September 17, 2024

DogWatch vs GPS Collars — Why we think DogWatch is the Superior Choice for Pet Containment!

In recent years, GPS-based pet containment systems have gained popularity. These devices allow pet owners to create “virtual” fences using GPS technology, offering the freedom to define boundaries without traditional underground wires. However, while the idea of a GPS collar may seem innovative, it comes with significant drawbacks—particularly in reliability. When comparing GPS collars to a traditional hidden fence system like DogWatch, it’s clear that DogWatch is still the best option for pet safety, reliability, and performance.

1. GPS Drift: A Critical Reliability Issue

One of the most significant limitations of GPS collars is something called GPS drift. GPS drift occurs when the collar’s connection to satellite signals fluctuates, causing inaccuracies in location tracking. In some cases, this drift can lead to errors of up to 10-30 feet or more. What does this mean for your pet?

Imagine that your pet is supposed to stay within a 50-foot radius of your yard. Due to GPS drift, your dog could be corrected for crossing a boundary that, according to the system, has shifted unpredictably—even though your dog is still within the safe zone. Worse yet, a large drift could allow your pet to wander beyond the intended boundary before the collar detects the issue, leaving your pet vulnerable to escaping.

With DogWatch’s traditional underground fence system, the boundary is fixed and precise. There’s no risk of GPS errors or satellite interference. The system works every time, exactly as it’s set up, with no false alarms or accidental escapes caused by signal issues.

2. Real-Time Safety: Consistency Beats Convenience

While GPS collars market themselves on flexibility, the reality is that consistency and immediate correction are essential for effective pet containment. DogWatch’s hidden fence provides instant feedback to your pet the moment they approach the boundary. The correction is accurate and happens exactly where you’ve placed it, offering a reliable experience that reinforces training and keeps your pet safely contained.

In contrast, GPS collars rely on a delay in signal processing, which means that your pet may already be outside the intended area before the system even triggers a correction. This lack of real-time feedback can confuse pets, making training more difficult and less effective. DogWatch delivers precise, immediate corrections that align with your pet’s behavior, creating clearer boundaries and better long-term results.

3. Training and Safety: Proven Methods vs. Novelty

DogWatch has been trusted by pet owners for decades, with a proven system that emphasizes effective training and safety. The traditional DogWatch system uses FM radio signals, which are more reliable and resistant to interference than GPS-based technology. This means your dog receives consistent feedback during training, which helps reinforce safe behavior.

GPS collars like are still relatively new, and their reliance on satellite signals makes their performance less predictable. The technology may appeal to tech enthusiasts, but it often falls short when it comes to the rigorous demands of day-to-day pet containment.

DogWatch’s proven approach emphasizes positive reinforcement and boundary awareness, ensuring your dog understands exactly where they can and cannot go. With a GPS collar, the learning curve is steeper, and the inconsistency of signal processing can lead to more confusion for your pet.

4. Battery Life and Dependability: DogWatch Offers Superior Longevity

Another key advantage of DogWatch over GPS collars is battery life. GPS-based collars tend to have limited battery life, typically requiring recharging every 12-36 hours depending on usage. This means that if you forget to charge the collar, your pet is left unprotected, significantly increasing the risk of escape.

DogWatch systems, on the other hand, use long-lasting batteries with most collars lasting up to 2 years before needing a replacement. This dramatically reduces the need for frequent recharges and ensures that your pet is always protected without constant attention to battery status.

5. Durability and Versatility: More Reliable in All Conditions

GPS collars are often marketed as flexible and easy to transport, but this flexibility can come at the cost of durability. Satellite-based systems may struggle in areas with poor reception, such as wooded areas, regions with dense tree cover, or urban environments with tall buildings. In contrast, DogWatch works seamlessly in any setting—rural, suburban, or urban—without interference from environmental factors.

DogWatch systems are also weather-resistant and designed to function in a variety of challenging outdoor conditions, from rain to snow. GPS collars may experience technical difficulties when exposed to harsh weather or poor satellite signal coverage, making DogWatch the more dependable choice for year-round use.

6. Customization and Adjustability: DogWatch Fits Your Dog’s Needs

DogWatch allows for customizable correction levels, so the system can be tailored to fit your dog’s temperament, size, and behavior. You can set the boundaries exactly where you want, without worrying about the signal shifts that come with GPS systems. Whether your pet needs a gentle reminder or a stronger correction, DogWatch ensures you have control over your pet’s safety and training.

GPS collars like often lack the same level of fine-tuning and tend to offer a one-size-fits-all approach. With DogWatch, you’re able to create a containment plan that works for your unique pet and your property.

7. No Subscription Fees: DogWatch Offers Long-Term Savings

Most GPS collar systems come with ongoing subscription fees for access to satellite services or advanced features like activity tracking. These monthly fees can add up over time. DogWatch systems, once installed, have no hidden fees or recurring costs beyond occasional battery replacements. This makes DogWatch a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

Conclusion: DogWatch Delivers Unmatched Reliability and Safety

While GPS collars may seem appealing due to their flexibility and tech-forward approach, the reality is that their performance is often compromised by GPS drift, inconsistent corrections, and limited battery life. When it comes to keeping your pet safe within defined boundaries, DogWatch’s reliability, precision, and proven track record make it the superior choice.

With DogWatch, you get a pet containment system that works consistently and effectively, no matter the weather, environment, or your pet’s unique needs. No GPS errors, no confusing boundaries, just reliable protection and peace of mind. When it comes to the safety of your pet, trust the system that has been keeping dogs safe for decades—trust DogWatch.

GPS Wireless vs. Wired Dog Fence Comparison.

How Does DogWatch Hidden Fence Compare to Halo and Other GPS Wireless Fences?

The video above from a neutral third party sums it up pretty nicely.

How Do GPS Fences Work? What You Need To Know.

Are you considering a wireless GPS electronic pet fence (frequently referred to generically as an “invisible fence”*) to keep your dog in your yard? How do wireless GPS systems compare to a traditional wired (underground) electronic dog fence? Do they provide the same level of safety for your pet?

Overview
Most electronic pet fence systems (including a DogWatch® Hidden Fence, Invisible Fence® and other brands) feature a buried wire, typically two-to-six inches underground. The wire is connected to a transmitter mounted in your house or garage that sends a harmless, coded radio signal through this wire. Your pet wears a collar programmed to detect the radio signal (called a receiver collar.)

If your pet gets too close to the underground wire, the radio signal triggers a ‘beeping’ noise from the receiver collar that alerts the dog (or cat) to retreat away from the buried wire. Through a simple training program using flags to mark the area where it is safe to play, your pet learns to recognize where it is safe and where the alert is triggered. To reinforce the training, if your pet gets too close to the buried wire, the receiver collar delivers a brief static impulse (correction). The pet quickly learns that the correction is uncomfortable and avoids the buried boundary wire. After training, most pets stay away from the buried wire and remain within the designated safe area.

Dog staying in yard, can gps fences work for dogs

Wireless GPS pet fences, by contrast, use satellites to map a specific boundary (geo-fence) for the pet instead of using a buried wire and a fixed radio signal. Mapping the fence boundary is often done by using cellular technology. The receiver collar is connected to the GPS program that sends an alert to the receiver collar if the pet approaches the boundary and corrects the pet if it does not retreat from the boundary.

While the goals of the two systems are similar, the use of GPS technology for pet containment raises several concerns.

Concern #1 – Inconsistent Boundary
Hidden Fences with underground wires provide a consistent boundary that does not change unless the wire itself is moved.
GPS dog fences, however, do not provide that same consistency. GPS coordinates can shift and are prone to interference and changes in signal strength.
Why is a consistent boundary so important to an electronic dog fence? In a word, training. For an electronic pet fence to work properly, the pet needs to be able to understand and recognize the containment area boundaries. A boundary that is not consistent can confuse the pet and make training and containment less effective and less secure.

confused dog, Do Wireless GPS Fences Work?

Some GPS systems say they are “portable” – you can take your containment system camping, to visit friends, etc. True – you can set it up anywhere, but in addition to the inconsistency issue (and perhaps lack of power and/or satellite service), how will the dog know where the boundary is? Training (including flags, repetition and a consistent boundary) are key to successful training and a happy pet. It can be done, but it’s not as easy as advertised. And there is no way to control the inconsistent boundary.

Concern #2 – Shorter Battery Life
Battery life matters when it comes to electronic dog fences. Why? Because a dead battery means no audible alerts or corrections. As a result, the pet is much more likely to run through the boundary.

Most traditional underground electronic pet fences use a replaceable receiver battery, with a lifecycle ranging from 3 months to two years. GPS pet fences typically use a rechargeable battery to power their receiver collars. The more often you need to charge the battery, the higher the likelihood of winding up with a dead battery, which in turn increases the chance that your pet will leave the yard. Longer battery life and a battery that can be quickly changed provide more safety for your pet.

Concern #3 – Limited Uses
GPS dog fences are not recommended for smaller properties, due to the fact that the GPS boundary line can vary unpredictably (up to 10 feet). In order to keep the pet away from hazards like roads and wooded areas, the boundary line will need to be moved further away from the hazard, thus reducing the overall size of the fenced-in area.

dog near woods, Do Wireless GPS Fences Work?

GPS signals can also be subject to interference from a variety of sources, including nearby tall buildings. This further limits the use of these products. Thus, GPS fences are often not recommended for properties that are less than 5 acres or properties with potential obstructions.

Concern #4 – Cost
Finally, GPS pet fences are expensive. They can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than a traditional underground electronic fence. Furthermore, some GPS pet fence systems require an on-going monthly fee for use of GPS and/or cellular networks.

At DogWatch, we are committed to providing the safest, most effective electronic pet fences on the market. At this time, we believe wireless GPS fences do not provide the same level of safety and reliability as traditional wired systems.

For more information about the latest in electronic pet fence technology, contact DogWatch of Litchfield County.

* Invisible Fence® and Invisible Fencing® are Brand names, products and registered trademarks of Radio Systems, Inc.

Invisible Fence®, PetSafe®, Guardian®, Innotek®, SportDOG®, RadioFence®, ComfortFit™, UltraLight™, Deluxe In-Ground Fence™, and Contain N Train® are trademarks of Radio Systems Corporation. PetStop®, Wire-Free®, and Perimeter^™ are trademarks of Perimeter Technologies. DogWatch® is a registered trademark of DogWatch Inc. Dogwatch is not affiliated with Radio Systems Corp, Perimeter Technologies, and disclaims any interest in any trademarks not its own.

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