Troubleshooting

"My dog is running through the fence."

So your dog has started running through the fence boundaries. If you have recently had your fence installed you need to check the TRAINING section to make sure it isn't a training issue before attempting trouble shooting. If it seems to lie in the training category please feel free to call us for assistance. If your dog was previously trained and has begun to break the boundaries then go through the Q & A below to narrow down the issue.

STEP 1:

When was the last time you changed the batteries?

Collars that use a 9 volt battery should be changed approximately every 3 months.

Collars that use the CR2032 batteries or the RFA-67 batteries should be changed approximately every 6 months (minimum). Some batteries will last a year or more but this is the first thing to check.

STEP 2:

Take the collar to the fence line. We recommend always checking at the driveway or any other location where you can pinpoint the exact location of the wire (ie. driveway seam) Hold your dog's collar 2' above the fence line. If your collar isn't beeping go to STEP 3. **If you have multiple collars you can isolate if it is a collar problem. Only the one collar not beeping? Call the office. All collars not beeping with fresh batteries? Skip to STEP 3.

If your collar is beeping you need to make sure the correction is working. The correction is conduction-based which requires BOTH prongs touching the skin (on either your dog's neck or your hand if you are testing it). You can:

1. Hold the collar in one hand and quickly tap it to the meaty part of your palm below the thumb.
2. Test the correction with the test light you received with your fence installation. This is a tiny light bulb (like a Christmas light) on two wires. You need to wrap each wire around a prong and hold the collar 2' above the driveway wire in the correction zone. If the bulb lights up the collar is shocking.

Collar shocking?
Then you need to check for proper fit of the collar under the TRAINING section to make sure that isn't the problem. If the collar seems to be fit correctly and your dog is still willing to challenge the system then you need to call the office to discuss an additional collar program or other change to your system.

Collar beeping but not shocking?
If you have a programmable collar you need to check the correction level (collars with either push button or magnetic triggers). A reminder that level one on ALL programmable collars is sound only.

If programming level isn't the problem you need to call the office to discuss replacing your collar under warranty.

STEP 3:

We need to identify your equipment. You can either look at the label on the front or the back of the transmitter or you can choose the picture that resembles your unit. When you have found your transmitter scroll down to read the troubleshooting for your particular unit. The identification of your collar can be done through the pictures after the transmitter troubleshooting.

click on pictures for larger detail:
PRO
ProTX	ProPlus	RF-105D
RETAIL
RF-102	RF-103	RF-104
RF-1001	RF-1002	RF-125
Guardian

RF-1010, RF-1002, RF-125

You need to verify your transmitter and frequency for any communications with the office. On each of the above transmitters you will find the frequency label on the back of the transmitter against the wall. The transmitter is likely mounted on a screw in the drywall (or 2 x 4 stud). If you lift it ¼" you can tip it down off the wall to look at the back. A 10K frequency transmitter will have one white label with the manufacturer information on it (along with the transmitter code). A 7K frequency transmitter will also have a 1" x 1" label that has a large 7K on it. Note both the transmitter code and the frequency.

1. Flip the front panel up. Both the Power Light and the Loop Light should be red. If there are no lights on you need to check the power source. The adapter should be plugged into the left side of the transmitter and plugged into the outlet. If that looks good you need to verify the function of the outlet. If your outlet is a GFI (the red/black or white "test" buttons) make sure it hasn't tripped. Use a hairdryer or radio to make sure your outlet is functioning. If there is still no power light you need to call the office for service.
2. The knob on the lower left is the range control knob which only controls the distance the signal is thrown from your wire (ie. 3', 5', etc). It does NOT control the strength of the collar on your dog. In a standard subdivision lot the range control knob is usually set between a 4-6. (Some RF-1002 transmitters were labeled like a clock which would translate to 11-1 o'clock). If your transmitter begins beeping/chirping/squealing at this range then you likely have a line break in the yard. Please call the office to verify and schedule service.
3. The right side of the transmitter (perpendicular to the wall) has a dipswitch labeled A-B-C. Most yards require the switch to be on "B" ("A" could potentially give a false break alarm)
4. If everything checks out so far you need to perform one simple test on your transmitter. The boundary wires attach into the bottom of the transmitter with one in each red terminal (compression clamps). We want to test the break alarm on your transmitter by "false breaking" your fence. Push one of the red clamps up into the transmitter and pull the copper wire out of the terminal. Your transmitter should respond by immediately beeping and the loop light should go out. If it does not call the office to schedule service for a surged transmitter.
5. If the loop light does go out and the transmitter starts beeping re-attach the wire in the red clamp (will quit beeping). Take your collar out to the driveway to see if it is beeping. If it is, you need to call the office to report your troubleshooting so we can make a note of the reset. If the collar isn't beeping we need to set up service to check collar function. Identify what collar you have before you call in by either the manufacturer label or visually by pictures.

RF-1001

1. This transmitter has a black knob at the lower left, an indicator light and three screw terminals for the wire. The light should be RED or orange-red. It seems counter-intuitive, but the red light means your dog will stop at the fence line. If your light is green your dog will go right through (you have a broken wire). In that situation you need to call the office to schedule a repair.
2. If there is no light, check the power cord and the outlet. If the problem seems to be the transmitter you need to call the office to set up an exchange.
3. If all checks out with the transmitter and your collar still won't activate at the fence line you need to call the office so we can check collar function. Identify what collar you have before you call in by either the manufacturer label or visually by pictures.

Deluxe Series Transmitters (RF-102, RF-103, RF-104, RFRT-100)

You need to verify your transmitter and frequency for any communications with the office. The transmitter code will be located on the white label on the front of the transmitter. It will be one of the codes listed above. On some transmitters it is the last part of the FCC ID. The transmitter will have either no additional markings for a 10K version or it will have a 1" x 1" white stamp or a white sticker stating 7K on either side of the transmitter. Note both the transmitter code and the frequency.

1. Check for functioning power. Both the Power Light and the Loop Light should be red. If there are no lights you need to first check the bottom dipswitch on the left side of the transmitter (ON/OFF). The adapter should be plugged into the left side of the transmitter and plugged into the outlet. If that looks good you need to verify the function of the outlet. If your outlet is a GFI (the red/black or white "test" buttons) make sure it hasn't tripped. Use a hairdryer or radio to make sure your outlet is functioning. If there is still no power light you need to call the office for service.
2. The knob on the lower left is the range control knob which only controls the distance the signal is thrown from your wire (ie. 3', 5', etc). It does NOT control the strength of the collar on your dog. In a standard subdivision lot the range control knob is usually set between a 3-5 (10-12 o'clock if that reference helps). If your transmitter begins beeping/chirping/squealing at this range then you likely have a line break in the yard. Please call the office to verify and schedule service.
3. Look at the left side of the transmitter perpendicular to the wall. There are 3 dipswitches above the power cord. The standard top switch setting is beep shock (or speaker/lightning bolt symbol). The middle switch setting is normally on "range low" unless you have a very large lot/acreage.
4. If everything checks out so far you need to perform one simple test on your transmitter. The boundary wires attach into the transmitter at the red knobs (or the black knobs on the RF-102). We want to test the break alarm on your transmitter by "false breaking" your fence. Unscrew one of the red terminals (or black on the RF-102) and remove the copper wire from the post. Your transmitter should respond by immediately beeping and the loop light should go out (unless you have the RF-102 and the loop light will go out with no sound). If it does not call the office to schedule service for a surged transmitter.
5. If the loop light does go out and the transmitter starts beeping (or light goes out) re-attach the wire to the terminal posts and screw down to secure. Take your collar out to the driveway to see if it is beeping. If it is, you need to call the office to report your troubleshooting so we can make a note of the reset. If the collar isn't beeping we need to set up service to check collar function. Identify what collar you have before you call in by either the manufacturer label or visually by pictures.

ProTX or ProPlus

Does your system have power? The transmitter should have at least 2 red lights on. The ProTX would have POWER and LOOP 1 (LOOP 2 would only be lit if you are utilizing your secondary loop for indoor fencing or outdoor areas). The ProPlus remote system would have POWER and LOOP 1 lit.

If YES….call the office to set up service or a bench test of your collar. Identify what collar you have before you call in by either the manufacturer label or visually by pictures.

If NO…...you need to check the power supply. The power adapter runs from the outlet (or surge protector) to the bottom left of the transmitter and is inset into the unit. If for some reason the cord has fallen out of the bottom of the transmitter you will need to get a phillips screwdriver to take the front panel off. You will see the black terminal where the cord attaches. Carefully match the pins to reattach. Did this solve the problem?

If YES…check the collar at the fence line again. If it is still not beeping call the office. Identify what collar you have before you call in by either the manufacturer label or visually by pictures.

If NO…. The majority of these transmitters were installed with an external surge protector. It would be a black unit with a bronze circle and logo. Above the bronze circle is a green light. This light shows an active unit. Is the light green?

If YES…this shows there is likely a problem with your transmitter. Call the office to request service.

If NO…. you need to verify the function of the outlet. If your outlet is a GFI (the red/black or white "test" buttons) make sure it hasn't tripped. Use a hairdryer or radio to make sure your outlet is functioning. If there is still no power light you need to call the office for service.

RF-105D

1. Check for functioning power. Both the Power Light and the Loop Light should be red. If there are no lights you need to first check the bottom dipswitch on the left side of the transmitter (ON/OFF). The adapter should be plugged into the left side of the transmitter and plugged into the outlet. If that looks good you need to verify the function of the outlet. If your outlet is a GFI (the red/black or white "test" buttons) make sure it hasn't tripped. Use a hairdryer or radio to make sure your outlet is functioning. If there is still no power light you need to call the office for service.
2. The knob on the lower left is the range control knob which only controls the distance the signal is thrown from your wire (ie. 3', 5', etc). It does NOT control the strength of the collar on your dog. In a standard subdivision lot the range control knob is usually set between a 3-5. If your transmitter begins beeping/chirping/squealing at this range then you likely have a line break in the yard. Please call the office to verify and schedule service.
3. Look at the left side of the transmitter perpendicular to the wall. There are 3 dipswitches above the power cord. The standard top switch setting is beep shock (or speaker/lightning bolt symbol). The middle switch setting is normally on "range low" unless you have a very large lot/acreage.
4. If everything checks out so far you need to perform one simple test on your transmitter. The boundary wires attach into the transmitter at the red knobs. We want to test the break alarm on your transmitter by "false breaking" your fence. Unscrew one of the red terminals and remove the copper wire from the post. Your transmitter should respond by immediately beeping and the loop light should go out. If it does not call the office to schedule service for a surged transmitter.
5. If the loop light does go out and the transmitter starts beeping re-attach the wire to the terminal posts and screw down to secure. Take your collar out to the driveway to see if it is beeping. If it is, you need to call the office to report your troubleshooting so we can make a note of the reset. If the collar isn't beeping we need to set up service to check collar function. Identify what collar you have before you call in by either the manufacturer label or visually by pictures.

PRO:
PLTL and ProLite Grey		Pro280
RETAIL:
UL-250	PG or RF-250	RF-204 or VSR-200	UL-275

RETURN TO TROUBLESHOOTING