How to Find a Break in an Electric Dog Fence

An electric fence uses a wire that is buried along the edge of the yard and a collar worn by your dog to keep it fenced into the yard. When the dog gets close to the wire buried in the yard, the dog collar will send a beep that warns the dog it is close. When the dog tries to go past the wire, the collar will send a small shock. This trains the dog to stay on one side of the fence. Dogs will quickly find a break in the fence, so you may need to troubleshoot issues occasionally.

• 1

  Inspect the batteries in your dog's collar before troubleshooting the fence. Weak or dead batteries will allow the dog to get through.

• 2

  Inspect the transmitter installed on your house for a warning light. A warning light indicates there is a break in the fence or that the circuit is not complete.

• 3

  Check the wires connected to the transmitter jacks. Attach them properly if they have come loose.

• 4

  Connect a choke lead (available at most electronics stores) to the boundary lead that connects to the transmitter terminal. Turn the range adjustment knob on the terminal up 1/4 to a 1/2 turn.

• 5

  Take a transistor radio with you out into the yard, setting it to 600 AM. Listen for pulsating from your radio. Swing the radio in front of you as you walk along the invisible fence. When the pulsating stops, that is a break in the fence line.