PetSafe E-Collar and E-Fence Buying Guide 2023

This article was updated on January 14, 2023.

Remote training e collars are fantastic dog training tools. They can make the lives of pet owners and trainers much easier. But there are just so many brands and models available these days that finding the one specific remote trainer that would work for you and your dog can be such a challenge.

We’ve previously talked about remote trainer brands like E-Collar Technologies, Dogtra, and SportDog. This time, we’ll go over another respected brand in pet training – PetSafe.

Who is PetSafe?

PetSafe is a US-based company but has a presence in more than 50 countries across 6 continents. Their parent company, Radio Systems Corporation, was founded in the early 1990s. Yes, both PetSafe and SportDog share the same parent company. While SportDog was created to address the need for remote trainers for hunting and sporting dogs, PetSafe initially focused on pet containment systems. Today, PetSafe products include not just fencing systems, but remote trainers, bark control solutions, harnesses, collars, feeders, and more.

In this guide, we’ll focus on two of their more popular product lines – remote training collars and e fences.

What is the Difference Between an E Collar and an E Fence?

An e collar has been called many things – remote training collar, shock collar, and remote trainer, just to name a few. But no matter the term used, the function remains the same. By pressing a button on the remote transmitter, a correction is given to the dog through the collar receiver. The correction can be in the form of static stimulation, vibration, or tone. Shock collars are usually used to reinforce learned commands or correct undesirable behaviors in dogs. In this regard, training success is entirely dependent on the trainer’s proper usage of the tool.

An e fence, meanwhile, is exactly what the name implies. A fence. The “e” stands for electric. An e fence system includes a collar for the dog. But instead of a remote, the signal comes from a transmitter that’s usually mounted somewhere in the property. Correction is automatically given once the dog nears or crosses the set boundary. In this regard, an e fence is more of a tool for containment rather than for training.

Which one should you get? It depends on what you need.

You can read more about choosing between e collars, e fences, and bark collars here.

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about PetSafe e collars.

What to Expect from PetSafe E Collars

PetSafe remote training e collars allow you to teach commands as well as discourage nuisance behaviors. These e collars usually come with the following features:

1. Ergonomic Remote with 2-Button Design

Most PetSafe remote trainers come with small remote transmitters that easily fit in the palm of your hand. The design is straightforward. There are only two, easy-to-reach buttons, making it easy to remember what to press. 

The remote also features a large screen that makes it easy to read during the day or at night.

2. Multiple Stimulation Options 

PetSafe remote trainers usually come with:

• Static stimulation
• Vibration
• Tone

3. Expandable

With the purchase of extra collars, PetSafe e collars can usually control multiple dogs from the same Remote. 

In addition to the above, PetSafe e collars are waterproof and come with adjustable nylon straps.

What PetSafe E Collar Should You Get?

Choosing the right collar depends on what you need it for.

1. What are you using the e collar for?
2. What is your dog’s temperament?
3. How big is your dog?

These are just some of the questions you need to ask before deciding on any specific e-collar model. Are you teaching your dog basic commands or are you trying to make them unlearn bad behavior? Are they sensitive or stubborn? Some collars have low stimulation that makes them perfect for shy and sensitive dogs. Stubborn dogs and larger breeds, meanwhile, may benefit more from remote trainers with higher stimulation levels.

Choosing the Right PetSafe E Collar

There are currently 4 PetSafe remote training collar product lines being sold by PetsTEK:

• Smart Dog Trainer
• Yard Lite Remote Trainer
• Yard Remote Trainer
• Remote Spray Trainer

SMART DOG Trainer 

The SMART DOG Trainer (PDT00-15748) differs from other PetSafe trainers because instead of using a remote transmitter, it connects and is controlled from a smartphone instead. It’s perfect for people who prefer not to carry too many devices all the time.

Yard Lite Remote Trainer 

The Yard Lite Remote Trainer line comes in 3 variants: 100 Yard Lite, 300 Yard Lite, and 600 Yard Lite. All three come with 15 levels of static stimulation, vibration, and tone. These trainers are recommended for small and medium-sized breeds and have slightly lower stimulation levels. The main differentiator between the three, as evident in the name, is the range.

Yard Remote Trainer

The big brother to the Yard Lite, the Yard Remote Trainer comes in 4 variants differentiated by range:

• 100 Yard
• 300 Yard
• 600 Yard
• 900 Yard

The PetSafe Yard Remote Trainers are recommended for medium and large-sized breeds or dogs with more stubborn dispositions.

Remote Spray Trainer

Finally, there’s the PetSafe PDT00-16395 Remote Spray Trainer. Aesthetically, this e collar looks the same as the others. However, it does not have static stimulation. Instead, it has tone, vibration, and spray. It’s recommended for shy, timid, or sensitive dogs. Or for pet owners averse to using static correction.

If you’ve decided that what you need is an e fence rather than an e collar though, do not worry. We’ve got a guide for you, too.

What PetSafe E-Fence Should I Get?

If ensuring your pet is contained is your goal instead of training, then an e-fence is what you need. In choosing what to get, consider the following factors.

1. Your Pet’s Size, Temperament, and Level of Training

E fence systems come with a collar for your dog. Similar to remote trainers, the collars issue correction in the form of static stimulation, vibration, or tone. Dogs that are already well-trained may not need anything more than tone to remind them to stay inside the boundary. However, more stubborn dogs, or those with minimal to no training previously, may need stronger correction to comply.

2. Containment Size and Shape

Do you need to cover a huge amount of land or just a small to average-sized yard? Is your property boundary irregularly-shaped or more traditional?

Some e fence systems can cover a few hundred feet while some can cover over 20 acres of land. Some only cover circular areas while others allow you to customize the layout.

Choosing the Right PetSafe E Fence

PetSafe e fences mainly come in two categories:

• In-Ground Fence
• Wireless Fence

An in-ground e fence system comes with wire that needs to be laid out and buried. This type of e fence is great because it allows you to pretty much customize your perimeter layout however you want. It doesn’t matter if your yard is the standard rectangular shape or more irregular.

You can DIY the set-up. The wire does not need to be buried very deeply. The only downside to this is if a wire break occurs, you’d have to find the break and dig it up to replace it.

A wireless fence system is easier to set up as there are no wires to bury. The transmitter is simply placed in the middle of the property, turned on, and it’s good to go. It can be mounted or not. Another positive to this type is the system is portable. If you ever need to transfer houses, for example, you can simply unplug the transmitter and take it with you to the new place. However, wireless fences only cover a circular area. So if you need to keep your pet away from a particular corner of the yard, you need to ensure that it’s within the covered circle. This type is also not ideal to use in places with a lot of interference like trees, or where the land layout isn’t flat.

It must be noted though that both types are expandable. Extra wire can expand the coverage area of in-ground fences. In the case of wireless fences, you can purchase an extra transmitter to expand the coverage. Also, there isn’t any issue mixing and matching both.

These are some of the more popular PetSafe In-Ground and Wireless E Fence Systems.

Bonus: PetSafe Pet Containment Systems

Unlike e fences, pet containment systems create “wireless avoidance zones” around the house. These are recommended if you’re just looking to keep your pet away from the trash can or deter them from entering your room or prevent them from accessing a particular spot inside the house.

Summary

PetSafe containment systems, whether the in-ground, wireless, or indoor kind, work great to keep your pets safe within specific boundaries. However, you must always remember that for your pet to learn and understand these boundaries, you still need to spend time training and teaching them. Only when they understand can you safely leave them without worry.