As a certified canine enrichment specialist and pet industry expert, I’ve tested half a dozen smart collars and wearable devices for pets over the last decade. I’m always interested in how technology can give dogs safe freedom while giving pet parents peace of mind.

For two weeks, I tested the SATELLAI Collar with my active Labrador, Burt, on hikes through the Pennsylvania woods and in the city. 

Here’s my honest experience with the collar and app so you can decide if SATELLAI is the right fit for your dog.

What Is the SATELLAI Collar – GPS Dog Fence?

SATELLAI is a virtual fencing system that uses GPS satellites instead of buried wires or physical fencing. Using the app, you can:

• Create fences of almost any shape or size, up to 100,000 acres
• Add a danger zone within a fence to block off spots like a pond, driveway, or shed
• Choose between tone, vibration, or optional static feedback
• Track your dog’s location in real time on a map that also shows your own position
• Monitor your dog’s activity and rest
• Use a beacon accessory to set smaller no-go areas

The collar is rugged, waterproof, and fits necks from 14-30 inches, making it best for medium to large dogs.

Setup and First Impressions with the App

Inside the box, you’ll find the collar, charger, quick-start guide, and extra contact points (for those who choose static correction). 

• The quick-start guide explains how to fit the collar, download the app, and pair it to your phone.
• Downloading the app and pairing the collar was straightforward. I thought it was fun that when I set up Burt’s profile, the app used AI to correctly identify his breed from a photo.
• The collar itself is on the larger side but Burt wasn’t bothered. When we took it out on the trails, several dog owners commented on it. 

Pro Tip: The app itself doesn’t have a guided tour, so I found myself clicking around to figure out the features. I found the built-in AI chat assistant. When I asked how to get started, it introduced itself as a “veterinary medical assistant” and sent me a detailed message.

Key Features I Tested With the SATELLAI Collar – GPS Dog Fence

Real-Time GPS Tracking and Escape Alerts

This is the feature that impressed me most! The map refreshed quickly and showed me exactly where Burt was, even in heavily wooded areas. 

I also like how the map showed my own location. It helped me to orient the map and find Burt.

If Burt went beyond the virtual fence, the app sent me a push notification and triggered his collar with either a tone, vibration, or static correction. You can customize the settings to differentiate between warnings and escape alerts.

Creating Virtual Dog Fences with SATELLAI

Creating or dragging a boundary in the app was simple and intuitive. I set up the virtual fence before leaving the house, but on one hike, the trail ran right along the edge of the off-leash wooded area; In some spots, the boundary I had set was too close to the trail, and in others it was too far away. Being able to adjust the fence in the app on the fly was very useful.

You can also add a no-go zone within a fence to keep your dog away from specific hazards like ponds, driveways or road crossings. 

Training My Dog to Understand the Virtual Fence

A virtual fence isn’t a magic switch. Your dog won’t automatically understand the boundaries just because you strap on this collar.

To use SATELLAI safely, you need to train your dog. I’ve done boundary training with Burt before, but every device is different. I started fresh so he could learn the SATELLAI system.

Our training looked like this:

• Short, daily, positive sessions (10-15 minutes twice a day)
• Starting on leash, walking towards a boundary to introduce the tone
  •  Pro Tip: The leash is for training purposes only. The SATELLAI Collar itself is designed for off-leash use and does not require a leash.
• Pairing the alert with rewards when he returned to me
• Gradually adding distractions as he got the hang of it

In addition to the tone alert, the collar also offers vibration, static correction, and a few quirky extras: You can tap buttons in the app to trigger an AI voice on the collar to say “Good,” “Go Home,” or play a whistle. These features are creative, but I wasn’t sure when I’d use them. What they do provide is more training time with your pup. As a canine enrichment expert, I see this training and bonding time as a positive!

Beacon: Set Small Boundaries 

It took me a while to figure out the beacon because it wasn’t explained in the user manual. 

After some exploring in the app, I figured out it’s a small accessory you place on something you want your dog to avoid. 

For example:

• Indoors, it could keep your pup away from the trash can or a baby’s crib
• Outdoors, I saw one reviewer mention using it to block access to a shed.

The beacon is a clever add-on for targeted boundaries in spots too small to map as a danger zone. It’s roughly the size of an AirTag.

SATELLAI promotes round-the-clock health monitoring, but in my testing, it only tracked activity and rest time.

The activity tracking was very accurate. One day, I set up a quick agility tunnel in the yard for Burt. We played for about ten minutes, and when I checked the app later, it logged eleven minutes of activity!

That gave me confidence that the activity tracker was reliable. 

Battery Life and Durability

SATELLAI promises up to five days of battery life, much longer than competitors. In my testing, the battery definitely lasted a long time, but I never pushed it to the full five days. I liked charging it by the door at night so we remembered to put it on in the morning before a walk.

The collar feels rugged and durable. The IP68 rating means it has the highest rating against dust and can handle being 5 feet underwater for up to 30 minutes. 

If your dog enjoys swimming in lakes or the ocean, you can use the collar with confidence. As long as the swimming time does not exceed 30 minutes, it is completely safe.

SATELLAI Collar: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Accurate GPS tracking in rural and urban areas
• Easy to create and adjust fences
• Unlimited safe zones 
• Works for multiple dogs in one app
• Beacon adds versatility indoors and outdoors
• Longer battery life than many competitors
• More affordable than some other GPS fence systems

Cons:

• Not ideal for very small dogs
• Subscription required for full use
• The app is under ongoing development, with more AI capabilities coming in December 2025
• Health monitoring is under ongoing development

Is the SATELLAI Collar – GPS Dog Fence Worth It? My Honest Take

For Burt and me, the SATELLAI’s biggest strength was its real-time map accuracy. The fencing features worked well once I retrained him to the new tone, and the beacon added flexibility.

The health monitoring and AI features are limited for now, but the battery life and rugged design stood out.

Compared to other collars I’ve tested, SATELLAI hits a middle ground. It’s not as polished as top-tier systems, but at about half the price, it’s a practical choice with excellent tracking.

SATELLAI is best for:

• Medium to large dogs with room to roam
• Families who want portable fencing for different properties or adventures
• Pet parents looking for reliable GPS tracking 

It’s not ideal for:

• Small dogs
• Advanced health insights or vital signs

At an MSRP of $499.99 (now $399.99 for a limited time) plus a service subscription of $9.99 per month, the SATELLAI Collar is a solid option if your priority is safe freedom for your pup paired with accurate GPS tracking. 

If you take your time with proper training, this collar can give both you and your dog more confidence to explore and make fun memories together.

FAQs

A Final Word (Disclaimer)

At Petful, our review integrity is paramount; we never exchange special treatment in our reviews for monetary or material rewards.

Nonetheless, when our readers click through to online merchants (including Chewy or Amazon), we receive a referral commission. This supports the running of our free blog, and we appreciate your backing.

For additional information, kindly refer to our Disclaimer and Discourse Section. 

As a certified canine enrichment specialist who’s spent over a decade testing products that give dogs more freedom while keeping them safe, I was excited to try out the SpotOn GPS Dog Fence.

SpotOn is a GPS collar-based system that creates invisible boundaries for your dog anywhere, without digging trenches or installing physical fencing.

After several weeks of hands-on testing with my senior chocolate Labrador, Burt, I can tell you this wireless dog fence system delivers on its promise! But it’s not right for every dog or every situation.

With such a big price tag, I wanted to see if this system would truly keep my pup safe and give me peace of mind. Here’s my honest review based on real-world use at our vacation property and favorite off-leash hiking spots.

What Is the SpotOn GPS Dog Fence?

The SpotOn GPS Dog Fence is a premium virtual fencing system that uses GPS technology to create invisible boundaries for your dog.

Unlike traditional invisible fences that require digging trenches and buried wires, this system works through satellite communication and a specialized collar.

SpotOn includes a waterproof GPS dog collar, charging dock, and smartphone app that lets you create up to different fence zones. These virtual boundaries can be set up anywhere from your backyard to campsites, hiking trails, or vacation rentals.

Key features include:

• GPS-enabled collar with customizable correction levels
• Unlimited virtual GPS fences that work right out of the box – no subscription required
• Mobile app to create fences and monitor your dog
• Multiple feedback options: audible tones, vibration, and optional static correction
• Portable design that travels anywhere
• Real-time tracking with optional cellular subscription
• Suitable for dogs over 15 pounds

Setting Up Your Virtual Fence: Easier Than Expected

The initial setup was very simple. Everything came packaged in a way that felt premium from the start.

The quick-start guide was intuitive with a QR code that took me straight to the app download. From there, I scanned the box’s code instead of entering the serial number manually.

The easy setup is great when you’re eager to start training your dog!

Charging was straightforward, too. The docking station design makes it obvious how to position the collar, and it charges quickly.

Two Ways to Create Your Fence

The app offers two fence creation methods:

1. Draw Your Boundary: Using the app’s mapping feature, you can draw your desired perimeter by dragging boundary points. This method is quick for initial setup, but the dragging can be tricky.
2. Walk the Perimeter: The more accurate method involves walking your property line while holding the collar upright. This creates precise GPS coordinates for your fence boundary.

I initially tried drawing the fence but quickly discovered the walking method produced much better results for keeping Burt safe.

However, fallen trees, thick brush, and thorns made walking the exact property line too difficult.

The best solution is to combine both methods. Walk the accessible parts of your perimeter to create the basics of your fence. Then use the app to extend the boundary into areas you couldn’t physically access. 

This way, your dog gets maximum safe space to explore.

Real-World Training: What to Expect

The SpotOn system requires consistent training with your dog using positive reinforcement.

You can’t just put the collar on and expect immediate results. It takes time for your pup to learn. For me and Burt it was a fun bonding experience!

The Training Process

The app includes helpful video tutorials and breaks training into clear steps:

1. Collar fitting: ensure a good fit and comfort for your dog
2. Alert tone training: 2-3 days of supervised sessions
3. Vibration training: another 2-3 days of supervised sessions
4. Boundary proofing: add distractions for 2-3 days
5. Observation period: monitoring your dog for 2-3 more days

For your dog to safely use the system, it will take 8-12 days of training. That timeline may vary depending on your dog. 

Training Reality Check

In our case, Burt needed significantly longer than the recommended timeframe for the initial alert tone training.

As a senior Lab who’d never experienced this type of training, he needed more than a week to master the tone recall reliably. 

He got excited for training sessions because it meant time together. Plus, he started to figure out that hearing the tone meant good stuff was coming his way when he returned to me.

It’s important to really nail one level before moving on to the next. We’re not rushing. I want to feel totally confident that Burt understands the fence before letting him roam free.  

Training Challenges and Solutions

There was another challenge we encountered early on in training. But this one was on my end!

• Challenge: The audible tone the collar emits when your dog gets to the boundary was difficult for me to hear. Especially training outdoors with wind and noisy leaves under our feet.
• Solution: This is where SpotOn’s customer support really shined! I messaged their support chat and they got back to me within 20 minutes with a solution.

The support person was incredibly helpful and explained that I could enable the tone to sound on my phone during training. 

This was a game-changer! I could hear the alert and praise Burt right away when he came back to me.

The customer support person also explained that the collar tone volume is set to a safe level and can’t be adjusted. I appreciated knowing it was designed with dogs’ sensitive hearing in mind.

Performance in Real-World Conditions

I tested the system extensively at our vacation home (about one acre of wooded property with notoriously poor cell service) and at our favorite off-leash trail system back home. 

The trails aren’t fenced and have roads nearby. Before SpotOn, I would have to leash Burt up in certain spots. But with the GPS boundaries set and working on our training, I can keep him safe while he still has the freedom to explore. 

Despite challenging conditions in the woods, the GPS signal stayed strong and reliable everywhere I tested it. Burt could explore and be his natural self while I had peace of mind.

What Worked Well

• Accuracy: Even in dense woods, the GPS maintained consistent boundaries. It’s important to note that the fence may shift 3-10 feet during the day. It’s like when you’re driving and your GPS map thinks you’re on the next road over for a short time. 
• Portability: Being able to set up fence zones for different locations was a huge win for Burt’s quality of life. I set up fences for our vacation home and hiking trails.
• Instant Alerts: When Burt did escape one day (he wandered to the neighbor’s yard), I got immediate notifications that kept coming until he returned to the safe zone.
• Battery Life: The collar holds its charge well, and the docking station makes daily charging easy.
• Comfort: The collar itself was very comfortable for Burt to wear. It’s not overly bulky, goes on easily, and the waterproof material means it won’t get stinky even after outdoor adventures.

Limitations I Discovered (And How to Work Around Them)

• Property Line Challenges: Our vacation home sits close to the road, which created some safety concerns with the GPS fence shifting. Some days we could exit the front door without triggering alerts but other days the beeping alert tone started immediately.
• My workaround: We started using the back door when Burt had the collar on. Or I put it on him after reaching the side yard. If your home is close to a busy road, this is something to keep in mind.
• Double Collar Setup: The SpotOn collar does not have a D-ring for to attach a leash or ID tags. Your dog will need to wear both their regular collar and the GPS collar together.
• Why this worked fine: Although I thought this would be bulky, Burt was completely unfazed by wearing two collars. The SpotOn collar is lightweight and comfortable, so wearing two collars didn’t bother him.

Comprehensive Pros and Cons

Pros

• No physical installation required – no digging, wiring, or contractor visits
• Super portable – works anywhere with GPS signal, perfect for adventurous pups
• Unlimited virtual fences for various locations your dog loves to explore
• Customizable correction levels that you can adjust for your dog’s sensitivity
• Outstanding customer support with quick response times when you need help
• Great training resources built into the app to support you and your pup
• Waterproof, rugged design built for active dogs who love outdoor adventures
• Real-time escape alerts with cellular subscription for immediate peace of mind

Cons

• Upfront cost – $999 plus optional monthly subscription fees
• Extended training period required, especially for senior dogs or training newbies
• GPS fence can shift 3-10 feet which makes it tricky for small yards or areas near hazards
• Minimum space requirements: boundary should be 80 feet at narrowest point and 15+ feet from roads
• Double collar setup is necessary for leash attachment and ID

Is the SpotOn GPS Dog Fence Worth the Investment?

After several weeks of testing, I think this system works really well for specific situations.

This system is perfect for your dog if you: 

• Have a large property (half-acre minimum) where your pup can roam safely
• Travel frequently with your pup and want portable boundary control
• Live in rural or suburban areas with adequate space for the GPS fence to shift safely
• Already have decent basic recall skills with your dog that you can build on
• Love exploring various off-leash locations together

This system may not be ideal if you have: 

• Small yards or urban properties where precision is critical for safety
• A home very close to roads or other hazards
• A dog with poor recall or significant behavioral issues
• Budget constraints that make the investment difficult
• No time to dedicate to training

This system also isn’t a good fit if you’re hoping for a “set it and forget it” solution. Even after going through all the training steps, your pup might need a refresher session here and there. 

The Bottom Line

The SpotOn GPS Dog Fence is impressive technology that does what it promises: reliable, portable boundaries that let your dog be a dog while keeping them safe. 

Creating multiple fence zones is great for families who travel or want off-leash freedom in different places. You can take this fence anywhere, and that’s awesome!

But success depends on training time and realistic expectations of how GPS works.

For dogs like my senior Lab Burt, who needed extra time to master the system, patience and positive reinforcement training were essential. This was a fun bonding experience for us.

At $999 plus subscription fees if you want to add on cellular service ($7.49-$9.95 monthly), this isn’t a small purchase. 

But traditional buried invisible fence systems can run $1,300-$2,500 per acre, and they only work it in one spot. 

With SpotOn, you’re getting something that can travel with you and your pup anywhere you go. 

If you have an active dog who loves adventures, plenty of space for them to roam safely, and you’re excited about the training process (trust me, it’s actually fun bonding time), this system could be a game-changer for your family. 

If you’re curious about whether SpotOn is right for your pup, take a look at their training guide or reach out to their team. They were incredibly helpful during my training journey with Burt.

A Final Word (Disclaimer)

At Petful, our review integrity is paramount; we never exchange special treatment in our reviews for monetary or material rewards.

Nonetheless, when our readers click through to online merchants (including Chewy or Amazon), we receive a referral commission. This supports the running of our free blog, and we appreciate your backing.

For additional information, kindly refer to our Disclaimer and Discourse Section.