Containment Fences: Your Questions Answered

Name: Dogmaster Australia
Address: Unit 5-35 Township Drive, Burleigh Heads, QLD, 4220, AU
Telephone: 1800 300 364
Price range: $$$

25th Sep 2026

Containment Fences: Your Questions Answered

Invisible containment fences are one of the most common enquiries we handle. People run into issues with Colourbond fences, driveways, dogs that go inside, or are simply trying to figure out which system suits their property. Here is what our team gets asked most.

I have Colourbond or sheet metal fencing. Why is my containment fence giving me trouble?

A wired containment fence emits a radio field along the buried wire. Sheet metal, including Colourbond, corrugated iron and steel sheds, interferes with that signal. The wire needs to be kept at least 3 metres away from all sheet metal, including fences, sheds and rooflines.

If the wire runs too close, the signal distorts and the system will not perform reliably. Rerouting the wire further inside your property line is the fix.

Can I cable tie the wire to my existing fence instead of burying it?

You can, but we do not recommend it. Running the wire parallel to another wire, including a wire mesh fence, causes interference in the same way as twisting the two wires together. This effectively cancels the radio field.

The recommended approach is to bury the wire 10cm underground, inside your existing fence line. This keeps it separate from other conductors, protects it from damage, and gives you the most consistent signal.

I have a driveway cutting across the boundary. What do I do with the wire?

There are a few options depending on your driveway surface:

Lay the wire into an expansion joint if one runs across the driveway
Cut a shallow groove with an angle grinder, lay the wire, and seal over it with a caulking compound
Run the wire through a hose or conduit that can be driven over without damaging the wire

We have a doggy door. Can we use a GPS containment fence?

GPS fence systems work by connecting the collar to satellites, which requires a clear view of the sky. When a dog goes inside, the collar loses satellite signal. While searching for a reconnect, the battery drains faster. If the connection is lost for an extended period, there is also a risk of an unintended correction when the dog returns outside while the collar is still reconnecting.

GPS containment fences are suited to outdoor dogs only. The collar must be removed whenever the dog is inside. A doggy door makes this difficult to manage consistently, so a wired or Smart Wireless system may be a better fit.

What is a virtual fence or wireless fence?

A wireless fence creates a containment boundary without buried wire. There are two types in our range.

The Smart Wireless Fence emits a circular radio signal from a plug-in base unit. You adjust the radius from the unit or through the app. It covers up to 3,000sqm and suits suburban yards and holiday properties. Keep the base unit away from sheet metal, as this affects the signal shape.

The GPS Containment Fence draws the boundary in the Dogtra app using GPS. You can set any boundary shape, making it well suited to acreage or properties with irregular layouts. It needs a minimum of about 3/4 of an acre to work accurately.

Key installation tips

Keep the transmitter dry. The EF3500 wall transmitter is not water resistant. It needs to be installed under cover, out of direct rain or hose spray.

Stay 3 metres clear of sheet metal. Colourbond, steel sheds and iron rooflines all interfere with the radio signal. Route the wire well inside these structures.

Training the dog matters. No containment fence works without a proper introduction. Give your dog time to learn the boundary before relying on the system unsupervised.

Safety note

Do not leave any containment collar on your dog for more than 8–12 hours a day. Extended wear can cause skin irritation or pressure necrosis. Check the contact area daily. GPS and wireless fence collars must be removed when the dog is indoors. Please review our terms and conditions before purchase.