Side-by-Side Comparison

Here's how we stack up against the Invisible Fence® brand on the features that matter most.

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Feature	Dog Fence Ontario	Invisible Fence®
Collar Type	Rechargeable	Replaceable batteries
Collar Size	Works for 8+ lb dogs	Varies by model
Training Levels	13 adjustable levels	Varies by model
Customer Adjustments	Adjust correction level in app	Typically requires technician visit
Smart Features	LINK app: battery %, wire status, history, remote trainer	Limited or no app features
Equipment Warranty	Lifetime UltraCare (20% deductible, transferable)	Varies; minimum 1-year; many include lifetime; typically not transferable
Containment Guarantee	12-month money-back	1-year money-back (on premium outdoor systems)
Phone/Email Support	Free, unlimited	May require paid service calls
10-Year Total Cost	System price only	System + ~$1,000 in batteries

Notes: Competitor policies vary by model and region; we've cited publicly available info where possible. Invisible Fence® warranty details sourced from their published terms. Our warranty and guarantee details are available in the sections below.

Stop Paying for Batteries Forever

Every Invisible Fence® collar needs new batteries 3-4 times per year. They offer a Power Cap® Plan at $95/year (4 batteries) or sell individual batteries for $28.50 each with 90-120 days of life.

Our Pet Stop rechargeable collars eliminate this recurring expense. You charge the collar when needed—no batteries to buy, ever.

Real-World Battery Math

Invisible Fence® 10-year costs:

Power Cap Plan: $95/year × 10 = $950 per dog
Single batteries (3-4/year): ~$85.50-$114/year × 10 = ~$855-$1,140 per dog

Dog Fence Ontario 10-year costs: $0 (rechargeable collars included)

Sources: Invisible Fence® Power Cap pricing and battery life specifications from their published materials.

The bottom line: Think of Invisible Fence® batteries like renting your collar. With us, you own it outright.

$0

Battery costs forever

See the Full Cost Breakdown →

Collars That Actually Fit Small Dogs

Invisible Fence® collars are bulky—they only work for dogs 15 pounds and up. If you have a Yorkie, Chihuahua, or small breed, they'll tell you it won't work.

Our Pet Stop collars are the smallest and lightest on the market. We've successfully contained dogs as small as 8 pounds.

Small dog friendly: Works for Yorkies, Maltese, Shih Tzus, and other small breeds that competitors can't accommodate.

8 lb

Minimum dog size

Free Support, Not $100 Service Calls

With Invisible Fence®, if you need to adjust your dog's collar settings—maybe they've gotten more confident, or you adopted a new dog—you have to pay for a technician to come out.

With us, just call. We'll walk you through adjustments over the phone, or you can use the LINK app to do it yourself. Free, forever.

Your settings, your control: We don't hide your system settings from you. You own the system, you control it.

Free

Lifetime phone support

GentleSteps Training: Confidence-Building, Not Fear-Based

The boundary is taught using flags, positive reinforcement, and a step-by-step plan that builds your dog's confidence.

What Your Dog Experiences

We start on the lowest training level and only increase if needed
The boundary is taught through repetition and positive rewards
Training focuses on building confidence, not creating fear
You can feel the training level on your hand to understand exactly what your dog experiences

If you're worried about how it feels, we'll show you the training level on your hand so you understand what your dog experiences. Most owners are surprised by how gentle it is.

What Support Actually Looks Like

Here's exactly what you get—and when you get it.

Install Day

We install your system and show you exactly how to train your dog. You get a hands-on walkthrough of the GentleSteps plan.

Days 1-7: Training Week

You follow the training plan we gave you. If anything is unclear or your dog needs adjustments (higher levels, removing the delay, etc.), just text or call—we'll guide you through it.

First 30 Days

If you want a second demo or your dog needs help, we'll come back once at no charge anywhere in our service area.

After 30 Days

Phone/text/email support is still free, unlimited, forever. Additional in-person training sessions are available for a fee if needed.

The LINK App: Peace of Mind in Your Pocket

You don't have to guess if the collar is low, if the wire is broken, or if training is progressing.

What the LINK App Does

Battery status: See collar battery percentage at a glance
Wire break alerts: Get notified immediately if the boundary wire fails
Adjust training levels: Change the GentleSteps correction level yourself (dealer can set limits)
Training history: See warnings and corrections by day/week/month
Remote trainer: Within Bluetooth range, send audible warnings or deliver any of the 13 correction levels

Note: Remote trainer actions require Bluetooth range (including through typical walls). The app doesn't work from unlimited distance.

Warranty & Guarantee

We don't hide the fine print. Here's exactly what's covered—and what's not.

12-Month Containment Money-Back Guarantee

What's Included:

Full system refund if it doesn't contain your dog
Valid for 12 months from install

Requirements:

Follow the training plan as specified
Contact us for adjustments if needed
Give us a fair chance to tune settings for your dog

Exclusions:

Dog not wearing the collar
Open gate without wire protection
Negligence unrelated to product failure

Lifetime UltraCare Warranty

Covered Equipment:

Ecolite Receiver
Ecolite Link Receiver
OT-300 Transmitter

Coverage:

Covers failing or damaged equipment
20% deductible (of original sale price)
Transferable with the equipment

Invisible Fence® Comparison

Invisible Fence® publicly states a 1-year money-back performance guarantee on professionally installed premium outdoor systems, and a minimum 1-year equipment warranty (many include lifetime). Their warranty terms state warranties are for the original purchaser and not transferable.

Key difference: Our warranty is transferable with the equipment—a meaningful advantage if you move or sell your home.

Installation Quality Matters

Many invisible fences fail because of installation shortcuts, not because the technology is bad.

We bury wire deep enough to survive normal yard life

Standard depth: ~4 inches. Up to ~6 inches in wet/sandy areas. Rocky areas vary, but 90%+ of wire is at ~4 inches or deeper.

We protect and seal connections to reduce corrosion issues

All connections use silicone-filled waterproof connectors. The circuit is tested at the transmitter—incomplete loops trigger wire-break alerts.

We plan and route carefully (driveways, garden beds, buried utilities)

We use a cable locator to trace and avoid cutting cable/fiber lines. Customers should point out private buried lines (sprinklers, landscape lighting, septic, etc.) during the walkthrough.

Already Have Invisible Fence®?

We can help—choose your situation below.

Choose Your Situation

Option A: It's working, but I'm tired of batteries / want better control

We can upgrade your collar to a rechargeable option while keeping your existing wire and transmitter.

Get Quote for Upgrade

Option B: It's not working (wire break / weak signal / collar issues)

We repair Invisible Fence® systems. Book a service call and we'll diagnose and fix the issue.

Book Service Call

Option C: I want a clean reset

We can replace your entire system (and potentially reuse your existing layout if it still makes sense).

Get Quote for Replacement

Why We Don't Recommend GPS Dog Fences

GPS sounds convenient—no wire to bury!—but here's what most people don't realize:

Drift & Delay

GPS signal can drift 5-15 feet, meaning your dog gets corrected inconsistently or after they've already crossed.

Terrain & Weather Issues

Dense tree cover, urban interference, and weather can degrade GPS accuracy.

Monthly Subscriptions

Many GPS fences require ongoing cellular service fees.

Bulkier Collars

GPS collars need larger batteries and antennas, making them heavier.

Underground boundaries are consistent, reliable, and work in any weather. And with LINK, you still get smart features—battery status, wire break alerts, remote training—without GPS downsides.

Full GPS Comparison Get a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Training & Safety

The system uses static correction—similar to the mild sensation of static electricity. We start on the lowest training level and only increase if needed. Training focuses on building confidence through repetition and positive reinforcement, not creating fear. If you're worried, we'll show you the training level on your hand so you understand what your dog experiences.

If your dog is sprinting through the line during training, contact us immediately. We can remove the half-second warning delay and/or adjust the correction level. This is why unlimited phone support matters—we'll tune the system to match your dog's needs.

Most dogs are reliably trained in about a week using the GentleSteps plan (some learn faster, some take 10+ days). On install day, we give you a hands-on walkthrough. During the training week, you follow the plan (typically short daily sessions). If anything is unclear, text or call—we're here to help.

Yes—you should remove the collar daily (including at night) to avoid skin irritation or pressure sores. The collar should only be on when your dog is outside and needs containment.

System Features & Performance

With battery backup, the system continues working for approximately 8-24 hours depending on signal field strength, battery health, temperature, and total wire length. This is realistic performance—we don't claim "up to four days" like some dealers.

Yes. The system only works with pets wearing the receiver collar—it's a containment system for your dog, not a physical barrier. Other dogs, wildlife, and people can enter your property freely.

Yes, the system works year-round. However, frozen ground affects installation scheduling. We typically bury wire ~4 inches deep, and very hard frozen ground can make trenching difficult. Contact us for current lead times.

Yes. We design custom layouts including exclusion zones, dual zones (hourglass layout), and front-yard-only or backyard-only setups. During the site review, we'll discuss what makes sense for your property.

If the gate isn't protected by buried wire, it's an open exit. The system only creates boundaries where wire is installed. Our guarantee excludes open gates unless wire protects that opening.

Service & Coverage

Yes. We serve Toronto and the GTA. Starting price is $1,900 + HST, but final pricing depends on number of dogs, receiver type, add-ons, wire length, and how much can be buried with a machine vs by hand. Travel and routing affect pricing in dense urban areas.

A Bit of History

Why does a competitor to Invisible Fence® even exist?

John Purtell invented the original invisible fence concept and founded the Invisible Fence® company in the 1970s. He literally coined the term "invisible fence."

But he eventually left that company and founded Perimeter Technologies®, which makes the Pet Stop® products we install. Why? Because he saw ways to make the technology better—rechargeable batteries, smaller collars, more customizable settings, better training methods.

When you choose Dog Fence Ontario, you're getting technology designed by the original inventor, improved over 25+ years. The Invisible Fence® brand is still selling yesterday's technology at premium prices.

Trademark Notice: Invisible Fence®, DogWatch®, and other mentioned brands are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Dog Fence Ontario is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or associated with Invisible Fence, Inc., DogWatch, or any other mentioned brand. We are an independent company offering Pet Stop® brand products as an alternative.

Dog Fence Ontario vs Invisible Fence®