Printable planning workflow

GPS Dog Fence Boundary Planner

Plan from hazards inward. A smaller dependable zone is better than a maximum-size boundary with weak edges.

1. Mark high-consequence edges

List roads, driveways, water, steep banks, neighboring animals, livestock, machinery, and legal property limits. Decide which edges require a physical barrier regardless of electronics.

2. Map signal challenges

Mark tree canopy, tall walls, metal roofs, ravines, covered patios, and narrow side yards. These become mandatory collar-in-hand test points.

3. Draw the usable interior

Move the digital line inward to leave room for ordinary positioning variation and the dog’s movement after a warning begins. Do not trace the parcel line simply because the app allows it.

4. Check corridors and exclusions

Measure the narrowest route and each exclusion zone. A warning band on both sides can consume more width than expected.

5. Field-test before training

Walk every segment at dog height in both directions, after a restart, and under representative conditions. Record the earliest warning point and move the line inward wherever results disagree.

Use another method when the safe zone is too small, signal is inconsistent, local rules require a physical enclosure, or the consequence of a breakthrough is unacceptable.