It's easy to set up a fence with SpotOn. Watch this quick video or follow the instructions below.
Create and test a fence
To build a virtual fence, you’ll first plan the boundary and then walk your collar along the boundary (without your dog). As you walk, SpotOn automatically creates the fence.
Important Fence Guidelines
Before you create a fence, know these crucial guidelines.
Allow for the fence alert/warning zone
When you create a fence, SpotOn builds in an alert and warning zone about 10 feet inside the boundary that you walk. As your dog enters this zone, SpotOn makes a series of tones. You’ll train your dog to understand these tones are the fence boundary.
Allow for fence boundary drift
SpotOn is more accurate than the GPS on your smartphone, but like all GPS systems, it can be affected by buildings, hills, heavy tree cover, the number of satellites detected, and other factors. This means your fence boundary can shift by 3-10 feet throughout the day.
Minimum property size ½ acre
Because of the warning zone and fence boundary drift, fences built on properties that are less than ½ acre won’t provide enough open space for your dog to roam.
Minimum width for fence area
To provide enough space for your dog to roam keep the distance between fence boundaries at least 80 feet wide at the narrowest point.
Minimum distance from roads and hazards
Set boundaries at least 15 feet away from roads or any other hazardous areas.
Minimum width for a passageway
Buildings can interfere with GPS signals. To create a passageway between front and backyard along a house, make sure there is at least 30 feet between the fence and your home or any other structure.
Keep the house inside the fence
To allow your dog to enter your home without being corrected, make sure the house is inside the fence area. For a fence that only covers the front or back yard be sure to run the fence boundary along the outside of the house. This allows your dog to enter the house without being corrected.
Use Pause to fence through obstacles
Hit an obstacle you can’t walk through, like a pond or thick brush? Using the app press Pause to manually drop your next fence post, go around the obstacle and then press Resume. SpotOn will snap a fence line between fence posts.
Use Pause for Fences larger than 5 acres
For large fences of 5 acres or more, use the Pause function to manually control the number of fence posts, so you don’t run out. This will also reduce the fence file size and help the fence load faster.
Using the app start at one boundary point, press Pause and then walk (or drive) to the next point. Tap Resume and the system will snap a fence line between fence posts.
Create the fence
You’ll need a fully-charged collar and your phone to create a fence. Follow the instructions in the app to connect your phone to the collar and create the fence.
As you walk SpotOn automatically places one virtual fence post about every 5 feet. You don’t need to walk in straight lines—the boundary can be curved if needed. And if you stand still for a moment SpotOn will wait until
you move.
Complete and save the fence
When you approach the starting point the app will automatically inform you to tap finish. SpotOn will complete the fence and then ask you to name it. You can save as many fences as you want. Using the app, select and upload the desired fence to the collar.
You can also create an instant circular fence. Using the app, select Create a Fence and then select Circular Fence.
Test the fence
Once you’ve saved a fence, you’ll need to confirm the boundaries.
1. Hold the collar and stand well inside the fence area, at least 20 feet from the boundary.
2. Walk toward the boundary and when you’re about 10 feet away, you will hear the alert tone. Then at about 5 feet from the boundary, you’ll hear the warning tone.
3. Finally, the collar will vibrate once you reach the boundary.
