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At one point or another, most pet parents find themselves weighing the pros and cons of various dog containment systems. These days, invisible fencing options are on the rise. However, even high-tech fencing options can come with some hassles.

In-ground invisible fences typically require underground wire installation, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Wireless fence options that broadcast a radio signal from a central transmitter tend to be more affordable. However, they lack the customization options of other solutions, so they may not fit the needs of all pet parents.

These are just a few of the reasons dog parents are turning to GPS dog fences to keep their pets protected. GPS wireless fences have a bevy of benefits that provide plenty of peace of mind for worried pet parents.

GPS dog collar fence options work just about anywhere, depending on property size. Set-up is simple and intuitive, taking an hour or so instead of days. And many, like the Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking from PetSafe, let you set up multiple boundaries with an easy-to-use app.

We recently tested the new PetSafe Guardian GPS Dog Fence 2.0 + Tracking with our Prague Ratter, Lola. She’s very small (just 15 pounds) and very curious. Plus, Lola is a bit of an escape artist, so we thought she’d do a great job putting this advanced wireless GPS dog fence to the test.

Here’s our honest, hands-on experience with the Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking from PetSafe.

Who is PetSafe? 

We were excited to try out the latest product from PetSafe, a trusted and innovative brand in the world of pet tech. For over 25 years, PetSafe has led the industry with pet containment systems, training tools, and lifestyle products. The brand is committed to creating solutions that keep pets happy, healthy, and safe.

PetSafe is especially well-known for invisible dog fence systems and remote trainers, PLUS their ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes & No-Pull Dog Harnesses. They’ve also gained a reputation for innovation and thoughtful design with their ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Boxes & No-Pull Dog Harnesses.

Now, PetSafe has added a stellar new product to the brand lineup. The Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking is a new and improved version of the brand’s original Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar. Upgrades include a smaller collar and improved tracking capability.

Petsafe GPS Dog Fence 2.0 in box

Overview of the PetSafe GPS Dog Fence 2.0 + Tracking 

Out of the box, the system includes:

  • 1 compact and rechargeable GPS collar (half the size of the leading competitors’) 
  • Short and long contact points to ensure the collar works for all types of fur coats  
  • Convenient charging block and cable 
  • Quick-start guide
  • Test light tool (you can use to show correction is working) 
  • QR code to download the app (a very nice touch!)

We especially liked that the collar uses dual-frequency GPS to create reliable virtual boundaries. That means the collar receives signals from two different kinds of satellites, offering the most accurate and reliable signal in the industry. 

You set your invisible fence boundary using the PetSafe mobile app, which features a satellite view of your location. The collar works anywhere there’s a GPS signal, making it a wireless fence for dogs that you can take just about anywhere.

Key specs:

  • No base stations or buried wires required
  • Live, real-time GPS tracking via the app
  • Boundary radius is fully customizable
  • 3 types of correction: tone, vibration, and static (adjustable)
  • Waterproof collar with a secure plastic build
  • For dogs 15 lbs and up (but see our notes below if you’re close to that minimum)

Putting the PetSafe Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking to the Test 

First, some history: We’ve tried other dog fence systems before, but somehow Lola always managed to escape. She’s very responsive to corrections. However, we found that many systems we tried didn’t always deliver them consistently.

Often, the collar wouldn’t activate. With other fencing systems, this can happen for a variety of reasons, like weak Wi-Fi signal or interference. But we found the most common culprit was dead batteries.

The biggest issue was the lack of battery level visibility. We could never tell how much battery life was left or whether the system would work as expected. That uncertainty made it hard to fully trust the other systems we tried.

Screen to edit fence PetSafe

We were excited to try the newest GPS dog fence upgrade from PetSafe for many reasons. But, being able to easily see battery level on the app is a small (but important) detail we really appreciated.

Setting up the PetSafe Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking couldn’t have been simpler. We scanned the QR code on the box to download the app. The easy-to-follow directions made everything smooth and intuitive.

Unlike other pet fence options we’ve tried, we didn’t have to walk the perimeter or place any hardware. With the newest PetSafe Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence, we were able to pair the collar and set up our first virtual fence in moments. Creating a boundary is as simple as dragging a circle over your property on the satellite map. All in all, it took under 15 minutes to go from box to working dog containment system. 

As for Lola, our little escape artist may have met her match! As a petite pup, she definitely noticed that the PetSafe Guardian GPS 2.0 + Tracking dog fence collar was a bit bulkier than her normal collar. But, given that it’s 50 perfect smaller than the competition, it didn’t bother her too much, and she responded well to the system overall.

We tested the warning tone and were pleased that it was clear and loud. She quickly learned to stay within the safe zone. The PetSafe Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence boundary held steady, and the tracking collar reliably sent alerts to our phone whenever she neared the edge.

One of our favorite parts? We can create and save multiple GPS dog fences in different locations. While we haven’t traveled with it yet, we’re excited to use it at our summer house and friends’ properties.

Things We Loved

  • Easy setup – From start to finish, getting this system live was fast and frustration-free.
  • Highly accurate tracking – Thanks to PetSafe’s proprietary Guardian AccuGuard tech, the collar activated each time Lola neared the edge, with no noticeable lags.
  • Real-time GPS tracker for dogs – Even when hiking or at other locations not within the fence, we can always check Lola’s location.
  • Loud, clear warning beep – This is especially helpful when we’re further away, so we know it’s working.
  • Mobile app is a game-changer – You can edit boundaries, set up automatic alerts, and monitor your dog’s location, all in one place.
  • No need to walk the boundary to install – This is a huge improvement over older systems we’ve tried.
  • Portable – We love that we can use this at different locations without any new equipment.
  • App alerts – Get notifications when the battery is low or your dog gets too close to the edge of the boundary.
  • Waterproof and durable design – Good for dogs that run through wet grass or splash in the creek.

Things to Consider

  • Collar size for small dogs – While the updated collar is half the size of leading competitors’ collar, it was still a tad bit bulky on our 15-pound Lola. That said, it’s designed to fit 98 percent of dog breeds, and it worked perfectly for us. But if your small-breed dog is fussy about chunky collars, it may take some getting used to. 
  • Best suited for larger properties or areas – The Guardian GPS 2.0 Dog Fence + Tracking is designed to work best for areas a half acre in size or larger. 
  • Battery needs regular charging – We got about 36 hours per charge with moderate use.
  • App and subscription required – In order to work properly, the GPS-enabled collar must connect to the My PetSafe app on your smartphone. Your purchase comes with a free one-month trial subscription. But after that, you’ll need to purchase an annual subscription plan for $89/year or an auto-renewing monthly plan for $9.99/month. 
  • Training time – As with any invisible fence, some dogs may need a few sessions to fully understand their boundaries.
Dog next to phone for PetSafe Dog Fence 2.0

PetSafe 2.0 GPS Dog Fence + Tracking: Our Verdict 

We’re thoroughly impressed with this sophisticated GPS dog fence, and we’ll absolutely keep using it as part of our daily routine. The combination of containment plus live tracking makes it one of the most versatile tools we’ve tested as dog parents.

For us, the app functionality is a huge upgrade over older, more limited invisible fence systems. We especially appreciate the ability to view and edit fence zones, check Lola’s GPS location, and receive real-time alerts.

It’s ideal for anyone who:

  • wants a wireless fence for dogs that doesn’t require digging or drilling
  • travels with their pet or has multiple properties
  • wants to monitor their dog’s location on hikes, farm visits, or while off-leash in nature
  • wants the reassurance of knowing correction will come consistently every time
  • needs battery-level notifications (this was key in our chaotic family!)

While we do wish the collar was just a bit smaller for petite dogs, it still worked very well on our tiny Lola — and we wouldn’t trade this system for anything else. It’s safe, reliable, flexible, and surprisingly easy to use.

If you’re in the market for a GPS dog fence collar that offers both security and peace of mind, the PetSafe Guardian GPS Dog Fence 2.0 + Tracking is an excellent choice! This flexible boundary, app-controlled solution is a true game changer. We love knowing that we can keep tabs on Lola, so we can ensure she stays safely out of harm’s way.