Underground Dog Fences in Illinois

Pricing comes from an estimate after your Local Pro evaluates your property, because every yard is different. The main drivers are the amount of boundary wire, the lot's shape, the number of dogs, and crossings such as driveways, sidewalks, and flower beds. A long, narrow city lot and a big open yard in the collar counties take different amounts of work, so that evaluation sets the number.

Illinois law requires underground utility lines to be marked before digging, and JULIE is the free statewide service that arranges it. Plan on a two-business-day wait after the request before trenching starts. Burying a boundary wire counts, even though the trench is shallow. Many Local Pros file the JULIE request as part of the install, so ask your Local Pro who is taking care of it.

No. The terms "invisible", "invisible fence" and "invisible fencing" are registered and considered trademarks by Invisible Fence, Inc. Electronic pet fences with a buried wire are often referred to as "invisible fences", but Dog Guard® should not be confused with the Invisible Fence, Inc. Dog Guard® is not affiliated in any way with the Invisible Fence, Inc. Dog Guard® and Out of Sight Fencing® are registered trademarks of Sunward Electronics, Inc.

Professional training comes with every install. It typically includes boundary flags, an introduction to the warning tones, and practice walks so your dog learns where home ends. How long it takes depends on the dog, its age, and how consistently you practice. Your Local Pro can suggest a routine to follow at home and help if you hit a snag.

It will not keep coyotes out. A buried-wire fence trains your dog to stay in the yard, but wildlife can cross it freely. The Forest Preserves of Cook County says coyotes live in virtually every available territory in the county, including the most developed parts of Chicago, and recommends supervising dogs outdoors. Stay close by when your dog is out, particularly with small breeds and after dark.

Small lots are where buried wire really shines. The boundary follows the wire itself, so it stays put and does not drift the way GPS boundaries can (up to 10 feet for GPS systems generally, and Halo recommends a buffer). That precision matters when your yard is narrow and the alley or sidewalk is close. Your Local Pro can shape the layout around a garage, gangway, or garden.

Under the Illinois Animal Control Act, a dog found running at large may be picked up and impounded, and owners can face a fine, with added requirements for repeat pickups. Your city or village may have stricter rules, so check the local ordinance. Training your dog to respect a boundary is one way to help keep it home, whether you live in Naperville or downstate.

Stubborn dogs can learn it, and the settings give your Local Pro room to work. Dog Guard offers dozens of correction levels that ramp up gradually, preceded by ultrasonic and audible warnings. Turn Detection ends the correction the moment your dog turns back toward the yard. Your Local Pro fits the level to your dog and can adjust it later with a mobile app.