Frequently asked questions

• I have multiple dogs. Can I add another collar or do I need 2 separate systems?

  Since the entire SpotOn system is self-contained in the collar, each dog requires their own collar and their own (optional) cellular subscription. You can share fences between collars and manage multiple collars through the App.

  We offer an automatic 10% discount for multi-collar purchases.

• How do I know what size to order for my dog?

  SpotOn comes in three sizes to fit most dogs fifteen pounds or more and with neck sizes between 10” and 26”. It’s important to measure your dog’s neck size prior to ordering. How to measure.
  
  Measure your dog’s neck just above where his regular collar sits. Make sure you can fit one or two fingers between the measuring tape and your dog’s neck.

  You’ll know you have ordered the right size, when the SpotOn dog collar fits snuggly and the antenna sits on the back of your dog’s neck. This ensures the best possible GPS connectionーthe more sky the antenna sees, the more satellites it can connect to, the more precise your boundary lines will be! 

  If your dog is a puppy, we recommend waiting to purchase until she’s about six months old (or when you have a good idea of her adult size).

• Do I need cell service?

  No, SpotOn uses GPS to contain your dog. GPS is available anywhere you can see the sky, and it’s free. Unlike your phone, SpotOn Fence can access GPS without a cellular connection. Just like your old Garmin® navigation system for your car!

  With SpotOn Fence, you do not need a cellular subscription to create, manage and activate fences or contain your dog.

  With an optional cellular subscription, you can unlock some additional features. Cellular enables the
  SpotOn Fence to communicate with your phone over long distances. With cellular, you can:

  — See your dog's location anytime, which is helpful if your fence is large.
  
  — Receive notifications if your collar battery is low or your dog escapes.
  
  — Track your dog if he escapes.
  
  You purchase a cellular subscription for your SpotOn Fence through us. It is not part of your phone bill. We offer several plans. The annual or semi-annual plans are discounted and come with a 90-day free trial so you can see if cellular works for you.

• Will SpotOn work in areas with no cellular service?

  Yes!

  SpotOn uses GPS to contain your dog. GPS is available anywhere you can see the sky, and it’s free. Unlike your phone, SpotOn Fence can access GPS without a cellular connection. Just like your old Garmin® navigation system for your car!

  With SpotOn Fence, you do not need a cellular subscription to create, manage and activate fences or contain your dog. Thousands of customers use SpotOn in remote areas with no cellular service.

  With an optional cellular subscription, you can unlock some additional features. Cellular enables the SpotOn Fence to communicate with your phone over long distances. With cellular, you can:

  — See your dog's location at any time, which is useful if your fence is large.
  
  — Receive notifications if your collar battery is low or your dog escapes.
  
  — Track your dog if he escapes.
  
  You purchase a cellular subscription for your SpotOn Fence through us.

• I don’t have Verizon or AT&T, can I still use SpotOn?

  Yes!

  The SpotOn subscription is for the SpotOn Fence only. It makes your SpotOn collar a cellular device that can message other cellular devices. And just like you can call your friend with T-Mobile even though you have Sprint, as long as both your SpotOn collar and your phone have cellular service, they can communicate with one another.

  If you opt for the cellular subscription, you purchase it through SpotOn. It does not go on your phone’s plan. There is no contract, and you can cancel at any time. Plans start at $5.95 a month. There’s a 90-day trial for annual and semi-annual plans to see if it works for you.

• I have just under half an acre. Can I use this product?

  To give your dog enough space to roam without frequent feedback, we recommend you have ½ acre or more. The fence should be at least 80 feet wide at its narrowest point. Because your dog will hear tones 10 feet inside the boundary, if your fence is too narrow at any point, your dog will not be able to move freely without constantly hearing tones. 

  Additionally, when planning your fence, account for GPS drift ーtypically between 3 to 10 feet near tall structures or heavy forest. It is important to include a 15-foot buffer zone between the boundary and any unsafe area, like a major roadway.

  Unsure SpotOn is a good fit for your yard? We’ll review your property and recommend optimal fence placement. Reach us at support@spotonfence.com. We’re happy to help.

• How accurate is SpotOn?

  SpotOn is accurate to three feet under open sky and ten feet under heavy tree cover or near buildings. As a point of comparison GPS-enabled smartphones are typically accurate only to within 16 feet under open sky and greater than 16 feet near buildings, bridges, and under trees.  

  The accuracy of all GPS systems depends upon several factors including the quality of the GPS receiver and antenna, the number of satellites detected, and how much of the sky is in clear view from the ground. GPS satellites are continuously moving across the sky, above and below the horizon. The more satellites a GPS system can detect the greater the accuracy. GPS systems are more accurate in a large flat open field where there is a clear view of the sky.  Areas with large objects like buildings, hills, and heavy tree cover can reflect GPS signals, reducing accuracy.

  Unlike other systems, SpotOn can simultaneously receive and track signals from up to 30 satellites across four navigation satellite constellations including GPS (US), Galileo (European Union), Glonass (Russia), and BeiDou (China). SpotOn uses a dual feed antenna that is designed to detect and ignore reflected signals. SpotOn includes Forest Mode which improves accuracy in areas with heavy tree cover. Click here for more information on the tech that powers SpotOn.

• What is Forest Mode?

  SpotOn is designed for use under normal tree cover where you can see portions of the sky between the leaves of the trees.  Extremely dense tree cover may affect GPS reception and the ability of the system to safely contain the dog. You can enable forest mode at any time to improve GPS reception under dense tree cover. 

  When Forest mode is enabled, indoor detection is disabled. To avoid false corrections, be sure to remove your SpotOn dog collar from your dog when he comes indoors.

• Is SpotOn waterproof? Can it be used when in the rain/snow or for swimming?

  Yes. SpotOn's dog collar is waterproof to IP67 standards. It is designed for year-round use in any weather from -30 degrees F to greater than 120 degrees F. Your dog can swim and play in the rain or snow while wearing it.

• How long does the battery last? How long does it take to charge?

  SpotOn dog collar’s rechargeable battery lasts about 22 hours. It takes about 90 minutes to come to full charge. Plug it in at night or when your dog comes in to eat, and your dog will be free to roam all day long!

  Convenient smartphone notifications alert you when your battery is running low.

  For more FAQs, click here.

• Will SpotOn work in Canada?

  Absolutely! Since SpotOn is connected to four global satellite networks, it will work in Canada just as well as it does in the United States. 

  You’ll need to select the AT&T/Bell option as that model will communicate with Bell Communications towers in Canada. Don’t worry if your phone does not have Bell, SpotOn will communicate with your phone regardless of which carrier you use. It works with Bell, Telus, Rogers, Freedom, and more.

  All taxes, shipping, and duties are required. They are calculated at checkout so you won’t be responsible for any additional costs when it is delivered.