5 Best No Dig Fences for Dogs [2024 Updated] Tried & Tested

Last Updated on September, 2024

Setting up dog fences in the present is necessary. The two main reasons are to contain dogs in safe areas or prevent them from digging your yard.

But the biggest problem is the inconvenience of setting them up.

The dog parents used to have no choice but to dig the ground when setting up the protective fences. Sometimes, even that’s not effective.

But what if I told you that you could have resilient dog fences that don’t need any ground digging AND meets and exceeds your expectations? 

I’m sure you know because you’re already on the right path. 

Now, the problem is about choosing the best no-dig fence. 

For that, we decided to do the analysis for you. We checked all the hidden details and read every word in the product manuals of some of the best no-dig fences on the market.

What you have here are our five best picks. That’s why you’re in the right place.

So, take your time to read through and choose the best no-dig fence that suits your needs.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Best No Dig Fences for Dogs

1. Spoton GPS Fence (Editor’s Choice)

You are in complete control of choosing the custom shape of each fence. You can either walk along the boundary of the expected fence or draw it on the map in the app. 

To increase the customizability of the map, you can draw the map up using 1,500 fence points. This is because there is no maximum limit to the map’s boundary; the lowest is only ½ acre.

What about the corrective feedback?

The SpotOn collar features warning and corrective feedback.

Your SpotOn collar will beep when your dog comes closer to the boundary. With the proper prior training, the dog should return. This is warning feedback.

Static shock has 30 intensity levels to choose from and will be triggered when the dog escapes the boundary. This is corrective feedback.

That’s more than enough to make your dog return instantly.

The SpotOn collar has location tracking too. Its location updating speed is every 6 seconds with an accuracy of up to 10 feet, and that’s amazing.

Durability is guaranteed with the IP67 waterproof rating.

The maximum expected battery life is 22 hours.

So, the SpotOn fits the no-dig fence category since its fence doesn’t require any digging or a physical fence to begin with. With all the features, this becomes my #1 recommendation for a no-dig fence for dogs.

KEY SPECS:

Read our complete Spoton GPS Fence review.

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2. Halo 2+ (#2nd Best Choice)

The Halo collar lets you create 20 wireless fences at a maximum of 6.2 miles from each other. They are fully customizable in shape that you can draw in their designated free mobile app.

Halo recommends the minimum fence size to be at least 30 feet by 30 feet. But there is no maximum size limit to the fences.

In addition, there are keep away zones as well. These are areas within the safe areas, and you don’t want your dog entering them.

There are three types of feedback if your dog tries to breach the boundary such as sound, vibration, or shock. Tone and vibration has no intensity levels but shock has 15 levels of intensity to choose from.

Reward-based conditioning is very sustainable. It explains the presence of a return whistle or feedback that says ‘Come back home’ or ‘Good dog’ when the dog is returning. That convinces your pets that they’re doing the right thing.

That’s another reason why the Halo collar is an excellent no-dig fence for dogs.

Halo collar gives you access to location positioning technology. The scannable range for location is up to 10 square miles, and the fastest location updating rate is every 7 seconds.

The tracker also has free activity tracking, where you can track your dog’s number of steps, active and resting time, and even the distance covered.

The cherry on top is the dog training content provided by the founding member and renowned dog behavioral psychologist Cesar Milan.

Its durability is certified with the IP67 waterproof rating and amazing build quality.

The maximum battery life is 21 hours.

Thanks to all of its features, this tracker is the second-best no-dig fence for dogs.

KEY SPECS:

To be completely convinced, checkout our halo collar review.

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3. Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 (#3rd Best Choice)

Let me start off with the fencing capabilities. The PATHFINDER 2, being a no-dig fence, makes setting it up super easy. Just like Halo and SpotOn, al you need is the app to create the fences.

As for the size of the fences, you’re looking at a maximum of up to 2000 yards. That even though not as big as the top 2, is more than enough for most. 

Apart from the size, other aspects of the fence such as the shape and corrections are all completely customizable. Each fence you create can be of any shape. Even though this is something you can also achieve with wired fences, just imagine the time it’ll take.

Coming into the corrections, as with most other fences, you get three here: Tone, Vibration and Static Stimulation. Each of the corrections come in to action whenever your dog gets closer and closer to the boundary you’ve created. 

The PATHFINDER 2 is no slouch compared to Halo and SpotOn and location tracking is a clear evidence of that. You can get constant updates on your dog location no matter the location you’re in. Not up to the speed of the high-end fence above when it comes to updates, but it still does a decent job.

That is every main feature PATHFINDER 2 brings to the table, for it’s price, I’d say it’s one of the best available. 

A small note on build quality and durability, Dogtra is known for this and PATHFINDER 2 is no exception. Overall, the collar is study and capable of handling almost anything your dog throws it, adding to that is the IPX7 waterproof rating. 

All things considered, Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 does an exceptional job in keeping your dog safe. The fencing options, customzations, location tracking all make it a excellent option you won’t regret. 

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4. Petsafe Wireless Pet Fence

The expected battery life of the collar is two months, and that’s due to the RFA-67 the collar uses.

It also has a battery indicator made from an LED light, blinking green if the battery is between 60-100%, yellow if 20-60%, and red if the battery is below 20%.

We love the build quality and how durability is assured as it is a waterproof collar.

You can’t customize the shape of the fence as it is circular with a maximum range of ½ acre. There are six correctional levels and the lowest starts as tone only. The rest of the levels are of static shock.

Petsafe’s fence requires no physical wires or above-ground or buried fences.

As I mentioned, this tracker works with a transmitter. Because of that, it requires no mobile app.

But to increase the effectiveness of dog training to corrective feedback, the package includes 50 training flags, amongst other vital components.

In addition, you can add as many collars to the system, and the transmitter can handle all of it.

However, the PetSafe no-dig dog fence system has no activity tracking or location tracking.

But it does what the product is advertised to do; provides you with a strong no dig fence.

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5. Dig Defence No-Dig Animal Barrier

Each burial is 10″ long and 32″ wide with 2.5-inch spike spacing. You can buy 2, 5, 15, and more bundles with a bulk package. All the spikes are made of solid metal, and that certifies durability.

This is an above-ground physical fence made to prevent your dog from digging your fence. So, you get no diverse digital features found in virtual fence systems such as expandable ranges, corrective feedback, or remote monitoring. 

But for this fence to work as a dog fence, you should have the main fence so that this one can fill the space at the bottom. This is not a full-sized fence that stays above ground.

Look at the bottom of the black fence; that’s the Dig Defence fence.

This product is a must-have fence for every dog parent who wants to keep their dogs from digging your fences and similar places.

KEY SPECS:

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Factors to Consider in Choosing No Dig Fence

The Range and the Type of the Fence

The range and the type of fence are like the two sides of a coin. If the fence is a circle, then its range would be radial.

You could measure the range in distance and area for custom shapes. Whichever it was, you should ensure you’re comfortable with the specs.

Variation of the Corrective Feedback 

A virtual or no-dig fence must have feedback when the dog attempts to cross the border. It is better if the collar warns the dogs as they get close to the boundary, as that will make them return.

If they don’t, there should be corrective feedback in tone, vibration, or even shock. It’s better to choose the intensity level for each type.

The Fit

Some collars are made to suit a range, and some have specific fits. A collar’s fit is usually based on the weight or the neck size. So, look out for these numbers in the specs. If not, the collar might be too tight or fall off easily; you don’t want either to happen.

Average and Maximum Battery Life

Wouldn’t it help if your collar stays up for more than a few hours? Maybe a whole day? You won’t be using the tracker for 10 hours at once.

So, when a tracker runs for 20 hours at a stretch, it means you can use it for a week, depending on the times you use it. The point is you must be okay with the battery life.

Whether it Requires Any Transmitter to Set Up the Fence 

Some virtual fences work solely from mobile phone apps and the collar. Sometimes, you could be getting a transmitter on which everything is centralized.

I’m not saying it’s terrible, but I know it’s easier to work with a dog collar and the smartphone you use daily.

Related article: How to Install a Wireless Invisible Dog Fence?

Resistance Against Water 

Your collar is pointless if it is not waterproof against water. That’s why most of the beloved collars are completely waterproof with IP ratings. The higher the rating, the better the resistance.

Why Should You Get a No-Dig Fence?

As mentioned at the beginning, the no-dig fence is the ultimate solution for pet parents who don’t want to dig and don’t want their dogs to dig their yard. 

Some virtual fences in the market only work if long wires are buried along the boundaries. Needless to say, this process is tedious and a bit dangerous too.

None of those will be present with a no-dig fence. You can choose the range and even the shape of each fence. All the systems have some corrective feedback when they come near or cross the boundary.

That’s more than enough to bring your dog back to safety. 

There are many other features, including free access to monitor your dogs’ activity and location. How cool is that?

All things considered, investing in a proper no-dig fence is an excellent idea.

Related article: How to Keep Dogs From Digging Under Fence?

Pros and Cons of No Dig Fences

In Conclusion

The best no-dig fence for dogs is the SpotOn virtual fence. The sole reason for its supremacy is nothing but its features.

After all, it should be your choice if your priority is safeguarding your dog the best way. Because I’m using the SpotOn tracker, it has been nothing but peace of mind for everyone.

You and your dog deserve only more.

FAQs