Dog Activity Tracking for High-Energy Breeds
How One German Shorthaired Pointer Owner Uses SpotOn Nova to Track and Manage Daily Activity
German Shorthaired Pointers are known for their stamina, prey drive, and constant need for activity. For Julie Sweet, that description fits her dog Relic perfectly.
"He’s your typical GSP — lots of drive and a ton of energy."
- Julie, Nova Scotia-based Dog Owner"
Julie lives on a large property where traditional fencing would be costly and limiting. Like many owners of high-energy breeds, she needed a solution that would allow Relic to run freely, keep him safely contained, and support his high daily exercise needs.
For the past several years, she relied on the SpotOn Fence to give Relic off-leash freedom while maintaining clear boundaries.
"He's been living his best life for the past three years wearing a SpotOn collar"
While containment was solved, one question remained:
How much activity was Relic actually getting each day?
The Unknown: Measuring Real Exercise on a Large Property
With acres of land to explore, Relic had constant opportunities to move, but Julie had no clear way to quantify it. Julie shares:
"Our property is quite large, and we’ve always been curious to know how much activity Relic gets during the day."
Like many dog owners, she relied on observation and routine. But with a breed as energetic as a GSP, it’s difficult to tell whether "a lot of movement" is actually enough. This uncertainty became more important over time, especially when thinking about:
- Physical health
- Mental stimulation
- Preventing boredom-related behaviors
The Solution: SpotOn Nova with Built-In Activity Tracking
With the release of the SpotOn Nova Edition, Julie gained access to a new layer of insight: activity tracking directly within the collar and app.
"I was excited to learn that the new Nova collar could track all of Relic’s activities."
Unlike basic step counters, the Nova system provides a breakdown of how a dog spends their time throughout the day. Julie can now see:
- Time spent resting
- Time spent walking
- Time spent running
- Total distance covered
"With activity tracking, I can see how much time Relic spends resting, walking, running, and the distance he covers each day."
The Impact: Turning Freedom Into Measurable Insights
Before Nova, Relic had freedom but limited visibility. Now, Julie can connect that freedom to real data. This has changed how she understands Relic’s daily routine. Julie can now:
- Confirm whether Relic is getting enough exercise
- Spot low-activity days and adjust accordingly
- Better match Relic's activity level to his energy needs
For a high-drive breed, this insight is critical. It helps ensure that exercise is not just frequent, but sufficient.
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Building Better Routines With Activity Goals
One of the most useful features for Julie has been the ability to set weekly activity goals inside the SpotOn app.
"The app also allows me to set weekly activity goals for Relic."
Instead of reacting to behavior, she can now take a more proactive approach:
- Setting targets for movement
- Adjusting routines when goals aren’t met
- Creating consistency in Relic’s exercise
She even sees the benefit for herself:
"This way we can both make sure we’re getting our steps in."
Beyond the Yard: Tracking Activity Anywhere
Relic’s activity tracking doesn’t stop at the property line. When Julie takes him on hikes or trail outings, she can turn off the virtual fence while keeping tracking active.
"When we are ready to hit the trail, I can toggle the fence off on Relic’s Nova collar, and it keeps on tracking."
This allows her to measure:
- Distance covered on hikes
- Duration of outings
- Overall activity beyond the home environment
"Now we know just how far we go."
The REsult: More Confidence, Better Insight, Same Freedom
For Julie, the combination of GPS containment and activity tracking has created a more complete system for managing an energetic dog.
The result is greater confidence that Relic is not just active, but thriving. Julie can now see:
Why It Matters for High-Energy Breeds
Dogs like German Shorthaired Pointers don’t just need space—they need enough activity to match their drive.
SpotOn Nova helps bridge that gap by turning everyday movement into measurable data.
For owners, that means a better understanding of their dog’s needs, more informed exercise decisions, and greater peace of mind.
For dogs like Relic, it means continuing to enjoy the freedom they love—backed by a system that helps keep them healthy, engaged, and safe.