For residents of Fenton, Michigan, who are tired of their dogs wandering off from the property, or their troubles with chain link fences that are ugly and have to be constantly repaired, an underground dog fence in Fenton MI could be the yard remedy you’re looking for. In many neighborhoods fenced yards are impractical, due to wooded areas, lake front property, open backyards and the usual variety of homes. An underground dog fence can solve this problem, and in most areas, will not require a permit, have a negative impact on view or garden space, or need to be unsightly.
Read this local installation guide to learn all the facts you need before installing your fence around your dog with Fenton’s underground fence – what it is, how it works, how it compares with conventional fencing and which local company is best suited for the job.
What Is an Underground Dog Fence?
Also known as an underground fence for dogs or an invisible fence, an underground dog fence is a fence that is underground creating an invisible barrier around the property. You use a receiver collar with a warning buzzer, train your dog to respond with a warning tone, gentle vibration or faint static if it gets near the boundary line to keep it within the designated area.
Installed underground, a dog fence doesn’t obstruct your line of sight, doesn’t need painting or rust protection, and can be used around a wooded area, garden, pond or any irregular property line that is typical of Fenton and surrounding Genesee County.
Why Fenton MI Homeowners Are Choosing Underground Pet Fences
Fenton’s Lakefront neighborhood houses and neighborhood and Silver Lake homes are some of the suburbs in Fenton’s residential areas, while other subdivisions consist of wooded neighborhoods and larger rural properties. These situations give rise to various fenced areas and this is why underground dog fences have become so popular.
Lakefront and waterfront properties Because regulations restrict fencing along waterfront and lakefront properties, you can ensure that dogs stay clear of docks, water outlets or steep embankments while complying with local ordinances by installing an underground pet fence.
Wooded and irregularly shaped lots Traditionally, it is costly and hard to fence wooded lots and irregularly shaped lots. Underground systems will attack the topography of your land, going around trees, slopes and other terrain, and maneuvering through it freely.
HOA and aesthetic restrictions in some Fenton neighborhoods limit the type, height, or style of visible fencing allowed. Many of these rules do not apply to underground dog fences because they cannot be seen.
Arduous Michigan winter weather also factors into it. Old fences may shift or crack, and snow and frost heave may cause damage. In most installations a properly installed underground fence will be buried below the frost line and will not be nearly as susceptible to seasonal damage.
Underground Dog Fence vs. Traditional Fence Services
Typically, these three elements: cost, time and flexibility, are the factors that will be considered when deciding which fence to install versus an underground containment system.
Installing a traditional wood, vinyl or chain link fence generally takes several days, a fence company must survey your fence site and may need a permit, and the fence can cost thousands of dollars depending on how much property you need to fence and the fence material you choose. Fence services are the best option for complete privacy and certain kinds of security, but may not be feasible for larger properties, forested lots, or if the budget is too tight to support a substantial fence project.
In contrast, an underground fence typically takes only one day to install, is less expensive per linear foot, and doesn’t need to be permitted in most Fenton-area jurisdictions because there’s no surface structure built above ground, with the exception of the occasional doghouse. Homeowners who want to keep their dog in the yard and don’t particularly care about improving or restoring it may find it to be a more efficient and economical answer to their opinions.
How Underground Dog Fence Installation Works
The typical steps for a dog fence under ground for underground fence installation in Michigan for a professional company are:
- Assessment and application of boundaries of properties. A technician will walk the property with you to decide where the containment boundary will go, based on driveways, gardens, pools and any room you wish your dog to never trespass on.
- Wire layout, wire bury. A special trenching tool buries the boundary wire (a few inches below ground) with minimal lawn disturbance. The wire can be installed along the surface in areas with rocks and roots, such as older Fenton neighborhoods.
- Transmitter installation. The signal field your dog will sense is generated in a garage, basement or shed by the buried wire loop and also a transmitter box.
- Boundary flag placement. You’ll see a temporary flag being erected on the other side of the buried boundary line during training so your dog can see where the containment begins.
- Fitting of collars and signal testing. The receiver collar is fitted and tested throughout the boundary to ensure signal strength and correction levels are the same at each point and make sure they are suitable to your dog’s size and temperament.
- Training period. The boundary will take around 1-2 weeks for most dogs to be able to fully understand it, provided that they are given supervision. A qualified installer will explain a training routine to you and perhaps follow up, making modifications.
Choosing the Right Fence Company in Fenton MI
Underground pet fence systems may not be an expertise of all fence companies. These fences require certain wiring, signal calibration, and training of the dogs so it’s wise to select a dog fence company that provides this service as opposed to an all-purpose general contractor that installs dog fences occasionally.
When choosing local fence services, inquire about:
- Experience specifically with underground and invisible fence systems, not just traditional fencing
- If they can be found to provide on-going fence repair & wire-break trouble-shooting post-installed
- Warranty coverage on both equipment and labor
- Knowing Fenton’s topography, soil characteristics and property arrangements
- There will be support provided to help your dog after their installation
This local knowledge will help determine installation technique and system reliability, as well as how the clay-rich soils, freeze-thaw cycles and lake properties of Genesee County, affect the system.
Common Issues and Fence Repair Considerations
As with any system, at times a dog fence might require fine-tuning or repairs. Homeowners often have to deal with the following problems:
Wire breaks, as a result of lawn equipment, aerating, or construction damage, that interrupt the signal and need to be located and spliced in the damaged area.
Collar battery or contact problems that lead to incorrect corrections and generally are solved by changing the battery or cleaning the contact points.
Signal interference that may be the result of the cable from a nearby metal structure, underground utilities or overlapping wire loops when used in multiple areas.
By the use of a tone generator, installing most fence-line repairs by a qualified repair technician can be accomplished in an hour or two, which is far more effective and less costly than fix a damaged fence panel or section of a traditional fence.
What Does Underground Dog Fence Installation Cost in Fenton MI?
They are usually very inexpensive in comparison to new fence lengths of land if fencing with wood or vinyl was needed, depending on property size, territory difficulty and the number of zones or pets that need to be covered. A big advantage of an underground pet fence is that they are outstanding for providing a good combination of containment, flexibility and value for money, particularly if you own a large property where conventional fencing is not an option.
Finding the Best Underground Dog Fence Provider Near You
Keep in mind that, if you’re looking around Fenton, you need to find a company that has experience installing underground dog fences in the area, has clear pricing, and has a history of making success with their fences on homes like yours. A Good Company will visit you at your property, let you know about it, and be there to support you in the future if it needs to be adjusted or repaired.
Final Thoughts
Unlike traditional fence services which are often disruptive and expensive, an underground dog fence for homeowners in Fenton, MI is a practical, attractive and cost-efficient way of encompassing pets for safekeeping. From a wooded lot or area with lake access to an option that is the same as no fencing at all, a good underground pet fence system can provide security and freedom for your dog and give you the peace of mind that comes with that.
Frequently Asked Questions Underground Dog Fence in Fenton MI
Does an underground dog fence work as well as a traditional fence?
Yes, an underground fence with proper training and installation will do a very good Job of containing dogs, but won’t stop other animals and people from getting on to the property if they wish, like a traditional fence would.
How long does underground dog fence installation take?
For most homes, the installation takes place in one day (depending on the size of the property and complexity of the terrain).
Do I need a permit for an underground pet fence in Fenton MI?
Since there is no aboveground structure, most underground fence installations do not need a permit; it’s best to check with your local zoning ordinance to be sure for your property.
What's the difference between fence repair for traditional fencing and underground systems?
If the fence panels, posts or fencing hardware is damaged then a traditional fence repair will be performed where the damaged sections are sold and new fence panels and posts are installed, and in the case of underground fence repair, the location of the underground wire break or faulty collar component will be identified and a new component will be installed.
Can a fence company install both traditional and underground dog fences?
Others may provide both, but installing an underground pet fence should be done using a fence that is knowledgeable in that area.
Is a Michigan fence underground dog fence system affected by snow and frost?
In general, a well-buried system that is put in place below the frost line will operate well throughout most of the year, although there are times when heavy ground shifts demand slight adjustments.
How do I know if I'm getting the best underground dog fence option for my property?
Seek out a local provider that provides a property walkthrough service, custom boundary planning and post-installation training support, not the one size fits all type of service.
Do underground pet fences work for multiple dogs?
Yes there are many systems that can be used with multiple collars on the same boundary loop, and a few can be customized to the breed and size of the dog to adjust the amount of correction.
What ongoing fence services should I expect after installation?
A good provider ought to be able to supply you on the help of collar maintenance, repair on wires when essential and change of borders when you alter the landscaping or property outline.
Is new fence installation more expensive than an underground dog fence?
In most cases, yes. Most traditional fence placements, whether made of wood or vinyl material, will generally run more expensive per linear foot than one will find with an underground containment system.