"A Better Choice for Safer Pets"™ Since 1994
This page offers troubleshooting help with most hidden dog fence system questions sold by Pet DeFence.
(As well as a few pointers that could help customers of other brands).

Do you need a part for your collar?  See below:

 We moved our service parts store to the UPS Store at 6709 W 119th St in Overland Park, 66209 (Click on the address for a mapped view of UPS Store location.) If you need service parts,
such as:  Battery Holders, Battery Doors, Battery Caps, Batteries, Nylon Replacement Collars/Straps, Contact points (Short, Long and Spring) and Contact Point Retainers,  you can go to our self-service location at the UPS store listed above. Ask a UPS Store employee for "Pet DeFence service parts". They will direct you to our service station with every service part* you could need (with the exception of receivers, transmitters and lightning protectors).  Each part is priced separately. Please add up your purchase and leave a check in the zippered check pouch. When you finish writing your check, please let the UPS Store personnel know you are done. This method is easier than ever and so convenient for you. *Note: There are no receivers (the box on the collar) or transmitters (the box on the wall) at the UPS Store. Please call me to make an arrangement for these parts.


"Dog Running Through the Fence" Solutions

We have very few problems of this nature.  Over the years we find that most of the time when someone says their fence is not working or the dog thinks there is a "hole" in the fence, or the dog leaves the yard when there is snow on the ground, we find it is a user problem.  This is a very difficult thing to have to say to a customer, so please, check out the following sections on "properly fitted collars" and "How to change the shock level" and all battery issues on this page before you call for service, as we charge to come to your home for all services.

What is a properly fitted collar?

Each time you put the receiver collar on your pet, check that it fits properly and the contact posts make firm contact with your pet’s skin. If necessary, shave an area under your dog's neck about the size of a deck of playing cards, and use longer contact posts.
  1. Stand your dog up on all four feet. 
  2. Pull the receiver collar so it is as high on his neck as it will go, almost like you are going to pull it up over his ears, but stop behind his ears.
  3. Orient the receiver under the chin of your dog.
  4. While keeping him standing on all four feet, press the head and neck down so that the top of the head and neck are level with the shoulders of your standing dog (imagine him looking like a pointer, or even with his nose to the ground).  It is absolutely critical that you position your pet as described above.  Do NOT test the fit while your pet is setting on his rear.  Remember, your pet is leaving the yard on all four feet with his head pointed out, or his nose to the ground, not scooting out on his bottom!
  5. Slip your fingertip between the skin of your dog's neck and the tip of the point. You should only be able to almost slip a fingertip between a contact post and your pet’s skin for a proper fit.
  6. If your collar is looser than described above, remove the collar, shorten the length of the collar so it is tighter on your pet, then repeat this process starting at step 1 above until the collar is properly fit.
  7. Once the collar is properly fitted, if your dog was running through the fence, put your dog on a leash and walk him into the fence to reintroduce him to the shock.  You will do this to show your dog that the fence is working again.  This allows your dog to get shocked under a controlled situation, eliminating the chance that he will think the fence is still not working causing him to bolt through the shock.  This should prevent future and additional "run throughs".
  • Note:  Shorter hair on your dog's neck is preferable to a tighter collar.  Take your dog to your groomer, or cut it yourself with electric shears.  The hair should be 1/8 of an inch or shorter.  Cut the neck from the bottom of the chin to the top of the chest, from ear to ear.  This area is about the size of a deck of cards on most dogs.
Note:  As instructed during your training session, it is essential that you regularly check your pet’s neck, as a properly fit collar can cause neck sores if it is not removed every night.  Also, do NOT attach a leash to your containment collar to walk the dog.  Pressure from pulling on the leash could injure the skin on your pet, or bruise his esophagus. Neck sores can also develop if the receiver is too tight for too long, and/or if your pet 's neck gets wet from swimming, wading, sprinklers, sloppy drinking, bathing, etc.  Check your dog regularly for a rash or sores.  Other symptoms might include:
    • A "wet" feeling under his neck or on his collar when you take it off.
    • A foul smell about your dog and or on his collar that may make you pause to wonder "what could my pet have rolled in?"
    • An ongoing foul smell that does not go away after bathing your dog.
    • A gunky, smelly build-up on his receiver collar usually paired with the foul smell and wetness of the dog and collar.
Should a rash or sore develop, call your vet immediately for treatment advice.


Testing the collar (To answer the question:  "Is the shock working?")

There are several ways to test the collar. Please try all methods that apply to your receiver model.

Method 1: PetSafe ProLite Receiver
Touch the magnet to the small (5 mm) raised magnetic bump spot on the BACK of the receiver.  The red LED above the bump will illuminate, and then flash.  This action tells you two or three things.
1. The fact that the LED illuminated shows that the batteries are good or the light would not have activated.
2. The number of flashes that follow the illumination tells you the current shock level of collar.
3. The magnet is good.
Note:  If this test fails to illuminate the LED on your collar, try another strong magnet and change the batteries then try the method again.  If after changing batteries (and inserting them properly) there is no red LED illumination, then your collar may be bad. Before you call for a replacement, please verify you are using the right batteries and watch the following Battery Change Video.

Method 2: PetSafe ProLite Receiver  
Gently but firmly press the points of the receiver collar into two slots of the the TEST STATION on the horizontal top right side of the PROTX1 transmitter (usually found on the wall of the garage by an electrical outlet.)  The red “Test” Light on the transmitter should flicker and if your hearing is good, you will hear a corresponding “Tick, Tick, Tick” sound from your receiver with every flash.  This result tells you:
1. The batteries are good or the light would not have illuminated
2. The receiver collar works
3. The transmitter works
Note:  A result that indicates the collar works is definitive about the collar.  However, in some instances, the test fails and the collar can still be good.  A failed test with this method may simply mean there is signal interference from the sprinkler control box, or other electrical components very near the test station.

Method 3: All Receiver Models Method (PetSafe Pro, Invisible Fence, Innotek, Pet Stop, Dog Guard, Dog Watch, etc.)
Take the collar into the yard.  Close the strap so it is as though your dog is wearing it.  Hold the back of the strap, with the receiver hanging at the bottom of the collar loop, at 6 o’clock, and the points pointing up to 12 o’clock.  Now walk into the yard holding the collar in this position, stooping over so you are holding the collar at the same level above the ground as it is when your dog is walking in the yard.  Please do NOT hold the collar up as high as your own ears and try to hear it beep.  It will not work since the signal is not adjusted to activate the collar much above your dog’s neck level (Caution, you might shock your ear if you are holding it too close. We have heard some amusing anecdotes about this.  While we find the stories amusing, we hope it does not happen to you.)  As you approach the edge of the yard, you should hear the collar begin to “beep” or “tick”.   This result will tell you:
  1. The receiver is working.
  2. The batteries are good.
  3. The transmitter is working.
  4. The dog should be getting shocked if it goes too far.
Note:  If you do not hear the collar beeping, please consider testing it on your own fingers. Touch both points on the collar while it is ticking or beeping.  If you do not feel a shock, then there may be a problem with the receiver collar.  Make sure you touch both points on the receiver at the same time when you hear the collar beeping.  It will tell you definitively that the fence is or is not working. It is a good thing If when you test your collar at the signal field and it makes continuous "Tic Tic, Tic, Tic Tic" or "Beep, Beep, Beep" sound.  However, just because the collar makes noise, it does not mean that the shock is turned up high enough to get the attention of your dog.  Therefore, you may need to change the shock level  OR tighten the collar or shorten the neck hair, or adjust where the collar is worn to a higher position on the neck or ALL THE ABOVE.

However, it is not good if when you test your collar and the sound it makes is Tic, Tic then pauses before it goes Tic, Tic again. Two tics, then a pause, then two tics then a pause, or maybe you hear a tiny barely audible  "Beep", etc.. CHANGE THE BATTERY AND TEST IT AGAIN.   

Also, sometimes the beep or tic sound is too soft for you to hear. This does not indicate that your collar is not working, only that you do not hear it.  Chances are, your dog hears it just fine.

We have gotten calls that the collar is not working because the dog is not crying or whimpering when he gets too near the fence.  This is not a fool-proof evidence that the fence is not working. Test it yourself.

My dog left the yard and there is SNOW on the ground.  What is going on here?
  • Snow does not affect the fence.  It does however affect your dog's perception of the boundary of the yard and fence.  Imagine this... Every landmark on the ground is now covered by snow.  Therefore, your dog no longer properly judges where his edge of the yard is at that moment. He must re-learn.  If the dog got shocked and backed up, then you do not have a problem.  If your dog ambled through the shock or beep and did not care, then go to the top of this page and start trouble shooting.  Start with the section on "What is a Properly Fit Collar". Note:  If you take your collar out into the yard and test it as I describe on this page, and it is working and your dog is still leaving then you have a contact issue or it needs to shock harder.  No Beep and no Shock means you need to start by replacing the batteries then test it again. Consider that you need to change the shock level  OR tighten the collar or shorten the neck hair, or adjust where the collar is worn to a higher position on the neck or ALL THE ABOVE.
How to Change the Shock Level on a Pet Stop®2 Receiver?
  • If you own a Pet Stop 2 receiver, Click on this  Video Link
How to Change the Shock Level on an Invisible Fence®  Brand Receiver?
  • If you own an Invisible Fence Brand receiver call your dealer to schedule an appointment to visit your home or you go to their office for this.
How to Change the Shock Level on a PetSafe®ProLite®Receiver?
  • Click on this link Programming VIDEO to see a video on how to change the shock level of a PetSafe® ProLite® receiver.
THERE ARE TWO STYLES OF PetSafe ProLite COLLARS that we have sold over the years.  MOST PEOPLE HAVE STYLE 1.PLEASE CHECK BOTH STYLES BELOW BEFORE YOU BEGIN.
  • If your batteries were completely dead, or if you batteries were removed from your receiver for at least 30 minutes, when you put good batteries back into your ProLite receiver, the indicator light on your ProLite will flash.  If you count the flashes, you can determine the shock at which you receiver is presently set.  If you remove the batteries and put them back in before they have been out for at least 30 minutes, THE INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT BLINK because a capacitor inside the receiver continues to hold a charge for a while.  This is normal.  If you feel the need to see the lights flash again, wait before you re-do the test.
  • You will need the receiver and the magnet to change the shock level.  A small magnet is built into the left side of the copper colored transmitter. It is positioned behind the small white dot on the left vertical side of the box.
  • You were also left an extra magnet on a black key fob.  It may be in a plastic bag next to your transmitter in the garage.
  • Your STYLE 1 receiver has a small raised bump about the same size as the white dot on the transmitter (or about the size of a pencil eraser).
  • Your STYLE 2 receiver does NOT have a small raised bump.  It had a black INK dot on the back where you are supposed to touch the magnet. However, the black dot is probably worn off by now.
  • Click on this link Programming VIDEO to see a video on how to change the shock level of a PetSafe® ProLite® receiver.
  • If you own a Pet Stop® Series 2® receiver and wish to learn how to program it, Click on this link Video Link.
STYLE 2
(Translucent dark grey (almost black) case with a small round bump (about the diameter of a pencil eraser) on the backside of the receiver.

Note:   This receiver has ten shock levels. The lowest shock is level two (2); the highest is level ten (10).  Level one (1) only beeps without a shock.
  1. Orient the metal points of the receiver toward you and the dime sized bump facing down and the small bump facing up on the left topside of the receiver.
  2. Touch your magnet to the small bump on the back of the receiver. Note that a small red light will come on from inside the case, next to the bump where you touched the magnet.
  3. Take the magnet away and note that the red light will go out, and then flash from 1 to 10 times. Count the flashes.  However, do not count the first flash that occurs as you touch the magnet to the bump or spot. That flash is meant to show you that the receiver battery is not dead.  The following number of flashes indicates the shock level.  Ex: 5 flashes means the collar is set to shock level 5 out of 10.
  4. Touch the magnet to the dot again, then remove it again.
  5. The light will flash again.  Note the light flashed once more than before.
  6. Continue this process until your collar is at the desired shock level.
Note:   If you go too high, you must continue the process all the way to level ten (10), then the collar will return to level one (1).
Watch the video:  Programming VIDEO

STYLE 2
Beige-grey OR solid opaque black (non-transparent) case with a little red LED light on the front.

Note:   Your receiver has either five (5) or ten (10) shock levels. The lowest shock is level two (2); the highest is level five (5) or ten (10).  Level one (1) only beeps without a shock.
  1. Orient the metal points of the receiver facing toward you and the LED facing up, positioned on the left topside of the receiver.
  2. Touch your magnet to the back right side of the receiver (A small black or white dot was painted on the backside.  It may be worn off.) The red LED on the top front side will illuminate briefly while the magnet is in contact with the dot (or where it used to be).
  3. Take the magnet away and note that the red light will go out, and then flash from 1 to 5 or 1 to 10 times. Count the flashes.  However, do not count the first flash that occurs as you touch the magnet to the spot. That flash is meant to show you that the battery is good in the receiver.  The number of flashes indicates the shock level.   Ex: 5 flashes means the collar is set to shock level 5.
  4. Touch the magnet to the dot again, then remove it again.
  5. The light will flash again, once more than before.
  6.  Continue this process until your collar is at the desired shock level.
Note:   If you go too high, you must continue the process all the way to the highest level (5 or 10), then the collar will return to level one.
Watch the video:  Programming VIDEO

"RED" Lights on the Transmitter (Note:  The transmitter is the box on the wall, not the one on the collar)
  • Should there be more than 2 red lights lit on my transmitter? NO.
  • Loop 2 is not lit!  What's wrong? Nothing is wrong.
  • The two lights are red and they used to be Green.  Whats wrong? Nothing is wrong.  The lights have always been RED.  They were never Green.
Probably nothing is wrong. 99% of our customers do not use LOOP 2, probably you fall into this majority. 

You probably think there is a problem because your yard has 2 zones, and it is only logical that Loop 1 is for the front or back zone and therefore loop 2 is for the other.  However, the two zones are connected via the same Loop 1 and are not independent of each other.  This is why only Loop 1 is lit.

“LOOP 2”, in most cases should NOT be lit unless we installed a separate loop to wire inside your home, pond, pool or garden.  Even then, when we wire a garden, we often still did not use Loop 2. The bottom line:  Your transmitter is operating normally if you have two lights lit (POWER and Loop 1) AND your transmitter is NOT beeping.

However, if your transmitter is emitting an incessant beeping sound (regardless if you have one or two lights lit), then there is a problem and you should call us immediately, as a wire is cut.

The transmitter is beeping.  What could be wrong?  Your Wire is cut or the wires are pulled out of the transmitter or the lightning protector.

Incessant beeping:  Your fence is not working.  Your wire is cut, or a splice in your line has gone bad.  The bad splice could have occurred over a year ago.  It could also be the result of a damaged line that has finally failed.  You should unplug the transmitter to stop the beeping and call us immediately so we can schedule a time in the near future to find and fix the bad spot.  Note:  No part of the fence works if the fence is beeping.   Note:  a solution you can attempt is to increase the range of the fence by turning the range adjustment knob on your transmitter.  If increasing the range fixes the problem, then you need not call us for service.  However, decreasing the range knob will also make the beeping stop.  This does not fix the fence.  Your dog will leave the yard if you turn down the range and the beeping stops.  Call us for this situation.

If the wires are pulled loose from the lightning protector, the transmitter will beep incessantly and your fence is not working.  

Note both the "Loop" and "Transmitter" wires are usually stapled to the wall in a single sheathed casing.  As it reaches the device at the electrical plug, the wires are stripped back so that two wires are exposed. One wire is usually Black while the other is usually Red, but sometimes Green.  Please note however, the colors of the wires and tabs do not matter for either the loop or transmitter.

Push the LOOP connector tab of the right or left firmly away from youself.  The connector jaws will open. Push one of the stripped wires (copper exposed) coming up the wall from the "Loop" or yard, into the opening created from pushing one of the "Loop" tabs. Release the tab then gently pull on the wire to certify it is tightly connected. Do the same thing for any other loose wires. Note:  Only connect "Loop" wires to the "Loop" side, and "Transmitter" wires to the "Transmitter" side. Improperly connected wires will make the transmitter stop beeping but will NOT protect your dog. 

If your transmitter continues to beep, inspect your work and repeat the procedure.  Call us for service.

See illustrations below, Compliments of Panamax:


Intermittent beeping:  Your fence is not working.  Try turning the range control knob just a little higher.  It sometimes makes the beeping stop.  Note:  Sometimes this is a sign that you have a bad splice in the yard.  (Remember when the cable TV or phone or landscapers cut your wire and told you not to worry because they fix these things all the time?)  We cannot find a bad splice until the beeping on your transmitter becomes incessant.  Call us when it is incessant, then we can help.  However, we can find it when it is intermittent, it just takes longer and costs you more. You have to decide when it is appropriate to call us for service.

Why are there NO Lights lit on the transmitter? You have no power.

Your fence is not working.  There is no electricity getting to the transmitter.  Please do the following before you call:
  • Plug it back in.
  • Check the black power line that goes from the outlet to the transmitter.  Press it firmly back into the receptacle of the transmitter.
  • Reset the breaker.
  • Turn the power strip back on.
  • Reset the GFI (or GFCI). (Note: A GFI is an electrical plug that stops the flow of electricity when it detects a possible "short" or dangerous current condition.  Most garage outlets are attached to one.  The GFI that controls your outlet may be in the garage, basement, laundry room, kitchen, guest bathroom, front porch, deck, etc.  To reset a GFI, you must press in the "Reset" button. Check all of your GFI outlets before you call.)
  • Plug an extension cord into a known working outlet, then plug the fence power supply into the extension cord.  If your fence works then your outlet is not working.  If it does not work, try another extension cord, and then call us with the results.
  • Plug a blow dryer or other portable appliance into the same outlet that the transmitter is plugged into.  If the appliance works then your outlet is good and you should call us.
Why is the collar beeping all around the house and yard?
  • Take the collar off your dog immediately and unplug your transmitter (the box on the wall in the garage or basement).
  1. If unplugging the transmitter caused the beeping to stop, then there is a problem with your transmitter. 
    • Try turning the "Field Range" knob counterclockwise to turn the signal down.  Call us if this does not fix the problem.
  2. If unplugging the transmitter did not make the receiver stop beeping, then a neighbor may have their transmitter turned up too high. Call your neighbors.  We have no control over your neighbors.
The transmitter lights are lit but nothing happens with the collar.

Please see all the following sections before you call for help.
  1. Battery help
  2. Testing the collar
  3. How to change the shock level Watch the video:  Programming VIDEO
  4. What is a properly fitted collar?  Note: this is the most frequent solution.  Always check this solution if your transmitter is working and your collar batteries are new and your collar passed the tests using the methods described above.
  5. Someone pulled the wires out of the lightning protector and reinserted them incorrectly.  The wires from the outside should be inserted into the "LOOP" side, the wires going to the box should be inserted into the "TRANSMITTER" side.  Nothing else will work.
Why does the collar keep falling off my dog?  Or, How did the clasp on my collar get broken and what do I do now?

The primary reason that a collar would come off of a dog is because the clasp that secures the collar on the dog is damaged or broken.  Often the damage is not readily apparent.  If you closely examine the clasp, you will see one or two things that will give this condition away.  One, a hairline crack in the female part of the clasp and usually teeth marks.  This kind of damage comes a dog chewing on the clasp.  This also happens when you have two or more dogs.  One dog will occasionally chew on the other dogs' collar.  You may confirm this problem by slowly inserting the male end of the clasp into the receiving end of the clasp.  As you insert, observe the female part. Does it slightly expand and expose a crack?  A cracked receiving end will allow the buckle to open under the right amount of stress.  You may also see obvious damage to the male part of the buckle.  This damage is pretty unmistakable as dog chew problems.  Do not delay.  Call immediately so we can make arrangements for a new nylon collar.  The longer you wait, the more likely your dog will get the collar off and lose it behind the bushes allowing him to escape and causing you to need to purchase not just a new nylon collar, but a new receiver as well.

Another reason for this problem would be that the collar is too loose. A properly fit collar cannot be tugged or pulled over the head of the dog, unless the dog's neck is fatter than his head. 

We have a ready supply of replacement nylon collars.  Call for more information.  However, you can replace the nylon collar yourself if you wish by unscrewing the points and washers from the receiver.  Once the points and washers are off of the old nylon collar, you will see two large holes.  You may use these holes as a template for holes that you may make in your own collar.  However, do not improvise by making your own new collar that has smaller holes than the ones in the original nylon collar.  The smaller holes will create complications that will result in broken contact points (that the manufacturer will not cover under warranty) and "shorting" the correction through the a damp collar instead of to your dog.  Shorting renders your receiver useless. Your dog will learn to walk out of the yard without any correction.  For these reasons, please contact us for a new nylon strap that is already made for your receiver.  They are not expensive and keep your collar working.

SKUNK! (And other stinky situations)
Sorry.  I cannot tell you how to get the the stink out of a nylon collar (or off your dog).  I hear Tomato Juice DOES NOT WORK.  You need to replace the Nylon strap and buckles.  See the paragraph above.


Battery Help

How to Replace the PetSafe ProLite Batteries (Please watch the video link Battery Change Video or follow these directions)
  1. If your battery holder or battery clip has a small screw in it, loosen it two (2) full turns by turning the screw counterclockwise with a small screwdriver (being careful not to loosen it so much that it falls out), then watch the following video: Battery Change Video
  2. Using a coin, slide the lock bar on the battery holder to the unlocked position (toward the loosened screw)
  3. Using the small tab on the battery holder, lift the battery holder from the receiver.
  4. Observe closely how the old batteries are fit into the battery holder.
  5. Take the old batteries out and re-insert two new "2032" batteries. (See battery notes elsewhere on this page.)  Be certain to place the new batteries into the battery holder in the exact same fashion as you removed the old ones.  I.e. Both positive sides of the new batteries are facing the same direction as the "+" mark on the battery holder.
  6. Replace the battery holder back into the battery slot of the receiver.
  7. Using a coin, slide the latch back into the locked position (away from the loosened screw)
  8. If your battery holder has a screw, re-tighten it with two clockwise turns.
  9. Dispose of your old batteries responsibly or save them for me.  I will recycle them for you.

What kind of battery does my collar use and where do I get them?
  • The ONLY battery that will work in your PetSafe Pro ProLite is a 2032.  Nothing else will work. (Note:  The battery number may have a prefix of DL, CR, ER, etc.)  You need 2 NEW ones every time you change batteries (every 6 to 10 months).  You may purchase these batteries at most any store that sells batteries such as: Grocery stores, Drug stores, Hardware stores, Convenience stores, Online stores, Variety stores, Electronics stores, Battery stores, Camera stores, etc.
  • In a  ProLite receiver, only 2032 batteries work. Other batteries may look similar to 2032 batteries, but they will NOT work. For instance: 2025 and 2016 cannot and do not work.
  • PetStop® collars require 2 (two) 1/3N batteries stacked on top of each other. Stack BOTH batteries so the negative (-) side slips in first, then stack the second battery on top of the first so both Positive (+) sides are facing outward or upward and both negative (-) sides are facing downward or inward.  WARNING:  NEVER USE A RADIO SHACK 6 VOLT ALKALINE BATTERY WITH PART NUMBER 23-469.  IT WILL RUIN THE RECEIVER AND VOID THE WARRANTY.  This mistake can be avoided by not purchasing your batteries at Radio Shack. If you choose a battery that somehow looks similar to the one you had in the collar, but it is not the same, then employees of Radio Shack are not liable, even if they helped you select it. Use of the wrong battery ABSOLUTELY voids your warranty and there is nothing a dealer can do about it, as the evidence of having used the wrong sized battery is a cracked case or split end where the battery spring pressed too hard.  The manufacturer is not forgiving of this.
  • Dog Guard® collars require 2 (two) 1/3N batteries stacked on top of each other. Stack BOTH batteries so the negative (-) side slips in first, then stack the second battery on top of the first so both Positive (+) sides are facing outward or upward and both negative (-) sides are facing downward or inward.   WARNING:  NEVER USE A RADIO SHACK 6 VOLT ALKALINE BATTERY WITH PART NUMBER 23-469.  IT WILL RUIN THE RECEIVER AND VOID THE WARRANTY.  This mistake can be avoided by not purchasing your batteries at Radio Shack. If you choose a battery that somehow looks similar to the one you had in the collar, but it is not the same, then employees of Radio Shack are not liable, even if they helped you select it. Use of the wrong battery ABSOLUTELY voids your warranty and there is nothing a dealer can do about it, as the evidence of having used the wrong sized battery is a cracked case or split end where the battery spring pressed too hard.  The manufacturer is not forgiving of this.
  • Invisible Fence® brand collars require one 1/3N battery.  After removing the battery from the receiver, break the weld on the battery module that encloses the battery.  Be careful doing this, as most people use a fine sharp blade to open the module.  You are now fairly warned that you could cut yourself if the sharp blade slips.  You could also damage the module assembly.  Pay careful attention to the process so you can reassemble the new battery into the old module in the reverse order that you took it apart. Gluing the assembly back together upon reassembly is probably not necessary. You can also purchase a ready made battery for your Invisible Fence Brand receiver from your Invisible Fence Dealer.
  • Dog Watch® collars require one 1/3N battery.  Positive (+) side facing outward or upward and negative (-) side facing downward or inward.
We sell batteries for PetSafe® ProLite receivers, PetStop® series 1 and 2 receivers and some Dog Guard® and occasionally we have a battery for an Invisible Fence® receiver. You may purchase these at my service parts store at the UPS Store at 6709 W 119th St.  See above for more info. You may also purchase any of these batteries at Interstate Batteries®, BatteriesPlus®, WestLake Hardware®, True Value Hardware®, Ace Hardware®, and other stores with photo or electronics departments such as Target® ,WalMart® and probably K-Mart®. 

If you choose to go to a battery store, such as the BatteriesPlus®, at 135th and Metcalf in Overland Park, or the BatteriesPlus near 119th and Black Bob in Olathe or the Interstate Batteries® store at 95th and Nall in Overland Park, please take your old batteries with you so they can sell you the proper replacement battery.  They will dispose of your old one for you.  Take your old rechargeable batteries with you when you visit their store. They will recycle them for you.

WARNING:  NEVER USE A RADIO SHACK 6 VOLT ALKALINE BATTERY WITH PART NUMBER 23-469.  IT WILL RUIN THE RECEIVER AND VOID THE WARRANTY.

How Long is the Battery Life?

Your batteries will usually last 4 months to a year.  This depends on your dog.  Regularly check your receiver near the edge of your yard. Also, recall that your receiver has a low battery indicator light.  It is designed to flash approximately every 5 seconds when the battery is almost dead.  It will stop flashing when the battery is dead.  Change it immediately after you first observe the flashing light on your receiver.  Also, before you go on vacation and have a neighbor coming to your home to check on your dog, please  make sure your battery is good.  It is also a good idea to check the battery when you come home from a vacation or if you have not been using the collar on your dog for a while, as it might have flashed the low battery alert when you were out of town, or while it was lying hidden in the drawer.  If you do not test, and your battery is dead, your dog will figure it out.  You never want this to happen, especially when you are on vacation and the kid down the street is watching your dog.  An experience like this is quite frightening and can ruin a vacation.  You will be wondering if the low battery light indicator really works. It does work.

Warning:  if your low battery light blinked and the battery store guy says it should still be a good battery, REPLACE it anyway. Battery store personnel do not know how much energy is required to make your collar properly function.



Why did the battery carrier fall out?

The PetSafe Pro ProLite receiver battery carrier has a little slider bar in it to "lock" the door in place.  If you do not slide the bar to the "locked" position, the battery carrier may fall out.  Even a properly locked battery carrier may come open if another dog gnaws at the other dogs' collar.  (We can't keep the dogs from chewing on each other.)  A stop gap measure you can take to keep the carrier from becoming unlocked and falling out is to put a couple of wraps of electrical tape around the receiver over the battery door and then between the points. 

Current battery holders have a "set-screw" in them. Old style battery carriers did not have a set screw.  We have been using the set screw doors since the beginning of 2007. The set-screw keeps the slider bar locked.

Also, beginning in about January 2006, I began leaving a spare battery holder for PetSafe ProLite receivers in a little zip lock bag stapled on the wall next to your transmitter.  Check there for your one free replacement.

So, if you have an empty battery compartment, odds are the slider bar was either not locked or was unlocked by another dog gnawing on your dog's collar, or simply broken.  You should go to our UPS Store for a replacement.  See top of this page for more store information.

How deep is the wire?

If we ran our installation machine (as opposed to hand installation) the wire will most likely be three to six inches in depth.  However it is shallower where we encountered tree roots or rocks.  In areas where we knew or suspected there are phone lines, cable TV lines, outdoor lighting lines, drains, sprinkler control lines or sprinkler heads, your line is also much shallower so we could avoid damage to these facilities.

Over time, tree roots and erosion will expose or lift your wire out of the ground where they could become vulnerable to everyday activities and gnawing squirrels or chipmunks. 

In mulched gardens or rock gardens or stone creek beds or stone drainage ways: the wire is usually stapled or placed under the mulch or laid under the stone, but on top of the soil.  We do this so you can locate it easily before you commence future digging. 

Your wire may not be deep enough to prevent damage from lawn aeration, yard maintenance equipment (lawn mowers are safe)  or shovels. Even verti-cutting or cross-cutting for new seeding or de-thatching can be bad news for your wire where we are shallow around utilities or if we had to land lay your wire under the sod, or if erosion has occurred or if tree roots have lifted your wire.

If you have intrusive yard work scheduled, such as new drains, phone line or cable line burial, outdoor lighting, aeration, re-edging gardens, new edging gardens, sprinkler system installation and repair, etc.. on your schedule, you are wise to ask us to locate where your wire is before the work. Call us for an appointment to mark your yard to prevent expensive repair work.  We charge for this service, but it costs far less than replacing the line.

Service for my Customers -
If you are my customer and this trouble shooting page did not solve your problem, and you still need my help, then please call me to let me know. Efficiency dictates why I have put so much time into developing this web based support page.  Thank you for using it.

If you are not a Pet DeFence customer, please feel free to "Book Mark" this page so you can come back and visit again, but do not call me for help unless you are willing to pay for my time.  Your manufacturer or local dealer should be glad to help you..

Personalized free phone support is limited to my customers. If you are my customer, or wish to be my customer, and you live in the greater Kansas City area, give me a call!  I will help you.  I will come to your home and repair your problems and re-train your dog to stay home, or train your new dog using the most advanced and humane training methods in the industry. 

Thanks for understanding.

If you are a Pet DeFence customer and cannot find an answer to your question, call me at 913-345-2533.  I will help you out and post our solution for the next customer.


All references to Invisible Fence® or Invisible Fencing® on this site are registered trademarks of Invisible Fence.Pet De Fence, Inc. makes no claim to be part of the PetSafe®, Invisible Fence®, DogWatch®, PetStop®, DogGuard® or Contain-A-Pet® companies. Dog Watch®, Pet Stop®, UltraElite®, Dog Guard® ProLite®, PetSafe® and Contain-A-Pet® are registered trademarks of their respective companies.