10 Best GPS Shock Collars for Dogs (Tested in 2025)

Last Updated on April, 2025

Searched for a GPS shock collar and didn’t find one? 

Expected.

Not many GPS shock collars are available right now, and finding one that’ll work can be a nightmare. You’re for sure to stubble across quite a lot of ineffective and dangerous ones. 

The collar being ineffective is one thing, but being dangerous is not something to take lightly. Most collars will claim to be equipped with GPS, but in reality, they truly aren’t,

The outcome?

Unreliable location tracking, just imagine you check your dog’s location and see that it is in a safe area, but in reality, it’s somewhere far, far away from you.

That is dangerous. However, it’s inevitable, and it is what an unreliable GPS shock collar can do. So you need to be very careful when in search of, especially, a GPS shock collar. 

That said, now you’re here. you can rest easy!

I’ve tested all of the available GPS shock collars on the market; all you have to do now is read through them and pick one that’ll suit you.

Why Trust Me?

As mentioned above, there are not many GPS shock collars, around 15 probably. I purchased all of them and analyzed them individually.

After all, how else can you rank them unless you test them? So, everything you’re about to read is EXCLUSIVE for iPetGuides, and the most accurate.

So, let’s see which one you’ll love the most.

10 Best GPS Shock Collars for Dogs 

1. HALO 4 (Editor’s Choice)

This is one of the reasons Halo 4 is leading the pack.

The same can be said for the performance of the collar. It’s top-notch.

Let me tell you about the GPS invisible fence first. These are fences you can set up without any digging or messing up your yard. You can just lay the fence using the Halo app on your phone, there are two options, you can either draw or walk through the boundary with the collar in hand. Before you decide, check out the full pros and cons of invisible fences to see if it’s the right fit for you.

That’s all you need to do to create a fence

Halo’s fences can also be of any shape, not just circular like most other options, as for the size, the smallest fence you can create is 900 sq ft and largest can be up to a whopping 1,200 sq miles, more than enough for anyone.

You can create and store 20 unique fences wherever you need them, you can create safe zones for your dog inside the house too using the Halo beacon which will be included.

So now, I’ll explain how the fences will work. For starters, it’s mostly similar to wired electric fences, whenever your dog tries to go past the fence, it’ll be corrected with a static stimulation prompting it to get back to the safe zone.

That said, here, it’s a little more advanced. Since Halo has three correction feedback, Tone, Vibration and Static Stimulation, you can take advantage of all of them.

If your dog is inside the fence and gets within 10 feet of the boundary, the collar will start beeping continuously to encourage your dog to turn back. If your dog continues approaching, the collar will then switch to both beeps and vibration. If that still doesn’t stop your dog, static stimulation will activate once they are within 3 feet of the boundary.

Throughout this process, you’ll receive alerts on your phone so you can respond quickly before anything serious happens.

This is much more effective than the continuous shocks your dog gets with other devices, the success rate is much higher with Halo’s feedback system. However, the important thing to note here is training. Training your dog is important when you’re going to rely on GPS fences to keep your dog safe.

And that brings us to location tracking.

I’m not going to go in detail about what the GNSS means and all that, even I’m not sure what all of that means, I’ll just share my experiences.

When it comes to location tracking, I get updates on my dog’s location every 2 to 3 seconds based on the connection strength. I’ve also tested the collar in areas with not so good connection and have gotten updates every 7 to 8 seconds, which isn’t real-time.

Then again, I’ve seen GPS collars that take 10 to 15 seconds to update the location, this is much better compared to those.

Overall, you can’t find any downsides with Halo’s location tracking system. There were problems in the past with their previous collars like the Halo 4, but since then, they’ve only gotten better.

As mentioned earlier, training your dog is important if you’re going to use a GPS invisible fence for your dog, for that, you don’t need any extra dog training collar, you can get it done with Halo itself.

You can use all three of the corrections present in Halo to train your dog, it’s just like using a dog training collar, but here, you will not be carrying any bulky remotes, just your phone is enough. Select the feedback you need to train your dog with and get started.

Finally, Activity Tracker, only a handful of GPS shock collars have this. Activity Tracker helps you to track your dog’s steps and other activities, such as the time your pet spends moving and resting. All of these data can help you know if something is wrong with your dog.

From what I’ve seen, the activity records have been largely accurate, with minimal errors when it comes to step counts. That is normal, considering even the best fitness trackers make this mistake.

With all that said, will the Halo 4 fit your dog?

Looking at the fit, Halo 4 collar can fit any dogs with a neck size between 8 in. to 30.5 in. Proper fit is essential if you want the collar to work properly, so make sure to do a proper measure before picking one.

Overall, when it comes to GPS shock collar, you can’t go wrong with the Halo 4, it’s a complete package with everything you need to keep your dog safe and obedient. Check out our full review to learn more.

With all that out of the way, how much does the Halo 4 GPS shock collar cost?

When it first launched, the price of the collar was $999, throughout the years, they’ve cut the price while also improving it, and now Halo 4 is $599, which I would say is still a little expensive, but considering what it brings to the table can’t complain too much.

Also, since the device uses multiple networks, you also need a subscription to use the collar. This can be a dealbreaker for some, but after a trying quite a few GPS tracker with no subscription, I’d say going for one with a subscription is a wise choice. No subscription collars are simple not reliable.

---

2. PetSafe Guardian GPS (#2 Best Choice)

Starting off with the fencing capabilities, there are not many differences compared to Halo. You can create fences of any shape and when it comes to size, you can create one as big as you’ll ever need.

To use the Guardian, you will need a yard that’s at least 3/4 acre.

Moving on, creating these fences is done through the My PetSafe® app, all you need to do is draw them, there is no option to walk the boundary to set up the fence. Even though the latter lets you create slightly more accurate fences, it’s something you won’t miss out on.

You can also create and store up to 20 fences with the Guardian, this will help you have a fence ready to use at home and some other places you often visit.

would not say it is as advanced as Halo, but during testing, it got the job done more often than not. That said, it can get a bit confused in areas with large trees or a cloudy day.

Tested on a cloudy day, Guardian only sent the feedback after my dog had passed the boundary, but I got the alert notification to my phone on time, So, it was not a major issue.

Yes, Guardian sends alert notifications to the phone if the dog goes past the boundary, even if the GPS collar fails to stop the dog, you get the chance to do it through thanks to the on time notifications.

So, Things like that can rarely happen with the Guardian.

Next up, Location tracking,

To boundary train your dog, PetSafe has included a 2-week training program, you can take advantage of it, so your dog understands the boundaries you’ve created without any issues.

And finally, a special shoutout to the battery life of the Guardian, it has one of the best batteries of all GPS shock collars. PetSafe claims that it can run up to 72 hours, based on how the device is used.

I use the collar on my dog for around 6 to 8 hours with per day, with that usage, the collar lasted up to a week for me, now that is excellent runtime considering the amount of work it does.

One thing I did not like, however, was setting up the collar for the first time, It takes around more than an hour to do that which is not convenient.

Apart from that, PetSafe Guardian is a solid GPS shock collar, it does everything you need without problem and performs better than most other similar devices on the market, a solid 9 out of 10

When it comes to pricing, PetSafe Guardian is one of the best options, if not the best option if you’re on a budget. At just $249, I don’t think there are many devices that can outperform this. Yes, it needs a subscription, but that’s the price you need to pay if you want a reliable device.

---

3. SpotOn GPS Dog Fence (#3rd Best Choice)

You can use up to 1,500 fence posts, and there is NO limit to the size. The minimum fence size is ½ acre; the maximum could be thousands of acres.

You can even draw one on water, similar to Halo 4.

Creating a fence is very simple; you can walk along the border of the intended map or simply draw it on the app.

The battery life fluctuates between 8-18 hours, but that strictly depends on how you use it.

With an IP67 waterproof rating and fantastic build quality, you never have to worry about the collar’s longevity. 

In addition to all of this, SpotOn lets you access their own dog training content. Although the company says the system is professionally developed, Halo’s training guide is simpler and more effective.

But at the end of the day, you get a live dashboard to see all the details and even test the correctional levels.

Overall, you can definitely depend on the SpotOn GPS shock collar.

Want to know more about the this GPS shock collar? Read our in-depth SpotOn GPS shock collar Review.

SpotON is no slouch when it comes to features. It too provides a lot for a GPS shock collar, but the only problem is that it is the most expensive available in the market.

It comes in at $999; if budget isn’t a problem, this is a device that will not disappoint. You’ll no doubt get your money’s worth. 

---

4. Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 (#2nd Best Choice)

All that said, let me tell you about the corrections that you will be using to train your dog. PATHFINDER 2 has three corrections: Tone, Vibration, and Static Stimulation. 

All three corrections are highly adjustable; like for example, you can adjust the intensity level of static stimulation from 0 to 100. You can pick anywhere in between based on the temperament of your dog.

However, corrections aren’t the only important thing when it comes to training your dog. Range is another important factor. You will be in full control of your dog up to a maximum of 9 miles.

That means the transmitter can send corrections to the collar even if your dog is 9 miles away. Probably one of the highest in any training collars. 

Since this is a GPS shock collar, we should not forget the GPS capabilities. I’ve already told you that the PATHFINDER 2 isstacked when it comes to tech; this is an area where it clearly shows. 

The highly capable GPS signal in the PATHFINDER 2 allows for both real-time location tracking and GEO fence.

You can get 2-second location updates on your dog no matter where it is; on top of that, the GEO fences ensure the safety of your dog.

As for the durability and build quality, it’s top-notch, made for hunters. The IPX7 waterproof only makes it better. 

As mentioned already, Dogtra PATHFINDER 2 is everything a GPS shock collar can be. The features it had and how everything works, without a doubt, help you train your and, at the same time, keep it safe.

With that said, one thing not great about the PATHFINDER 2 is its fit. Dogs that are only 35 lbs or larger will fit into the collar. Anyways, considering if you have a dog in that range, this is an option that won’t let you down. 

Dogtra PATHFINDER 2, in the world of GPS shock collars, is one of the cheapest options. How cheap though?

Just $429, considering everything it brings to the table, that’s super cheap. And it isn’t a device that’s going to disappoint you.

---

5. SportDOG Brand TEK Series 2.0

Being able to track 21 dogs simultaneously benefits dog owners with multiple dogs.

Remember that SportDOG recommends the TEK series 2.0 to be used for dogs 8 pounds or larger with neck sizes 10.75″ – 23″.

The shock-related or virtual fencing in SportDog TEK series 2.0 is comprehensive. You can draw the map on the handheld location quickly. Although there won’t be any warning tones, you’ll get almost real-time alerts if your dog crosses the border.

When that happens, shock triggers, and that’s when your dog returns to a safe area.

But there’s an interesting feature of SportDog that should be mentioned. TEK series 2.0 works while being disconnected from cellular networks. As it uses HopTek™ technology, you can use it even on the moon if needed.

Since this is a hunting dog GPS shock collar, you’ll see additional hunting features, such as a tilt-integrated compass and even a navigation wheel on the screen. 

In addition, you’ll also see details such as the dog’s average speed, total distance and time elapsed, and even your coordinates.

The GPS collar will charge in about 4 hours and will last for about 24 hours. The handheld will take about 8 hours and will last for about 11-12 hours.

You’ll be relieved to hear that the handheld device is waterproof and submersible up to 5 feet. The GPS collar on the flip side is DryTek® waterproof and submersible to 25 feet. 

SportDog TEK series 2.0 is not as simple as the Halo 4 to operate. But it still has impressive and unique features essential for GPS tracking and geofencing.

---

6. Tractive Waterproof GPS Dog Tracker

The secret is the system’s interconnection with several satellites.

Similar to the Cube tracker, you can share the GPS location with interested parties; all you need to do is ask them to download the free Tractive app and share; it’s simple as that. You can even export this location data.

So, what about the shock or virtual fencing abilities?

The tractive tracker has a virtual fence. This could be a circle (minimum 160ft radius) or a rectangle (330×330 square feet). You get phone alerts via the app in almost real-time.

The range of GPS location tracking of the Tractive dog tracker is… well, limitless; the tracker works worldwide. You can even enable and disable the live tracking mode. This helps you push the tracker to reach its maximum battery life of seven days.

Additionally, you also get to track your dog’s activity in terms of the time spent at a particular location or sleeping, the number of calories burned, and so on. 

You can get the tracker in multiple colors, which might appeal to some people more.

---

7. FitBark GPS Dog Tracker

This feature allows pet owners to create a designated safe zone for their dogs using the FitBark app. With the virtual fence feature, you can set up custom fence boundaries that match your pet’s habits and preferences.

You will receive alerts on your smartphone whenever your pet enters or exits these areas. 

This feature can be particularly useful for pet owners who want to monitor their pets’ movements and ensure they do not wander too far from home or into potentially dangerous areas. 

However, this collar doesn’t feature static shock.

The FitBark GPS Dog Tracker can last 10-20 days on a single charge. This means pet owners can track their pets for extended periods without worrying about battery life. 

You canoptionally link your Fitbit, Apple watch, or even Google Fit to this tracker. That should give you enough motivation to follow healthy habits with your dog. 

Since you get access to activity tracking, the device is quite comprehensive. You can even set ideal goals vs. breed, age & weight peers. It’s as small as 1.85 x 1.18 x 0.59 inches.

It’s tough and rugged build quality is complemented by its IPX7 waterproof nature; the tracker fits 5lb and 240lb dogs by design.

---

8. Garmin Alpha 100/TT 15 Mini Bundle

One of the signature features of Garmin collars is their proprietary handheld devices. These let you monitor the location and other stats easily. The screen is a 65K color TFT touchscreen.

TT Mini is the collar, whereas the Garmin Alpha 100 is the handheld device. So, the TT mini has static shock abilities with tone and vibration..

You also can choose from 18 intensity levels, and that’s how you can efficiently train your dog. This is enabled when your dog crosses the geofencing boundaries. Garmin has custom-shaped geofences, and that makes your life easier.

The Alpha 100 runs for 20 hours at max, and the TT mini runs for about 16-30 hours — that’s pretty decent for a heavy-duty hunting tracker.

With all these features, the Alpha 100 comes with an IPX7 waterproof rating. The TT mini has a 1 ATM waterproof rating. So your investment is totally waterproof. 

9.5″ is the recommended neck size for the TT mini.

You also don’t need a mobile network for the Alpha 100 to run. That’s why it works anywhere without interruptions.

Garmin devices have always been legendary in tracking and containing dogs. The Alpha 100 & TT 15 mini is one of the prime examples of that.

---

9. Whistle Ultimate Dog GPS Tracker

The range of the Whistle Ultimate dog GPS tracker is impressive, with a reach of up to three miles in optimal conditions. 

The device is also waterproof, with an IPX8 rating, which means it can withstand being submerged in water for up to 30 minutes. It also comes in three neck sizes that change from 8″ to 24″.

Its average battery life is 24 hours, and that’s pretty decent.

But in addition to GPS location tracking and virtual fences with mobile alerts, you also get comprehensive activity monitoring capacity. You can check activity based on calories burned, distance covered, and resting time.

You will also receive your furry friend’s daily activity comparison compared to the day before. It’s very easy to understand as the score comes out to 100. You can even set activity goals.

So, in conclusion, the ultimate Whistle GPS tracker is yet another dependable GPS collar.

Here’s the complete Whistle GPS Tracker Review if you want to learn more about this GPS tracker.

---

How Do GPS Shock Collars Work?

The GPS tracker in the collar sends signals to a GPS receiver, which can be located on a handheld device or smartphone app. The GPS receiver then calculates the dog’s location using satellite signals and displays it on a map.

The shocking mechanism in the collar is activated remotely, usually by the owner or trainer, through a wireless signal. When activated, the collar delivers a mild electric shock to the dog, intended to discourage or correct unwanted behavior.

Some GPS shock collars also have additional features, such as sound and vibration alerts, which can be used as alternatives to the shock function or combined.

Comprehensive Buyers Guide for GPS Shock Collars For Dogs

Consider the Collar Size/Fit

As you saw, some collars come with a specific size, and some have a range. So, be sure to know your dog’s neck size since too tight is uncomfortable, and too loose increases injury risks. 

Check the Maximum Tracking Distance 

The maximum tracking distance can typically vary from a couple of square miles to even worldwide. Needless to say, the more the tracking distance, the better the collar. 

The maximum tracking distance sometimes changes depending on the distance between the collar and the monitoring device. So, be sure to check the actual maximum tracking distance.

How Does the Alerting System Work?

The collar will trigger a shock when your dog tries to move past a specific boundary. But some collars alert the owner about these attempts. That lets you take quick protective measures.

Additionally, the best shock collars come with vibration and sound alerts too. Although you’re looking for shock collars, these options are always better.

Mobile/Remote Monitoring Features

Average Battery Life

You can’t have collars whose battery runs out after a few hours, ideally. Similar to the tracking range, the more the battery life is, the better the device. The battery usage varies in some devices depending on the active services. 

Additionally, it’s essential to check for how long it takes to charge a collar if it is fully rechargeable. 

Resistance Capacity Against Water and Shock

Dogs run all over the place, and they don’t have the intelligence to avoid water or possible shock on their collar. If the collar weren’t waterproof or decently shock resistant, its lifespan would be much shorter than you’d think.

In checking that, prioritize the devices with an IP waterproof rating, as that’s standardized.

Benefits of GPS Shock Collars for Dogs 

There are several case-specific benefits of GPS shock collars, but here are some of the most notable ones.

Offers Peace of Mind

With a GPS shock collar, you can relax knowing that your dog is safe and secure, whether you’re at home or away.

Helps Prevent Your Dog From Running Away

GPS shock collars can be used to create boundaries around your property.

Allows for Remote Training

With a GPS shock collar, you can train your dog from a distance. This can be especially helpful for hunting dogs, as you can use the collar to direct them to a specific location or to stay within a particular area.

Provides Safety in Emergencies

If your dog is lost or injured and cannot find it back home, a GPS shock collar can help you locate them quickly and easily.

Can Be Used to Track Your Dog’s Exercise

Some GPS shock collars come with a fitness tracker that can monitor your dog’s activity levels and provide you with data on their daily exercise.

Can Be Customized to Your Dog’s Needs

Many GPS shock collars come with various settings and features that can be customized to suit your dog’s needs.

Helps With Recall Training 

Recall training is one of the most important aspects of dog training.

Can Help Prevent Your Dog From Chasing Other Animals

For dogs that love to chase other animals, a GPS shock collar can be used to discourage this behavior. If the dog tries to chase another animal, it will receive a warning beep, vibration, or an electric shock if it persists.

Can Improve Your Dog’s Behavior

When used correctly, a GPS shock collar can effectively correct unwanted behaviors in your dog, such as jumping up on people or barking excessively.

Saves Time and Effort

With a GPS shock collar, you can save time and effort by not having to chase after your dog or physically intervene to stop unwanted behavior.

Related article: Best Dog Training Shock Collars for Dogs

In Conclusion 

Tracking your dogs real-time with controlling them with harmless static shock are two widely used methods with domesticated dogs.

But the high demand has encouraged so many manufacturers to enter the market. But after assessing some of the best GPS shock collars, Halo 4 comes to the top.

The secret is nothing but its high-performance capacity. That in turn helps you track and contain your dog better.

I hope this review helped you find the answer. Till next time!

FAQs