PetSafe Basic Review – Affordable In-Ground Fence for 2021

This is the latest system by PetSafe, and it may just be the best invisible dog fence on the market if you’re on a tight budget and searching for a small, reliable wired system that will keep your dogs and cats safely contained in your yard. It comes with some basic features including a battery-powered receiver collar, a low battery life indicator light, and four levels of static correction to choose from. The setup is the same as what you’ll come across with any other wired fenceless system, however, unlike some competing fence systems, this model has earned a reputation for reliability.

Our Verdict: This isn’t one of the most tech-heavy sets from Petsafe, but it’s definitely one of the most affordable. The set itself will cover up to 1/3 of an acre and can be expanded up to five acres. It comes with one battery-powered receiver collar that’s highly adjustable and can fit cats and dogs eight pounds and up with a neck size that measures in at six to twenty-eight inches. It features one tone warning alert, and four static correction settings, so you can customize the static correction level used based on the size of your dog, their behaviors, and their ability to learn. The user’s manual will guide you through the training process, with the use of the included training flags. While this set doesn’t cover as much property as some competing models, it’s reliable and available at a price that won’t break the bank.

Overview and Features of PetSafe

This is a pretty basic system and not one that comes loaded with extra features, but considering the price, this makes plenty of sense. While it doesn’t come with quite as many features as higher-priced systems by this manufacturer, it does do an excellent job of keeping your pet safely in your yard. This set is very expandable, so if you decide you want the fence to cover more of your property, you can purchase more wire directly from the manufacturer.

This is a huge selling point since it gives buyers the chance to buy the standard package and determine whether or not this system will work for them and their pet, before investing more money in this type of system. Unlike a wireless fence, this wired model is very reliable and will not be affected by any obstructions or obstacles in the yard. It can work for flat, sloped, and hilly yards, like a champ.

Collar

The included receiver collar is highly adjustable and can be used on cats and dogs eight pounds and up with a neck size that measures in at six inches up to twenty-eight inches. This is a battery-powered collar, which, unfortunately, is not rechargeable, but it does have a battery life of two to three months, depending on how often your pet sets off the static correction warnings. Aside from being highly adjustable, the collar is also one hundred percent waterproof, so it can be left on during bath time, rainy weather, or if you want to take your pup for a swim.

Static Corrections

As I mentioned earlier, the collar features a total of four static corrections. These corrections are not designed to be painful, however, they will be uncomfortable for your pet and will most likely startle them and cause them to go running back to the safe confines of your yard. You can also choose the tone-only mode, which will emit a beeping sound once your pet gets too close to the boundary. This is mainly used for the training period. However, you can also choose the tone and static correction feature, which will cause the collar to beep once the dog or cat is within three feet of the boundary. If they continue to advance, then the collar will use the static correction to cause them to turn around. The static corrections will increase in intensity if your pet continues to ignore the corrections.

Expandable

This system covers 1/3 of an acre, so it’s perfect for smaller yards. However, it’s also expandable up to five acres, with the purchase of additional wire. If you have more than one pet you can also purchase additional collars directly from the manufacturer.

Depending on the size of the area you want to protect, you will be able to install the fence in as little as a few hours. Simply set up the transmitter in your garage or house and bury the wire around your yard.

User’s Manual

The included guide will discuss how to set up and install the wire and transmitter while walking you through the training process. The training portion of the guide will discuss how to safely train your pet using the new system. As an example, it recommends using a leash for your pet for the first couple of days until your pet shows signs that they recognize the invisible barrier.

These signs can include your dog slowing down as they approach the barrier, or turning around, or avoiding the barrier altogether. Additionally, the manufacturer also offers ongoing customer support, which can come in handy if your pet is having trouble adjusting to the new system or you’re not sure how to choose the right static correction setting.

Training Flags

The included training flags are designed to work as a visual training aid for your pet. You’ll be surprised at how quickly he or she will make the connection between the line of flags and the tone warning or static correction. These flags will be placed over the areas the wire is buried, along the perimeter of your yard. This will teach your dog or cat that they cannot go beyond this barrier. Over time, once your pet starts to get the hang of the whole invisible fence setup, you can begin removing some of the flags until all of them have been removed. On average, it can take a dog or cat one to two weeks before they’re completely trained. Of course, this will vary from pet to pet and will depend a lot on their age, disposition, and how stubborn or determined they are.

Wire

This set comes with all the wire you need for this system. To use, you’ll bury the wire one to three feet below the ground, covering it back up with dirt. The wire should be buried deeper if you have young destructive dogs, dogs that are prone to digging or harsh winters. If you live in a milder climate and your pet is older, then you can safely bury the wire under one foot of dirt. The depth you bury the wire at will not affect its connection to the transmitter.

Advantages and Disadvantages of PetSafe

Pros

Cons

PetSafe Versus Extreme Dog Fence – Second Generation

The competing system by Extreme Dog Fence comes with many features that this PetSafe system doesn’t and can cover up to six acres, whereas this system can only provide coverage for 1/3 of an acre. The competition also features a battery life of up to four months, while the battery used for this system will last an average of two months.

Essentially, aside from the better coverage and the longer battery life, this system offers a comparable performance in terms of reliability. It does feature a total of seven static correction levels and one tone warning option, which makes it more versatile than this system. It also can be used on dogs of all breeds, sizes, and temperaments. But if you’re on a tight budget, and don’t have a lot of property to cover, then this PetSafe system can get the job done and works reliably to keep your pet safe and on your property.

Conclusion and Rating

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This set by PetSafe may be small, but it’s perfect if you don’t have a large property and it can be expanded up to five acres if needed. The included receiver collar is waterproof and features a long battery life, in addition to a battery life indicator light that will alert you immediately if the battery needs to be replaced. The collar also includes a tone warning and four static correction settings to choose from, so you can customize the corrections based on your pet’s behavior, size, and ability to learn.

The set itself is easy and reliable to use, but the installation process will be difficult and time-consuming. Of course, that’s to be expected with any wired invisible fence. Overall, this model offers a reliable performance and will not be impacted by obstacles or structures in the yard. Additionally, the lower price will give pet owners more incentive to buy. I gave this set a rating of four and a half out of five stars.