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?

  SpotOn is designed to safely contain your dog without cellular service.  

  Add an optional cellular subscription to enable your SpotOn dog collar to communicate with your smartphone at 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 his boundaries. 

  — Track your dog if he escapes so you can be reunited as soon as possible.

  SpotOn’s has LTE-M cellular service. Specifically for internet-enabled devices, LTE-M offers coverage in many places where your phone’s 4G LTE service may be weak or unavailable. 

  We provide cellular subscriptions through Verizon or AT&T (billed independently from your phone’s plan). We offer a 90-day free trial as an extra level of protection as your dog is learning the fence. After the trial period, there is a fee that is charged either monthly, annually, or bi-annually. There is no contract—you can cancel or resume cellular service at any time. Plans start at $5.95 a month.  Click here to learn more.

• Can I add SpotOn to my current cellular plan or do I need a separate subscription?

  Your SpotOn dog collar has its own plan that is specific to IOT devices and subscribed to through SpotOn Fence. It is not associated with your smartphone’s cellular plan. Just like you can call your Mom even though she has a Sprint plan and you have a Verizon plan, it does not matter if your SpotOn collar is on a different carrier from your phone.

  SpotOn offers cellular subscriptions through Verizon or AT&T. These subscriptions are independent of your phone’s plan and will be billed separately on a monthly, annual, or bi-annual plan. We offer a 90-day free trial as an extra level of protection as your dog is learning the fence. There is no contract—you can cancel or resume cellular service at any time. Plans start at $5.95 a month. Click here to learn more.

• 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 provides about 22 hours of containment and 14 hours of tracking time. It takes about an hour to come to full charge. Plug it in at night 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.