The Spot On Virtual Fence is one of the more popular invisible fence options on the market today. Today, our experts give you an in-depth review of this hot dog product.
Your dog’s safety is always a concern. For your peace of mind, it’s an excellent idea to give your four-legged friend a safe space to play around while keeping them from roaming away. One option for keeping your dog safe is getting an invisible or wireless dog fence.
Many invisible fences function using a smart collar. The SpotOn Collar is one of the most popular right now, and it’s an innovative solution to keep your dog safe when it’s off leash. But is the collar the right option for you? Let’s find out.
Before you scroll down this review, “Spot On Virtual Fence Review,” you can check out these other reviews from our team at We Love Doodles: Chippin Review: Dog Treat & Food Benefits! and Zymox Ear Solution for Dogs Review!
What Is a Virtual Fence?
Older options to keep your dogs safe include a leash, an electric fence, or a physical fence. However, many dog owners today prefer the modern approach of a virtual fence.
An invisible, virtual fence allows dogs to roam within a designated yard area without the constraints of physical fencing or a leash. As the owner, you get a signal via a specialized collar receiver when the dog moves beyond any set boundaries.
The origins of the virtual or wireless pet fence are unclear, but the industry gained momentum in the late 1980s. It’s critical to note that each invisible fence brand has its own history and interesting story.
It’s also important to note that wireless or virtual pet fences are a correction deterrent—not punishment.
SpotOn Virtual Fence Overview
Many companies sell dog training products, but a glance at SpotOn virtual smart fence reviews reveals that it’s a popular choice for dog owners. Our team at We Love Doodles likes it too! SpotOn promises your dog is happier and less constrained when outdoors.
SpotOn is behind one of the first GPS dog fences in the world. SpotOn has also won several awards, including the 2020 CES Innovation nominee and SXSW Innovation Award Finalist.
SpotOn is a dog lovers’ company that leverages its technical expertise to create specialized products, like smart collars for dogs.
How Does a SpotOn GPS Virtual Fence Work?
The SpotOn GPS fence uses patented GPS technology to keep your dog within a customized invisible fence. You can use your phone to build a custom fence area for your dog. The entire system is simple, too. The collar and phone app are all you need to connect to global navigation satellite systems and multiple cellular networks in the U.S. and Canada!
To create the custom area, walk the boundary while holding the collar. SpotOn creates the fence automatically as you walk. Next, teach your dog to decipher the dog-friendly tones coming from the collar when they are close to the boundary.
The SpotOn virtual fence collar also uses static and vibration correction feedback to help your pup stay inside the GPS fence. A cellular signal in the collar lets you view the dog’s location from anywhere using a smartphone app. You’ll also receive notifications whenever the dog leaves the designated boundaries.
Pros and Cons of SpotOn Virtual Smart Fence
The SpotOn wireless dog fence is a favorite for many dog lovers, but the advanced system has pros and cons.
If you’re in the market for the best GPS dog fence, knowing the best and worst qualities of the top contenders is important. Here are the pros and cons of the SpotOn collar, according to reviews from dog owners and our team members.
Pros
The SpotOn GPS virtual smart fence for dogs boasts innovative technology that offers several benefits, including:
- Accurate readings. The system connects to four satellite navigation systems (about 25 to 30 satellites) to provide accurate readings of your dog within 10 feet.
- Works in weak cellular zones. The fence works on GPS, so poor cell coverage won’t affect the fences you set up.
- Precise boundaries. Fencing technology lets you map multiple fences in the same area so you can have a virtual boundary for your back, front, or entire yard
- Easy installation. You don’t have to dig up your yard to lay underground wires or put up physical boundaries for your dog to install the SmartOn collar. All you need is a smartphone.
- Long-lasting. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers up to 18 containment hours and eight tracking hours.
- Wide range. You get up to half a mile range, so your dog can have plenty of play space.
- Water-resistant hardware. Works for up to a max of 1.5 meters underwater for up to 30 minutes
- Human. The fence uses canine-friendly tones, optional static, and vibration.
- Option to create multiple fences. You can save multiple fences on the phone app, a handy feature when you frequently visit other places, such as the homes of relatives, campgrounds, or parks.
Cons
The SpotOn GPS virtual fence is a popular product among many dog caretakers, but you need to keep a few things in mind when considering it.
- Requires cellular coverage, which may hamper dog location in no-cell areas
- Pricey
- Requires a subscription
- Works best with dogs with neck sizes between 10 and 26 inches
SpotOn GPS Collar Features
The SpotOn Virtual Fence offers more control over where your dog goes and how you track it. However, its high cost makes it necessary to examine what this GPS collar offers.
A Virtual Fence
The SpotOn GPS collar makes customizing a virtual fence easy. You can create up to 1,500 fence posts and set a virtual boundary of any size and shape—as long as it’s larger than half an acre.
Creating your GPS fence is easy. You can even view the fence building in the smartphone app.
The mapping process lets you pause and walk around obstacles like thick bushes or water bodies. SpotOn also snaps a straight line through the obstacles after resuming. The system programs the virtual fence in the SpotOn Collar after a lap.
The virtual fence perimeters are customizable, too, so you don’t need to take extra steps while mapping areas a dog can and can’t go. You also get an option to set various perimeters for different dogs or situations.
Note that the collar places invisible GPS markers to connect the boundaries when making your maps. When it runs out of markers, it will simply connect the two ends of the final boundaries together. Avoid this issue by hitting the pause button while walking between points when mapping large areas.
Incredible Training
Set your pet up for optimal success by following a robust training program. SpotOn’s training program ensures your dog gets a positive experience with a new collar.
SpotOn offers users access to many DIY training resources that will have your furry friend behaving better in just a few weeks. Training programs from SpotOn help dogs learn rules, boundaries, and limitations. After successful training, your dog will be an expert in living life without a leash!
Automatic GPS Tracking in All Terrains
Your primary goal as a dog parent is to ensure your pup is safe and sound. The SpotOn system works only on GPS and requires no additional expense or subscription. The device also offers cellular plans to track a dog within ten feet and provide updates every six seconds.
The SpotOn collar is the perfect solution for pet parents who want to know their dogs’ location without activating the fencing feature. Most SpotOn GPS collar reviews focus on the product’s ability to track a dog while in a yard or within a neighborhood. But the collar does much more.
The collar uses a four-point satellite navigation system so you can explore the wilderness with your dog and still know where they are. The collar even has a forest mode that makes tracking your dog in dense tree areas easier. However, ensure you’re in an area with cellular service for the location feature to work.
Easy Portability
The SpotOn Collar boasts a True Portability feature that makes traveling with your dog off-leash even easier. This function lets you use the collar wherever you are.
For example, you and your canine companion may enjoy camping together. Just set up the perimeter, put the collar on your dog, and he’ll never wander too far when exploring.
The collar has an IP67 waterproof score, meaning your dog can play in the rain, swim, and bathe without damaging the device. Durable construction also ensures that the SpotOn collar manages your dog’s wildest experiences.
The SpotOn Collar can also save your dog’s life if they get lost. If someone finds your dog, the collar will display your name and address so any good Samaritan can bring them home immediately.
Impressive Battery Life
The SpotOn virtual fence is an excellent choice for dogs who love exploring the outdoors. A single full charge lasts up to 18 hours, so you can relax and allow your pup to wander and play.
The battery also offers up to eight hours in tracking mode, so you can see where your dog is for an entire day. Long battery life also reduces the chances of the collar failing.
Easy Installation
The installation process for the SpotOn virtual smart fence is one of its best features. The system only requires the collar and an easy-to-use smartphone app. Setting up your perimeter is as simple as walking around.
Easy installation also means you don’t have to dig up your property, install markers, run endless wires, or spend hours configuring hardware. Setting up your fence and system is so simple that many dog parents say they do it on the first try!
A Comfortable Collar
The SpotOn system comes with a lightweight collar. Your dog may forget the collar is even there since it is so discreet.
The collar is also self-contained and comes with everything you need. No more fussing with extra wires, physical parts, or software.
An Optional Static Shock Feature
The SpotOn collar uses two distinct tones to protect your dog as they approach the boundary. If your dog gets to the fence line, the static correction feature is optional for correcting behavior. However, a static correction is always the last resort.
Smartphone App
SpotOn comes with a companion iPhone and Android app that’s helpful in an emergency. The app has a blue dot representing your phone location and a dog icon for your puppy. Users get a free trial and pay a small fee to track their pets when they run away or get lost.
Is the SpotOn Virtual Fence Right For You and Your Dog?
Here are some things to consider before purchasing the SpotOn virtual fence system:
Dog Size
The collar fits:
- Small dogs with neck sizes between 10 inches and 12 inches
- Medium dogs with neck sizes between 13 inches and 15 inches collars
- Large dogs with neck sizes between 16 inches to 26 inches
Your Location
The SpotOn is suitable for properties bigger than half an acre. There’s a 10-foot GPS precision, so you want to set the virtual fence at least 15 feet from your property’s boundary and hazardous environments.
The narrowest part of your virtual fence should be 80 feet. A minimum measurement ensures your dog has plenty of exploration and play space without constantly being corrected by distracting tones.
Time to Train
It takes several sessions for a dog to understand and obey the SpotOn virtual smart fence. Of course, training time is different for each dog.
Collar Maintenance
The SpotOn collar features long-lasting materials and is water-resistant. However, the collar will not withstand abuse by a determined chewer.
For chewer dogs, remove the collar and put it away when not in use. You should also monitor your dog’s activity when playing with other dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SpotOn virtual fence is one of the best invisible systems available. It’s absolutely worth the cost if you’re looking for an invisible fence that is easy to install and portable.
SpotOn keeps dogs within a set area by delivering dog-friendly training tones. It also offers an option to deliver a painless static shock if a dog gets too close to the set boundary. However, this feature is optional and only used as a last resort.
A subscription to SpotOn is optional, but features will be minimal without it.
Spot On Virtual Fence Review: Is it Worth It?
The SpotOn virtual fence is an excellent investment for dog owners who want their pets to roam freely in places where putting up a physical fence is impractical. Its internal tracking sensors and use of four satellites make the SpotOn one of the most accurate invisible fence systems on the market.
Hopefully, this SpotOn virtual fence review showed how wonderful a training tool it is, with more customizable features than many competitors. You cannot go wrong by choosing the SpotOn GPS collar if you’re looking for the best dog GPS collar on the market today.
If you find this review, “Spot On Virtual Fence Review,” helpful, you can check out these other review guides from our team at We Love Doodles:
You can learn more about SpotOn Virtual Fence GPS by watching “SpotOn Virtual Fence GPS dog containment system lets your dog live life unleashed!” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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At We Love Doodles, we’re a team of writers, veterinarians, and puppy trainers that love dogs. Our team of qualified experts researches and provides reliable information on a wide range of dog topics. Our reviews are based on customer feedback, hands-on testing, and in-depth analysis. We are fully transparent and honest to our community of dog owners and future owners.