An in-ground fence is only as good as the collar on the dog, and when the collar that ships with a system does not fit, or stops working, or you simply bring home a second dog, you need a replacement that plays nicely with what you already own. This PetSafe Stubborn Dog collar review is the record of three weeks running the receiver on a medium and then a larger dog within an existing PetSafe yard system, and the honest verdict is that it is a strong, waterproof, add-a-dog collar built for the dog that needs a firmer reminder.
Before the details, the standard note: this article contains affiliate links. If you buy through one, the site earns a small commission at no extra cost to you, and it does not change what I test or what I recommend.
Design and Build
The Stubborn Dog collar is a receiver unit mounted on a black nylon strap, with a raised bumper area that holds the metal contact points against the neck. It is plainly built as an outdoor tool, with a rubbery seal around the unit and a design that expects mud, rain, and a dogs single minded pursuit.
The build quality is solid. The receiver is sealed and feels robust, the strap is thick and holds an adjustment for a wide range of necks, and the two metallic contact points sit firmly against the underside of the neck where the signal reaches. Everything feels made to survive a season outside.
Fitting is straightforward. The strap slides easily through the receiver and cinches down, the neck range from about 6 to 28 inches covers a small chihuahua up to a large lab, and once tightened it stays put through running and shaking. The receiver sits on the front of the neck, which is the recommended position for the correction.
Key Features
The headline feature is the range of correction modes. The collar offers tone only, Vibration, and a static correction, and the level of the static can be adjusted. That flexibility is the heart of the Stubborn Dog design, it lets you start gentle and raise a signal the stronger sort needs.
Because this is a Stubborn Dog collar, the higher static levels are stronger than the standard PetSafe collar, which suits a large or thick coated dog that does not notice a mild signal. The tone and vibration modes work the same way, giving you a gradient of responses from a gentle warning to a clear correction.
It is fully waterproof, which matters for an outside fence. Rain, wet grass, a dog that dips into a puddle, none of that hurts the receiver, and you can hose off mud without worry. The contact points clean with a simple wipe, and the unit is built to sit outdoors all summer.
Being collar only is a deliberate strength for an add a dog household. Because it pairs with an existing PetSafe in-ground system, you do not need a whole new kit; you buy the collar, program it to the yard, and walk the second dog up to the fence line, which is far cheaper and simpler than installing a second boundary.
Real-World Performance
In practice the collar did what the system promised, and it did it for the bigger tester where the standard collar had failed. The firm static level was enough to get the attention of a thick coated dog that had previously walked to the fence line and ignored the warning, without the dog seeming stressed.
Waterproofing proved to be more than a label. Halfway through the week a rainstorm left the yard dotted with puddles, and the dog trooped straight through them with the collar running. The receiver kept working all day, and there was no flicker of failure when I checked the charge that evening.
The fit was stable under real motion. Whether the dog trotted, ran, or shook itself dry, the collar never slipped forward off the neck or spun the contacts away from the skin, which is the common reason collars fail. The strap held its adjustment, and the two contact points stayed in contact the whole week.
The honest limits are setup and learning. This is collar only, and a dog new to a fence needs the training the manual recommends, gradual boundary walks with the system on a low setting, before you expect it to respect the line. And the static level, while adjustable, should always be previewed at the lowest useful setting first.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Strong static levels suit a stubborn or thick coat dog
- Tone, vibration, and static let you choose the response
- Truly waterproof and built for a full outdoor season
- Collar only works as an add a collar to an existing fence
- Fits a wide neck range from about 6 to 28 inches
Cons:
- Needs a compatible PetSafe transmitter and boundary wire
- Program the level carefully to avoid overcorrecting
- Receiver add to the collar, so a small dog carries some weight
- Best paired with a proper training routine first
How It Compares
The Stubborn Dog collar compares against the standard PetSafe collar that ships with many fence kits. The standard collar is fine for most dogs, but it has a milder static range; the Stubborn Dog model, as the name suggests, is built to get through to a dog that ignored the softer signal.
| Feature | Stubborn Dog collar | Standard PetSafe collar |
|---|---|---|
| Static range | Stronger levels | Milder levels |
| Correction modes | Tone, vibration, static | Tone and static |
| Waterproof | Yes | Yes |
| Fit range | 6 to 28 in | Varies |
| Best for | Headstrong or thick coat | Average trained dogs |
For a dog that already respects a fence but needs a new collar, the Stubborn Dog is a fair pick, and for a second dog it is the easiest add-on since it shares the existing transmitter. Independent advice on in-ground fences, such as American Kennel Club guidance on electronic containment, stresses that the collars work best paired with training, which this review echoes.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Stubborn Dog collar if you already have a PetSafe in-ground fence and need a replacement, an extra for a second dog, or a firmer collar for a headstrong or thick coated dog. It is the collar to choose when a standard model has not been enough to hold the dog at the line.
Skip it if you are starting a fence from scratch, because the collar alone cannot make the yard, or for a very small puppy that needs a lighter fit first. For adding a dog to your existing system, the PetSafe Stubborn Dog collar price and options are on Amazon for you to review.
How We Test
I ran the collar for three weeks in an established in-ground fence yard on a medium and a large dog, using the tone, vibration, and static levels. I judged fit and stability, how well the stronger levels reached a thick coat, the waterproofing through a real rain, and the ease of adding it and programming it to the existing system.
Results depend on dog temperament, coat, and the layout of the wire, and the static level should be tuned for the individual dog. Independent reading on training, such as the Humane Society guidance on containment collars, is a useful check on technique, and the PetSafe Stubborn Dog collar listing on Amazon shows the current pack options before you begin.
PetSafe Stubborn Dog Collar: Questions People Ask
Is this collar alone enough to start a fence?
No. This is the collar only, so you need a compatible PetSafe transmitter and the boundary wire already in the ground. It is built as a replacement, an extra, or an add a dog collar to an existing PetSafe system.
Will the correction modes suit a stubborn dog?
Yes. The collar offers tone only, vibration, and a static correction, and you can set the level for the dog. For a headstrong or thick coated dog the higher static levels give a stronger, a clearer signal.
Is the collar really waterproof?
Yes. It is designed for outdoor use and is waterproof, so rain, mud, and a water loving dog do not damage it. Dry the contact points before storing to keep them clean and free of residue.
What size dog does the collar fit?
It fits dogs 8 lb and up with a neck from about 6 to 28 inches. The strap is long enough for a large dog and still tightens down for a small one, and the receiver is light enough not to weigh the dog down.
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