PROS
- Since there is no need to bury wires, this collar is suitable for virtually any type of terrain
- Collar provides a number of different feedback mechanisms that can help to keep your dog safe while also working as an excellent training tool
- The built-in app is very easy to use and has a host of features that will change the way that you care for your dog
- The collar is easy to adjust and fits on most dogs, making it a great choice no matter your dog’s breed or age
CONS
- Using the device requires a subscription plan, and most of the more impressive features are locked behind higher tiers of service
- Though there are training features, none of them are automatic; you’ll have to keep manually using the tools in order to train your dog
Every good dog owner wants to keep his or her canine companion safe. If you have a dog who loves to wander, though, doing that can be harder than you might imagine. If you don’t have the inclination or ability to fence your dog in, it does make sense that you would take certain other steps to ensure that your dog’s ability to move freely won’t lead to him or her running off. One particular product that can help quite a bit with this is the Halo Collar GPS Smart Dog Fence, which utilizes modern technology to solve some fairly old fencing problems.
Features of Halo Collar GPS Smart Dog Fence
Invisible Fence
The Halo Collar is a tool that’s primarily used to keep your dog safe. The included app allows users to set up to twenty different invisible fence zones, giving your dog plenty of room to run and play without ever encountering boundaries. When activated, the collar will alert your dog when he or she is leaving an approved zone and gently redirect him or her back to safety.
GPS Tracking
Given the mission of the Halo Collar to help make sure that dogs won’t get lost, it makes sense that the unit also includes GPS tracking. You can track your dog’s location within a few feet whenever he or she is wearing the collar, even if the dog isn’t inside the wireless fence zone. This is a fantastic tool for those who worry about their dogs running even when inside an invisible fence.
Activity Tracking
One of the more unique features of this device is the activity tracker. The smartphone app will allow you to keep track of plenty of vital stats, ranging from how long you’ve spent walking your dog this week to how much time your dog has spent outside. This is a great tool for those who are looking to keep track of their dog’s daily routines.
Remote Training
Sometimes it’s helpful to have a little bit of extra emphasis when you’re training your dog. This collar doubles as a training collar, complete with a warning and praise sound for your dog. This can be a great version of clicker training for some dogs, while the ability to use the warning sounds is a good way to help your dog associate problematic actions with a stimulus that it does not enjoy.
No Wires
One of the hardest parts of using a traditional invisible fence was always having to bury the wires to ensure that the fence could be activated. Since this model relies on GPS to work, you won’t have to bury a single wire. This helps to make the fence a great choice for those who don’t have the option of digging up their yards as well as for those who might need to install multiple fencing areas.
Easy Install
In fact, the installation process is one of the best things about this unit. It doesn’t require anything more than the ability to swipe your finger over a map, giving you the chance to draw a variety of different fencing regions without having to put in any physical labor.
No Wi-Fi Needed
The unit also stands out because it doesn’t require a wi-fi connection to work. Since the unit relies on GPS satellites, you’ll never have to worry about a power outage knocking out your dog’s collars. This means that not only is the unit much more accurate than traditional smart collars but that it ends up being much more reliable.
All-Day Battery
Finally, the unit has an all-day battery that allows you to reliably protect your dog for a full day without a recharge. When the day is finished, you can recharge the unit through any available USB-C connection.
Multiple Subscription Plans
Though using this device does require you to have a subscription to the device’s service, there are multiple price points available. This means that you can find a perfect subscription that allows you to pay only for the features that you actually use.
Is This The Smart Fence For You?
At the end of the day, it’s important to remember that the Halo Collar isn’t for everyone. Though this GPS dog fence can be a very solid training tool, it’s really meant for those who typically let their dogs roam outside and who are comfortable with the basic concepts behind the workings of invisible fences. There are absolute dogs out there who will not be deterred by anything that an invisible fence can throw at them and the best dog owners are always those who can realistically look at their animals and decide whether or not this device will be safe for them.
The other big thing to keep in mind is that an awful lot of how these device works are tied to a subscription service. There are certainly cheaper collars out there that do much the same thing that the Halo collar does at its basic level, so it’s hard to recommend the collar at this price point if you’re not willing to pay for some of the bigger features. This is one of the few invisible fence collars that really does feel like it can do it all, but you’re only going to get all of the device’s functionality if you are willing to pay for it.
If you want to see another product, we made an in depth comparison of the Halo Collar and the SpotOn Virtual Fence and a similar comparison of the Halo Collar and the Wagz Freedom Collar. You can also check out more wireless dog fence reviews.
