The SpotOn Fence Dog Boundary Training Plan
The SpotOn Fence Dog Boundary Training Plan
Want Your Dog to Stay Safe Off-Leash? Here’s the Step You Can’t Skip.
SpotOn gives your dog freedom. But freedom only works when your dog understands where the boundaries are.
So what's the secret to unlocking making the fence work for your dog? Just a few minutes a day of smart, simple training! Spend just 10–15 minutes a day teaching your dog what the tones mean, then gradually introduce distractions to make sure that training sticks.
Quick Guide to Training Success
- Why This Training Works: How tones + timing unlock your dog’s success
- How to Prepare: Before you start training, learn how to avoid the 3 most common mistakes
- 3 Easy Steps to Success: The simple method every dog can follow
- What If My Dog Runs Through the Fence? Troubleshoot and fix common issues
- Real Stories, Real Results: Hear from SpotOn customers like you
- Free Dog Training Session
Quick Guide to Training Success
- Why This Training Works: How tones + timing unlock your dog’s success
- How to Prepare: Before you start training, learn how to avoid the 3 most common mistakes
- 3 Easy Steps to Success: The simple method every dog can follow
- What If My Dog Runs Through the Fence? Troubleshoot and fix common issues
- Real Stories, Real Results: Hear from SpotOn customers like you
- Free Dog Training Session
WHY THIS TRAINING WORKS
Designed for Real Dogs
Tone-first system
SpotOn uses tones—not shocks—as the first line of communication. Your dog learns to listen before anything else happens.
Correction as a last resort
If you choose to use it, static correction only kicks in after your dog ignores two warning tones. That means static is used as a true last resort.
WHY THIS TRAINING WORKS
Designed for Real Dogs
Tone-first system
SpotOn uses tones—not shocks—as the first line of communication. Your dog learns to listen before anything else happens.
Correction as a last resort
If you choose to use it, static correction only kicks in after your dog ignores two warning tones. That means static is used as a true last resort.
How to Prepare
Avoid the 3 Most Common Mistakes New SpotOn Users Make
Don’t just wing it—watch these two quick videos before you start training. Certfied dog trainer, Evan Doggett, will set you and your dog up for off-leash success faster and with less frustration. You’ll learn:
- What to do before the collar even arrives
- How to avoid the biggest training pitfalls
- Simple tips that make a big difference—from leash work to distractions
Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or a veteran, this expert advice will make your job easier and your dog’s training smoother. Watch now to build the foundation for a safe, reliable fence—and a dog you can trust to stay put.
How to Prepare
Set the Foundation for Off-Leash Success
Before your dog ever goes off leash, a little preparation goes a long way. These two short videos walk you through the most important steps to take before training begins—so your dog understands the rules, stays safe, and succeeds from day one.
You’ll learn how to:
- Commit to short, daily training sessions - Just 10 to 15 minutes a day builds consistency without overwhelming you or your dog.
- Plan your boundaries before training starts - Decide where your fence will be, start small, and walk the perimeter on leash so your dog begins to understand safe vs. off-limits areas.
- Train through distractions, step by step - Identify your dog’s biggest distractions ahead of time and use them intentionally during training to avoid frustration later.
- Ensure proper collar fit and setup - Learn how to size the collar correctly, choose the right contact points for your dog’s coat, and position the collar for reliable performance and comfort.
- Test and adjust before you train - A properly fitted, tested collar makes training smoother and helps your dog respond clearly to the system from the start.
Taking the time to prepare strengthens the bond between you and your dog—and sets the stage for years of safe, confident freedom with SpotOn.
3 Easy Steps to Off-Leash Success
1: Teach the Tones
Listen and return
Start on leash. Walk to the boundary, hear the tone, and guide your dog back. Practice for 10–15 minutes daily. That’s it.
2: Practice with Feedback
Beyond the Tones
After the collar issues tones, the "last resort" feedback is vibration or an optional static correction. Watch the video to learn how to find the right level based on your dog's reaction.
Reward Your Dog
When your dog recognizes the tones and feedback, be sure to offer praise and rewards to reinforce the training!
Correction is optional
Whether you choose to use static correction or not, it’s good to understand how it works and how to find the right level for your dog. That way, you'll be prepared and ready if you decide to introduce it.
3: Test with Temptation
Proof the perimeter
As your dog gets better at responding to the collar's cues, you’ll introduce small distractions and vary where you train to reinforce the lesson.
Train with distractions
Try it with real-world challenges: a squirrel, a guest, an open gate. If your dog returns at the tone, they’re ready.
Stay Consistent
Your dog learns best through short, positive sessions. Keep them brief and consistent for lasting results.
3 Easy Steps to Off-Leash Success
1: Understanding Alert Tones
Built for your dog, not your ears
SpotOn’s alert tones are carefully tuned to your dog’s hearing and work at the default setting for most dogs.
In this video, you’ll learn how to observe your dog’s response, when adjustments may be needed, and how to safely change the volume in the app.
The goal is simple: clear, consistent cues your dog understands during training.
2: Introducing the Boundary
How your dog learns where to stop
This video walks you through the first phase of boundary training, starting with alert tones and progressing to the warning tone.
You’ll learn how to train in short, positive sessions, guide your dog back to the safe zone, and introduce boundary feedback in a clear, fair way.
By the end, your dog will begin to recognize the tones and turn back on their own before correction is ever needed.
3: Collar Feedback
An insurance policy for real-world distractions
In this video, you’ll learn how static correction works and why it’s designed to interrupt—not punish—your dog’s focus.
We’ll cover how to start low, adjust gradually, and increase levels when training with distractions.
The result is consistent communication that helps your dog stay safely within the boundary, even when excitement is high.
What If My Dog Runs Through the Fence?
Don’t worry–It’s Fixable
Common causes
If your dog is running through the fence, chances are they missed a step in training—or you skipped the distraction phase.
How to fix it
Use our expert-backed guide to rebuild your dog’s boundary behavior and get things back on track quickly.
What If My Dog Runs Through the Fence?
Don’t worry–It’s Fixable
Common causes
If your dog is running through the fence, chances are they missed a step in training—or you skipped the distraction phase.
How to fix it
Use our expert-backed guide to rebuild your dog’s boundary behavior and get things back on track quickly.
WHAT OTHER DOG OWNERS SAY...
Charlotte W.
“Our first dog took about three weeks to train - but we were so happy with the results, we will be getting SpotOn for our other dogs as well!"
Kara H.
“The SpotOn collar has given us the confidence to let our Alfred outside and not have to worry about him leaving the yard! Set up and training were super easy. Couldn’t recommend more!"
Charles M.
“We have a german shepherd-border collie mix... Lot's of energy and a high prey instinct. With minimal training he's adjusted to the boundaries. This way, he has 10 acres to run around in and can chase deer to his heart's content."
Erin T.
“Our dog quickly adapted to the training, thanks to the intuitive feedback system and online tutorials. I love the peace of mind I get knowing she’s safe and can roam freely within the defined boundaries. The GPS accuracy is impressive, and the collar holds a charge long enough to handle our daily routines. Highly recommend!"
ALL CUSTOMER REVIEWS
WHAT OTHER DOG OWNERS SAY...
Charlotte W.
“Our first dog took about three weeks to train - but we were so happy with the results, we will be getting SpotOn for our other dogs as well!"
Kara H.
“The SpotOn collar has given us the confidence to let our Alfred outside and not have to worry about him leaving the yard! Set up and training were super easy. Couldn’t recommend more!"
Charles M.
“We have a german shepherd-border collie mix... Lot's of energy and a high prey instinct. With minimal training he's adjusted to the boundaries. This way, he has 10 acres to run around in and can chase deer to his heart's content."
Erin T.
“Our dog quickly adapted to the training, thanks to the intuitive feedback system and online tutorials. I love the peace of mind I get knowing she’s safe and can roam freely within the defined boundaries. The GPS accuracy is impressive, and the collar holds a charge long enough to handle our daily routines. Highly recommend!"
Your Free One-on-One Training Session Awaits
Feeling stuck? Not sure if your dog’s “getting it”?
Get expert advice from a certified dog trainer—at no extra cost. Whether you’re just getting started or facing challenges, our pros are here to help via Zoom, anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
👉 Request Your Free SessionYour Free One-on-One Training Session Awaits
Feeling stuck? Not sure if your dog’s “getting it”?
Get expert advice from a certified dog trainer—at no extra cost. Whether you’re just getting started or facing challenges, our pros are here to help via Zoom, anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
👉 Request Your Free SessionWhy SpotOn dog training works
Unlike other systems, the SpotOn's GPS dog collar plays two sets of tones before vibrating or sending a static correction (an optional and adjustable stimulation to assist with correcting behavior). The SpotOn collar will not issue a static correction to dogs returning home.
The first tone, the alert tone, tells the dog they are at the edge of their fence. The SpotOn training program will train them to return to the center of the fence when they hear it. A second tone, the warning tone is harsher and is played just before a vibration or correction is issued at the boundary.
Mastering the tones means static correction becomes a true last resort. Dog boundary training will also make it easier for your dog to learn their boundaries in new places.
All dogs are different, so don’t worry if it takes a little longer than expected to train your dog to the boundary lines. Keep training sessions quick and fun. It’s less stressful for you and your dog!
First: Teach your dogs to learn the tones.
Get your dog ready for life unleashed by training him to recognize alert and warning tones at the fence boundaries.
- Using a leash, walk your dog from within the containment area to different locations along the fence boundary.
- When you hear the alert tone, playfully encourage your dog to return.
- Practice 10-15 minutes for a few days.
Next, learn how to set static correction.
You won’t need static correction right away but it’s good to understand how it works and how to find the right level for your dog when you are ready to introduce it.
- Using the app, connect to the Collar and set the Static Correction to Level 5 of 30. NOTE: If you don’t want to use Static Correction, use Vibration to complete this step.
- Train / Practice with your dog near the fence boundary and get her to learn the tones.
- The dog may require static correction to return to the center.
- Reward the dog for returning to the center.
- Adjust static correction as necessary.
- Practice for 10 min 2-3 days or until the dog learns the boundary
Proofing the boundary with a distraction.
Now it's time to introduce distractions to be sure your dog understands the boundary.
- Test the boundary with a distraction like another person standing outside the fence boundary.
- Reward the dog if it recognizes the alert tone and returns to the area.
- Allow the dog to go to the boundary and use the leash to direct her back to you.
Finally, observe and adjust as needed.
Now you can drop the leash, and spend time outside with your dog while she gets used to the GPS dog fence. Once you and your pup are comfortable, she can live life unleashed!
- Observe the dog off-leash for a few days near the boundary.
- If the dog escapes more than once per week, repeat the proof testing step to reinforce good behavior.
