GPS sounds convenient. But after 16 years and nearly 2,000 installations, we've seen what actually keeps dogs safe. Here's why we stick with underground fences.
Products like Halo and SpotOn use satellite GPS to create virtual boundaries. No buried wire. Sounds great on paper.
The marketing is compelling: draw a fence on your phone, no installation required. But the technology has real limitations that manufacturers don't emphasize.
These aren't edge cases. These are everyday realities that GPS fence owners deal with.
GPS accuracy varies with satellite positions, weather, and interference. Your boundary can shift by 5-15 feet throughout the day. That matters when the property line is 10 feet from the road.
GPS updates every 1-3 seconds. A running dog covers a lot of ground in that time. By the time the collar reacts, the dog may already be across the boundary.
Trees, buildings, hills, and even cloudy weather can degrade GPS accuracy. Urban areas and heavily wooded lots are particularly problematic.
Most GPS systems require $15-25/month for the life of the product. That's $180-300/year, every year. After 5 years, you've paid $900-1,500 in fees alone.
GPS collars need frequent charging (every 1-3 days typically) because satellite tracking drains batteries quickly. Forget to charge? No protection.
GPS receivers are larger and heavier than underground fence receivers. This matters for smaller dogs and can affect collar fit and comfort.
The technology is simpler, and that's a feature. Here's what you get with a professionally installed underground system.
The boundary is exactly where the wire is buried. No drift, no variation. Your dog learns a consistent, reliable boundary that never moves.
The collar responds in milliseconds (80ms), not seconds. When your dog approaches the boundary, the warning is immediate and consistent.
One installation cost. No subscriptions, no recurring charges. The system works for 10-15+ years with minimal maintenance.
Rain, snow, clouds, solar flares, it doesn't matter. The signal from the buried wire is consistent in any conditions.
Our rechargeable collars last 2-4 weeks per charge. Charge it once or twice a month and forget about it.
The EcoLite receiver weighs under 1 oz, the smallest professional-grade receiver in the industry. Comfortable for dogs of all sizes.
| Feature | GPS Fence | Underground Fence |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary accuracy | 5-15 ft drift | ✓ Exact (within inches) |
| Response time | 1-3 seconds | ✓ 80 milliseconds |
| Monthly fees | $15-25/month | ✓ None |
| Battery life | 1-3 days | ✓ 2-4 weeks |
| Works in trees/buildings | Degraded signal | ✓ Unaffected |
| Weather dependent | Yes | ✓ No |
| Professional training | DIY only | ✓ Included |
| Local support | Phone/email only | ✓ On-site service |
Our LINK smart collar gives you app-based control and monitoring, without the GPS limitations.
The appeal of GPS fences is the technology, the app, the visibility. We get it. That's exactly what LINK provides, paired with a boundary system that actually works.
All the smart features. None of the GPS drift, delay, or monthly fees.
Learn More About LINKGPS fences aren't scams. They work for some people in some situations, particularly on very large, open properties where a few feet of drift doesn't matter. If you have 50 acres and no roads nearby, GPS might be fine.
But for typical Ontario properties with suburban lot sizes, rural properties near roads, or yards with trees and structures, the limitations of GPS are real. We've built our business on solutions that work reliably, day after day. That's why we install underground systems.
No. We only install underground systems because that's what we can stand behind with our 12-month containment guarantee. We won't sell something we don't believe in.
Give us a call. We can install an underground system and help you understand why the GPS wasn't working for your situation. Many of our customers came to us after trying GPS first.
GPS requires no installation, which sounds nice. But our professional installation takes about half a day, includes training, and gives you a system that works reliably for 10-15+ years. The time investment is minimal compared to the peace of mind.
GPS systems typically charge $15-25/month. Over 5 years, that's $900-1,500. Our system has no monthly fees ever. The upfront cost is comparable, but the long-term cost of GPS is significantly higher.
Get a free quote for a professionally installed underground fence system.
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