PetSafe Little Dog PIG00-10773 Review
Pros
- Small, lightweight reflective collar
- Lower correction levels
- Indoor pod compatibility
- Includes Lightning Protector
Cons
- Non-rechargeable, proprietary collar battery
- No battery backup for control box
Rating
Retail Price
$329.95
Our Price
$269.95
Availability: In Stock
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The PetSafe Little Dog Deluxe Comfort Fence (PIG00-10773) is the only system designed specifically for small dogs. It uses the Deluxe PetSafe control box, and replaces the standard collar with a collar intended specifically for small dogs. You can use this for dogs under 12 lbs and fits neck sizes 6 to 16 inches. If you have larger dogs you will simply add one of the collars from the other Petsafe systems.
The main feature of the Petsafe Little Dog Fence is the small collar. The Little Dog collar (top) is about half the size of a regular collar making it a bit more comfortable for little dogs. The correction level has also been reduced to make it more appropriate for small dogs. 
This makes the collar the best choice for dogs under 12 lbs. As with all the PetSafe systems you can use it with their indoor radio fence (PIRF-100). The correction level is set at the collar, with four different levels of correction.
As with all the Petsafe systems, our main complaint is their use of non-rechargeable batteries in the collar receiver. We hate the proprietary, non-rechargeable batteries that PetSafe insists on using. The collar band is a nylon cloth type and also reflective.
You get the PetSafe Limited Lifetime warranty, which is marketing speak for a one-year warranty, then a fixed price repair bill in later years.
Summary: The PetSafe Little Dog Fence (PIG00-10773) is the one to get for dogs less than 12 pounds, where the small collar is a major advantage. The only real downside is the proprietary battery.
If you found the information on this site useful, please consider buying your PetSafe Little Dog from our online store.
Collar
Small dogs need a small collar. The small collar on the PetSafe Little Dog is the reason to choose this system for dogs less than 12 pounds. The collar is about half the size of a regular collar and is the smallest collar available. The collar band fits necks 6 to 16 inches and is also reflective. The correction levels on the collar are lower than a regular collar, again perfect for a small dog. Regular collars are just bigger and more powerful than you want for a small dog.
The collar is compatible with other PetSafe In-Ground systems, so you can use a small dog collar with these other system and vice-versa. So if you have dogs of different sizes, you can mix-and-match collars so that each dog has a collar appropriately sized and with an appropriate correction strength for them.
The Achilles heel of the collar is the battery. The Little Dog uses a small proprietary batter made by PetSafe. The battery (RFA-188) costs about $10 and lasts about 100 days before you need to change it. You can extend life about 30% by switching the collar off when the dog is not wearing the collar (you can do this by twisting the battery to the off position using a coin. Low battery levels are indicated by a blinking red led light on the collar.
The collar is made of a nylon cloth reflective band, which we prefer. The collar has the common quick release style buckle. The collar has four correction levels, plus a no-correction tone only level. The correction levels are set on the collar itself, which means you can set the correction level differently for each dog on the system. The PetSafe Little Dog collar is also waterproof. Like other PetSafe collars, the collar probes are removable, so you have the option of substituting for long probes. Long flex probes are available for purchase through PetSafe only.
Transmitter
The PetSafe Small Dog Transmitter is the Petsafe Deluxe transmitter unit. The box is a small modern looking unit. Controls are hidden behind a dark-tinted door. The unit is wall mountable, via a small clip what you screw into a wall and that then secures the unit. (picture) unit transmitter box is the brains of the system and connects to the boundary wire loop to create the virtual boundary. Inside the box are a series of controls that you use to set up the system.
Field Size Switch – the field size switch adjusts the signal strength for different sized yard. The first setting is for boundaries that are less than 1,300 feet (1.5 acres); the second for boundaries between 1,300-2,300 feet (1.5-5 acres); the third for boundaries greater than 2,300 feet (5+ acres). The unit can do up to 5,000 feet (25 acres).
Field Width Dial – this sets the boundary width, adjusting the distance the dog must stay away from the boundary wire before the collar starts beeping and giving them the correction. You can set the boundary width from about 1-10 feet, although most people are going to want to set it at about 3-5 feet (smaller is hard to train, larger takes away too much space from your yard.
Power Light – the green light lets you know when the system is plugged in … not much more to say about that!
Loop Light – lets you know when the boundary wire loop is functioning correctly. When there is a problem with the loop, the light goes out and the unit beeps.
Power Adapter Plug – where you plug in the included power adapter, that connects up to a regular wall socket.
Boundary Wire Terminal – the terminal block connects the two boundary wires to your system. To secure the wire, you pull back on the black latches, insert the stripped end of the boundary wire into the terminal, then release the latch and let it lock the wire in place.
Boundary Kit
The PetSafe Little Dog system comes standard with:
500 ft of boundary wire (20 gauge) – good for about one-third of an acre
50 boundary flags – used to mark the boundary line during the initial training phase
2 wire splices – used to join sections of the boundary wire
Lightning Protection Module – used to protect the control box in case the boundary wire is struck by lightning
Additional boundary kits can be purchased through our online store in 500 feet increments. Each extra kit includes 2 extra splices, 50 flags and 500 feet of boundary wire and costs $29.95. Some people upgrade their system to the slightly heavier 18 gauge boundary wire. The upgrade costs an extra $10 per 500 feet of wire, we do not think it is worth the extra money for most installations but offer it as an option in our store.
Instruction Manual
The PetSafe Little dog comes with an owner’s manual.
Indoor and Outdoor Zones
The Petsafe Little Dog, and all current in-ground PetSafe models, are compatible with the Petsafe Indoor Radio Fence (PIRF-100). The indoor radio fence plugs into a wall socket and transmits a circular boundary radius that you can adjust from 2-10 feet. You can use these to keep your dogs out of certain places. The PetSafe indoor radio fence is considerably larger than the Innotek ZND-1000 zone, but they cover a bigger area. The PetSafe indoor radio fence also needs to be plugged into a wall socket, unlike the ZND-1000 that is battery operated.
Warranty
The PetSafe Little Dog system also has a limited lifetime warranty. This is a marketing euphemism, where more emphasis should be placed on the limited and less on the lifetime. Plainly speaking you get a one-year warranty. After the first year there is a fixed charge for repairs, the charge depends on what part of the system needs fixing. To date, reliability has not been an issue. We are a PetSafe authorized retailer.
Also remember you get a 30 day satisfaction guarantee when you buy a system from Dog Fence DIY. If you are not satisfied in the first 30 days, just send it back and we will give you a full refund.
| Model | PetSafe Little Dog PIG00-10773 |
| Type | In Ground |
| Collar Battery | Proprietary PetSafe RFA-188 battery |
| Correction Levels | 4 Levels |
| Beep Only Training Mode | Yes |
| Collar Warning Beep | Yes |
| Collar Vibration | No |
| Independent Correction Levels | Yes |
| Collar Dimensions | 2.1” (L) x 0.8” (W) x 0.9″ (D) |
| Collar Neck Size | 6″ – 16″ |
| Collar Water Resistance | Water Resistant |
| Collar Fit Test | No |
| Maximum Number of Dogs | Unlimited |
| Minimum Dog Size | 5 lbs (max 50 lbs) |
| Minimum Age | 6 months |
| Maximum Containment Area | 25 acres (5,000 feet) |
| Boundary Width | 2-10 feet (adjustable) |
| Control Box Dimensions | 5.5” (L) x 4.8” (W) x 2.2“ (D) |
| Control Box Power Source | Wall Outlet (110V) |
| Control Box Battery Backup | No |
| Indoor Pod Compatibility | Yes – PIRF-100 |
| Outdoor Pod Compatibility | No |
| Included Boundary Wire | 500 feet + 2 wire Splices |
| Included Boundary Flags | 50 |
| Training Materials | DVD + Manual |
| Other | Boundary detector |
| Package Dimensions | 12” (L) x 6” (W) x 6″ (D) |
| Package Weight | 6 lbs |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime |
For the PetSafe Little Dog Manual click here. (PDF)
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{ 68 comments… read them below or add one }
I HAVE TWO DOGS. ONE IS A LARGE GOLDEN RETRIEVER (100 LBS.) AND THE NEW DOG IS A MIX DASCHOUND (15 LBS.)
WHAT IS THE BEST SYSTEM WHERE I CAN ORDER A SMALL COLLAR AND A REGULAR COLLAR . EITHER WIRELESS OR W/ WIRE .
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP…….
ADMIN – Hi Larry,
For different sized dogs, I would recommend either the PetSafe systems (where you can mix and match the collar between systems). So I would get the PetSafe Small Dog and then a collar from any of the regular PetSafe models. (or vice versa – but I think this way is cheaper)
Oh, I almost forgot, our dogs are rather small (terrier/shitzu [sp?] mixes, 15lbs), but are right on the maximum line for getting the small dog system (i think). Do you suggest the Innotek 4100 or the petsafe small dog system?
ADMIN – Hi Nick,
I would lean toward the IUC-4100, and if it turns out to be too big just exchange it. The batteries on the small dog are a pain and to be avoided.
I too have 2 dogs, 1 is a chiwowa mix, only 6 lbs, and a golden retriever, 100 lbs. If I get the Pet Safe Samll Dog system is it strong enough to hold back my larger dog if I use the larger collar?
ADMIN – Hi Jessica,
The small dog is not strong enough for the Golden. But, the collars from all the petsafe systems can be used interchangably. So if you get the small dog system, you can get an extra “Petsafe deluxe” collar for the Golden.
Hi,
I have a maltese that is 4 lbs right now. The vet thinks she will be about 6 lbs. Will the Pet Safe Small Dog system be safe enough to use for her right now?
ADMIN – Hey Britny,
I worry more about the dog’s cognitive development that the weight. Is she still a pup? I like to wait until the dog is 6 months, because then they are easy to train. A young pup is just too googly eyed to train easily. There are exceptions, (a dog that can do a sit, stay, and come confidently is ready) but i would wait until she is six months old. And of course with a 4-6 lb dog, you want to keep the collar on low.
Hi, I have one small, short hair terrier that weighs 12.5 pounds. I purchased a manual shock collar that works on the lowest setting. Now she has started to dig under the fence. It seems this is the best solution. Let me know if you think I need the bigger system. Thanks, Ruthanne
ADMIN – Hi Ruthanne,
For a 12/13 lb terrier, you are right on the border between the PetSafe Little Dog and the Innotek IUC-4100. You could also consider the Innotek IUC-4100. The collar is bigger, which is not as comfortable – but it is rechargeable, so you would not have to deal with the PetSafe proprietary batteries. Both will work fine, but if the batteries are a concern, try the Innotek first. Put the collar on the dog without switching anything on and leave it on him for a few days to see if he is comfortable. If he is uncomfortable – we can switch it out for a PetSafe Little Dog.
Greetings,
I have a 10# Havanese with a tiny neck. I’d like to get a lightweight fabric collar with rechargable batteries, or at least non-proprietary batteries that I can buy from different vendors. And I want to make sure the correction settings are appropriate for the little guy. I know you recommend PetSafe for the small collars, but I saw something on Innotek about having engineered a small collar. So, what do you recommend? (Can I get an Innotek collar that works with PetSafe system?) Thanks for your help – your prices look good so I’ll buy here.
ADMIN – Hi Scott,
Afraid the only good choice for a dog that size really is the PetSafe Little Dog. We haven’t seen anything else that is small, and that has the lower correction levels. We too would prefer that it did not have a proprietary battery. We feel you pain! (One trick to squeeze all the life you can out of the battery is to turn the collar off when it is not in use.)
Innotek does have some small collars, but these are only for bark collars and remote trainers – they don’t have anything good for a dog under 12 pounds in their dog fence collars. The Innotek collars do not work with the PetSafe systems and vice versa.
Will this system’s collar work on a stubborn terrier that is under 5 pounds? Will the beeping sound be enough to deter her from running after kids on bikes or will she need a small shock to stop her? If this isn’t a good system for her, could you please recommend one that is? Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Missy,
With the training, we find that virtually every dog is contained. The training seems to be just as important, if not more important than the size of the correction. If there is a particularly issue you are worried about like kids on bikes, we would just add that to the training to make sure there is complete containment.
The beeping along is sometimes enough, but we think that it is important that the dog gets the correction at least once so they know that there is a serious consequence for breaking the rules, and so they learn that the way to escape the correction is to retreat.
Hi, I own an older system from 21st century pets, and the system was never installed. We now have the need to install, but we now have 2 dogs. There is only one collar with the system, and I cannot find “21st century pets” anywhere ( I am assuming that they have gone out of business, or changed the name). Will collars from one system work with another? In other words, could I buy, say, a “Petsafe” collar to use with my “21st century pets” system?
ADMIN – Hi Beth,
Afraid none of us know anything about 21st Century Pets. I presume they went out of business. It would be unlikely that any of the modern collars are compatible with the older system. If you have some pictures, that may help us figure out who the manufacturer was and help track down the collars.
I have a Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles/Poodle Cross Breed) named Andy. He’s a total social butterfly, so probably wouldn’t leave him alone in the yard w/out a fence. However, they supposedly train on the fences very easily. He’s 15 lbs right now at 6 months…supposed to get to about 18. Is this small breed system good enough for him? It looks like I could also add a collar for my sister’s 100 lb chocolate lab? And I guess if the small collar isn’t enough correction for Andy, I could by a larger collar. Is that true? Would you recommend this small dog system?
Also, on the batteries, you say proprietary…..can you buy them anywhere or are they hard to find? How long do they last? Thanks, Brian
ADMIN – Hi Brian,
The PetSafe Little Dog would work fine on a Cavapoo. The medium correction levels should be sufficient. You may also consider getting a PetSafe Deluxe for the Cav. The Deluxe is a bit cheaper, and although it also uses a proprietary PetSafe battery it is a lot cheaper ($4 vs. $10) and lasts longer (3 months vs. 2 months)
A PetSafe Stubborn collar or the PetSafe Deluxe collar would both work fine for a 100lb lab. All three of PetSafe dog fence collars I mentioned are compatible with one-another.
The battery is PetSafe branded battery. You can only get them at specialty pet stores – think Petsmart; or the Pet Section at larger variety stores like Wal-Mart. You can’t get them at a regular supermarket or pharmacy.
Our Yorkie is 10 lbs. I’ve read about the small dog collar that has the battery issue. Don’t want to spend $10 a month on a new battery. What is the next best option. I would like something that has variable correction levels.
ADMIN – Hi Karen,
Feel your pain on the battery pricing. They cost around $10 and will last about 2 months, 3 months if you switch off the collar when it is not in use.
Your next best bet after the PetSafe Little Dog would be an Innotek IUC-4100 collar, but I fear even that is going to be too big on a 10lb Yorkie. Under 12lbs, I would strongly suggest the PetSafe Little Dog.
This sounds like a great system for our two Yorkies, 5# and 12 #. One question: We have a concrete driveway . How is the wire installed when encountering a driveway like this? Thanks, Bill
ADMIN – Hi Bill,
To get across a concrete driveway, find a conveniently located expansion joint. Clean out the expansion joint. Then run the dog fence wire through the joint and caulk over it to seal it in place.
If you don’t have a good expansion joint you can use, then cut a shallow slot across the driveway using a circular saw. There is a lot more information on this topic in driveway section of our dog fence installation guide.
I just purchased the PIG00-10773 “Little Dog” inground fence. I installed it about 2 mos. ago and so far it is working like a charm. I like the fact that you can set the correction levels. We just rescued a Yorkie Silky Terrier, 2 yrs. old, weighing in at 12 lbs. This is the ideal system for a small dog. We turn the collar off when he comes inside to save battery life. My only complaint is the boundary flags included in the kit. They are plastic and my ground in hard, making it tough to get them in. Luckily I had old ones from the fence I had previously. They need to make them out of hard wire. Other than that, I would recommend buying this system for small dogs. Happy New Year.
ADMIN – Hi Joe,
Thanks for the feedback. I completely agree that all the included flags (across most dog fence systems) are terrible. They use a flexible PVC “flag pole” which does not penetrate hard ground very well. The better flags that most professionals use have a metal pole and go into the ground much easier. You can get wire flags in most hardware stores – they are in the garden section and used to mark pesticide application on lawns, or in the plumbing section and used to mark utilities.
Hello, I have a 3.5 lb toy chihuahua and a chi/min-pin mix who is about 9 lbs. Should I go with this little dog version or should I go with PetSafe’s Cat fence?
ADMIN – Hi Mada,
I would go with the PetSafe Little Dog fence. I find the PetSafe cat fence underpowered for even the smallest dogs.
Hi, I have two toy poms. Male-4lbs and female-2lbs. They are fully housebroken. All I do is let them outside and they go. However, the male will often run to my neighbors yard and the female will follow and they won’t return right away. I will be calling them for at least 4minutes. What system would be best for them? Especially since they already know what their yard is and the fact that they do it to be disobedient. He will look at me call him and take off as if he wants to be chased and I don’t have time for that! Also if they run out the electric fence, won’t it shock them when they try to return causing them to not want to come back in my yard? I would like the fence to have a good battery, perhaps a rechargeable one and I want the shock and or noise factor. And I have one last question, Is there anything I can do to stop my neighbors dog from coming in my yard? I know their dog won’t be effected by my fence but I was thinking about putting something around the outside of my fence. Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Loren,
With two dogs that small, you definitely want to use the PetSafe Little Dog system. Everything else is going to have a collar that is too big. It is not rechargeable, but I am afraid the rechargeable systems like the Innotek IUC-4100 only make sense once a dog is over 12lbs. So either you put them on the Sumo diet, or it is the PetSafe Little Dog system! The PetSafe has a disposable proprietary PetSafe battery that costs around $10 and lasts about 2 months (3 months if you turn if off every night).
The dog fence will as you say shock them both when they leave and when they re-enter. That is what makes training a vital part of any installation. With the proper training, the dog does not realize they can run through the fence. They assume the only way to avoid the correction is to turn and retreat back into your yard.
Hi, I have a Havanese who is currently only 5 and half months old and weighs about 7 lbs now. We have an iron perimeter fence but she squeezes through the poles to get out onto the road and through a small gap where the electric gates meet the rest of the fence. Not really understanding how to install this or how it works but can I run the PetSafe Little Dog Fence across the area which has the electronic gate on the driveway? How would I do that? The gate obviously needs to move across the driveway. Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi RHi,
For most of the perimeter you would just run the PetSafe Little Dog Fence wire along the existing iron fence boundary line. When you get to the electric gate, you will need to run the wire along the ground. If you are lucky, there is already an expansion joint or crack in the driveway that you can run the wire through. If not, you will need to use a circular saw to cut a shallow slot in the driveway to get the wire across.
I have an old Innotek HF-201 pet containment system for my three large dogs. I have recently added a small dog, about 10 pounds. Do you happen to have a collar that would work with that system but for a much smaller dog?
ADMIN – Hi Alan,
The Innotek HF-201 is an old discontinued Innotek model and unfortunately there are no small collar that would work with your existing transmitter box. The only decent collar we have seen that is appropriately sized for dogs under 12lbs is the PetSafe Little Dog, which requires one of the PetSafe transmitters.
Can this be used for a 13 lb cat?
ADMIN – Hi Trish,
For cats, you would be better off with a specialized cat fence system. The correction levels on dog fence systems are too high for most cats.
greetings
i have a Pomeranian/pekingese at 11 lbs and a American Eskimo mini at 20 lbs. i am looking for the best system for both of them and am torn between the innotec 4100 and petsafe small dog.
also can you use single copper #12 or #14 wire for your containment boundry, something that would be used in commercial wiring ie:{thhn}. and what is the function of the twisted wire in the system? thanks for your time
ADMIN – Hi Dave,
I’d recommend the Innotek a try. For the first couple of days, you can put the Innotek collar on your Pomeranian/pekingese and American Eskimo mini (without switching the collar on) and see if they are a comfortable fit. Both should be fine, but if not we can swap out the 4100 for the PetSafe Little dog. Note that if you need to trim the collar strap in order to gauge the collar on the dog, feel free to do so.
THHN is close to the direct burial wire we sell. Ours is a 20 gauge solid copper wire insulated. The jacket is made of a high density polyethylene so it holds up well in the ground. The wire is also rated 600v. We recommend matching the gauge of wire you choose. These fences can handle wire up to 14 gauge. Twisted wire is simply two equal lengths of boundary wire twisted together. Twisted wire can only be used to connect the boundary loop to the transmitter or connect one boundary loop to a second boundary loop. I’d recommend checking out our twisted wire page: http://www.dogfencediy.com/installation/plan/twisted-wire/.
I have 2 little dogs. 10 lbs and 12 lbs. Whats the best system to get with the rechargeable collars. Thanks so much, Ryan.
Hi Ryan,
The smallest rechargeable collars are on the Innotek IUC-4100. Our experience has been that this works with dogs over 12lbs and is to big for dogs under 12lbs. You are close to the border with the 10lb dog, so you can give it a try – my guess is that it will be too big and the PetSafe Little Dog will be the better choice here.
To try out a collar, you place the collar around the dog’s neck (with the system off) and let them run around for a day and see if they are comfortable. My guess is that it is going to be too big and the dog will be uncomfortable. If the 4100 turns out to be too big, we are happy to give you a refund or exchange it for the PetSafe Little Dog.
Hello –
I have two dogs on the Sd2100 system and now have an 8 lb Terrier to contain. I just bought the PIG00-10778 collar for the Terrier. I also have one UltrSmart collar for one of the larger dogs. The question: Do I have to completely switch to all PetSafe products (to support the Little Dog collar) or will the IUC 4100 (Ultra Smart) work with the PIG00-10778?
As an option, I thought about daisy-chaining the SD-2100 and the PetSafe transmitter such that the two transmitters are in series. Since the frequencies are not a multiple of one another, one wire should carry bothe signals. Do you agree? THis would save us the cost of two
more Pet-Safe collars for the larger dogs.
Admin Hi Marty,
Sadly, Innotek and PetSafe system are not compatible.
HI, I am having some trouble finding a good invisible fence. I have 2 dogs one is a corgi, ratterrier mix, and the other one is a chihuahua, dachshund, corgi mix. The corgi rat terrier is about 18 to 20lbs and the otherone is about 13 to 15.
The corgi rat terrier one is very headstrong and when she wants to chase birds or cats she will not think twice. The other one sure is not shy,but will chase things with his sister. He is not nearly as headstrong but can be sneeky.
I want to get a fence that will be good for both of them and has different levels of shock and will give them plenty of room to run around because they love to chase each other.
I look foward to hearing your feed back. Thanks
Admin-Hi Katherine,
I would recommend PetSafe Little Dog Fence. The PetSafe little dog will give you the capability to adjust the correction level for each individual dog. The system can contain areas up to 25 acres; therefore the two of them will have plenty of room to run.
Hello,
I am ordering the subborn dog fence for my 100 lb german shepherd but I also have a 6 pound papillon. I am trying to decide between the deluxe little dog collar or the cat collar. I hear they are basically the same receiver with different collars. Concern being that the little dog collar is rubbery and heard it doesnt form well to such little necks. Cat collar was suggested but I saw on some of the other posts that the cat system may not be strong enough?? Are you referring to the receiver on the collar or the actual system itself. Would appreciate your advice. Thanks, Kim.
Admin- Hi Kim,
I would recommend the PetSafe Little Dog collar, it will be the only thing small enough for a Papillion and will be compatible with your existing PetSafe Stubborn system. The new PetSafe Little Dog receivers come with a cloth bands which is an improvement on the old rubber collars which had trouble conforming to smaller necks.
We have 4 Little dogs from 3# – 12#, chihuahuas and a weiner dog. How much is it for extra collars?
Admin- Hi Romona,
An extra Little Dog Collar cost $99.95.
Hi, We got this collar from your review and like it. Just as you said the replacement battery is a bummer. Is there a way you can just upgrade the collar to one of the chargeable ones? Will it be compatible? Thanks.
Admin-Hi JD,
Unfortunately, PetSafe does not offer a compatible rechargeable collar. However, if your dog is over 20-pounds you can upgrade to the Stubborn Dog collar. The collar operates on a regular 9-volt battery; you can make the collar rechargeable by getting a 9-volt rechargeable battery and charger.
Hi, We have a hand-me down Innotek 5100 system that we installed with wire purchased from your site, and it works great for our two 60-pound dogs. But we recently adopted a Dachsund. We don’t want to put her on the Innotex system because it crosses our driveway and it wouldn’t be safe for her.
If we purchase the PetSafe small dog system will it be strong enough for a 17-pound dog? Also, will the Innotek collars on our bigger dogs be activated by the PetSafe system? (We want our two bigger dogs to be able to cross over the Small Dog fence boundaries so they have a larger area to run.)
Is there a chance the two fence systems will cancel each other out? Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Amelie,
The PetSafe and Innotek systems will interfere. Where the two wires run within 10 feet of each other you will get partial or total cancellation of the boundary. The systems will not trigger each other’s collar.
If you did want to use a second system, get one with adjustable frequencies so you can avoid interference issues. Your best bet with a small dog would be the Perimeter Ultra.
I have two dogs (100lb choc. lab and 8lb yorkie) and also two cats (about 9lbs and 12lbs). Can I install one system for all four pets? If not can I install a dog fence and a cat fence together? What would be the best system or systems? Thanks Jay
ADMIN – Hi Jay,
The PetSafe wired systems are good where you have animals of such different sizes. Use the PetSafe Little Dog collar with the Yorkie, the PetSafe Stubborn collar with the Labrador, and the PetSafe Cat collar with the cats. What size is your yard? If it is under 10 acres, the cheapest way to go would be to get the PetSafe Stubborn system and add all the other collars you need separately.
I have 2 miniature schnauzers – 15 lb (10 yrs old) & 23 lb (4 1/2 yrs old). The 15 lb is more stubborn, the 23 lb is more obedient. Which system would you recommend?
ADMIN – Hi Diane,
The Innotek IUC-4100 would be a good choice for those two dogs Schnauzers. It has a nice small collar, collar fit sensor which is great for longer hair dogs, and is rechargeable.
The PetSafe Little Dog would also be a good choice, because of the small collars but it has the significant drawback of having a more expensive disposable battery.
I have a 12 pound Alaskan Klee Kai and a 55 pound lab/border collie mix. I plan to enclose about three acres of woodland and meadow. Do you recommend the Stubborn Dog system with the Little Dog collar for the small dog and the Stubborn Dog collar for the larger dog? Do both require the non-rechargeable battery? Or would some other option be preferable? What are the +’s and -’s for the 20 gauge vs. 18/16 gauge wire? Thank you! Theron
ADMIN – Hi Theron,
I agree. I think the best choice with that kind of difference in size would be the PetSafe Stubborn Dog (or the PetSafe Deluxe) system for the larger dog and the PetSafe Little dog for the smaller dog. They both use non-rechargeable batteries, although the Stubborn uses a regular store 9V battery so you can easily purchase a rechargeable 9V battery and effectively make the system rechargeable.
The 20 gauge wire is cheaper. The thicker 18/16 gauge wire is slightly more resilient (but not significantly). Our experience is that the things that cut the wire (lawnmowers and edgers) will slice through any wire so upgrading the wire is not particularly helpful. Of course the price difference is not huge either, so it is really a toss-up between the thicker and thinner wire.
We recently met with the ‘Invisible Fence’ company. It seems the notable difference is the gauge in the underground wire. Can we use higher gauge wire with the Petsafe Little Dog system or do you have to use the wire included. I see the comment above in regards to the 20 vs 18/16. I am thinking of the 16 or even 14 gauge. Also, what is the advantage of the ‘Invisible Fence’ vs the Petsafe except for the DIY?
ADMIN – Hi Donna,
Yes, you can use as large as 14 gauge on any of the wired systems we sell. The advantage of going with Invisible Fence is that it’s a completely hassle free option. The help you train your dog, but other than that, they take care of everything. When you have an issue, all you do is call them and they’ll come out and take care out it. The flip side is that every call is roughly 100 dollars and you will become perpetually dependent on them forever.
I asked earlier and you advised either the iUC-4100 or the Little Dog fence for my 2 schnauzers. At that time I didn’t think to ask but are either of these 2 fences ok to use with a cat? It’s not a big deal to me either way but was just wondering.
Thanks again! You guys are great with all the advice you give! It’s made this whole process easier for
me!
Admin- Hi Diane,
Between the two systems, the PetSafe Little dog is the only system that is compatible with our PetSafe cat collars.
I purchased an invisible fence system 7 years ago for a deceased larger dog and now have two small chihuahuas. Is there any way to change out the transmitter for the Petsafe Little dog system and purchase two collars?
ADMIN – Hi Dave,
Yes, the wire you have will work great with the PetSafe Little Dog as long as the wire is in take and the insulation is not damaged.
You can indeed go with the Little Dog Fence and simply add a second collar.
We currently have the pet safe little dog collar. One of your previous post stated that you all would be posting how to replace the battery with a cheaper version, did i miss that post?
ADMIN – Hi Jackie,
I’m not sure if another customer suggested that they could find a cheaper way, but that option does not exist. The battery is encased in a plastic mold that specifically fits the Little Dog collar. Taking the battery out of this would require you to destroy the mold.
Hi! I am considering an electric fence for our two dogs, Mickey and Ginger, 9 and 12 lbs.
We live in a condo and walk the dogs on leashes but would like them to be able to tinkle at night and in the morning out the small back area. What really attracted me to this system was the indoor monitor.
Evidently, you can stop them from going to an area. This would be great b/c we could take down the dumb baby gate and let them roam a larger tiled area.
Question: How does the indoor monitor work? I just want to put a barrier across access to the living room. Do I need a electric wall socket by that opening to the living room? Do I put monitors on either side of that opening to the living room? Trying to picture it to make sure it will fit the bill b/c it would make us and our furry friends happier!
ADMIN – Hi Chris,
The indoor pods create a circular barrier around themselves. On the PetSafe pods you can vary the size of the circle, from 2-10 feet in radius. To block a doorway, we usually position the pod, a little to the side of the door inside the room we want to block. We try and hide it under furniture so it is unobtrusive. Then we increase the radius on the pod until it blocks access to the door. The PetSafe pods do need to be plugged in to an electric socket.
Greetings, I have a 16lb pug and a 14lb cat. What is my best option? From what I can tell in your previous posts the PetSafe cat collar would work with the other Petsafe in-ground systems but I am curious to hear your thoughts on whether the LittleDog or a different model makes sense. I was thinking of getting the LittleDog system and then adding the Cat Collar. Thanks in advance, Jeff
ADMIN – Hi Jeff,
The PetSafe Little Dog system plus an extra cat collar would work. I would also consider a PetSafe Deluxe Dog Fence system, plus an extra cat collar. The PetSafe Deluxe collar is a little bigger, but will fit fine on a 16lb pug. The advantage of the PetSafe Deluxe is that the battery lasts longer and is cheaper, the system itself is also a little cheaper.
Hi, I have a Yorkie that is a year old and weighs 9 to 10 pounds and I am need of a fence collar for him. I have to labs that use an old innotek smart dog model # 09hf200-1system they are on that I have had for 8 years and it works great! Now that I have the Yorkie also I need a collar for him as he wants to wander around outside. Yes his time outside will not be nearly as long as the labs. Do you know of a collar that is small that will work on my existing system or do I need to get a new system?
ADMIN – Hi Greg,
Afraid there are no small collars that would be compatible with an Innotek system. Your best bet would be to switch to a PetSafe system and use two different collar for each of the dogs. The PetSafe Stubborn system with an additional Little Dog Collar would be a good economical choice. (I presume you have under 5 acres, if you have 5-20 acres then do it the other way around and get the PetSafe Little Dog system and add a PetSafe Stubborn collar because you will get additional capacity using the PetSafe Little Dog base station)
Does Innotek have a small dog collar that is rechargeable? I have read that the batteries in the PetSafe Little Dog collar? Also why the Stubborn system over the regular PetSafe system
ADMIN – Hi Greg,
Unfortunately, the PetSafe Little Dog is the only collar small enough and with a light enough correction for dogs under 12lbs.
For the labs, you could use a PetSafe Deluxe instead of the PetSafe Stubborn. The Deluxe works well and has a smaller collar, but is uses a proprietary PetSafe battery and is more expensive. The PetSafe Stubborn is cheaper and uses a regular 9V battery, so is for most folks the better choice for a lab.
Hello. I have a 23 and 28 pound cocker spaniels. I live 50 – 60 feet away from the highway on about 2 acres. The 23 pound, 7 month old, has been taking off to cross the street. This Is my biggest concern. Is there a fence that blocks one side of my property? What kind of fence would you suggest?
ADMIN – Hi Ryan,
The boundary wire always needs to form a loop. This requirement is the same across all fences. If you don’t want to do a loop around the entire property, and just want to do one side of your house, you can run a long thin loop along the highway side. See this diagram for more details.
For a pair of Cocker Spaniels, the Innotek IUC-4100 would be a good choice. It has a small collar and a rechargeable battery. Plus, the collar lets you know when it is fitted correctly which is very useful on dogs with longer hair like Cocker Spaniels.
Hi, I have a 12 lb. Shih Tzu, 1 years old that just doesn’t get it. She has almost gotten hit by cars, and she takes off in the woods. We are going to buy an electric fence from you, but we have a little glitch. I have a tar drive way, and I need a way to put it the wire across. I can’t lay it across, because were I live it snows a lot, so that means snow plows. We can’t dig up our drive way – we just re- tarred it. (plus a lot of work) Our yard isn’t perfectly round or square, so we can’t put in an electric box. We definitely need Lilly to be able to go in the drive way! The only thing I can think of would be if we put tar over it?
ADMIN – Hi Angelie,
The easiest way to get the wire across the driveway is to cut a shallow slot across it with a circular saw. Lay the wire in the slot, then seal the slot over with a tar repair compound (they are available at Home Depot/Lowe’s).
You could also tar over the wire, but if you do this you need to protect the wire with some conduit because the hot tar tends to melt the insulation on the wire. Also, this tends to create a little hump in the area.
You could also tunnel under the driveway, but this is very labor intensive and not fun.
Hi, my little man is a havanese, he is 16lbs (not so little for a havanese) and his collar is 12 inches long. The wire will be run in a loop of about 3/4 acre.
Which system would you recommend?
I was looking between the innotek 4100 and the petsafe little dog. I have read bad reviews about the innotek collar and that it needs replacing once every 8-15 months, this is about 100 dollars a year, whereas for the petsafe batteries it would be 35 dollars a year. How long do the collars last in your honest opinion?
ADMIN – Hi David,
Either system will do the job well. We prefer the Innotek because of the rechargeable battery and the collar fit which is very useful for long hair dogs. We generally find them both to be good reliable systems (and collars)
I suspect the Innotek 4100/5100 get a lot more bad reviews because they are the most popular system. Our experience is that they do get collar failures, but the rate is low and is similar to the other brands.
We have been using the 4100 collars since they came out. The collar we put in for customers about six years ago are starting to lose about half their battery life. I would expect you would get at least that amount of time out of them.
If you want to stick with the PetSafe, take a look at the PetSafe Deluxe. The Deluxe collar is a 50% bigger than the PetSafe little dog collar but fine for a 16lb Havanese, the batteries are cheaper, $4 vs $10 and last about 30% longer. The system is also a little cheaper.
Does the petsafe little dog collar have any type of remote that I can use to help bark train my dogs in the house using the same collars? My dogs are fairly well trained as far as boundaries go in the yard already, is this type of system reliable enough to allow dogs outside unsupervised? Thanks, Staci
ADMIN – Hi Staci,
The Petsafe little dog fence does not have a remote control that can be used for training.
For bark, we generally find that a dedicated bark collar works a lot better than a remote trainer, because most of us aren’t consistent enough to have the remote in hand whenever the dog barks. So the dog ends up getting the correction infrequently and only when you are around. This rarely eliminates barking totally, rather it only stops barking when you are around holding the remote. For barking you would be better off with something like the PetSafe Little Dog Bark COllar than the dog fence or a remote trainer.
In regards to your training question. Once you have done the training and tested compliance (Step Three of our training), you can start leaving the dogs outside unsupervised for increasing periods of time.
Someone gave us a Pet Safe Little Dog Deluxe, but it only has the wire and the box. No power adapter and no collars. We have three 60-lb Australian Shepherd mixes who have decided it’s fun to chase deer and are ending up way too far away from home for our comfort. Can we buy collars appropriate for our large dogs, and use them with the box we already have? Are the power cords available for purchase? I understand it’s a bit of a gamble on whether or not the box itself actually works….it could save us about $150 (since the collar is about $100 of the purchase price), or it could end up costing us an extra $100 and lock us in to the Petsafe line.
If it works, we spend $300 on collars and some on extra wire and a power cord OR we spend $250-300 on a new system and an additional $200-ish on collars. Right?
ADMIN – Hi Jennifer,
Cool. You use PetSafe Stubborn (for large dogs) and PetSafe Deluxe (for medium sized dogs) collars with teh PetSafe Little Dog system.
The boxes tend to be pretty robust. Unless there was something like a lightning strike, it should be fine. And if not, we are happy to take a return on the power cord.
You can get additional power cords through us. They cost under $30. Let me know if you want an exact quote.
I would like to find the best dog fence for my dogs. I have three dogs weighing at 8 pounds, 12 pounds and 22 pounds. I am looking at the PetSafe Little Dog PIG00-10773, and buy 2 additional collars. The 22 pound dog is very sensitive but also well behaved. My big problem is my 12 pounder who has a mind of her own and does what she wants.
Second, what would be the difference between getting 20 gauge wire or 18 gauge wire. My lot size is about 1/3 acre wheeled out it looks like 436 feet of wire will work fine.
Please let me know so I can make the correct decision for myself as well as for my three dogs.
Someone also told me the pet safe cat collar works great for the smaller dogs. Have you heard anything and is that compatible with any dog models.
ADMIN – Hi Phil,
The PetSafe Little Dog would I think be your best bet with those three dogs. For the bigger dog, you could substitute a PetSafe Deluxe collar which is a little cheaper and uses cheaper longer lasting batteries.
500 feet should be plenty for 1/3 of an acre. I would get the standard 20 gauge wire. With only 1/3 of an acre you will not see any improvement in transmission. We find that anything likely to break the wire (lawn edgers being the main culprit), will just as easily sever almost any wire irrespective of thickness.
The PetSafe cat collars do work with the PetSafe dog systems and the system is a little cheaper. But, we find the correction levels too low for most dogs, and the breakaway feature in the Cat Collar leads to lost collars with dogs.
I have the wireless system- Used for many years with golden no problems. Several years after purchasing system bought yorkie. I did not train the yorkie to the system because the collar for the wireless system was not recommended for her under 8 pounds. Only put out with golden and supervision- Never left yard. Unfortunately, golden recently passed away. Is there a new collar that can be used to train yorkie into wireless system? She will not reliably stay but will come back when called. Afraid she may now run into street. She was the golden’s shadow. Would the PetSafe little dog collar work? She does not like the leash when at home will sit and not walk. Walks fine on leash at park. Less than .75 acres of land. Also she spends time at parents house when I’m at work. Some prob. Used to take wireless system to there house- Golden was trained to boundaries with wireless at both home. I really don’t want to bury wire at 2 places. Thanks.
ADMIN – Hi Jaime,
The collars on all the wireless dog fences are still too big for a small dog. The collar for the PetSafe Little Dog is not compatible with those wireless systems. Unfortunately, the only good option for dogs under 12 lbs is still the PetSafe Little Dog Wired Fence.
I have been reading so many reviews from so many different people and so many different websites and now I am thoroughly lost, confused and frustrated. We have a Yorkshire Terrier (6 pounds) and a Maltese/Yorkshire mix (9 pounds) that we need to set a fence system up for. We have about ½ acre area where they can run and play. We would like to be able to leave the collars on all the time as they use a dog door to go in and out at will. I am not sure what other information you need, but please I need your assistance. We just want our dogs to be safe and not wander in the road. I can install anything so difficulty is no issue.
Any guidance will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
ADMIN – Hi Robert,
With dogs under 12 pounds, the Petsafe Little Dog is definitely the one to get. It is the only system where the collars are small enough for a small dog and where the correction level is commensurately lower.
Usually customers leave the collar on all day, then take the collar off at night. If you are going to leave the collar on 24 hours a day, then just keep a close eye on the dog’s neck area for the first few days and then weekly. Occasionally, a dog can develop a rash from wearing the collar too much, if that happens you want to catch it early.
We’re moving in a few months to a house with a bit of an oddly shaped yard. We have a 65lb Rottweiler, a 13lb Rat Terrier, and a 20lb English Cocker Spaniel. All 3 dogs respect (physical) fence boundaries and haven’t tried to escape in the past but the new house would look awkward with a fence so we’ve been researching the electric fences. I like that you can get different collars for different sized dogs with the PetSafe systems and that we can use the indoor pod to keep them out of the bedrooms in the house, but I don’t want to keep replacing batteries. My cocker will stay on the property regardless, my rottie, though the biggest, is a baby and will probably head the correction beeps right away, but my rat terrier is, well, a typical terrier. He’s easily distracted, has a high pain tolerance, and LOVES to chase wildlife. Do you think the Innotek 4100 is a good fit for all 3 dogs or will the shock be to strong for the 13lb terrier? Are there any other rechargeable batteries that would fit in the PetSafe collars?
ADMIN – Hi Lindsey,
My intuition is that the three dogs are going to require different correction levels. Even with the temperament differences, it is likely the Rottie will need more than the Terrier.
If you want the rechargeable Innotek IUC-4100, then we have a work-around. You wrap a resistor around the collars where you want to decrease the correction. We are happy to send some resistors out to you – just shoot email us your order confirmation number and we can send them out at no extra charge. More details on the Innotek Resistor Workaround.
There is no rechargeable battery available for hte PetSafe Little Dog. With the PetSafe Stubborn and SportDog SDF-100 that use a regular 9V battery, you cna make them rechargeable by buying a rechargeable 9V battery.
We are in the market for an inground system for our 2 yr old, 17 lb jack russel. neck size is 10′-11”. He is mild mannered and has responded well with a petsafe deluxe remote trainer for little dogs at a setting on 3 out of 10. I was leaning toward the innotec 4100 due to the battery advantage. However, I like the idea of the smaller collar. Would you please make me a recommendation.
ADMIN – Hi John,
I would go with the Innotek IUC-4100. With a 17lb Jack Russell, the collar size will be a non-issue and you won’t be stuck with the PetSafe Little Dog batteries. Just keep the collar set to the low correction level.
(Our rule of thumb is that if you are over 12lbs, go with the Innotek, under 12lbs go with the PetSafe Little Dog)
I have a poodle the age of 5 yrs. His name is Prince, i am guessing he is 6 pounds? He keeps running to these peoples houses a few blocks down when we let him out to pee. ( Plus my little sisters leave the doors open sometimes) we have asked the people to not let him in..but thats no help. We have done everything trying to keep him from running off. This is the last thing i can think of to do.. But i dont know what to get. I just want something where I dont have to dig holes. I just want it to be wirless and not very expensive..$200-&350 is fine i guess… Can someone just help?
ADMIN – Hi Jordan,
The wireless systems are unfortunately too big for a small dog. The collars on those systems don’t make a lot of sense for dogs under 20lbs, if you use them Prince will be dragging them around like a boat anchor … he would be contained but only because he couldn’t get his head up from the ground
The only good option for a small dog is the PetSafe Little Dog in-ground system. It has a smaller collar and lower correction levels making it much better suited to dogs under 12lbs than the regular systems.
If you are running the boundary wire through a lawn, you will have to bury it, otherwise it will get ripped up by the lawnmower. The easiest way to bury the wire is to rent a trencher (with wire laying attachment) from your local tool rental. It will cut a slot in the ground, lay the wire and back fill all in one pass. Another good option is to use a garden edger to cut a slot in the ground, then lay the wire and backfill by hand.
I have a 13 pound, 1 year old Cava-Poo. He is more poodle like, tall and skinny with a small neck. Under 12 pounds you recommend the PetSafe Little Dog, and over 12 pounds the Innotek 4100. I am leaning toward the PetSafe Little Dog because of his small neck. Do you agree? Can you provide the dimensions of the collar receiver box for both of these units?
Also, my next door neighbor recently got a dog; a 20 pound, 2 year old lab-terrier mix. Today we got two quotes from Invisible Fence. My neighbor most likely will go with Invisible Fence for the convenience. I plan to install myself. Our two yards share about a 150 foot border. How far apart will the buried wires of my PetSafe Little Dog system need to be from the Invisible Fence buried wire to make sure they do not interfere with each other? THANKS, Donald in Milwaukee
ADMIN – Hi Donald,
You want to keep the wires on the two systems separated by at least 12 feet – otherwise the fence will not work along the common boundary. If that is not possible, an alternative is to get a system like the Perimeter Ultra that lets you switch frequencies so you don’t get signals interference between the systems.
The Innotek Collar dimensions are 2.5×1.2x.0.7. The PetSafe dimensions are 2.1×0.8×0.9. (LxWxD)
Go with your instincts, if you think the Innotek it is going to be uncomfortable for your dog, then use the PetSafe.
Hello, I have a miniature pinscher who is about 16 pounds and a jack russell shorty who is about 14 pounds. I watched your video and you said that the little dog system is for dogs under 12 pounds. Do you think I could still use the system on them even though they’re slightly over 12 pounds? I worry only because their necks are so tiny, especially the mini pin and I don’t want a really chunky receiver on them. But I want to make sure the correction level is strong enough to keep them from chasing squirrels out of our yard!
Your help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
ADMIN – Hi Kristi,
Sorry if that was confusing. You can effectively use the PetSafe Little Dog for dogs up to about 30lbs and many people do because of the smaller collar size. The collar has five correction levels and you just need to turn up the collar a little to contain those bigger dogs.
12lbs is our threshold for where is becomes mandatory. Below 12lbs you should use the PetSafe Little Dog. Above 12lbs you can use the PetSafe Little Dog but other options also become available.
I have Innotek-5100 for my large White Shepherd and it’s work great. I’m planning to get small dog ( Pomeranian) and would like to know can i use one wire for both systems- Innotek and PetSafe Little Dog. Can i add them both side by side on one wire? If not, what can i do?
Admin- Hi Inga,
Unfortunately the two systems will not work in your suggested setup. With a little dog you are limited to a PetSafe system. You will be able to use the current wire you already have in the ground. However, you will need to replace the Innotek system with either the PetSafe Little Dog System or PetSafe Stubborn dog system.
I want to install the fence with using the house as part of the containment area. Can I start at a point on the building, install the fence in a semi-circle to touch another part of the building, and then go back along the same path or very close.
ADMIN – Hi Karen,
If you are doing a backyard only installation where you only want the fence on three sides (the fourth side being the house), there are a few ways to complete the loop.
1. Doubling Back – as you mentioned you can double back on yourself, keeping the two wires at least 6 feet apart. (any closer and they start canceling each other out)
2. Up and Over – run the fourth side of the wire up a downspout and through the gutter so it is effectively going up and over the house. Having the wire so high overhead lets the dog go in and out of the house without getting the correction.
3. Round the Front – run the fourth side of the wire tight around the front of the house.
There is a lot more information and some layout diagrams, check out the Installation –> Layouts section of our website.
I have two dogs, a min pin (~5lbs) and an Italian Greyhound (~15-18lbs). The min pin should be OK on this system based on what I’ve read here so far and his known temperament. I am more concerned about the Iggy. As with most greyhounds he has a VERY strong chase instinct and ours is particularly high in adrenaline when he gets excited. On the flip side, he is very adverse to pain and becomes very reclusive if he is disciplined strongly. Case in point, he is terrified of stairs because he banged his knees once or twice trying to climb them MONTHS ago. So… I am concerned about training such a dog on a system like this. I need a strong enough fence to keep him contained, but not so strong that he’s scared to even go outside! So if I buy this system to contain he Min Pin, which collar (if any) would I use on the Iggy?
Also, I just want to be clear because it’s not mentioned in the write-up above on how this fence system works. If a dog “breaks loose” from the boundary through a rush of adrenaline or whatever, does the correction stop and they are free? If so, then I assume they will get zapped trying to come back home too right? I do have a flat yard with relatively few trees,would the wireless system be better? Does that stop correction and allow the dogs to break free too? May thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Kate,
With a dog that reacts strongly to discipline, we spend longer in the first phase of training where there is only a verbal correction (and no shock from the collar). We are also carefl to use much more positive reinforcement like rewards when the dog obeys. That way when the dog does get the shock correction they know why they go it and how to turn it off. This makes the shock much less stressful, because the dog feels more in control. They know exactly what they need to do to avoid the correction and what to do to stop the correction.
With the training, you should not have a problem training even a very high prey drive dog. I would however be sure to spend a little extra time in the third phase of training, teaching the dog with some of the triggers that get him in that high adrenaline state.
Since the bigger dog is a little more sensitive, I would use the PetSafe Little Dog collar with both of the dogs.
The wireless systems do not stop correcting the dog when they break through (until the system times out). However, the wireless systems are much less accurate, the boudnary line wanders and often the correction comes seconds too late. This make them much harder to train a dog with. The wired systems are by far the more preferable option.
I have a 10lb Jack Russell, 18 lb Boston Terrier, and 25 lb Chinese Pug. Which in ground system would work best for me? Is the Innotek 4100 too powerful for my Jack? If I need the Pet Safe little dog, can I use the little dog collars for all 3 dogs?
ADMIN – Hi Jeremy,
The Innotek collar is probably going to be too big for the Jack Russell. We can adjust down the correction strength with a resistor, but the collar would probably be too big for him to be comfortable.
I would use a PetSafe Little Dog collar with the Jack Russell. With the other two dogs, you could use the Little Dog collar as well, or a PetSafe Deluxe collar (the advantage of this will be that the batteries will be around half the price)
I have a yorkiepoo only 9lbs. But I think she would ignore the warning and keep on going.
ADMIN – Hi Brandon,
The PetSafe Little Dog Fence would be a good choice for a Yorkiepoo. With the training, the dog will learn to obey the fence line – while the warning beep doesn’t have much affect on stronger willed dogs, all dogs are highly motivated to avoid the correction. And once dogs make the association between the beep and the correction – then they start respecting the warning beep.
Hi,
We have a 10.5 lb. 7 month old Havanese. I am looking at the “little dog pet safe” b/c he shouldn’t get any larger than 12 lbs when fully grown. The big downside was the proprietory battery. How much does it typically cost ,where would I buy it ,and how long will it last before I have to replace it?
Thanks!
Hi,
We have a 10.5 lb. 7 month old Havanese. I am looking at the “little dog pet safe” b/c he shouldn’t get any larger than 12 lbs when fully grown. The big downside was the proprietory battery. How much does it typically cost ,where would I buy it ,and how long will it last before I have to replace it? Thanks! H
Admin-Hi Heather,
The PetSafe Little Dog batteries will lasts about 3-4 months and costs about $10. You can purchase the batteries through us or the manufacture PetSafe offers a battery mailing list. You pay once a year and PetSafe will mail you the new batteries at the recommended change date.
Hello. I have a very headstrong, absolutely fearless, 6lb. min-pin. I would love for him to be outside with us in the yard. We have about 3500 square foot area. I think from your information, that the PetSafe Little Dog Fence is exactly what we’re looking for.
But. We have a 1962, 24′ Airstream in that area, that’s part of our ‘park yard’. Will this be an issue?
Thank you. Sharon
Admin- Hi Sharon,
The PetSafe Little Dog fence is going to be your best option for keeping your Min-Pin contained. The 24′ Airstream will not be an issue.
Hi there! I have a mutt that is 20 pounds and a Boston Terrier that is 30 pounds. Which fencing system would be the best for them? My husband and I want something that is going to be reliable because we are moving out to the country and the places our boys could wander are endless.
ADMIN – Hi Megan,
For dogs 20-30 lbs, the Innotek IUC-4100 would be a good choice (http://www.dogfencediy.com/reviews/innotek-ultrasmart-iuc-4100/). The collars are still small and and would comfortably fit a 20/30 pound dog. The Innotek also has the advantage of being rechargeable so there is no ongoing battery expense. The PetSafe Little Dog and PetSafe Deluxe are also good for smaller dogs, but both use proprietary batteries.
I have a small 4 lbs yorkie and a 75 lb lab. Will this system work, I see that it says minimum size is 5 lbs, but she always wants to be with the much larger lab.
ADMIN – Hi Alan,
At 4lbs the Yorkie would be on the borderline of the collar being too big for the dog. The easiest way to test is to put the collar on the dog without powering it on and see if the dog gets comfortable with it over the next few days. If that doesn’t work you can send it back.
If that fails, get a dog fence for the Lab and tie the Yorkie to the Lab!
I have a 19lb shizpoo(?), a 18 lb smooth hair terrier, a 8 lb chihuahua, and a 2.5 lb chihuahua puppy that will probably be approx 4-5 lbs. Can the small dog system accommodate them all and would other collars better fit the two larger dogs since the terrier definitely adheres to the breeds’ characteristics?
I had also considered the Wireless PIF-300, however it looked like the Small Dog was more reliable. Which system would you consider a better fit for my “pack”. Thanks.
ADMIN – Hi Carla,
The PetSafe Little Dog would be the best choice for those four dogs. If you wanted to save a little on you batteries, you could get a PetSafe Deluxe collar for the two larger dogs, and get the PetSafe Little Dog collar for the two smaller dogs.
I would definitely get a wired fence over any of the wireless. They are much more reliable, and also the wireless collars will be too big.
Hi, I have a Peekapoo who needs an electric fence. Her curiosity is getting the best of her and she is wandering further and further away daily. She is just under 12 pounds so the PetSafe Little Dog sounds perfect. She already has a Petsafe bark collar that she respects. My concern is how well it works in the snow. We have times here in Vermont when the snow can be 3-4 feet deep. Will the collar still read the wires with that much snow over it?
ADMIN – Hi Leslie,
When the snow starts to pile up, you turn up the boundary width dial at the base station to compensate. It works well up to 1 foot, then becomes less reliable. At 3-4 feet, I doubt you will still get a signal at the surface and you would need to keep an eye on the dog. While she may stay inside the boundary out of habit, the containment system is not going to be effective.
Hi I just purchased a Jack Russell named chloe, she is 10 weeks old, would the petsafe small dog be good enough for her, or the innotek4100, not sure how big she will get. I live in Michigan and winter is coming, thanks for your time.
ADMIN – Hi Jim,
Jack Russells straddle the border. If you think at full size she is going to be over 12lbs, the Innotek is the better choice. If she is going to be under 12 lbs or you are unsure then the PetSafe Little Dog is the better choice. PS – I would wait until the dog is 25 weeks until you train Chloe, it will make the process much faster and easier than training a younger and less attentive dog.
Hi, I have (3) dogs. Two Portuguese Water dogs weighting about 45 & 55 lbs. And a Maltese weighting in at about 9 lbs. I will be bringing all three to live for the winter in Costa Rica. I have been reading a lot of the reviews about the collars and the transmitters failing after a week and then the company replaces them etc. My problem is I need very very Dependable system & collars. They will be contained within a 1000′ loop. Is the “PetSafe Stubborn Dog Fence system” with two collars and a small collar from the “PetSafe Little Dog Fence System”, my best option? Please be aware returning a malfunctioning system is not an option… no mail service in this part of Costa Rica:-(
ADMIN – Hi Amy,
With those three dogs, using a combination of the PetSafe Stubborn and PetSafe Little Dog collars would be your best bet. The PetSafe systems are dependable, the failure after a week is a rare event.
I have a 5 and a half month old min pin. I was told they are great escape artist. I just got her and Im not sure how much she weighs. Not that I am going to start using the system right now. But I have a PETSAFE WIRELESS system that I already used with my 20lb pekingese (passed away) and 14lb scottish deerhound/mix. Could I possibily get the collar that comes with the petsafe small dog?
ADMIN – Hi Kristy,
Unfortunately, the PetSafe Wireless collar is the only collar available for that fence. None of the other in-ground wired fence collars will work.
I have 2 pugs that are 5 months old. One weighs 6 pounds and one almost 10. I am wondering if they weigh enough to use my electric dog fence?
ADMIN – Hi Dawn,
If you have the Little Dog Fence, then yes, they are big enough.
i have 3 dogs, 2 of them are yorkies the one is 6lbs, and the other is a puppy approximately 4 lbs. the other is a bulldog so around 40 lbs. would it work if i would get this system for all of them? also i have 7 acres so how much would it cost to fence in all of that? And in some of those other comments it said about training the dog to know were the fence is. would someone do that when it gets installed or would i have to do that? thanks.
ADMIN – Hi Jay,
You can purchase the Little Dog fence and bundle in a PetSafe Deluxe collar for your bulldog. Keep in mind that the range will be different for the bulldog. Basically, your Yorkies will be able to walk much closer to the boundary wire than your bulldog. You’ll an additional 2,000 feet of wire to cover up to 7 acres. The fence, plus the additional collars, plus the additional wire will cost $579.65 and is tax free unless you live in TX or CA. We provide our customers with our training and installation guide to assist them in installing and training their dogs properly. We are also available by phone and email to assist answering customers questions, which is also a free service.
I have two terriers circa 20/25lb and was thinking the petsafe little dog would be the best option as the collars are smaller and the correction levels are adjustable and I could add the cat to it later but the battery continual replacement is an issue so now unsure and would welcome your advice. Do they have a low battery warning and does the system have a broken perimeter warning?
ADMIN – Hi John,
For two Terriers, the PetSafe Little Dog would be a fine choice, particularly if you intend to add a cat later on (for which you can use the PetSafe Cat Collar). The only downside of the collar is the disposable battery. Also consider the Innotek IUC-4100 which is also a good systems for dogs in the 20 pound range and is rechargeable – although it cannot be used with cats like the PetSafe. Both the Innotek and the PetSafe systems have a broken boundary wire warning and a low collar battery warning.
We are moving to an unfenced rental property with our two dogs…Simon, a 5 lb Maltese/Yorkie mix and Chloe, a 16 lb Dachshund/Yorkie mix. What would be the best choice for us?
ADMIN – Hi Tracy,
With Simon, the 5lb Maltese & Yorkie mix, a PetSafe Little Dog system would be a good choice. For the bigger dog, Chloe, add a PetSafe Deluxe collar. The deluxe collar is a little bigger, but it also has a much better battery life.
I have read most of the above comments, but I still wanted to ask for myself. I have a 6-month-old chihuahua that only weighs about 2.5 lbs. Will the PetSafe Little Dog System be safe enough for her? She is tiny, so I hope that the collar will even fit her small neck. Up until now she has minded pretty well, but just in the last couple of weeks she has started to venture off when I let her outside. Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thanks!
ADMIN – Hi Leighann,
The PetSafe Little Dog collar is not going to fit around her neck very well and is also going to feel big for her. For any dog under 6lbs, even the smallest collars will be bulky and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, there are not good alternatives – PetSafe needs to make a Very Little Dog collar! If there is another way to keep her contained, I would do that.
If an electric dog fence is the only option, I would start by just putting the collar around her neck and see if she is bothered by it before I went ahead and did the full installation. Some dogs at that size will be fine, some dogs will find it intolerable. But, I think at 2.5 lbs she is just too small, even for the PetSafe Little Dog collar.