How to Add a Second Collar to PetSafe Wireless Fence (Step-by-Step)
Adding a second collar to a PetSafe Wireless fence takes about 5 minutes. Set the transmitter to multi-dog mode, hold the new collar’s power button until it flashes green and beeps, then test the boundary. That’s the whole process.
Below I’ll walk through each step in detail, plus how to adjust correction levels, resync the system if something goes wrong, and train a new dog on the boundary.
How to Add a Second Collar: Step by Step
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Set the transmitter to multi-dog mode. Check your base station — there’s a switch or setting that enables multiple collars. This must be active before you pair the new collar.
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Turn off the new receiver collar. Make sure the collar is completely powered down before you start pairing.
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Hold the power button for 5 seconds. Keep holding until the LED flashes green and you hear a beep. This means the collar has paired with the transmitter.
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Test the static correction. Press the gray button on the collar and touch the contact points. You should feel a light pulse confirming the correction is active.
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Walk toward the boundary. Carry the collar toward the edge of your fence zone. It should beep and deliver static correction at the distances you expect. If not, adjust the boundary control dial on the transmitter until correction triggers at the right distance.
That’s it. The collar is live and paired.
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Training a New Dog on the Boundary
If the second collar is for a dog that’s never used an invisible fence, you need to train them before leaving them unsupervised. Don’t skip this.
Start with the boundary flags. Plant the flags that came with the system along the fence line. Your dog needs a visual marker before they learn the auditory one.
Lead them to the edge on leash. Walk your dog toward the flags while the collar is on tone-only mode (Level 1). When the collar beeps near the boundary, gently guide them back toward the center of the yard and reward them. Repeat this 5-10 times per session.
Gradually introduce correction. Once your dog consistently turns back at the beep, increase to Level 2. The goal is the lowest correction level that gets a reliable response. Most dogs learn the boundary within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent training.
Use a non-metallic collar above the receiver. Attach a nylon collar above the wireless receiver collar for your leash. Don’t clip the leash to the receiver collar itself — it puts pressure on the contact points and causes discomfort.
Adjusting the Correction Level
PetSafe wireless collars have 5 correction levels:
| Level | What It Does |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tone only — no static correction |
| 2 | Light static |
| 3 | Medium static |
| 4 | Strong static |
| 5 | Maximum static |
To change the level: Press the correction level button on the receiver collar. The LED blinks within 5 seconds — count the blinks to know which level you’re on. Keep pressing to cycle up. After Level 5, it resets to Level 1.
Start at Level 1 (tone only) for all new dogs. Only increase if the dog doesn’t respond to the tone after a full training cycle. In our experience, most dogs respond to Level 2 or 3 after proper training. For a deeper look at how static correction levels compare across brands, see our humaneness guide.
How to Resync the System
If collars stop responding or behave inconsistently, a full resync usually fixes it:
- Remove all receiver collars from your dogs
- Remove each collar’s battery
- Switch the transmitter limit from the lower position to the upper position
- Slowly turn the dial from 8 down to 1, then back to position 4
- Reinstall the batteries in each collar and power them on
This resets the transmitter-collar communication and clears any pairing glitches.
Pairing the Collar with the Remote Control
If your PetSafe system includes a remote trainer, here’s how to pair the second collar:
- Turn off the receiver collar
- Press and hold the power button until the green LED flashes once per second
- The flashing continues for 16 seconds while it pairs with the remote
- Once the light stops flashing, pairing is complete
You can now trigger tone or correction from the remote for each paired collar.
Troubleshooting: Second Collar Not Working
If the new collar isn’t responding after pairing, try these steps in order:
Step 1 — Reset the collar. Remove the battery, press and hold the settings button until all lights go off, then reinsert the battery and power it back on.
Step 2 — Check for interference. Large metal objects, metal roofs, and nearby in-ground fences can distort the PetSafe signal. Move the transmitter away from metal objects and retest. For more details, see our PetSafe troubleshooting guide.
Step 3 — Resync the full system. Follow the resync steps above. Sometimes adding a new collar throws off the existing pairing.
Step 4 — Test the battery. PetSafe collars use RFA-67 batteries that last 1-2 months. A dead or weak battery is the most common cause of a non-responsive collar.
If none of these work, the collar may be defective. Contact PetSafe support for a replacement.
When PetSafe Isn’t Enough
The PetSafe Wireless is a solid system for small, circular yards — but it has real limitations. The boundary is always a circle, the maximum coverage is about half an acre, and the warning before correction is brief enough that most dogs get corrected before they can turn back.
If you’re adding a second collar because your household is growing, it might also be worth asking whether the fence itself is still the right fit. For properties larger than half an acre, irregularly shaped yards, or homes near roads, a GPS dog fence gives you custom boundary shapes, progressive warning stages, and significantly tighter accuracy.
Read our full PetSafe Wireless review for the complete test data and how it compares to GPS alternatives.
SpotOn supports unlimited boundary shapes, no subscription required. 90-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you connect a second PetSafe collar to the wireless fence?
Turn off the new receiver collar, then set your transmitter to multi-dog mode. Hold the collar’s power button for about 5 seconds until the LED flashes green and beeps. Test the static correction by pressing the gray button and touching the contact points. Then walk toward the boundary to confirm the collar triggers at the correct distance.
Do all PetSafe collars work with the wireless fence?
No. PetSafe collars are model-specific. Only receiver collars designed for the PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System will pair with its transmitter. Check the manufacturer’s compatibility list before purchasing an additional collar. If the collar is a genuine PetSafe wireless receiver, it will work with the system.
How many collars can you add to a PetSafe wireless fence?
The PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System supports an unlimited number of receiver collars. Each additional collar costs roughly $145 and pairs to the same transmitter. Every dog in your household can use the system simultaneously.
How do I adjust the correction level on a PetSafe collar?
Press the correction level button on the receiver collar. The LED will blink within 5 seconds — the number of blinks indicates the current level. Keep pressing to cycle through levels 1 to 5. Level 1 is tone only with no static correction. Level 5 is the strongest. If you reach level 5 and press again, it resets to level 1.
What should I do if my second PetSafe collar is not working?
Remove the battery from the collar, press and hold the settings button until the lights go off, then reinsert the battery and power it back on. If that does not work, try resyncing the entire system: remove all collar batteries, switch the transmitter limit from low to high, dial from 8 down to 1 and back to 4, then reinstall the batteries. If the collar still does not respond, contact PetSafe for a replacement.
