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Product Review: PetSafe In-Ground Fences
Overall Rating: 
When it comes to DIY dog fences, PetSafe is by far the most popular and best-known product line. It's also, in my opinion, the best product line available in the DIY dog fence market.
Except for the standard PetSafe In-Ground Radio Fence (a product I do not recommend), every other product in the PetSafe line includes a user-adjustable receiver with five training levels. That's important because it means you can use PetSafe products with the low-stress training techniques I discuss on this site. Also, PetSafe offers products that are appropriate for dogs of every size and temperament, meaning you can find the best product to suit your specific needs:
- Deluxe In-Ground Fence — I recommend this system for most dogs, unless they are very small, very large, or very stubborn. See details.
- Comfort-Fit™ Deluxe Little Dog Fence — This system includes the smallest receiver PetSafe makes, so if your dog is very small, it may be a good fit for you. See details.
- Stubborn Dog Fence — I recommend this system for very large dogs or dogs that are particularly hard to train. See details.
The primary downside to PetSafe dog fences is that they include very thin, stranded wire that doesn't hold up well for outdoor use. That's pretty easy to remedy, though — if you want a stable, no-fuss installation, you should separately purchase 14- to 18-gauge solid-core wire from a wire specialty store. Alternatively, the SportDOG In-ground Fence (made by the same company that manufactures PetSafe products) includes upgraded wire standard in its hardware package.
Deluxe In-Ground Fence
Product Rating:
The PetSafe Deluxe In-Ground Fence™ is a good product for almost any dog — be it small or large, sensitive or confident.
The Deluxe fence comes with a multi-level receiver that includes five different fence correction levels (including the tone-only training mode). While I prefer a receiver with even more levels, five can get the job done without unnecessarily stressing your dog. Also, this receiver is waterproof, which is good for dogs that like to swim. Finally, the transmitter that comes with this system powers up to 25 acres, and it includes built-in lightning protection, so you don't need to purchase a separate lightning device.
Comfort-Fit Deluxe Little Dog Fence
Product Rating:
The Comfort-Fit™ Deluxe Little Dog Fence is designed specifically for small dogs. Like the regular Deluxe In-Ground Fence, it includes a 5-level receiver, a transmitter that powers up to 25 acres, and built-in lightning protection. The only real difference is that the receiver is smaller than that of the regular Deluxe fence, and it comes on a plastic collar rather than the standard nylon collar. I personally don't like the fit of the plastic collar, so I would buy this system over the standard Deluxe fence only if your dog is particularly small.
Stubborn Dog Fence
Product Rating:
Some dogs are just plain stubborn and/or stoic — even with good fence training, they'll tolerate an electronic correction from a dog fence if it means they get to take a romp around the neighborhood. If this sounds like your dog, you may need a Stubborn Dog Fence. As with the Deluxe fence, the Stubborn Dog receiver includes five different fence correction levels (including tone-only with vibration for training), but the levels are considerably stronger than that of other PetSafe dog fences.
NOTE: I generally don't recommend starting fence training with a Stubborn Dog fence — most dogs, even large ones, do just fine on a Deluxe PetSafe fence. Instead, if you find after following a good training program that your dog just doesn't respect the correction delivered by the Deluxe UltraLight receiver, then exchange your Deluxe system for a Stubborn Dog system. You'll still be able to use the wire you've already installed in the ground, so you really don't have anything to lose with this approach. If, on the other hand, you unnecessarily use a Stubborn Dog fence, you run the risk of needlessly stressing your dog.
In-Ground Radio Fence
Product Rating:
The In-Ground Radio Fence is PetSafe's most basic dog fence system. I do not recommend this product because, while the UltraLight™ receiver is pretty small at only 2.5 ounces, it only includes one fence correction level. Unfortunately, that correction level is too strong for sensitive/small dogs and not strong enough for stubborn and/or stoic dogs. Plus, you can't use the receiver with the low-stress training techniques I discuss on this site. These huge downsides make this product practically unusable, in my opinion.