GPS Collar vs. Invisible Fence [Which Works For You?] (2023)

GPS dog fences and invisible fences are two of the most popular types of electronic fencing systems available on the market today. But they do have a few things that set them apart and I think make them better than others for different types of situations. The main difference is that GPS dog collars have certain specificities that even theThe best invisible fences for dogsjust don't send. A key feature is driving dogs away from the edge of the fence with sophisticated warning systems. This to me is a huge advantage over how an invisible fence does this, only shocking the dogs after they've gone through it and then shocking them again when they back up to the edge. But invisible dog fences have their own advantage over GPS fences. Let's examine the things that wired and GPS dog fences do well and the areas in which they tend to fail.

How does an invisible fence work?

Electric dog fences have a two to six inch deep underground cable. One wire is connected to a transmitter mounted inside the house, which sends a radio signal down the wire. The dog is wearing a collar designed to detect the radio signal.

If your dog gets too close to the underground wire, the signal will cause the collar to beep, telling him to move away from the underground dog fence. It's called an invisible fence because neither you nor the dog can see the buried wire that corresponds to the transmitter.

You must go through a training process with the dog so that it knows where it is safe to play and where an alarm would sound. If your pets get too close to the electric dog fences, the electric collar will give them a short shock and they will stay away from the wire to stay in the designated area.

It is very important, because without the training phase, dogs cannot understand why they are in shock. In these cases, the dog may be too scared to come out because he doesn't know why he is being electrocuted. On the other hand, due to discomfort, he can develop an aggressive reaction towards himself or others, which nobody wants.

How a GPS dog fence works

from todayThe best GPS fences for dogsDitch buried cables and rely on satellite technology to set a boundary for your pet. However, GPS fences can only create circular boundary fences. The center point is programmed into the collar and a specific radius. It then calculates using the software's current position and sends an alert to the Receiver Collar when the dog approaches the limit.

Like the invisible fence, a beep will sound when the dog approaches the edge. If the animal crosses the threshold, a mild electric shock will be administered. If the collar cannot be positioned because there are no GPS signals, e.g. B. indoors, the collar does not give any correction. It is also safe for the dog to use in unmarked places. The location tracking feature is probably the number one reason why your dog should have a GPS collar.

Professionals for invisible fences

Invisible fences are more stable

Invisible fencing may seem limiting at first, especially if you're more familiar with wireless electric dog fences. But it has some very attractive advantages.

On the one hand, you have practically nointerferencetreat, unlike GPS signals. If you are not near a very strong source of electromagnetic interference, such as a broken utility pole, you don't have to worry about signal attenuation from the fence. As long as the main unit is secured and turned on, the signal will maintain the same intensity and frequency, preventing the dog from escaping regardless of external conditions. Its stability also makes it a great choice for anyone planning to stay in the same house for a long time.

Wired pet fences are more energy efficient

The amount of power required to keep the transmitter mounted at the end of an invisible fence circle is remarkably small. The most advertised price is $10 a year, and based on my own experience and that of friends I know who have tried it, that estimate is not far off. You'll also need to spend some money to replace the batteries in the Receiver Collar your pet wears, but you don't have to do it very often as they're pretty energy efficient too.

Allow certain shapes

In general, a GPS radio dog fence can only project its boundaries in the shape of a circle. Invisible fences, on the other hand, are based on boundary wires that are manually placed under the lawn, so you can shape them however you want, depending on your needs. It is good for small houses and with certain forms of garden. If your garden is irregular in shape, you can easily wire around all those tight corners and jagged edges.

Cons of the invisible fence

You need to train your dog to get used to it.

The more complex the shape of your boundary wire, the more you will need to train your dog to become familiar with it. It's easy when the underground fence for dogs surrounds a regular rectangle - your dog will simply get used to being at a certain distance from the house. But if the shape is complicated, a dog cannot easily remember where it is closer to home and where it is further away. That's why most invisible electric dog fence packages come with training flags.

High acquisition costs

Because installing an invisible fence involves a lot of land conversion and other daunting tasks, the initial cost is often well over $1,000.

GPS Dog Fencing Professionals

GPS dog collars have features that help with training

Trainingstubborn dogsit can be a daunting task. Fortunately, GPS dog collars are often designed with dog training in mind. These models come with a variety of features that make training your dog much easier, from activity trackers to active training aids that are activated via a companion app.

However, a GPS fencing system also often includes various corrective measures if you are not familiar with the use of static. Some collars make clicking, clapping, or hissing noises. Others flap or spray their dog with citronella (my favorite). Invisible wired dog fence systems also have models that offer alternative remedial measures as well, but they are not as common and do not have as many options as GPS systems.

Simplicity and Portability

With all the cables underground, dog fences aren't exactly mobile in the ground like a physical fence. But GPS pet fences are, thanks to their compact, self-contained design. All functionality is controlled by the GPS collar your dog is wearing, allowing you to create circular perimeter fences anywhere. This makes setup easy and makes these systems perfect for camping.^[1]or even to take your dog to hotels and other similar places.

GPS near cons

trouble prone

GPS systems are perhaps the least prone to interference of all wireless pet fences because GPS systems work by having the dog's collar receive and process a radio signal from the four closest satellites. This is more efficient than sending/receiving with a Receiver Collar and Transmitter Box.

But that doesn't mean that GPS systems are completely immune to interference. The presence of nearby tall buildings, adverse weather conditions and other external factors can cause problems with the performance of pet containment. If you tell me to rate how wireless GPS systems compare to an electronic dog fence with a buried boundary wire, I would say that a wired dog fence outperforms a GPS dog fence every time.

fixing form

To reduce errors, even the best GPS dog fences design a circular fence boundary. This may be inappropriate if the area you wish to confine your dog to is irregularly shaped, for example. B. an apartment.

less profitable

Ideally, an invisible fence would cost around $10 a year to keep running. Compare this to wireless fences that often need to be charged or their batteries replaced. Wired collars should also be replaced with batteries, but they last much longer since they have far fewer functions. Speaking of features, all of those nifty features that wireless collars offer can cost pet owners as little as $10 a month.

A wireless dog fence can also have a much shorter lifespan than a buried wire fence. Most people I know who used older models said they had to replace theirs within the first 10 years of use. Invisible fence systems now typically have a lifespan of up to 30 years.

Frequent questions

Are wireless GPS dog fences effective?

GPS dog fences are very effective because they do not come with wiring systems. They can also be used on different terrains. They are great as they are portable and easy to set up.

Do invisible sealing collars have trackers?

GPS dog fences can act as a tracker as the collars show the location of the dog at all times. This is also the case when the dog crosses the line. Wireless restraint collars use standard GPS signals to pinpoint the location of dogs themselves. Some systems can support more than 20 multiple collars.

Are GPS dog fences good?

A wireless dog fence has a 30 foot margin before the signal turns on, so there may be a mismatch with the limits. Dog fences like Petsafe YardMax provide accurate warnings with minimal errors.

Do you need WiFi for the invisible dog fence?

An electric dog fence uses digital radio frequencies for the system. It would be like tuning into a satellite radio system, so no Wi-Fi is needed. The GPS fence is also a standalone system that does not require external Internet services.

How well does a GPS dog fence work?

The minimum range for a GPS fence system is 0.69 acres, but it can reach a maximum range of over 700 acres