Q. Is SkyShepherd a tracker?
A. No. It’s more! It’s a containment system to keep your dog where you want it using virtual boundaries and progressive feedback. While trackers may also talk about virtual boundaries, they don’t keep your dog in those boundaries. They just let you know when your dog has left so you can go look for it. SkyShepherd also tracks your dog within range of the provided gateway, but it’s main function is to keep your dog in the boundaries you set.
Q. Who is SkyShepherd for?
A. Anyone with:
at least 1 acre of land they want to contain their dog within (the larger the area, the better fit with SkyShepherd)
that has up to a moderate canopy of foliage covering the area
a dog that is at least 20 lbs (or will be in adulthood)
that is at least six months of age
it helps if the dog is trained on basic obedience, like sit, stay, here/come, and walks well on leash
Q. How can I purchase a SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar?
A. SkyShepherd is for sale in Minnesota and neighboring states right now. If you live in this area, use the SHOP button above to purchase a SkyShepherd collar. If you don’t live in this area and you want to know when you will be able to SkyShepherd, fill out an information request form.
Q. Is there any place that the SkyShepherd GPS fence can’t be set up?
A. The SkyShepherd GPS fence is best suited to properties of one acre or more due to the space required for the alert zones to guide a dog and the practicalities of GPS accuracy. SkyShepherd currently assumes about 10 - 15 feet of variance, and each Alert Zone (there are two progressive alert zones between Safe Zone and Out Zone) is about 3 feet wide, depending on the size of the boundary (the larger the boundary, the larger the zones). Accounting for the alert zones and variance while setting up a boundary on sub-acre properties, depending on the size of the house on that property and the size of any other structures or features that take up space, the resulting space in the Safe Zone for your dog to roam may be less than optimal. Also, SkyShepherd will not contain a swimming dog, because GPS signals bounce off of water surfaces; it’s best not to create a boundary over water. We also recommend having at least 50 feet between your boundary perimeter lines and any sheer, tall structure, like a vertical face of a two-story house. Lastly, like all GPS based systems, densely covered areas of your yard will have a detrimental effect on location accuracy. This means of course inside your house, under covered structures, etc., but also if you have a lot of mature trees that form a canopy over sections of your yard. Additionally, high-tension power lines immediately nearby may cause interference with GPS.
Q. Is SkyShepherd a dog collar with GPS tracking that allows me to find my dog when he’s lost?
A. SkyShepherd allows you to see your dog’s location in the app as long as it is within range of the SkyShepherd gateway. That could be up to ½ mile in excellent conditions. With a large enough boundary, SkyShepherd could be within the boundary yet exceed its ability to reach the gateway with location and status updates. In that case you wouldn’t see your dog’s updated location or status until your collar was back in range. Even in that case, though, with a boundary activated, SkyShepherd would still be guiding your dog to stay in its boundary (SkyShepherd’s autonomous containment only needs GPS signal to work).
Q. What happens if my dog goes out of its boundary?
A. SkyShepherd is designed to keep your dog in your boundary. Even so, nothing short of a physical fence is a guarantee in all situations, and sometimes not even then. If your dog breaks through its SkyShepherd boundary, and you have the Shepherding feature enabled, then SkyShepherd will start guiding your dog back home. If your dog breaks through its boundary, it may be because its adrenaline was very high at the time. Eventually your dog’s excitement will lower to the point where your dog register’s SkyShepherd’s feedback again, and that’s when Shepherding helps to guide it back. This is a feature exclusive to SkyShepherd.
Q. Is SkyShepherd a dog activity tracker that can monitor my dog’s activity and health?
A. SkyShepherd has plans to implement dog activity reporting that shows where your dog has gone during the day. We’ve implemented this feature already in our field trials in previous years, and we plan to release it as a feature to customers in the SkyShepherd app when it’s ready. When implemented, you will be able to see where your dog has been. If you do this regularly, you will notice that your dog probably has a regular pattern of activity. If you notice your dog varies that regular pattern, that information could lead you to further investigate the cause. Expect more updates on this feature as it gets closer to release.
Q. How long does it take to set up a boundary/GPS fence perimeter on my property?
A. You can set up a boundary/GPS fence perimeter of virtually any size and shape in seconds by using the SkyShepherd app. Again, even though it is possible, we do not recommend boundaries of less than one acre. Also, you can’t create boundaries where the boundary lines cross over themselves.
Q. How does SkyShepherd work with multiple dogs?
A. Once you buy SkyShepherd, you set up a SkyShepherd account that you use to log into the SkyShepherd mobile app. In the mobile app, you create boundaries, and any collar you own will be able to use those boundaries. You can use the same boundary for all of your collars, even at the same time.
Q. How long does SkyShepherd’s battery last? I have heard that GPS technology in smart dog collars is a real battery drain?
A. SkyShepherd’s advanced battery lasts all day under normal use. We do recommend that you keep it charging whenever you're not using it on your dog. At a minimum, you should charge it once per day, overnight perhaps, like you probably already do for your smart phone. This will ensure that the smart dog collar has enough battery to last the following day.
Q. What is the Petcare Innovation Network, and what does that mean that SkyShepherd is a member?
A. The PCIN is a group of specially-selected companies chosen by Nestle-Purina for their achievements in innovating areas of the Petcare industry. Being a member means that a company has proven itself to be potentially disruptive to its respective niche of the industry, and that Nestle-Purina wants to give the company access to industry informational, relationship, and investment resources. SkyShepherd is the only member of the PCIN within the niche of GPS containment collars.
Q. What comes with the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar when I order it?
A. The main components of your order will be the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar itself (a small plastic component that houses the GPS components, various processors, and the feedback delivery contact grid), a collar strap to attach the unit to your dog’s neck, a charging cradle/gateway with attachable antenna, and product literature. This all comes inside a stylish and durable carry-case. The whole package can easily be carried in one hand.
Q. Will my dog automatically know what to do when I set up a boundary/GPS fence perimeter in a new location, or will I have to go through all the training on each new boundary?
A. Your dog learns the principles of the SkyShepherd guidance system the first time you train it. Each new Boundary Area should only require you familiarizing your dog with the new GPS fence perimeter. We recommend that you introduce your dog to the perimeter of each new boundary and observe its reaction to the alert zones.
Q. Can I create exclusion areas within a Boundary Area/ GPS fence perimeter?
A. SkyShepherd does not currently support cut-out exclusion areas. You can exclude something along the desired GPS fence perimeter by drawing it a certain way when you create it, but nothing truly inside of your boundary area can be excluded. Contact SkyShepherd Customer support for more information.
Q. Do I need to put flags in my yard for SkyShepherd GPS fence training?
A. No, you don’t. SkyShepherd uses feedback cues associated with different safe and alert zones to guide dogs. This method is very effective and doesn’t require the use of flags. The benefit of this is that you can take SkyShepherd with you wherever you go and your dog will be familiar with the feedback that guides them at the new location. You’ll be able to quickly train your dog on a new GPS fence boundary without having to stake out flags.
Q. What if my dog is already used to a different fence system?
A. Any new system introduced to a dog will take some time for the dog to understand. As long as you follow the SkyShepherd training protocol, your dog should respond appropriately. If you trust the training, and don't rush it, your dog should be fine.
Q. When can I begin training my dog with the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar?
A. You should read and understand the product literature you receive as a first step before doing any training with your dog. We also recommend you watch the training videos that you can access from our members' help center. You should complete all training steps in order, and in accordance with all product literature. That said, the process is pretty simple. You're basically training your dog to understand the different feedback that the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar gives. Your dog should also have passed basic obedience training before beginning, should walk well on a leash, and should have reached at least six months of age and at be least 20 lbs.
Q. How does progressive zone feedback work? How does it provide positive reinforcement for dogs?
A. Please review the Feedback sections in the Operating Manual and the Training Guide (available in the SkyShepherd member’s portal). They explain the zone feedback schedule in great detail. Essentially, each boundary you set up will have Safe Zone, two Alert Zones (First Alert and Second Alert), and Out Zone. Out Zone is not part of your boundary. It is everything outside your boundary, but when your dog enters “Out Zone,” it has in reality left your boundary, and SkyShepherd gives stim feedback when that happens (unless you turn it off in the app).
SkyShepherd gives positive reinforcement for dogs via a “Safe Tone” when it is inside of or returns to its Safe Zone. Each alert zone gives its own progressive feedback (First Alert = variable vibration and a tone. Second alert = variable levels of low e-stim and a different tone.) to guide your dog back to Safe Zone. Out Zone uses moderate static feedback and a tone to turn your dog back to Safe Zone. Depending on whether the Shepherding function is turned on, SkyShepherd can guide your dog back from Out Zone using a combination of feedback that is normally used in Safe, First Alert, and Second Alert Zones.
Q. Does the e-stimulation hurt my dog? What does it feel like?
A. SkyShepherd does not harm your dog. For a number of reasons, dogs feel stimuli differently than humans. SkyShepherd developers took all of these factors into consideration when optimizing the exact level of feedback necessary to guide dogs using e-stimulation. SkyShepherd's patented surface contact grid allows for low levels of power to be effective. Also, consider that SkyShepherd uses progressive zones of feedback that guide your dog back to Safe Zone and allow it a chance to turn around before experiencing static stimuli. The static stimuli used are effective yet harmless.
Additionally, as you train your dog, you can determine whether your dog needs e-stimulation to be contained in its boundary. Most likely it will, if not immediately, then eventually, but you as the owner can make that call if you are dubious about using e-stimulation. Simply turn off 2nd Alert and Out Zone feedbacks. You’ll then be attempting to contain your dog using only up to vibration. You can turn it back on and do training/retraining if you determine it to be necessary later.
Q. Is the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence affected by obstacles or cloud cover?
A. SkyShepherd is usually not affected by falling snow, rain or most other weather. However, because GPS signals bounce off of water, it is not advisable to try to set up a boundary with a perimeter that runs over a body of water. Additionally, it is best to have a sufficient amount of space between your boundary perimeter and sheer, tall faces like the side of a two or three story house or barn. It is best to have at least 50 ft. of clearance between your house or other tall, sheer structure and any boundary perimeter line. Dense forest or tree cover can also impact overall GPS dog fence performance. Similiarly, SkyShepherd is not designed for indoor use. Your collar’s detected location will drift while it is indoors. Walking outside into an open area of your yard will allow SkyShepherd to correct drifted position so you can activate a boundary. Keeping your collar in the charging cradle near an exterior-facing window will also aid in re-acquisition of accurate position once you are outside and want to activate a boundary. High-tension power lines immediately nearby may cause some interference with GPS signals.
Q. Does my property have to be an acre or more to use the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar?
A. The SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar is designed to work best on properties of at least an acre in size. SkyShepherd requires space for the progressive alert zones to effectively guide your dog making it difficult to create a large enough Safe Zone on property smaller than 1 acre.
Q. How reliable is the SkyShepherd GPS dog fence collar?
A. No virtual fence will be 100% effective at keeping your dog in your yard at all times. However, SkyShepherd uses the latest GPS technology and holds over 20 patents regarding virtual containment. We've also been field testing the collar for the past eight years with no dogs lost or injured.
Q. What is the biggest boundary I can make?
A. There is virtually no limit to the size of your SkyShepherd GPS dog fence boundaries. There are a virtually no limits to the amount of ‘pins’ you can create by tapping points to make the shape of your GPS dog fence boundary as custom as you want.
Beyond the size of the boundary, SkyShepherd does have some range limitations for notifying you and showing you SkyShepherd’s location in the mobile app. This does not apply to purely containing your dog, because SkyShepherd does that autonomously, all on its own using GPS signals. But to send you a notification that your dog has tested its boundary, or to show you its location on the map within the SkyShepherd app, the SkyShepherd GPS dog collar needs to be able to reach a SkyShepherd charging cradle/gateway. One of these charger/gateways is provided with purchase of the SkyShepherd GPS dog collar, but any SkyShepherd charger/gateway can relay notifications and location information from your collar. The gateway, which you connect to a Wi-Fi network using the app, then sends those updates to your phone over the internet. The range for the collar to be able to send updates through a gateway is about ½ mile, if conditions are excellent. The range is affected by terrain and some obstacles.
Last, there is the range at which you can directly control the SkyShepherd collar. If you need to activate or de-activate a boundary, change a feedback setting, update your collar’s firmware, power your collar down into low-power/sleep mode, or use Training Mode, you’ll need to be within Bluetooth range, about 30 ft. in good conditions.
Q. Will the patented surface contact grid work with my dog’s thick fur?
A. The contact grid needs to touch your dog's skin or be very very close to doing so. If your dog has an especially thick coat, you may need to trim your dog's fur slightly around the area where SkyShepherd will sit while worn, but most dog's coats are fine to wear the collar without trimming as long is the collar is fitted in accordance with the instruction manual. You can nestle the SkyShepherd collar into the fur to help ensure enough contact is made. Curiously enough, field testing in some of our testers has revealed that, aside from being better for their skin and allowing for lower levels of e-stimulation to be used while still being effective, it turns out the patented surface contact grid provides an even better connection than two pronged systems, which can readily shift and break connection, especially if not worn correctly.
