Dog Fence Ontario vs Invisible Fence®
Why thousands of Ontario pet owners choose us over the Invisible Fence® brand. Rechargeable collars, app control, and professional support included.See why Ontario pet owners choose us over Invisible Fence®.
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 | Proprietary batteries — ongoing cost |
| Collar Size | Smallest on the market — 1 oz | Varies by model |
| Training Levels | 13 adjustable levels — starts at the lowest correction on the market | Varies by model — lowest level much stronger (dog is anxious off the bat) |
| 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 |
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.
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.
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.
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
SafetyStop®: A Hard Limit on Correction
If your dog ever gets caught near the boundary (say a ball lands in the signal zone and your dog hesitates), our Pet Stop collar has a patented safety feature called SafetyStop. It caps the correction at a maximum of 20 seconds and then stops completely, even if the dog is still in the signal field.
Some competitor systems don't include this kind of hard limit. Instead, the collar cycles corrections repeatedly (correct, pause, correct again) until the dog moves out of the zone or the battery dies. For a panicked dog, that can make things worse: instead of retreating calmly, they bolt further away.
Our approach: A brief, capped correction that lets the dog recover and make the right decision on their own. Combined with GentleSteps training, most dogs learn the boundary in days and rarely experience a correction after the first week.
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.
Which one should I choose?
If you want ________, choose Dog Fence Ontario
- Rechargeable collars (no battery buying)
- App visibility (battery %, wire status, history)
- Ongoing support + one free revisit in 30 days
- Transferable warranty if you move
If you want ________, Invisible Fence® might still be a fit
- You prefer their battery/service plan ecosystem
- You're already in their dealer network and happy with it
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 UpgradeOption 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 CallOption 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 ReplacementFrequently Asked Questions
Training & Safety
System Features & Performance
Service & Coverage
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.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Get a free quote and see how much you can save with better technology.