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
- 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.
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.
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
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 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.
