The PetSafe PIF-300 vs the Stay and Play

Petsafe wireless dog fences are among the most well known and trusted fences so it’s no surprise that two of the top wireless systems on the market come from PetSafe: the Petsafe Wireless Pet Containment System PIF-300 and the Petsafe Stay and Play Wireless Fence, PIF00-12917.

The main thrust of this article is to compare the two so you can figure out which of these wireless dog fences is right for you.

But I also think it’s important to know something about the company behind the product so before we dig into the details of these electric dog fences let me give you a bit of background information on PetSafe.

 

Contents

About PetSafe and Their Core Values
Choosing The Best Petsafe Wireless Fence For You
Petsafe Wireless Pet Containment System PIF-300
Petsafe Stay And Play Wireless Fence, PIF00-12917
What Do The PIF-300 And The Stay And Play Have In Common?
Petsafe Wireless Fence Comparison Table
What Do The Differences Between These Petsafe Wireless Dog Fences Mean To You?
Which Petsafe Wireless Fence Is Right For You?

About PetSafe and Their Core Values

I don’t know about you but any company that allows their employees to bring their pets to work everyday strikes me as a company driven by their love of pets and dedicated to producing the best products possible.

Not only does PetSafe allow their employees to bring their pets to work, they pride themselves on using those pets to tell them which products work and which ones don’t!

Made up of pet lovers like you and me, PetSafe’s core values are reflected in everything they do and strive for on a daily basis.

Values like honesty and integrity top their list and putting the needs of the customers first have earned them the well deserved loyalty of many consumers.

Giving back to the community is also a big part of who PetSafe is, whether it be in the form of helping build a new dog park, raising money for a local shelter or helping students further their education.

Founded in 1991 and now owned by Radio Systems Corporation, having pets in the workplace and contributing to local communities across America are undoubtedly two big reasons why PetSafe is not only the largest manufacturer of electronic pet products in the US but also why their innovative products are now available in over 50 countries across 6 continents.

Choosing The Best Petsafe Wireless Fence For You

Depending on where you buy it, the Stay and Play Wireless Fence will cost you anywhere from $50-$100 more than the PIF-300, so the question is:

Can you go with the lower priced PIF-300 or are the added features of the Stay and Play worth the extra money?

We’ll start with a brief overview of each of these PetSafe wireless fences and then move on to what they have in common followed by a quick reference table so you can see a side-by-side comparison.

Petsafe Wireless Pet Containment System PIF-300

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The PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System PIF-300 has been around for over a decade and continues to be a top seller year after year.

With thousands of positive reviews across the internet, there’s no denying that a ton of people think this PetSafe wireless dog fence is a solid reliable system.

The transmitter is about the size of a gallon of paint and weighs around 5 lbs.

The circular boundary it produces can be adjusted from just a few feet in diameter up to a maximum diameter of 180 ft or 1/2 acre.

The addition of a second transmitter will extend your furry friend’s outdoor playpen to almost a full acre.

Good for any dog over 8 lbs, the receiver collar that comes with the PIF-300 fits neck sizes of 6″-28″, weighs about 3.0 oz, and is non rechargeable.

In addition to the 5 adjustable levels of static correction plus a beep only training mode, the receiver collar also has multiple built in safety features.

These features include the Over Correction Protection which ensures your dog never receives a static correction for longer than 30 seconds.

Read The Full Review>>

Petsafe Stay And Play Wireless Fence, PIF00-12917

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Although the Stay And Play hasn’t been around as long as the PIF-300 and costs more than the PIF-300, a lot of people think the extra features are worth the increased cost.

Among other things, the extra money you shell out for the Stay and Play will get you a larger coverage area, a rechargeable collar, and the ability to use this system on smaller dogs.

The Stay and Play transmitter is about 50% smaller and weighs half as much as the PIF-300 transmitter.

But despite its smaller size, the Stay and Play’s transmitter is more powerful than the PIF-300 transmitter and can cover an area of up to 210 ft in diameter or roughly 3/4 of an acre.

The addition of a second transmitter will extend your dog’s containment area to almost 1.5 acres.

One of the things many people love about the Stay and Play is its rechargeable receiver collar. Not having to buy batteries on an ongoing basis will save you money in the long run.

In addition to being rechargeable, this collar fits neck sizes of 6″-23″.

It weighs in at about 2.9 oz and that, combined with a smaller receiver unit are what make this collar comfortable for dogs as small as 5 lbs.

Along with the 5 adjustable levels of static correction and beep only training mode, the Stay and Play collar’s Over Correction Protection feature kicks in after only 15 seconds.

PetSafe has also added two audible alarms to the Stay and Play transmitter that you won’t find on the PIF-300 transmitter:

1. Power Loss Alarm: Indicates a loss of power to the transmitter.
2. Transmission Failure Alarm: Alerts you to a malfunction with your transmitter.

Read The Full Review >>

What Do The PIF-300 And The Stay And Play Have In Common?

• Both give you an adjustable circular shaped boundary

• Both offer increased coverage area with the addition of a second transmitter

• Both have receiver collars that offer 5 static correction levels plus a beep only training mode

• Both collars have a low battery warning light

• Both systems are capable of handling an unlimited number of dogs providing each dog has its own receiver collar

And that’s where the similarities end.

Now let’s move on to what I consider to be the most important information: how they’re different.

To me, this is where the rubber hits the road so to speak because when I’m comparing two similar products, quite often it’s their differences that help me decide which one to buy.

The table below gives you a side-by-side comparison of the differences between these two PetSafe wireless fences.

Petsafe Wireless Fence Comparison Table

Wireless Fence	PIF-300	Stay and Play PIF00-12917
Maximum Coverage Area	1/2 Acre	3/4 Acre
Dog Size	8 lbs and up	5 lbs and up
Collar Weight	3.0 oz	2.9 oz
Collar Neck Size	6" - 28"	6" - 23"
Collar Battery	Disposable	Rechargeable
Over Correction Protection	30 Seconds	15 Seconds
Transmitter Alarms	No	Yes

Now that you’ve seen the side by side, here’s a brief overview of both electric dog fences:

What Do The Differences Between These Petsafe Wireless Dog Fences Mean To You?

Although the PIF-300 is definitely tried and true and won’t cost as much, it does have some limitations when compared to the Stay and Play:

• It can only be used on dogs over 8 lbs so that excludes those lovable tiny breeds like Chihuahuas, Yorkies and Pomeranians

• Its receiver collar uses disposable batteries which will add to your ongoing maintenance costs

• It covers a smaller area

• Its transmitter is larger and heavier which means it will take up more room if you want to take it with you when you travel

• Your dog can get a static correction for up to 30 seconds before the collar’s Over Correction Protection safety feature kicks in

On the flip side of the coin, although the Stay and Play hasn’t been around as long and has a higher price point, it offers you some nice features for the extra money:

• It can be used on any dog over 5 lbs

• The receiver collar is rechargeable and that means not only less money spent on batteries but also you won’t have the hassle of changing disposable batteries

• It gives you a larger containment area

• The transmitter is half the size and weighs significantly less, making it easier to take with you when you’re traveling with your dog

• The transmitter has two audible alarms that will alert you to any problems with your fence

• The collar’s Over Correction Protection feature kicks in after only 15 seconds

Which Petsafe Wireless Fence Is Right For You?

No matter which system you choose, both the PIF-300 and the Stay and Play offer solid reliability and give you lots of bang for your buck.

Both electric dog fences:

• Allow you to have an unlimited number of dogs

• Offer an adjustable circular containment area

• Have receiver collars with a low battery warning and a range of adjustable correction levels that are safe and effective for large and small dogs

Assuming both these wireless systems fit into your budget, which system is right for you might come down to just a few factors: Size, batteries, and alarms.

And in the end, answering these 4 questions might be the easiest way for you to feel confident that you’ve chosen the right wireless fence for both you and your canine companion:

1. What size dog do you have?
2. What size containment area do you need?
3. Which do you prefer — disposable or rechargeable batteries?
4. Is an audible alarm that will alert you to a non functioning fence a deal breaker for you?