Last Updated on September, 2024

PetSafe fences are a widely used wireless pet containment system among dog lovers.

It is a safe, effective and convenient way of keeping your dog safe within your yard. 

But, no equipment is fail-proof. Despite its benefits, they may fail to work as expected. If this happens, you’ll first notice that your dog is freely romping around in the restricted area. 

Fortunately for you, PetSafe wireless fence issues are well-logged due to its tried and tested quality. So a few easy DIY fixes will restore your PetSafe fence into working order.

6 Common Issues of a PetSafe Wireless Fence

Regardless of the differences in brands or quality, all PetSafe fence users face similar issues caused due to malfunctions. 

Learning the best way to troubleshoot these issues will help maintain your pet fence in working order. And may prevent future problems through routine upkeep.

The common issues include;

• Collar not beeping
• Collar continuously beeping
• Collar beeping but not shocking
• Beeping transmitter 
• Faulty setup
• Challenging dog issues

Read on to learn in detail about each of these issues. And how to explore quick solutions to overcome them.

1. Collar Not Beeping 

One of the most common issues is when the receiver on your dog’s collar fails to beep when expected. The reasons for a failure in the beeping may include;

• Lack of charged electric batteries in the receiver
• Turned off collar receiver
• The transmitter is not connected properly to a power supply.
• Interference in signal transmission

The first and usual solution is to reset the collar. If there is a power supply to the receiver, the LED indicator light will be ON. The LED indicator blinking or OFF means it’s time for new battery replacements. 

If you had changed the batteries only recently, follow the steps below to reset the receiver collar;

• Remove the batteries
• Hold down the power button for at least 10 seconds
• After the LED indicator light goes off, insert the battery
• Switch on the collar receiver. The indicator light should be ON

Note: Ensure the batteries inserted are compatible with your receiver.

Test if the resetting worked by walking up to the wireless fence line with the receiver collar. Listen for the beeping sound.

The issue may be within other parts of the fencing system if it is still not beeping. Or the collar itself requires repair or replacement.

In case of a broken speaker, the PetSafe dog fence comes with an option of vibrating before the beeping sound comes on. If this is not triggered when approaching the beep zone, it strongly indicates the issue in the transmitter or wiring.

2. Collar Continuously Beeping

3. Collar Beeping But Not Shocking

This is likely to happen if the configuration settings of the collar do not produce the intended effect. Or something as simple as a loose collar can be a possible reason too. 

You can begin by attempting to get the collar working. Check the LED indicator and power supply of the collar. Ensure the collar is snug around your dog’s neck without causing any discomfort. 

Trim your dog’s fur if necessary. The metal prongs of the collar should touch your dog’s skin to be able to deliver the correction. 

Checking the shock option by crossing the boundary while touching the prongs can be helpful to ensure the collar is in working condition.

PetSafe fences come with a warranty. You can resort to changing the collar if it fails to work, even after attempting to fix it.

But make sure you do it only after testing the different shock levels during training. Because if your dog is stubborn or restless, the correction would have been ignored by your dog.

4. Beeping Transmitter

If the reason is none of the above, then you should ensure the base unit is placed in the correct area for the optimal functioning of the transmitter;

• In an indoor weatherproof area
• 2-4 feet above the ground
• At least 3 feet away from metal interference
• Not under a metal roof
• Take it outside for testing. Away from tall buildings

If the issue still needs to be resolved, there may be an internal problem with the base unit. Contact PetSafe fence customer care for help with technical aspects of the system.

5. Faulty Setup

This issue again involves the transmitter. If the fence boundaries are wrongly configured, the PetSafe fence may fail to work. It needs to be appropriately set for the corrections and beeping to work when required. 

You may have to reset the fence from the original factory settings. And set the boundaries of your choosing to fit your property area.

PetSafe fence models differ from each other. So use the manual for instructions for the reset.

6. Challenging Dog Issues

If you are dealing with a stubborn, restless, or playful dog, you may notice the dog not obeying the boundaries. It could be interpreted as the PetSafe fence not working. But it may be your dog ignoring the warning beep and the static correction.

You can resolve this by using higher static correction levels and re-training your dog to understand his boundaries.

If your dog is physically challenged with hearing issues, you can opt for a model that uses vibrations as the warning tone. This way, your pupper will still be alerted when approaching the boundaries.

Related article: Petsafe vs Invisible Fence

Maintenance Tips to Ensure Proper Working Order of Your PetSafe Wireless Fence

• Check on your dog’s collar regularly to ensure the proper functionality of the receiver device. LED indicator lights will tell if something is wrong
• Make sure the collar perfectly fits your dog’s neck without causing any discomfort
• Change the batteries routinely and when necessary
• Check if the speaker is functioning for your dog’s beep tone to be audible
• Check the static correction at the boundary on yourself
• Reset the collar if it shows inconsistent activity
• Always ensure your base unit is adequately charged or plugged into a suitable power supply unit
• Use the instruction manual to place the base unit in the ideal place for optimal activity
• Do routine checks of your yard to ensure there is no signal interference compromising the fence line
• Make sure your pupper is up-to-date in boundary training. Re-train when required. Only with proper training, the PetSafe fence will work properly
• Contact PetSafe customer support for any further inquiries

Check out our Petsafe Wireless Fence Review.

If None Of The Solutions Above Work

PetSafe Wireless Fences are durable, however, they too can give up. If none of the solutions outlined above does not work, it’s time that the device has given up. If so, it’s time for an upgrade.

If you’ve been using PetSafe Wireless Fence all this time, you’ve been missing out on a lot lately.

If you want a real upgrade, Halo 3 is what I’d recommend. It’s far better than any PetSafe Wireless Fence available and compared to other wireless fences, Halo is simply the best.

The technology it packs is immense and it is what makes the Halo 3 so good. For starters, the device is completely controlled via your smartphone, all you need to is download the app.

The app is where everything about the device is taken control of. Let me tell you about the fences first, with Halo, you can create up to 20 fences wherever you go, and the size is what sets it apart, each fence can be as big as 6.2 miles and it’s completely adjustable. Size, you can adjust that to your liking too.

That said, Halo is not just wireless fence, it’s more. Since it’s GPS-enabled, you can even track your dog’s location 24/7 no matter where you are.

Moreover, the tech it uses to stop your dog from getting over the fence is unlike any other wireless fences available.

All in all, if your PetSafe Wireless Fence has come to the end of it’s life, this should be your next wireless fence system, you won’t regret it.

Final Words

Does your PetSafe fence still need to be fixed despite all the resolving methods? Then, the particular unit may have to be replaced. And if you’ve decided to go ahead with a new fence, check out our best invisible fence article to guide you with your purchase.

Remember. Even if you get the best PetSafe fence, adequate training is necessary for the fence to have the intended effect. So make sure your dog is well trained and associates the boundary limits as the SAFE ZONE.

Frequently Asked Questions