FUNACE INVISIBLE WIRED DOG FENCE REVIEW

Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350

According to statistics, in the year 2017, 1,2 million dogs were killed on the road just in the U.S. alone. This is a frightening fact and we can only guess that most of these were strays but in order to be a responsible owner, we need to do everything in our ability to secure the safety of our pets. There are several things you could do to reduce the likelihood of them being harmed, one of those is implementing some kind of containment system.

Now when talking about a way to contain your dog the idea is to do it in a most humane way and not compromise his freedom. For us chaining your dog outside is out of the question so that's where invisible dog fences come into play.

If you're completely new to these, don't worry, they are not complicated tools. We suggest you read along because today we are covering a good entry-level system that is easy to use and also very budget friendly.

Specifications

In-ground wired containment system
IPX8 waterproof collar
Rechargeable batteries
Warning tone mode and static simulation
1000ft of 22 gauge wire included

Collar fits dogs that weigh 8 pounds or more
5 -22 inches neck size
Eight levels of static stimulation and tone-only mode
Waterproof and submersible
300 yards of range

Fits neck sizes 6-23 inch
Compatible with PetSafe PIF-300 wireless fence
Fits dogs weighing 5 pounds or more
Five levels of correction as well as a tone-only mode
Rechargeable batteries

In-ground system
Waterproof collar
Four levels of stimulation plus vibration
Utilizes a conventional 9V battery
Low battery indicator light
System supports multiple collars

FunAce Invisible Rechargeable Pet Containment System – The Basics

Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350 – The Basics

Petsafe Stay and Play Fence Receiver – The Basics

FunAce brings us yet another affordable in-ground solution for keeping our mischevious canines out of harm's way. This particular model is very reasonably priced and offers all the basic benefits you would expect to have from an invisible dog fence. The boundary zone is fully customizable and you have 1000 feet of 22 gauge wire included in the package, which is more than enough to get creative with your perimeter layouts.

We recommend being extremely cautious when setting up the system since this is not the best quality wire on the market and wire breaks can occur if you're not being careful when placing it in a shallow trench. However, when you have set up everything the fence works just fine, with the occasional hiccup when it comes to signal consistency. During our test, we had a number of obstacles in our yard and the system didn't fail on us so there is no exact pattern when the inconsistency happens and judging by other reviews it seems to happen very infrequently.

The collar is fully waterproof so rough weather or even an occasional swim won't compromise the functionality or put your pet in jeopardy. It is powered by a rechargeable battery so you won't have to worry about additional costs that come with stockpiling replaceable ones.

The correction method works in the next order - The collar issues an audible beep, warning your pet that it's too close to the boundary line. The static is issued only if your dog doesn't retreat after the warning sign. Safety and the well-being of your furry friend is the number one priority, so don't worry about him getting hurt since the shock is more of a reminder than a punishment.

This particular model is designed for owners with particularly stubborn and feisty pets. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it on dogs without behavioral issues, but the sole purpose of it is to deliver a somewhat uncomfortable static signal which is responsible for toning your pet’s behavior down.
As you can tell, it has eight levels of correction. Most other models on the market usually don’t have more than four or five. Those three more levels are what makes this collar so effective when restless pets are in question. The 300 yards of range gives you more than enough time to react properly if something goes wrong. In other words, you can rest assured that it won’t go out of signal range before you press any of the buttons on the controller.

The first thing you need to know is that this isn’t a fully functional system but a collar. That means it won’t work without a proper transmitter. In this case, if you have the PetSafe PIF-300 system already installed, this particular collar won’t have any issues when synchronization is in question.
This model offers five different levels of static correction and a tone-only mode for training. Five levels offer more than enough variety for you to fine-tune the unit and find the one that doesn’t over-stimulate your pet. It fits on any breed as long as they weigh more than five pounds. Therefore, if you own a particularly small breed, you might want to look for something with less correctional intensity.
The batteries are rechargeable, and the charger is included with the unit. You have the choice of buying the collar without the charger, but do that only if you already own one. In case this is your first PetSafe product, we recommend buying the whole set in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and additional costs.

The Features

The Design

The collar features a compact design that doesn't compromise durability. The size of the receiver is what makes it suitable for smaller dog breeds. While it's not the smallest one on the market, it should perfectly fit dogs that weigh 8 pounds and above. The rubberized strap has an orange finish which makes your dog more visible in lower light situations. This is especially handy for identification purposes and to prevent a worst-case scenario. It is a fact by now that we are not a fan of rubberized straps and consider nylon to be superior, but the adjustability is not questionable and the collar covers a range of neck sizes starting from 8 inches to 20.

The IPX8 waterproof rating means that the collar can be submerged over 1m of depth. While we wouldn't recommend going snorkeling with your dog, it's still good to know that the occasional swim won't damage the receiver.

The transmitter is pretty standard and has just a few buttons you need to worry about. It's small so it won't occupy a lot of space. Places like your garage are an ideal spot to mount it on a wall next to an electrical outlet and start spreading your wiring from there.

The collar is pretty neatly designed. The biggest upside of it is the fact that it isn’t bulky or cumbersome. That being said, we did find the two contact points on the collar a bit peculiar and invasive, but it’s not a massive concern as it is more of a matter of your pet getting used to it. The on/off button might not seem like a big deal, but many other models simply don’t feature one. When you have a battery powered gadget, an on/off button is of utmost importance when it comes to efficiency and energy saving.
The transmitter works well and it’s quite easy to get the hang of it. It features two buttons of which one sends a short-timed signal whereas the other sends a continuous signal. On top of that, you can choose between eight different levels or even select the tone-only mode if you’re just getting started. Keep in mind that you need to find the optimal level of correction as soon as possible because not all dogs react the same to respective impulses.

Cute Dog and FunAce Invisible Wired Dog Fence

How it works

If you're not familiar how an in-ground dog fence works here are the basics - The mounted transmitter has to be plugged in and connected to your wire layout. The wires should represent your boundary line so make sure to plan ahead and place them accordingly. When in near proximity, the collar around your dog's neck communicates with the radio signals emitting from the wires and responds by an audible beep followed by a static stimulation.

For a more in-depth explanation refer to the user manual or check out an article we wrote on how invisible dog fence works.

This model features rechargeable NiMH batteries that last about 40-60 hours per charge. The biggest complaint most people have is the fact that this model does not feature Li-Ion batteries which are more efficient and offer better performance.
Both the collar and receiver feature a low-battery indicator and can be charged at the same time thanks to the included split-end charger. Make sure to keep them charged at all times and you shouldn’t run into any major issues.

While many people consider this feature pretty irrelevant, the difference between rechargeable and switchable batteries does exist and it’s worth mentioning. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the fact that you don’t have to stack on batteries and plan ahead. Instead, all you have to do is plug it into the charger and let it recharge. The cycle lasts only about two or three hours, meaning there isn’t much downtime in the first place.
The drawback of this system is that the battery is built-in. In other words, if anything happens to the battery itself, the whole unit becomes more or less worthless. Luckily, these batteries aren’t prone to failing and breaking often.

The correction levels are excellent. The difference between levels isn’t massive which allows you to adjust the collar quite precisely. Furthermore, if you don’t want to use the correction system right away, there is a tone-only mode which is designed to help your pet get used to wearing and using its new accessory. The fact that everything is wireless makes this model perfect for parks, camping, RVs, and etcetera.

One of the great features is the vibration mode. It allows the owner to train their pet without having to use the electric stimulation. It helps you to gradually train your faithful companion instead of making you use progressive methods immediately.

Other features

While most pet collars look pretty similar to each other, some crucial differences need to be pointed out. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the build quality. One can easily tell that this unit is made to last, even in case you have a particularly feisty furry friend. The gadget isn’t too bulky or cumbersome, but it’s not the most comfortable thing on the market either. The collar features a plastic clip which does its job relatively well.
The system box is pretty straightforward, and there’s not much more to it. It comes with an adapter which can be a nuisance for some people due to its somewhat short wire. Therefore, make sure you plan the positioning thoroughly and install the box near an electric outlet to avoid issues with the length of the adapter wires.

PROS:

• Highly Customizable
• Compact collar, suitable for smaller dogs
• Affordable price

• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good coverage

• Easy to setup
• Good build quality
• Smooth correction levels

• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good build quality

CONS:

• Static simulation intensity is not adjustable

• Occasional signal inconsistency

• Underwhelming battery

• Batteries are built-in
• No on/off switch

• Batteries don’t last long
• No OFF button

What We Liked about It

The value for money is great for this product. Right out of the box you get a highly customizable dog fence with theoretically no future investments needed. You have a 1000 feet of wire, everything you need to mount the transmitter, training flags, a well-written instruction manual and a rechargeable collar with included batteries.

All that's left to do is to set aside a couple of hours or a day to set everything up and invest some time to acquaint your canine pal with the containment zone. While the FunAce Invisible Wired Dog Fence will do its job of keeping your pet inside your yard, we can not emphasize enough how important it is going through the training process.

The best thing about this particular model is its portability. In other words, you don’t have to set up any invisible fences or hassle with miniature flags. All you have to do is put the collar on your pet and start the training. Also, the user manual is well-written, and it contains quite a bit of useful information on how to start the training process if you’re a complete novice.
The other thing we liked is the price. Many people expect it to be more expensive than the wireless containment system, but it’s not. In fact, it comes at an affordable price meaning that most pet owners can indeed plan on investing in such a gadget without having to think about their budget too much. However, it may not be as versatile as some containment systems that are available on the market nowadays.

The overall versatility and build quality are the things that we liked the most. In the sea of cheap and underwhelming dog collars, this stands out as one that’s worth investing in. As we already said, if you own the PIF-300 system, this particular unit is one of your safest bets.
The fact that it’s very easy to use makes it ideal for beginners and inexperienced pet owners. It’s also an affordable piece in comparison to some other models that offer similar capabilities and features. It isn’t the best thing on the market, but it’s certainly a piece that’s worth checking out.
People who are searching for high portability combined with great efficiency should find this collar interesting, to say the least.

What We didn’t Like

Aside from the occasional signal inconsistency we already mentioned, the biggest downside is the non-adjustable level of static stimulation. While the default level will work just fine on timid dogs, sometimes you need to bump up the correction level for those that are more stubborn by nature. We were a bit disappointed, but the lack of adjustability is common when it comes to more affordable systems.

The batteries are probably the weakest point of this product. While they aren’t bad per se, the engineers could have implemented Li-Ion batteries without a problem. The included ones may be considered obsolete and subpar in comparison to Li-Ion. While 40-60 hours seems long and sufficient, you may run into battery issues occasionally.
The other thing a lot of users complained about is the inconsistency of the signal. In other words, if you select the level seven, the device might output a level four signal. It’s not a frequent occurrence, but it can happen. If you’re worried about consistency, consider checking some other models out, this one might give you troubles in the long run.

The battery is okay, but the fact that it cannot be changed might be a deal-breaker for some people. The recharging cycle doesn’t last long, but it can catch you off-guard. However, there is a low-battery LED light on the collar, meaning you should keep an eye on the levels.
The pet area cannot be changed into a square or rectangular shape. While this is usually typical for most wireless containment systems, it’s still worth mentioning. If you have anything against a circular shape of the area of effect, you might want to look into wired units as they offer more adjustability.

The lack of the OFF button is a major issue for many pet owners. Even though the process of changing the batteries is incredibly simple, it’s not uncommon for people to forget about it. That means you’ll have to go to the nearest store in case you forgot to stack on batteries the last time you were shopping.
As we already said, this fence does not come with wire included. While it’s clearly stated in the description, you would be surprised by the number of people that oversee it. Therefore, if you don’t have wiring installed in the yard, make sure you purchase it separately.

Conclusion

Overal another decent product from FunAce that is easy to get the hang of, but doesn't offer any breathtaking features. Due to the lack of features and periodical inconsistency, we gave it a rating of 3.3 out of 5. If you can live with that and just want a simple way to keep your furry canine safe, then definitely consider buying this particular unit, especially if you're a beginner and have a somewhat tighter budget.

You can see the rest of the products we hand-picked on our list of best wireless dog fence for small dogs review.

CHECK PRICE AT AMAZON

The Yardtrainer 350 is a decent remote trainer; there is no question about that. Is it the best one on the market? It certainly isn’t. Is it worth checking it out? Yes, it definitely is. In the end, it all comes down to your requirements and preferences. If its features and capabilities fit your idea of a perfect dog trainer, don’t hesitate to give it a chance. On the other hand, there are plenty of other models to choose from.
As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is its ease of use. If you’re an absolute beginner, this model won’t be much of a challenge thanks to its simplistic concept. As for the downsides, the battery and signal inconsistency should be your primary concerns.

This collar is a universal answer for most of your problems. If you have a feisty or disobedient pet, the Stay and Play Fence Receiver can help you when it comes to behavioral corrections. On the other hand, you have to be prepared for trials and errors because nothing happens overnight, especially when it comes to radical changes.
Beginners and inexperienced owners love the ease of use and simplicity of this unit. On the other hand, people who already trained their pets usually look for something with more features. In the end, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. As far as we are concerned, it’s definitely worth checking it out.

If you’re looking for a long-term solution when it comes to training your pet and correcting their behavior, an invisible fence is one of your safest bets. Now, make sure you fully understand your possibilities and responsibilities towards your furry friend. These things can easily become an instrument of abuse if you don’t use them correctly. That doesn’t always mean it’s the owner’s fault, but it does correlate with owner’s ignorance or lack of experience.
As far as your budget goes, you won’t damage it too much. As we said earlier, these fences aren’t cheap but are certainly a good investment, especially if you own a problematic dog. Many people spend hundreds of dollars on professional trainers, and they don’t always guarantee success. This way, you can take a role of a trainer even if you don’t have any experience, and train your pet according to your own preferences. It does take a bit of effort and time, but it definitely pays out in the end.