Underground Dog Fences in Minnesota

Price is set by your property, not a flat rate. A Local Pro generates estimate based on the boundary length and shape, how many dogs you have, terrain, and the obstacles that come up in Minnesota yards: driveways, sidewalks, gardens, shoreline, and wooded lot lines. Professional installation and training are included, and there are no monthly fees afterward.

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.

Before any digging, yes. Minnesota law requires anyone who excavates, even with a shovel, to notify Gopher State One Call at least 48 hours ahead, not counting weekends and holidays, and the service is free. The state notes that when you hire a contractor, the contractor is responsible for that notification, so ask your Local Pro how they request locates. Planting new shrubs along the boundary later? Make that call yourself.

Often, yes, frozen ground and all. Around the Twin Cities the ground typically freezes in late November and doesn't thaw until about mid-April, according to Minnesota DNR records, which is a long time to wait for a new puppy. Some Local Pros handle that by laying the wire on top of the snow so the system works right away, then coming back to bury it in spring. Ask your Local Pro how they handle winter jobs.

It works well on most lake lots, with one catch: the wire can't run through open water. With nearly 12,000 lakes of 10 acres or more in Minnesota, your Local Pro has likely seen a shoreline like yours and can lay out a boundary that stops short of the water or leaves a path to the dock. The receiver is water resistant (IP67) for splashes and wet grass, but the boundary itself stays on land.

Plowing is worth planning for, because most Minnesota yards have a driveway the wire has to cross. Tell your Local Pro where the plow blade drags, where snowbanks pile up, and where you edge the driveway in spring. If a wire does get damaged, the transmitter's status lights and audible alarm let you know about a line break, and you can call your Local Pro about a repair.

Usually, though your association has the final word. The Community Associations Institute estimates about 1.5 million Minnesotans live in roughly 7,700 community associations, and many limit what physical fences can look like. Because a buried-wire fence leaves nothing visible across the lawn, it is often simpler to get approved. Check your covenants or ask the architectural committee before you schedule an install.

For a boundary you can count on, the buried wire has the edge. The wire defines the line, so it doesn't drift, while GPS boundaries can vary up to 10 feet. Dog Guard can cover properties 50+ acres, and a rechargeable collar lasts up to about a month per charge, compared with daily charging for most GPS collars. There are no monthly subscription fees either, which matters at a cabin you only open part of the year.