If you’re a dog owner with a small yard, keeping your dog safe while outside can be as simple as adding a fence. Of course, that’s not always the case for dog owners with bigger properties. You can install a small fence to confine your dog to a defined area, but it limits your usable land.
Invisible fences might seem like the obvious choice. But even they tend to be clunkier and less effective than advertised. If you’re like most dog owners, you’re always hunting for better ways to keep your dog safe.
One way to do that? The SpotOn GPS dog fence.
The online reviews for SpotOn’s virtual fence intrigued me. So, I decided to try it out—and I’m glad I did!
In this SpotOn GPS fence review, I’m going to share my first-hand experiences with the SpotOn dog collar. My review covers everything you need to know, from initializing the collar to setting up your first fence. And, of course, evaluating the boundary systems from a dog’s perspective.
First, a quick note. This is the most hands-on review of SpotOn GPS you’ll read online. Why is that, you ask?
Because unlike other reviewers, I actually wore the collar and got shocked. I knew this would help me better understand the product from a dog’s perspective. Having said that, I don’t recommend anyone try this at home.
CLICK HERE: Get my EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT for the SpotOn (applied at checkout) →who is SpotOn GPS Fence For?
The SpotOn GPS fence trains your dog to stay on your property and tracks their location. That’s why it’s an outstanding choice if your property is larger than a half-acre and you’re willing to train your dog.
If neither of those sound like you, then you might be better off looking at other options.
setting up the SpotOn GPS fence
The first thing I did was plug in and charge the SpotOn collar. If you decide to use the contact points for static correction, go ahead and install them at this point. The contact points are not required and the static correction is off by default.
Since I was putting the collar to the test, I installed the shorter contact points for short-haired dogs (much like myself).
Next, I downloaded the app. You can scan the QR code in the instruction manual and it will take you straight to the App Store or Google Play.
Once you’ve installed the app, it will prompt you to set up your dog’s profile. You’ll upload their photo, select a color for their GPS map tracking icon, and add their name.
It will ask you for your collar’s serial number. Type it manually or scan the QR code on the back.
Then add your dog’s breed, gender, and birthdate.
Next, the app prompts you to connect your cellular subscription plan. This is necessary if you want to track your dog’s location and receive notifications by phone.
Once activated, the app will search for the collar and connect over Bluetooth, and you’re good to go. This entire process was fast and only took me three minutes.
Finally, it was time to set up my first fence.
Creating Fences
Setting up a virtual fence is easy as pie. Tap “Create Fence” in the app and choose “Walk The Fence Perimeter.” Then start walking the boundary while holding the collar. Make sure to keep the GPS icon facing the sky as you walk.
If you prefer, you can also manually draw the fence.
Keep in mind that SpotOn has automatic alert and warning zones about 10 feet in from the boundary line. But even the best GPS systems can drift a little throughout the day. SpotOn says their fence boundaries usually shift by less than 10 feet.
Set the boundary at least 15 feet from any hazards, such as roads. Likewise, keep passageways at least 30 feet wide. SpotOn recommends a minimum fence size of a half acre. Even a properly set-up fence in a smaller area won’t leave much room for your dog to run free.
CLICK HERE: Get my EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT for the SpotOn (applied at checkout) →Once you’ve saved your fence, you can adjust the size and shape in the app by dragging the fence posts.
You can also create more than one fence. This versatile feature makes the collar easy to use in different locations. Simply upload the specific fence to the collar whenever it’s time to use it.
Now it’s time to test your fence. You can and should do this, but don’t be like me and test it on yourself!
Here’s how it works. About 10 feet from the boundary, the collar emits an alert tone using alternating beeps. Within 5 feet of the boundary, the collar will make a warning tone which sounds like alternating high and low beeps. This warning tone is solid beep, and perhaps a bit louder than the alert tone.
When the collar reaches the boundary, it will vibrate. It will also apply static correction (if you choose to use it).
Fortunately, there’s a way to verify the static correction is working without shocking yourself. Use the included static contact tester, which will light up whenever the collar applies a shock.
Training your dog
It must be remembered that the static correction can be quite painful. Although the collar allows you to go as high as 30, a setting of 10 was more than enough for me to try out. You really want to train your dog to understand how the fence boundaries work. Regardless, it’s ideal to limit your use to the vibration setting with no static at all.
SpotOn offers tons of resources for training your dog. Generally, they say an average of 15 minutes of training per day for 1-2 weeks is enough for most dogs. Even if your dog takes a little longer than this, don’t worry. Eventually, a bit of commitment and consistency will get you there.
While I don’t want to bore you with too many technical details, the SpotOn collar’s technology is astounding. Unquestionably, SpotOn is truly high-end in the world of GPS fencing. As such, it comes with a high-end price tag.
Remember to use my link below to apply an exclusive discount for our readers if you do choose the SpotOn collar for your pup.
CLICK HERE: Get my EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT for the SpotOn (applied at checkout) →Is This The Wireless Dog Fence For You?
As great as this smart 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 parents. Many ultimately decide to choose alternatives such as the Halo Collar.
However, if you want the best of the best, or if you like playing with cutting-edge toys and don’t mind paying a little extra for great performance, you’re definitely in the target audience.
Additionally, if your home has more than half an acre of land and you’re willing to put the time in to train your dog properly, then there is no more well-designed GPS dog fence than the SpotOn—it is a great tool, and those who choose it will definitely get their money’s worth.
CLICK HERE: Get my EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT for the SpotOn (applied at checkout) →General Product Details
| Item Weight | Approx. 1.5 pounds |
| Battery Life | 22 hours of containment/ 14 hours of tracking time |
| Time to full charge | 1 hour |
| Water Resistance | IP-67 rating |
| GPS Coverage | GPS, GLONASS, Galelio, Beidou |
| Cellular Service | Verizon or AT&T LTE-M |
| Pet Location Accuracy | Within 3 feet under open sky/ 10 feet under heavy tree cover |
| Minimum Dog Neck Size | 10 inches |
Source: https://spotonfence.com/products/spoton-gps-fence
Virtual Fence Technical Details
| Number of Virtual Fences | Upto 1500 automatic gps fence posts + customizable fences |
| Minimum Recommended Plot Area | 1/2 acre |
| Maximum Fence Area | No Maximum Limit |
| Minimum Recommended Fence Width | 80 feet |
| Minimum Recommended Distance to keep between Fence Borderline and Road | 15 feet |
Still of the fence? (Arf, arf…) Read my SpotOn Virtual Fence and Halo Collar comparison, my Wagz Freedom Collar and SpotOn Fence comparison, or check out my guide to today’s best invisible dog fences.
CLICK HERE: Get my EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT for the SpotOn (applied at checkout) →