have to choose carefully when looking for a product of this type.

Let’s go over some of the best wireless dog fences for German Shepherd dogs we could find online. After that, we will answer common questions and give you some helpful information.

IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…

PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence for Stubborn Dogs

Best Overall Product

Best Budget Product

New World Folding Metal Dog Crate

Runners-Up

UTOPB Wireless Dog Fence

Summary

This is probably the biggest and most serious wireless fence on our list, but it’s also the most expensive by far.

This one was almost declared the winner, but it has a couple of small problems that kept it out of the top spot.

Finally, we come to another bargain model. This one has a sleek and futuristic look to it, and the price tag is quite forgiving.

Pros

Range goes up to 3/4 of an acre (5-105 ft. radius)

Very long range

The transmitter is very compact and portable

Cons

Price

Price

Somewhat flimsy

Best Overall Product: PetSafe Stay & Play Wireless Fence for Stubborn Dogs

Pros

  • Range goes up to 3/4 of an acre (5-105 ft. radius)
  • Adjustable correction for different temperaments
  • Complete kit
  • Very good reviews
  • Doesn’t correct on the return

Cons

  • Price

This is probably the biggest and most serious wireless fence on our list, but it’s also the most expensive by far.

Still, we included it on the list as a premium option for those of you who can afford such.

The main thing that sets this one apart is its excellent range. It can cover a circular area that is about 3/4 of an acre in radius.

That means up to 105 feet, giving your dog plenty of room to run.

This one gets very good reviews, so people are obviously finding it to be worth its high price. It is rated for stubborn dogs because it can be turned to a higher level of intensity than most.

It’s also great that this fence doesn’t zap the dog when they are trying to return to the boundary area, which would discourage a desirable behavior.

In the end, the only downside to this high-quality product is its price tag.

The Runner-Up: PetSafe Wireless Fence (PIF-300)

Pros

  • Very long range
  • Comes with extra batteries
  • Boundary control is very easy to adjust
  • Comes with marking flags
  • Can be paired with itself for added range

Cons

  • Price
  • Affected by topography and some metal objects

This one was almost declared the winner, but it has a couple of small problems that kept it out of the top spot.

For one thing, it’s not much cheaper than the other Petsafe fence that we examined earlier.

For another, it is a little more sensitive than many others that we have seen.

Not only can it be affected by the elevation and topography of the land, but it can even be affected by metal objects in proximity. Thus, it’s a better choice for outdoors than indoors.

Still, there is a lot to like about this device. It has a range of roughly half an acre, which should give your German Shepherd enough room.

It also comes with marking flags so that you and your dog can learn the boundary more quickly.

Finally, you can chain multiple transmitters together, virtually doubling the range of the system each time.

Alternate Product: UTOPB Wireless Dog Fence

Pros

  • The transmitter is very compact and portable
  • Isn’t affected much by topography/elevation
  • Gives a warning before it hits them
  • Excellent range
  • Pretty cheap

Cons

  • Somewhat flimsy
  • The range is probably slightly exaggerated

Finally, we come to another bargain model. This one has a sleek and futuristic look to it, and the price tag is quite forgiving.

Its advertised range is over 1000 feet and it also claims to be unaffected by the terrain.

Thus, those with uneven yards might find this one to be very helpful. We also like the warning feature, which gives the dog three warning beeps before the static shock is applied.

Based on the reviews, most customers seem happy with this product. However, many of them also said that the range was nowhere near as great as advertised.

Since this is a consistent complaint, it is likely to be true, so disregard that part of the advertising.

Buyer’s Guide

First, we should explain what we mean by “wireless fence.” Some of you might think that we refer to any fencing system that uses a wireless component, but this would be in error.

By that definition, a standard electric fence with a remote control feature would qualify as “wireless” (which it certainly is not).

In like manner, we are not talking about those “buried cable” dog fences. While those are not a bad choice overall, they are a lot harder to install and maintain.

We chose to focus on wireless fences because they provide a more convenient option for most people.

Advantages Of Wireless Dog Fences

Portability

The first advantage of a wireless fence comes from its portability. When you bury a bunch of cables in the ground, you are obviously not able to move those cables easily.

So, if you want to adjust your dog’s boundaries, you will have to get out the shovel and the measuring tape.

That’s not a lot of fun, so the wireless version gets some brownie points there. Most of the wireless devices have a knob that can control the effective radius of containment.

Low Maintenance

Maintenance is also a lot easier here because you don’t have to worry about so much material.

When you consider how much wire it takes to enclose your whole property, that adds up to a lot of places where things can go wrong.

When it malfunctions, you might have to dig up the whole thing before you find the damaged spot. Even if you aren’t that unlucky, you can bet that there will be a whole lot of trial and error.

Wireless fences, on the other hand, have just two basic components: the transmitter and the receiver. If something should go wrong, it is a lot easier to identify the problem.

Maintains a Nice View and Saves Money

Some people consider a large fence to be an eyesore. Maybe it obstructs their view of the sunset, or maybe they just consider it to be ugly.

Whatever the reason, not everyone wants to put a 12-foot privacy fence around their property. Furthermore, not everyone can afford to do that.

With a wireless fence, you can contain your pet without needing to build a big, tall eyesore.

Peace of Mind

Anyone who has ever owned a mischievous dog can identify with the following situation: You are at work, trying to do your best when you get a call from your neighbor.

They inform you that your dog has escaped the yard and is now proceeding to harass the neighborhood. Now, you find yourself in a terrible situation.

You cannot leave work, but you also can’t allow your dog to get taken by animal control (or worse). Thus, you will have to choose between your dog and your job.

That’s a choice that no one should ever have to make.

With a wireless fence, you can be a lot more secure in the knowledge that your dog will not get into trouble while you are gone.

Some people get very upset when a strange dog trespasses in their yard and some of them will react with extreme force.

German Shepherds tend to be a little bit territorial, so you also shouldn’t underestimate their desire to go after other dogs that might happen to stray into their area.

Saves Money

Although wireless fences are more technologically advanced than in-ground fences of any sort, they tend to be a lot cheaper. This is kind of a rare situation, as newer tech usually equals a higher cost.

However, that doesn’t account for installation and maintenance costs, which make a big difference here.

Even without those additional expenses, a wireless fence just has fewer components and less material, and that usually leads to a lowered cost.

When you think about how much money it costs to put a traditional fence around your backyard, you realize just how much money you can save here.

Just one of those pre-built fence panels can cost $50-$100, although there are cheaper ways. Still, materials and labor will be very sizable when compared to the ease of a wireless fence.

You don’t need a contractor, you don’t need to haul all kinds of wood, you don’t have to concrete anything in the ground, and you don’t even have to touch the shovel at all.

Weatherproofing

This is more of an issue for the collar (receiver) than it is for the transmitter. You should avoid any product that doesn’t have a waterproof receiver on the collar.

You are relying on this device to prevent disaster and to contain what is probably a rowdy animal. As such, you have to make sure that it can stand up to hard use.

Seriously, why would anyone buy a non-waterproofed product of this type? It is meant to be used outdoors, so choose your receiver accordingly.

The Disadvantages

We would be remiss in our duty to the reader if we did not mention a few little problems with this type of product.

You deserve to have all the information so that you can make an informed choice.

Therefore, you should know that a wireless fence is more subject to interference from radio and cellphone signals. It isn’t usually a huge problem, but it is something to watch.

Once you figure out which devices are interfering, you can remove them, replace them, or move them farther away.

Another small problem comes from the boundary radius. It will sometimes fluctuate a little bit, meaning that the border can shrink or enlarge.

Again, this isn’t something that happens all the time, but it is a potential failure point.

Concluding Thoughts

Some people may not find them to be the ideal solution, but dog wireless fences are growing in popularity for good reason.

They offer a level of ease and convenience that was never possible before now. Just imagine what our distant ancestors would have thought as they built fences from rocks?

They would probably have been glad to have something like this, and we hope that you will find your chosen product to be adequate.

We also hope that you will fill out the contact form below, as that will enable us to send you more interesting articles like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Wireless Fence For German Shepherd

Let’s go over some of the most common questions that we receive on this subject:

Will this fence hurt my dog?

A lot of people don’t like the idea of controlling their dogs with electric shocks. Nevertheless, these products are designed to be well within the tolerable limits for any dog.

When you consider the fact that we are talking about a German Shepherd, there is even less risk to consider.

Although these products will give them a corrective jolt, they stop well short of the voltage needed to inflict injury.

That being said, you should probably avoid this training method on young puppies and dogs with anxiety issues.

Can I use this for an aggressive dog?

Although it might seem like a good choice for those “problem cases,” a wireless fence is probably not going to be good enough for a dog with serious aggression problems.

In order to deter a dog like that, a lot more voltage would be required, and that would present a danger to the animal.

Thus, you should not rely on a fence like this for a potentially dangerous animal. On the other hand, you might use it in combination with more traditional measures (like fences and kennels).

How often will I have to change the battery?

There is no one correct answer to this question, as it will vary from product to product.

It will depend on the type of battery used, the size of the electrical components used, and the number of times that it’s triggered.

In general, you can expect to recharge the battery every 3-5 months. In some cases, they may last as long as 8 months.

Most models will have an indicator light on the transmitter that lets you know when it’s about to go.

Can the shock collar be activated by accident?

Obviously, this danger does exist. Still, you are the one who holds the control device. You can prevent accidental activation by keeping that device turned off until needed.

Sometimes, radio signals and other such things can interfere with the normal function of the wireless fence. As such, you need to make sure that you avoid the cheapest products.

Thankfully, it is only the lowest-grade products that tend to have this issue.

You need to look for a product with an auto-shutdown feature, as this will keep the device from repeated false triggers.

Do these fences require me to bury cables in the ground?

That will depend on which product you choose. Some fence products will need a buried wire for activation.

Its only purpose is to send a signal to the receiver on the dog’s collar, which then delivers a correction.

This is not a wireless fence, however. Wireless models use a transmitter to keep the dog within a certain radius, and these require no digging or burying.

You just place the control device in the center of the dog’s allowed area, adjust the radius, and that’s all. It is those types of devices on which we have chosen to focus.

What are the best wireless dog fences for German Shepherds?

Besides the options mentioned in the article, some of the top picks for wireless dog fences for German Shepherds include the SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence, the Halo Collar 3 GPS dog fence, and the Guardian GPS Connected Customizable Dog Fence.

What is a GPS dog fence system?

A GPS dog fence system is a wireless containment system that uses GPS technology to create a virtual fence boundary for your dog. It allows you to track your dog’s location and provides containment without the need for physical barriers.

How does a GPS wireless dog fence work?

A GPS wireless dog fence works by using a GPS collar on your dog to establish a virtual boundary. The collar communicates with a base unit or smartphone app to keep your dog within the designated area. If your dog crosses the boundary, the system delivers a warning or correction to guide them back.

What are the key features of a GPS dog collar?

A GPS dog collar offers features such as GPS tracking, levels of static correction, long battery life, and the ability to track your dog anywhere in the world.

Why is a GPS wireless dog fence suitable for German Shepherds?

German Shepherds are large, active dogs that require a reliable containment system. A GPS wireless dog fence provides the flexibility and security to keep your German Shepherd safe within the designated boundaries, offering an ideal solution for their needs.

What are the benefits of using a GPS wireless dog fence compared to traditional invisible fences for German Shepherds?

GPS wireless dog fences offer the advantage of flexibility, portability, and accurate tracking compared to traditional invisible fences. They provide a more comprehensive and customizable containment solution, making them well-suited for the active and intelligent nature of German Shepherds.

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