Grounding an Electric Dog Fence

In order to prevent your dog from trying to escape from your existing fence via digging, climbing or pushing through it, you can simply install an electric dog fence. This electric dog fence will give a minor shock to your dog which is enough for it to try to escape. However, the electric dog fence will not physically hurt your dog but you must ensure that you ground the fence controller so that it would be able to deliver a shock to your dog. If you install more grounding rods on your electric dog fence, it will provide more intense shock. Therefore, try not to install additional ground rods unless it is really necessary to do so.

What you need to do:

  1. 6-foot copper or galvanized ground rod
  2. Sledgehammer
  3. Ground rod clamp
  4. Phillips or slotted screwdriver
  5. 12-gauge THHN green electrical ground wire
  6. Wire cutter/stripper

Electric Dog Fence

Method:

  1. Firstly, you have to drive a 6-foot copper or galvanized ground rod into the area (ground) where you decide to install the electric dog fence. You can do this by using a sledgehammer within 20 feet of your electric dog fence controller.
  2. Next, you need to place the rod along the fence line or beside a structure to avoid any tripping hazard when you are in the area. It is recommended that you leave at least 2 to 3 inches of ground rod visible enough to everyone above the ground.
  3. After that, you have to attach a ground rod clamp onto the exposed parts of the ground rod by sliding the clamp over the rod and ensure that the screws are tighten on both sides of the clamp so that it will be secured to the rod.
  4. Then, using a wire cutter/stripper you need to remove 3/4-inch of insulation off both ends of a length of 12-gauge THHN green electrical ground wire.
  5. Take one end of your ground wire and wrap it around the green/negative terminal that you see on the dog fence controller. Make sure to tighten the terminal using your fingers or a screwdriver depending on the model of your controller.
  6. Once done, you have to insert the other end of your green ground wire into the ground clamp wire opening and also ensure that the screw is tighten on the ground clamp so that the ground wire is securely attached to the ground rod.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC

Additional Reading:

Dog Shock Collars – Everything You Need To Know Before Purchasing A Shock Collar For Your Beloved Pet Dog!”!