Do GPS Dog Fences Actually Work?
Here’s What You Need To Know
Do wireless GPS systems really compare to a traditional electronic dog fence?
Choosing Certainty Over Chance: Why Copper Wire Fencing Outshines GPS for Pet Safety!
Negatives of GPS Location Dog Fence Systems:
Inaccuracy and Unreliability:
GPS signals affected by atmospheric conditions, buildings, and foliage, leading to erratic boundary lines. Inconsistency causing confusion and potential danger for pets.
Signal Delays:
Delay in updating the dog’s location compared to instant physical barriers. Critical situations might suffer due to delayed signals, risking the pet’s safety.
Battery Life and Maintenance:
Reliance on rechargeable batteries with limited lifespan. Risks leaving the pet vulnerable if the battery runs out while outside the designated area, requiring regular maintenance for functionality.
High Initial Cost:
Higher upfront expenses including collar purchase, base station, and potential subscription fees. Less accessible option compared to traditional fences due to cost.
Risk of Over stimulation:
Utilization of static correction methods may lead to pet anxiety or fear. Potential behavioral issues impacting the pet’s overall well-being.
Limited Customization:
Difficulty in creating custom boundaries for irregularly shaped or small yards. Leaves areas unprotected or restricts the pet’s movement unnecessarily.
Positives of Traditional Wired Systems:
Reliability:
Guarantees a dependable and consistent boundary without dependence on signals influenced by environmental factors.
No Battery Dependency
No reliance on batteries, eliminating the risk of the pet wandering due to battery failure.
Lower Cost
Usually, traditional fences have lower initial costs without additional subscription fees or technology expenses.
Customization
Tailorable to fit the specific layout of a yard, accommodating irregular shapes or sizes effectively.
Instant Barrier:
Provides an immediate physical boundary, preventing any delays in safeguarding the pet.
No Over stimulation Risk
Lacks electronic correction methods, reducing the risk of causing anxiety or fear in pets.
The Truth about GPS Pet Fencing
Here are a few truths about GPS fencing, as well as a practical solution to your wire break problem.
- GPS is a relatively new technology in the pet fencing world.
- Like all new technology, it’s best to let someone else work out the problems with it before you buy in. Right now, GPS pet fences are accurate to “within 4-5 feet”. This is fine if you’re playing golf, where the consequences of a 4-foot error put you in the rough rather than the fairway, but if this means Rover ends up in the road rather than the front yard, 4 feet is unacceptable. The advantage of copper wire is simple; the wire never moves.
- GPS must be programmed.
- Do you know your longitude and latitude coordinates for every point of your boundary? Of course not. Remember those wire break maintenance calls? You can replace them with re-programming calls.
- GPS can drop.
- We’ve all been in the car when our directions quit on us. GPS can and will drop out on you. Much of the signal accuracy depends on a large number of satellite connections. Copper wire doesn’t.
- GPS can be blocked.
- Satellites need a clear line to the receiver. Large trees and other items can impede the signal, causing your fence to malfunction. When you’re watching your favorite show on TV and your satellite signal drops, it’s irritating. When your pet’s safety is at stake, 99% isn’t good enough.
- GPS collars require frequent charging.
- Because GPS collars constantly track satellites, they require a lot of power. The collars take a long time to charge, so if your dog is outside for long periods of time, you’ll need a second collar to avoid gaps in coverage.