Sit Boo-Boo Hidden Dog Fence Review

Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350
Hidden Dog Fence - Sit Boo-Boo

So you've decided your property needs a wireless dog fence. You like the idea of having a concealed and safe way to keep your pet from harm, but you're not ready to invest a lot of your hard earned money into such a system.

While some companies offer better quality products for a substantially bigger amount of money - today we want to cover a unit that does the job but doesn't put a dent in your bank account.

Hidden Dog Fence by Sit Boo-Boo is a fully customizable, secure system that is super easy to set up. Some of the features it offers are usually not found in products at this price range but before you decide on your purchase we recommend you take a look at how well it did on our test.

Specifications

  • In-ground system but will work above ground as well
  • 5 levels of static simulation and a vibration only mode
  • Supports multiple collars simultaneously
  • Included cord can cover up to 1.2 acres
  • Collars use a fast recharging battery.
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

Sit Boo-Boo Dog Fence – The Basics

Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350 – The Basics
Petsafe Stay and Play Fence Receiver – The Basics

This wireless fence is a harmless in-ground containment system that comes with enough wire to cover 1.2 square acres of range and emphasizes on safety and the well-being of your pet. In order to set it up, you will need to bury the wire beforehand, creating a custom layout to your liking. A thing to note is that the system will work above ground as well, but we recommend digging a shallow trench along the line of your desired perimeter in order to avoid your dog chewing on the wire.

It features a waterproof collar that has a rechargeable battery so you won't have to worry about additional costs that come with buying extra batteries. There are 5 levels of static simulation and a vibration mode only which will give you more than enough options if you're planning to use the system on different sized dog breeds.

The included wire is a 22 gauge solid copper core and is about 950 ft long. While it's great that the manufacturer included so much wire by default, we kind of wished it was a bit thicker and more reliable. The range on this unit can be expanded by adding additional wiring so if you own a larger property this just might be the system for you.

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 that comes with the Hidden Dog Fence by Sit Boo-Boo is surprisingly well-built. Don't expect it to be on the level of some more expensive named brands, but definitely a solid product that fits comfortably on your dog's neck. Depending on the length of your dog's coat, you will want to choose the appropriately sized contact points. Two sizes are included, for shorter and longer lengths. We were very pleased with the intensity of the electrical jolt this collar sends. It's very safe and harmless but still enough to let your canine pal know he's not behaving the way he's supposed to.

The transmitter box is pretty standard and should be mounted on a wall as long as you make sure there is an electrical outlet next to it. The underground wires need to be connected to the transmitter so you should take this into consideration when planning the spot where you want to put it.

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.
Labrador with collar

The Battery

The battery that comes with the collar is rechargeable which is great since you won't have to worry about getting tons of spare ones to have in case it goes flat. Keep it on the charger for about two to three hours in order to get a full charge. We recommend paying attention to the indicator light and only charging the collar if it's on low battery life. This way you will get the most out of it and avoid shortening its lifespan.

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.
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:

• Customizable perimeter layout
• Good price
• Great range right out of the box

• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good coverage
• Easy to setup
• Good build quality
• Smooth correction levels
• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good build quality

CONS:

• Quality of the included wire

• Underwhelming battery
• Batteries are built-in
• No on/off switch
• Batteries don’t last long
• No OFF button

What We Liked about It

It's a great system if you're looking to avoid digging entirely. While we recommend burying it along the line where you want the boundary zone to end, it will work even if placed above ground. You can even attach it to an existing physical fence.

The collar is very solid, it emits a mild, harmless jolt that is just enough to correct unwanted behavior while keeping your pet perfectly safe.

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

What We didn’t Like

If we have to point one flaw this unit has - it has to be the included cord that comes by default. It's very thin and somewhat susceptible to breaking. While we didn't experience any wire breaking, a number of other customers did report a lot of issues while installing the system. This can cause various reliability problems.

Besides being careful while setting it up, we recommend getting a thicker, heavy-duty wire and just forget about the one you got in the package.

Other than that, the system works as advertised.

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


The Sit Boo-Boo Hidden Dog Fence is an excellent choice if you're looking into getting a decent quality wireless dog fence at a great price. As long as you set it up according to the instruction manual, you are guaranteed to have a reliable system that will assure your pet has all the freedom it needs to enjoy your backyard.

Invest some time into training your furry friend to the new boundary system. Don't forget to use the included flags as a visual cue, once your pet gets a sense where the perimeter ends, you can remove them altogether.

Overall we rate the product a 4.0 out of 5. We give the verdict mostly due to the price, the rechargeable collar and other features it boasts. If you're willing to spend more, we would recommend you check out a product we already reviewed. 

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.