Figuring out how to keep your dog safe outside isn’t always easy. If you have a small yard that can be fenced in, the solution is simple. For those with bigger properties, though, things get a little tougher. You can keep your dogs confined to a small area with a small fence, but that cuts up your usable land. If you’re like many, invisible fences seem like an obvious choice – but even those tend to be clunkier and less effective than advertised. That’s why it’s nice, then, that a product like the SpotOn Wireless Dog Fence exists to help out dog owners.
Pros
- The most accurate GPS fence connects with four satellite navigation systems, connecting to 25-30 satellites and pinpointing your dog to within 10 feet of his location.
- Fences work on GPS alone. Poor cell coverage will not affect your dog’s fences.
- Provides great flexibility, allowing for multiple fences in the same location – so you can fence just the front, just the back, or the entire yard.
- Incredibly well-engineered, even when you compare the unit to some of the best invisible fences on the market
- Works very well with dogs of different sizes and temperaments, so you don’t have to worry about its efficacy
- No need to dig up your yard to put in underground wires or to check on physical boundaries
- Incredibly easy to adjust, allowing you to really set up great play and exercises for your dogs no matter where you are.
Cons
- If you plan to track your dog you must have cell coverage, which makes it very difficult to use if you live off the beaten path or in an area with spotty coverage.
- The price point is pretty high compared to other invisible fences, though you do get your money’s worth here.
Features
Easy to Install
One of the best parts of this invisible fence is the installation process. The entire system is contained in the collar and easy to use smartphone app. All you have to do is walk a perimeter with the collar to set it up. That means no digging up your property, no installing markers, and no time spent trying to mess around with hardwire when you should be relaxing. This set-up is easy enough that it can be done on the first try- you can even see your fences build as you walk in the app!
Simple Concept
Relying on underground wires is an old-school idea that really doesn’t work as well as it should. This product, on the other hand, makes use of GPS technology to allow users to set up their own fences. This means that all of the hardware is located in one place – on the dog. No more worrying about buying extra wires or having multiple set-ups for different dogs – everything you need is in one place.
Comfortable Collar
All of the protection in the world isn’t worth anything if your dog won’t tolerate the system. Fortunately, this collar is remarkably lightweight and designed with your dog in mind. This means that not only will your dog stop noticing the collar quickly, but that he or she can still go about his or her day without being bothered. While the collar can stop the dog from crossing boundaries, it definitely won’t stop him or her from being comfortable.
Long Battery Life
This is an ideal set-up for those dogs that spend a lot of time outside. The battery charge on the unit lasts for up to 18 hours, so it’s perfectly safe to let your dog wander all day and to charge up the collar at night. A longer battery life means less collar failure and less of a chance of your dog getting out of its boundaries.
Tracking Ability
Though SpotOn’s fences work on GPS alone and require no extra fee or subscription, the collar also includes an optional cellular plan that will allow you to track your dog to within ten feet with location updates every six seconds. This is ideal for those who keep the collar on their dogs even when the fencing function isn’t attached, as it makes it incredibly easy to figure out where your dog has gone. This is a great feature for those who want to know exactly where their dogs are at all times.
No Need for Wires
The lack of wires makes this GPS dog fence an ideal fit for those who either do not want to dig up their yards or for those who are not able to do so. The lack of wires isn’t just a set-up feature – it’s also a feature that can help you feel secure letting your dog wander after a storm or even in situations that would cause a more traditional invisible fence to fail. Also, since your dog is trained to audible tones (plus and optional static correction or vibration), not visual markers, traveling is a breeze and having multiple fences or changing the fence configuration in yard is easy for both you and your dog.
Made for Active Dogs
This collar was made with real dogs in mind. Not only does it fit well, but it’s even water-proof. You can feel comfortable letting your furry friend run around, splash in the water and even go for a swim without having to worry about taking off the collar.
Customizable Perimeters
Perhaps the most impressive feature of this unit is the fact that you can customize multiple fences. You set up where your dog can and cannot go – there’s no need for any extra steps. You can even choose to set up varying perimeters for different situations or for different dogs, with nothing stopping you from making changes as you see fit.
Includes a Warranty
Finally, the collar also includes a warranty. You’ve got 45 days to figure out if you like the collar, and another year to send the collar back if there are problems. Simply knowing that the creators stand behind the products is a great way to feel more comfortable using it with your dog.
Is This The Wireless Dog Fence For You?
A great as this wireless dog fence is for dog owners, it’s obviously not for everyone. With its high price point and its wide range of features, it’s actually a bit much for some dog owners. While the operation of the unit is quite simple, the truth is that some dog owners are going to be much more comfortable with a system that feels a little more traditional. That’s not to say that SpotOn’s system is bad by any stretch of the imagination, but rather that it’s really geared towards a specific type of dog owner.
So, do you fall into that group? If you frequently need to adjust your dog’s boundaries, like playing with toys that are on the cutting edge of tech and you don’t mind paying a little extra for great performance, you’re definitely in the target audience. If you typically have good cellular coverage around your home and you really don’t want to deal with putting in wires or erecting fences, this unique collar really is one of the best tools for keeping your dog safe. SpotOn has made a great tool here, and those who choose to us it will definitely get their money’s worth.
Still of the fence? (Arf, arf…) Read our SpotOn Virtual Fence and Halo Collar comparison, our Wagz Freedom Collar and SpotOn Fence comparison, or check out our guide to today’s best invisible dog fences.
