In the ever-evolving world of pet technology, the PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar stands out as a cutting-edge solution for pet owners looking for a reliable and innovative way to keep their dogs safe.
Designed for large properties and equipped with some very nifty highly advanced features, this invisible dog fence and GPS tracking collar combo system promises to provide both security and peace of mind. Below, we’ll delve into the features, pros, and cons of this product to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your dog.
PetSafe makes a few different virtual fence collars, so let’s make sure we’re all on the same page (literally). This is the one we’re talking about today:
The Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar by PetSafe offers advanced real-time tracking and customizable virtual boundaries to keep your dog safe and secure. With features like AccuGuard™ technology and a user-friendly app, this collar is designed for ease of use and reliability for dogs over 30 pounds.
PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar Review
Before we dive into my review, let me just give you a bit of background on my dog. If you’ve read other dog tracking collar reviews by me, you can feel free to skip ahead.
Freya is a Pharaoh Hound. Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of them. Hardly anyone has. All you really need to know about her breed is that, as a sighthound, they are prone to taking off after prey and getting lost. We are VERY careful with her. She doesn’t go off-leash EVER, except in our fenced-in yard.
She’s pretty well-trained now and almost always comes when called now. It’s the “almost” that’s the issue. When she spots prey (usually chipmunks, and don’t worry, they get away from her 99% of the time), she gets laser focused. It’s not that she ignores me calling her in. She literally tunes me out entirely. I have to walk up to her and touch her to get her to focus on me. She always looks so surprised to see me. Like, “Oh hey! Where did you come from?”
While she’s free to roam all she wants in our yard, when I walk her out and about, I use two leashes AND a GPS tracking collar as a “just in case” backup. Paranoid? Maybe. But I’d rather be paranoid and NOT lose my dog than vice-versa.
Now that you have an idea of how I use tracking collars in general, let’s get to the review. We’ll start with a quick look at the top features of the PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar. Then, we’ll go over everything I love (and the few things I don’t).
Features
- Live GPS Tracking: Provides real-time location updates for your dog.
- Customizable Virtual Fences: Allows you to set up multiple virtual boundaries in just about any shape.
- Rechargeable Waterproof Collar: Durable and suitable for all weather conditions.
- AccuGuard™ Technology: Ensures precise location tracking.
- Multiple Correction Levels: Includes tone, vibration, and static correction.
- Suitable for Large Dogs: Designed for dogs over 30 pounds with neck sizes between 15-28 inches.
- Subscription Service: Required for GPS services, available in monthly or annual plans.
Pros (What We Love)
- Extremely Accurate Tracking
- AI Technology
- Flexible Boundaries
- Durable and Waterproof
- Multiple Correction Options
- Relatively Quick Setup
- Easy Charging
- Reliable Brand
- Long-lasting Battery
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top pros.
Accurate Tracking
This is the most important feature for me since I use the collar mainly as a tracking device. The Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar really excels here, providing SUPER precise location tracking through its AccuGuard™ Technology. This feature ensures that you always know EXACTLY where your dog is, which you can see on the map in the app.
Check out the video below from PetSafe to learn more about using the tracking features:
Advanced AI Technology
Okay, so I know that this may be a “con” for some people. We’ve all seen Terminator (and about a thousand other movies about how AI takes over the world), so I think we’re all a little leery about just how much AI we’re using these days.
In the case of GPS tracking collars, though, it’s actually a great thing. While PetSafe isn’t the first brand to use AI in their collars, I feel like they are the first to take it to whole new levels.
See, thanks to a combo of the AI feature and other tracking features, the PetSafe Guardian is actually able to predict your dog’s movements. Don’t ask me how. I have no idea, and I’m sure it’s a closely guarded trade secret or something. My best guess, though, is that it learns from your dog’s previous movements and/or analyzes their movements in real time to calculate their trajectory.
Flexible Boundaries
The ability to customize virtual fences may not be a unique feature of PetSafe (other invisible fence collars also boast it), but it’s still one of the biggest pros overall.
You can set up multiple boundaries in just about any shape to create safe zones for your dog and adjust them as often as needed. This flexibility is particularly useful if you travel with your pooch (or if you happen to share custody of your dog with your ex).
Durable and Waterproof
Again, while this may not be a unique feature, it’s still an important one to mention. The collar is both rechargeable and waterproof, making it great for all weather conditions.
Whether your dog loves to play in the rain or go for swim in the lake, you won’t have to worry about the collar getting damaged. Freya is funny about water. If it’s drizzling out, she doesn’t even want to go out to go potty. Yet if she’s outside chasing something she won’t come in even if it’s pouring buckets of rain. Her prey drive really does override literally EVERY other part of her personality.
Easy frustration-free charging
This last “pro” isn’t really about the collar itself but rather what comes in the box. With certain other collars, you get a charging cable (which is almost always proprietary) but nothing to plug it into. The PetSafe Guardian comes with a charging base, cable AND brick to plug into the wall.
Plus, it’s one of the easiest collars ever to charge since it doesn’t rely on magnets that have to be placed just so. You just plop the collar on the base and voila! I know it’s a little thing in terms of pros, but with so many GPS collars on the market now that are super similar, it’s the little things that often tip the scales.
Reliable Brand
Again, this isn’t so much a pro of the collar itself, but it is something that may tip the scales in its favor. PetSafe has been around since 1998. They have more than a quarter of a century of experience and expertise creating the best pet products.
Now, that’s not to say that newer brands aren’t amazing. Everyone has to start somewhere, after all. Still, when you’re putting a good chunk of change into a product, it’s reassuring to know that the company will still be around for a while.
Long Battery Life
The battery life for the PetSafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Collar is among the longest of its type. It gives you up to 48 hours on a single charge. That’s more than double of many of its competitors.
Keep in mind, though, that obviously the actual day-to-day battery life depends on usage.
Cons (What We Don’t Love)
As with all great products, there are some drawbacks.
- Subscription Required
- Doesn’t Work for Small Dogs
- Initial Setup Time
- No Prong Cover
Again, let’s take a closer look at the biggest considerations.
Subscription Requirement
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar is the fact that you need a subscription (sold separately) to activate the collar. PetSafe is far from the only collar with this “con,” though. Halo Collar 3,
I do like the simplicity of their subscription model, though. They have ONE single plan that costs $9.99 a month (which is right in line with competitors). If you pay upfront for your first year, you can get it for $89.91. Subsequent years cost $101.90, which is still about a $20 savings.
All of that said, if you prefer to skip subscription fees or if you JUST need an invisible fence system you could go with the Guardian® GPS Connected Customizable Fence. But if you want a way to track Fido, you’ll definitely want to go with the GPS + Tracking model. It’s totally worth the upgrade in my opinion.
The Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar by PetSafe offers advanced real-time tracking and customizable virtual boundaries to keep your dog safe and secure. With features like AccuGuard™ technology and a user-friendly app, this collar is designed for ease of use and reliability for dogs over 30 pounds.
Initial Setup Time
Installing and configuring the system, including setting up virtual fences, takes some time and effort. PetSafe lets you know upfront that the whole process will take up to 1-2 hours, including configuring virtual fences and ensuring the collar fits your dog properly. However, it took me A LOT less time than that to get everything up and running.
I think setup really depends on your property. If you have a massive piece of land and need to create multiple zones, then yeah, it’s going to take longer. If you just want to create one fence around your 1-acre backyard, it’ll go a lot faster. Also, once set up, the system is easy to use and manage in the My PetSafe App.
Not for Small Dogs
The collar is specifically designed for dogs over 30 pounds (or with neck sizes between 15-28 inches). So, sadly, it won’t work on your tiny fur friends.
No prong covers
As I mentioned earlier, I primarily use these collars for tracking vs. as a virtual fence. So, for me personally, this is the biggest con since I don’t use static correction on Freya.
It’s a very small thing (or more accurately and literally, two small things since there are two prongs), but I feel like it would be a great addition to the system for people like me.
FAQs
Let’s finish up with a few quick FAQs. Some of these are things I already covered in more detail above, but it’s always nice to have a shorter summary, especially for those who skim-read.
How many virtual fences can I set up?
You can create and store up to 20 virtual fences of different shapes and sizes with in the My PetSafe App.
Can I use the collar with multiple dogs?
Yes and no. Each Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar is meant for a single dog. If you have multiple dogs, you’ll need a separate collar and subscription plan for each one. However, the My PetSafe app makes it easy to manage all of the collars in one place, letting you monitor and control their safety and freedom conveniently from a single account.
How long does the battery last?
Up to 48 hours on a single charge. The exact answer depends on usage, but the Guardian GPS + Tracking Collar does have one of the longest-lasting batteries.
Do I need Wi-Fi or Cell Service to Use the Virtual Fence features?
Yes and no. You’ll need a connection to get the collar up and running. However, once set up, the virtual fences continue to work without an active connection. You will need cell service to actively track your dog, however.
What types of corrections does the collar provide?
The collar offers multiple correction levels, including tone, vibration, and static correction. These can be customized based on your dog’s needs and behavior.
Conclusion
The Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar is a robust and feature-rich system that offers excellent security and flexibility for pet owners with large properties. Its accurate tracking, neat AI features, customizable boundaries, and durable design make it a top choice for keeping your dog safe.
The Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar by PetSafe offers advanced real-time tracking and customizable virtual boundaries to keep your dog safe and secure. With features like AccuGuard™ technology and a user-friendly app, this collar is designed for ease of use and reliability for dogs over 30 pounds.
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