GPS collars have been heavily marketed and aggressively priced since their introduction to the market, but are they really the best solution to keep your dog safe, compared to their in-ground system counterparts?

One of the first things you’ll notice when shopping for a GPS dog collar is the significant price difference. Systems like PetSafe® and Invisible Fence® Brand range from $499 to $599, while others like SpotOn can cost as high as $999.

This price is only for the collar itself. Ownership costs really start to take off when you consider the recurring subscription fees — which are required to access their complete array of features like real-time tracking. Even the most affordable option, like SpotOn’s 2-year prepaid plan, costs over $140.

Other basic prepaid plans like Halo® — designed to cover some of the costs not included in warranties — can cost nearly $200 every two years. If you go all out to qualify more for sophisticated reports, slightly better warranty coverage, and some other fringe benefits, the cost doubles!

Considering the average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 16 years, subscription costs alone could cost anywhere from $700 to over $3,000. And that doesn’t include potential increases.

To top it off, these plans often leave you exposed to additional repair or replacement costs if your dog’s collar is damaged or needs to be replaced.

So, while GPS collars may seem "freeing" due to the lack of in-ground installation, the ongoing costs keep you tethered, while sacrificing the features we’ll discuss next.

To see a full comparison of the total costs of various GPS systems vs. Pet Stop® Brand, check out our chart HERE.

(If you’re interested in our Link™ EcoLite™ in-ground system, you can get more information and see pricing HERE.)

Arguably the single largest contributor to a pet-containment system’s success is proper training. GPS brands do not offer the same level of customer support as traditional in-ground systems — despite offering a 1-on-1 session to help get things off to a good start.

Even if you take them up on this, the responsibility still rests on you to complete the training and condition your dog to the boundary. Of course you have phone support which can help; but there’s no Unlimited Onsite Followup if you’re having difficulty. And let’s not forget little things like training flags — which are not included with GPS systems. All these variables — big or small — suddenly are working against you.

While some people have plenty of time to work with their dog and train them to a boundary, if you’re busy with a job, your spouse works, and you have kids, you may find yourself lacking the necessary time to do it right. And at that point, why pay extra to have access to “Pro Tips” if you’re unable to effectively implement them? 

So our advice? If you want your dog properly trained and effectively contained within your yard, choose an option that gives you access to the highest quality of support available. Both you and your dog deserve it!

Most GPS collars come with short return windows—ranging from 45 to 90 days. That can be problematic since factors like seasonal changes, your dog’s growth, and varying distractions may only become more apparent after this period.

If you can’t make a well-informed decision quickly, you may end up stuck with an expensive collar that doesn’t meet your needs and also lose hundreds of dollars in non-refundable subscription fees.

We, on the other hand, offer a 1 Year Money Back Guarantee, giving you ample time to determine if the system works for your dog.

If you buy an eXtreme® Dog Fence in-ground system from us, not only do you save yourself time & labor by foregoing a retail in-ground system (which, realistically, would cost about $550 out-the-door for the same quality & amount of materials); You also get our Exclusive Buyer Protection Plan:

If for any reason you need — or want — to upgrade to a Pet Stop® Brand in-ground system with our Containment Guarantee & our 1-Year Money Back Guarantee, your entire initial investment is protected, and you only pay the difference in system configuration price.

In addition to subscription fees, GPS collars often come with additional out-of-pocket expenses for repairs or replacements, even with the best subscription plans. Warranties typically span 1 to 2 years and are limited in coverage. For example, most warranties don’t cover damage from dog chewing, lost collars, or broken posts.

Even in warranty-covered situations, customers may have to pay shipping and are required to pay repair costs. If the collar isn’t repairable, refurbished replacements can cost up to $500 with brands like SpotOn — equating to 50% or more of the initial system price.

Pet Stop® Brand’s Link™ EcoLite™ receiver comes with a Lifetime Parts Warranty covers the entire cost of replacing a collar with a brand-new one if it fails. If a collar fails after three years, you only pay a $129 Labor Fee, and we can deliver a replacement as soon as the next day.

We also offer a special Lifetime Warranty on our Transmitters to cover lightning strikes.

Supply Chain disruptions have affected every company that manufactures electronic pet containment and tracking devices.

In such an environment, Pet Stop® Brand’s exclusive Diagnostic Charging Cradle gives you a distinct advantage over the competition. It extends Quality Control well beyond the factory and empowers customers to ensure their dog’s collars always have peak performance.

Pet Stop® is the only company that provides a 100% reliable diagnostic testing tool. Our 7-Point test runs anytime you insert your dog’s collar into the cradle — whether it’s to charge, or just double-check after an unexpected drop or other accident.

This life-saving feature ensures you know of any issue that might cause an escape before your dog does. With any other brand on the market, your dog is the test pilot.

GPS collars fall short decisively in terms of boundary accuracy compared to in-ground pet containment systems. Features like tracking — even per companies’ own public content — are more practical in larger, multi-acre areas.

GPS technology requires a “Buffer Zone” of 3 to 10 feet around the perimeter of your yard to account for GPS Shift. This might be acceptable on large properties, but not smaller city lots. With this much boundary variance, your dog could wander into the street at risk of oncoming vehicles, or into your neighbor’s yard exploring wherever their curiosity leads them.

GPS Shift prevents you from restricting certain areas of your property as well. For example, if you don’t want your dog to go all the way down your driveway, or there are landscaping features you want to keep them out of, neither of these can be done with GPS. It merely serves as one large blanket over your virtually created boundary. 

GPS accuracy can also be compromised by tree cover, leading to problems with boundary integrity or signal reflection.

One of the single largest misconceptions around GPS Collars is that they’re advertised as replacements for traditional in-ground containment systems. However, a closer look at their keynoted features raises a very important question: Is the goal to track a dog that has already escaped, or to prevent a dog from escaping in the first place?

Paying for a tracking feature implies that escapes from your yard should be expected every so often. The accompanying Call Back feature merely reinforces that theory.

Escapes are a telltale sign that either something needs adjustment (e.g. correction level, collar tightness, etc.), or your dog isn’t properly trained to respect the boundary. You should never have to call your dog back home with a collar feature when you’re at your personal residence. Your dog should be conditioned to stay within the boundary any time they’re at home.

GPS technology certainly has places to work appropriately, but don’t mistake tracking for containment, only to end up with a collar that doesn’t do what you bought it for.

On that note, GPS collars are also advertised for ability to be programmed with multiple virtual fences. However, their effectiveness depends on your dog’s ability to adapt to and retain familiarity with multiple locations. The less you travel with your dog, the harder it is to benefit from this feature.

Another significant difference between GPS collars and in-ground system collars is size & weight.

The above image shows the average GPS collar (right) compared to Pet Stop® Brand’s Link™ EcoLite™ rechargeable receiver (left). 

Most GPS collars are bulkier and heavier — oftentimes weighing over a pound. As a matter of fact, some GPS brands explicitly advise they are not recommended for dogs under thirty pounds (e.g. PetSafe®).

Link™ EcoLite™, on the other hand, is the smallest & lightest receiver in the industry at just 0.9oz, and works on a broad range of dog sizes and temperaments, from small puppies to larger, more aggressive dogs.

A discussion on GPS versus in-ground systems wouldn’t be complete without discussing battery life.

Most GPS collars last between 20 to 48 hours on a single charge. However, using app features can drain the battery even faster. If your dog escapes, you have limited time to track & find them before the battery dies.

Short battery life can also increase the likelihood of battery failure. Lithium ion batteries are only rated for so many charge cycles until their capacity diminishes. If you have to charge the collar every 1 to 2 days, you’re practically guaranteeing you’ll have to repair or replace it at least once within your dog’s lifetime, if for no other reason.

The Link™ EcoLite™ receiver offers a conservatively rated 14-day battery life — allowing you more time to interact with the app & ensure your dog’s safety with precise boundaries that never budge.

In conclusion, although GPS collars initially appear more convenient, and less expensive, their high maintenance costs, limited warranties, and performance issues are all extremely compelling reasons to choose a traditional in-ground system instead.

For a reliable, effective, and long-lasting solution that delivers exceptional value, Pet Stop® Brand’s in-ground systems stand out as the superior choice — building upon decades of proven technology.

Check out our Link™ EcoLite™ system by clicking HERE.