An Expert’s Breakdown – Dogster

Key Features

Quality and Durability

When it comes to technology, glitches are inevitable, and that was my biggest concern with having a virtual fence. But after trying out the system in multiple locations, I’m happy to say, I have yet to run into a technical issue.

The quality of the system is top-notch and the collar itself is incredibly durable. Micah is an active boy and the collar looks brand new despite being worn on all his outdoor adventures. It’s waterproof too, which is amazing for rainy days and dogs that like to swim.

Military-Grade Technology

SpotOn uses patented True Location technology paired with a highly sensitive GPS antenna to provide an accurate fence line and pinpoint your dog’s location. SpotOn’s team is known for developing electronics for the U.S. military, and when third-party tested by Spirent–a leading expert in GNSS testing for organizations like NASA and Meta–SpotOn’s GPS fence consistently outperformed competitor products in all fields of testing.

Unlimited Customizable Fences

Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can create as many fences as you want and save up to 10 fences at a time. Building a fence only takes a few minutes and you can edit them later if needed. You also have the option to create keep-out zones inside your main perimeter for areas you don’t want your dog to go. Keep-out zones could include things like sheds, rough terrain, or water.

There’s a pond at Micah’s favorite park that I made a keep-out zone after he decided to go for an impromptu swim with the ducks.

Is SpotOn Fence a Good Value?

Priced at $999.00, there’s no denying this is an expensive product. But if you have a large property and are looking for a reliable and convenient way to keep an eye on your pup, SpotOn is well worth the money. Unlike traditional fences, SpotOn’s entire system is virtual, which saves you the expense of fencing your yard and the hassle of burying wires.

You can’t put a price on safety and when seen as an investment in your dog’s well-being, SpotOn Fence is a great value.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What if I have more than one dog?

You can manage multiple dogs through the app and share fences between dogs. However, each dog will need their own collar and their own optional subscription plan.

A $75.00 discount is automatically applied to each additional collar you buy.

Do I need cell service to use SpotOn Fence?

Since GPS is used to contain your pup, you don’t need cell service to use SpotOn’s GPS Fence. This means you can create, manage, and activate fences on your dog’s collar in remote regions and on all your off-grid adventures.

If you enroll in the subscription plan, cell service is needed. The cellular upgrade lets SpotOn Fence communicate with your phone so you can unlock features like real-time tracking, recall, and notifications.

How long does the battery last?

The collar has a rechargeable battery that lasts around 25 hours and takes about 90 minutes to charge.

What is the return policy?

If you receive the collar and decide it’s not for you, you can request a refund within 90 days.

Our Experience with SpotOn Fence

I live on a forested 5-acre property and love giving Micah the freedom to run around. That said, five acres is a lot of land for him to explore alone. Micah has solid recall but my family and I joke that he teleports because of how fast he disappears when he wanders off. Given the size of the property, it’s hard to know which direction to look for him and there’s nothing like searching a 5-acre hill at night, so when I heard about SpotOn, I knew I had to try it out.

When the collar arrived, it was nicely packaged with everything I needed to set it up. The directions were easy to follow and it only took a couple of minutes to get the system up and running. I’ve never used a GPS fence before so I didn’t know what to expect. But to say I’m impressed is an understatement. This is a high-quality product with a ton of great features and the technology has far exceeded my expectations.

I was a little skeptical when I created my first fence since I wasn’t sure how accurate drawing on a digital map would be. But after taking the collar outside for a test run, the boundary was exactly where I drew it on my phone and the warning tones worked like a charm. Micah responded well to the tones too, which was great (I didn’t use vibration or static correction).

Helping your dog understand the alert system is essential to keeping them inside the fence, so if you’re struggling to train your pup, SpotOn’s step-by-step training plan is worth checking out. You can also take advantage of the 30-minute training consultation, which is an amazing perk.

If you’re still concerned about your dog leaving the boundary after training or want to check in on your pup’s whereabouts, you can sign up for SpotOn’s subscription plan. With the subscription, you’ll get access to some really cool features like real-time tracking and recall.

I will say, this is a beast of a collar. Micah is a 54lb Standard Goldendoodle with an 18” neck. I ordered a size Medium (12” to 18”), which fits him perfectly and has plenty of room to size up and down, but it’s still bulky and heavy compared to his normal collar. He doesn’t mind wearing it and the strap has a soft rubber texture, but if you have a small dog, this is definitely something to consider.

While SpotOn is expensive, it’s so much better than alternative containment options. The system is hassle-free and (even with the high price tag) it’s significantly cheaper than fencing a large property or installing an invisible fence. You don’t have to worry about wires or hardware either. I like that I can limit the radius around my house without restricting Micah’s freedom, and having peace of mind that my boy is safe has been invaluable.

Conclusion

SpotOn’s mission is to let dogs run free and that’s exactly what it’s allowed Micah to do. The boundaries are precise (even in forested areas) and having the flexibility to build custom fences has been a game-changer.

If you’re a dog owner with a lot of land, this is one product you don’t want to pass up. Not only will you breathe easy knowing your dog is safe but your dog will be living their best life unleashed.