Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350
PETSAFE REMOTE DOG TRAINING COLLAR (PDT00-15102) REVIEW
Imagine training your pet without the use of hired professionals, behavior modification camps or any other expensive methods. Wouldn't it be great if you could get your chippy furry friend to be more obedient just by yourself? It can be done, won't be easy, but as long as you have the right tools and are persistent and continuous in your intention you will reach your goal. Remember, patience is everything and this is a great way to get you and your pet even closer in a safe and harmful way.
Let us explain...
Remote trainers come in different shapes and sizes, they use mild, electric stimulation that are absolutely harmless. They will not hurt your dog, but what they will do is get you their attention. We recommend these remote trainers because there is almost no learning curve, and you can start using them right away. Today we are gonna cover one we liked in particular, due to its cool features, good range, and upgrade ability.
Specifications
- Generally fits dogs of all sizes (over 8 lb.)
- Neck size up to 28 inches
- Has eight levels of correction, including a tone-only mode
- Waterproof transmitter and collar - for your adventurous pet
- 800 yards of range, great for indoor training, also somewhat good for outdoor.
- Both collar and remote use rechargeable batteries
Collar fits dogs that weigh 8 pounds or more
5 -22 inches neck size
Eight levels of static stimulation and tone-only mode
Waterproof and submersible
300 yards of range
Fits neck sizes 6-23 inch
Compatible with PetSafe PIF-300 wireless fence
Fits dogs weighing 5 pounds or more
Five levels of correction as well as a tone-only mode
Rechargeable batteries
In-ground system
Waterproof collar
Four levels of stimulation plus vibration
Utilizes a conventional 9V battery
Low battery indicator light
System supports multiple collars
PetSafe Adventure Dog Remote Training Collar - The Basics
Sportdog Brand Yardtrainer 350 – The Basics
Petsafe Stay and Play Fence Receiver – The Basics
This static stimulation remote training collar falls into the category of medium- to long-range collars which makes it ideal for almost all kinds of indoor training. Also if you're taking your dog for a hike in the woods, you will have enough leeway to act before he runs out of the 800-yard range and come back to you for a treat.
While the unit has 8 adjustable levels, which is perfect for basic obedience training, we found that the best way to figure out which level works for your pup is to test it first. There is absolutely no need to shock your pet.
The system is highly upgrade-able in the sense that you can train up to 3 dogs with only one remote by purchasing additional receiver collars. But keep in mind that you will only have full functionality for the main one. Overall it handles almost like a pro product at an affordable price.
This particular model is designed for owners with particularly stubborn and feisty pets. Now, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it on dogs without behavioral issues, but the sole purpose of it is to deliver a somewhat uncomfortable static signal which is responsible for toning your pet’s behavior down.
As you can tell, it has eight levels of correction. Most other models on the market usually don’t have more than four or five. Those three more levels are what makes this collar so effective when restless pets are in question. The 300 yards of range gives you more than enough time to react properly if something goes wrong. In other words, you can rest assured that it won’t go out of signal range before you press any of the buttons on the controller.
The first thing you need to know is that this isn’t a fully functional system but a collar. That means it won’t work without a proper transmitter. In this case, if you have the PetSafe PIF-300 system already installed, this particular collar won’t have any issues when synchronization is in question.
This model offers five different levels of static correction and a tone-only mode for training. Five levels offer more than enough variety for you to fine-tune the unit and find the one that doesn’t over-stimulate your pet. It fits on any breed as long as they weigh more than five pounds. Therefore, if you own a particularly small breed, you might want to look for something with less correctional intensity.
The batteries are rechargeable, and the charger is included with the unit. You have the choice of buying the collar without the charger, but do that only if you already own one. In case this is your first PetSafe product, we recommend buying the whole set in order to avoid unpleasant surprises and additional costs.
The Features
The Design
The collar has a sturdy design and it feels well-built, it won't match the top tier models on the market but overall we didn't find anything poor about it. It comes with two half-inch contact points that deliver the static stimulation, an on/off button on the side and a charging jack with a cover to keep debris out. It has a rechargeable NiMH battery with a recharge time at around twelve hours. The maximum correction level is pretty strong which makes it very viable even for bigger dogs.
The walkie-talkie style transmitter is very intuitive and easy to use. You'll notice it has three buttons which are all customizable to your preference. You can have many combos of settings. For instance, a stimulation followed by a beep tone or you can have two different levels set to button one and button two, respectively. It also features a turn dial which is used to set the adequate level of stimulation from one to eight.
It will cover up to 800 yards of range depending on your surroundings but we found it to be very reliable in a open field. Using just one transmitter you can control up to three collars which can come in hand if you're a multiple dog owner.
The collar is pretty neatly designed. The biggest upside of it is the fact that it isn’t bulky or cumbersome. That being said, we did find the two contact points on the collar a bit peculiar and invasive, but it’s not a massive concern as it is more of a matter of your pet getting used to it. The on/off button might not seem like a big deal, but many other models simply don’t feature one. When you have a battery powered gadget, an on/off button is of utmost importance when it comes to efficiency and energy saving.
The transmitter works well and it’s quite easy to get the hang of it. It features two buttons of which one sends a short-timed signal whereas the other sends a continuous signal. On top of that, you can choose between eight different levels or even select the tone-only mode if you’re just getting started. Keep in mind that you need to find the optimal level of correction as soon as possible because not all dogs react the same to respective impulses.
The Battery
Both the collar and the transmitter feature NiMH rechargeable and replaceable batteries. As we already mentioned in one of our articles, this is an older technology compared to the more modern Lithium-ion ones. While the battery life is pretty good, twelve hours of recharge time is considered a downside by modern standards.
Another thing to keep in mind when using this type of batteries is that they need to be recharged more often, else they will die beyond recovery. A solution would be turning both devices off when not in use, while frequently charging them overnight. Another solution is just getting spare ones since they are easily replaceable.
This model features rechargeable NiMH batteries that last about 40-60 hours per charge. The biggest complaint most people have is the fact that this model does not feature Li-Ion batteries which are more efficient and offer better performance.
Both the collar and receiver feature a low-battery indicator and can be charged at the same time thanks to the included split-end charger. Make sure to keep them charged at all times and you shouldn’t run into any major issues.
While many people consider this feature pretty irrelevant, the difference between rechargeable and switchable batteries does exist and it’s worth mentioning. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the fact that you don’t have to stack on batteries and plan ahead. Instead, all you have to do is plug it into the charger and let it recharge. The cycle lasts only about two or three hours, meaning there isn’t much downtime in the first place.
The drawback of this system is that the battery is built-in. In other words, if anything happens to the battery itself, the whole unit becomes more or less worthless. Luckily, these batteries aren’t prone to failing and breaking often.
The correction levels are excellent. The difference between levels isn’t massive which allows you to adjust the collar quite precisely. Furthermore, if you don’t want to use the correction system right away, there is a tone-only mode which is designed to help your pet get used to wearing and using its new accessory. The fact that everything is wireless makes this model perfect for parks, camping, RVs, and etcetera.
One of the great features is the vibration mode. It allows the owner to train their pet without having to use the electric stimulation. It helps you to gradually train your faithful companion instead of making you use progressive methods immediately.
Other features
While most pet collars look pretty similar to each other, some crucial differences need to be pointed out. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the build quality. One can easily tell that this unit is made to last, even in case you have a particularly feisty furry friend. The gadget isn’t too bulky or cumbersome, but it’s not the most comfortable thing on the market either. The collar features a plastic clip which does its job relatively well.
The system box is pretty straightforward, and there’s not much more to it. It comes with an adapter which can be a nuisance for some people due to its somewhat short wire. Therefore, make sure you plan the positioning thoroughly and install the box near an electric outlet to avoid issues with the length of the adapter wires.
While most pet collars look pretty similar to each other, some crucial differences need to be pointed out. As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is the build quality. One can easily tell that this unit is made to last, even in case you have a particularly feisty furry friend. The gadget isn’t too bulky or cumbersome, but it’s not the most comfortable thing on the market either. The collar features a plastic clip which does its job relatively well.
The system box is pretty straightforward, and there’s not much more to it. It comes with an adapter which can be a nuisance for some people due to its somewhat short wire. Therefore, make sure you plan the positioning thoroughly and install the box near an electric outlet to avoid issues with the length of the adapter wires.
PROS:
• Great range, suitable for all activities
• Customizable buttons, very versatile
• Can be used with multiple dogs
• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good coverage
• Easy to setup
• Good build quality
• Smooth correction levels
• Easy to use
• Affordable
• Good build quality
• Underwhelming battery
• Batteries are built-in
• No on/off switch
• Batteries don’t last long
• No OFF button
What we liked the most about this system is how solid it is and what it does. It's sort of your "Jack of all trades, master of none" when it comes to dog behavior correction tools. If you're an avid hunting dog trainer looking to get the best gear on the market and you have an unlimited budget, then this system won't be for you. However, if you're like us, looking for a good solution for your pups adventurous spirit at a reasonable price point, then you cannot go wrong with picking this up.
The best thing about this particular model is its portability. In other words, you don’t have to set up any invisible fences or hassle with miniature flags. All you have to do is put the collar on your pet and start the training. Also, the user manual is well-written, and it contains quite a bit of useful information on how to start the training process if you’re a complete novice.
The other thing we liked is the price. Many people expect it to be more expensive than the wireless containment system, but it’s not. In fact, it comes at an affordable price meaning that most pet owners can indeed plan on investing in such a gadget without having to think about their budget too much. However, it may not be as versatile as some containment systems that are available on the market nowadays.
The overall versatility and build quality are the things that we liked the most. In the sea of cheap and underwhelming dog collars, this stands out as one that’s worth investing in. As we already said, if you own the PIF-300 system, this particular unit is one of your safest bets.
The fact that it’s very easy to use makes it ideal for beginners and inexperienced pet owners. It’s also an affordable piece in comparison to some other models that offer similar capabilities and features. It isn’t the best thing on the market, but it’s certainly a piece that’s worth checking out.
People who are searching for high portability combined with great efficiency should find this collar interesting, to say the least.
What We didn’t Like
What We didn’t Like
Besides the batteries that we already mentioned, one thing we didn't like about this device is the inconsistency while used in forest surroundings. While it was super reliable in an indoor and open field environment, once we took it to the test in our closest pine forest it performed somewhat underwhelming.
The range wasn't as good, which is kind of expected due to the radio signals being interrupted by the terrain. Still, we were kind of hoping to get better results. One thing we found to solve the problem to an extent is holding the transmitter in a vertical position away from your body.
The batteries are probably the weakest point of this product. While they aren’t bad per se, the engineers could have implemented Li-Ion batteries without a problem. The included ones may be considered obsolete and subpar in comparison to Li-Ion. While 40-60 hours seems long and sufficient, you may run into battery issues occasionally.
The other thing a lot of users complained about is the inconsistency of the signal. In other words, if you select the level seven, the device might output a level four signal. It’s not a frequent occurrence, but it can happen. If you’re worried about consistency, consider checking some other models out, this one might give you troubles in the long run.
The battery is okay, but the fact that it cannot be changed might be a deal-breaker for some people. The recharging cycle doesn’t last long, but it can catch you off-guard. However, there is a low-battery LED light on the collar, meaning you should keep an eye on the levels.
The pet area cannot be changed into a square or rectangular shape. While this is usually typical for most wireless containment systems, it’s still worth mentioning. If you have anything against a circular shape of the area of effect, you might want to look into wired units as they offer more adjustability.
The lack of the OFF button is a major issue for many pet owners. Even though the process of changing the batteries is incredibly simple, it’s not uncommon for people to forget about it. That means you’ll have to go to the nearest store in case you forgot to stack on batteries the last time you were shopping.
As we already said, this fence does not come with wire included. While it’s clearly stated in the description, you would be surprised by the number of people that oversee it. Therefore, if you don’t have wiring installed in the yard, make sure you purchase it separately.
Conclusion
The PetSafe Adventure Dog Remote Training Collar is a reliable behavior correctional tool and a safe and effortless way to make you and your pet enjoy your training time together. The best part about using this type of system is that once your dog is trained, switching from static simulations to using just the warning beep will be a breeze. The main selling point for us was the signal ran and the price.
While we could recommend a more expensive and better product for more demanding users, this is your go-to device if you're in the market for an affordable system that get's the job done. At the end of the day, that's all that matters.
The Yardtrainer 350 is a decent remote trainer; there is no question about that. Is it the best one on the market? It certainly isn’t. Is it worth checking it out? Yes, it definitely is. In the end, it all comes down to your requirements and preferences. If its features and capabilities fit your idea of a perfect dog trainer, don’t hesitate to give it a chance. On the other hand, there are plenty of other models to choose from.
As far as the advantages go, the biggest one is its ease of use. If you’re an absolute beginner, this model won’t be much of a challenge thanks to its simplistic concept. As for the downsides, the battery and signal inconsistency should be your primary concerns.
This collar is a universal answer for most of your problems. If you have a feisty or disobedient pet, the Stay and Play Fence Receiver can help you when it comes to behavioral corrections. On the other hand, you have to be prepared for trials and errors because nothing happens overnight, especially when it comes to radical changes.
Beginners and inexperienced owners love the ease of use and simplicity of this unit. On the other hand, people who already trained their pets usually look for something with more features. In the end, it all comes down to your needs and preferences. As far as we are concerned, it’s definitely worth checking it out.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution when it comes to training your pet and correcting their behavior, an invisible fence is one of your safest bets. Now, make sure you fully understand your possibilities and responsibilities towards your furry friend. These things can easily become an instrument of abuse if you don’t use them correctly. That doesn’t always mean it’s the owner’s fault, but it does correlate with owner’s ignorance or lack of experience.
As far as your budget goes, you won’t damage it too much. As we said earlier, these fences aren’t cheap but are certainly a good investment, especially if you own a problematic dog. Many people spend hundreds of dollars on professional trainers, and they don’t always guarantee success. This way, you can take a role of a trainer even if you don’t have any experience, and train your pet according to your own preferences. It does take a bit of effort and time, but it definitely pays out in the end.
