Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to our most frequently asked questions are listed below. However, if the answer you seek is not there, please check our ever expanding Halo Collar Knowledge Center where additional information can be found on a wide variety of topics.

Halo Collar

How is Halo different from other “smart” collars?

Halo is, first and foremost, the safest and most advanced virtual fence for your dog. But Halo offers so much more than any other e-collar. Halo Fences keep your dog safely inside the boundaries that you easily define, and prevents them from leaving (unlike other tracking collars, which only track and notify you when they escape). It also keeps track of the activity levels and exercise that result from the freedom the fence provides. Your Halo Collar prevents, protects, tracks, and trains your dog—and can even guide your dog home.

How has Cesar Millan been involved in the design of the Halo System?

Cesar Millan is the world's foremost expert in dog psychology, so everything the collar does, how it does it, and even the way the Halo Collar looks, have been designed in collaboration with Cesar.

How accurate are Halo Fences compared to other “wired” fences?

The Halo Collar's advanced GPS/GNSS system is extremely accurate. It uses the latest geolocation technology and is more accurate than your smart phone. Halo Fences are not created using a wire, so they can't be cut, damaged, and don't need to be installed underground. In additon, Halo Fence posts can be placed anywhere, and are not limited by geography or other obstacles that prevent the installation of a wire.

Will it work worldwide? Is it available for sale outside of North America?

All dogs speak the same language! Halo will work anywhere. But to make changes or see real-time updates, you need Wi-Fi and/or cellular coverage. We are starting in the United States but will expand to other countries soon. Want to be the first to know when Halo comes to your country?

How often should I recharge my Halo Collar and what is the expected battery life of the collar?

The Halo Collar will last for up to 30+ hours on a single charge, depending on factors such as having the most up-to-date firmware and how much time you are spending in the app.  You should remove the Halo from your dog each night, and charge it overnight so you can start the next day with a full charge.

Can the Halo Collar be worn in the water?

Halo Collar exceeds all industry-standard tests for submersion, swim testing, and salt water testing.

Mobile App

Does Halo work with iPhone and Android?

Yes, and you can download the Halo Collar app from the App Store or the Google Play store.

Halo Features

How does Halo keep my dog safely contained inside my Halo Fence?

When approaching a boundary, your dog will receive a customizable warning. This triggers your dog's associative memory, and your dog will learn that a warning means "keep away" from the boundary. Two more tiers of preventions are applied if your dog is distracted and ignores the boundary.

What are Halo Fences and how do I create them?

Search an address or select any location on the map in the Halo Collar app. A fence will be auto-generated based on property lines and Halo Fence guidelines in one tap. Easily edit your fences at any time. The GPS coordinates of the Halo Fence are automatically downloaded to the collar and remain there permanently (unless you edit or delete them). Halo Fences can't be cut, damaged, jumped over, dug under, and don't require any maintenance.

What types of feedback does the collar provide for my dog?

The Halo Collar is capable of providing six types of feedback:
  • Prevention feedback: Warning, Boundary, and Emergency feedback
  • Encouragement feedback: Whistle, Good Dog, and Go Home
  Each type of feedback has predefined default settings, but you can customize your dog's settings at any time. Your dog's feedback types can be set to use sounds, vibrations, or static. With the variety of sounds, vibration patterns, and static levels to choose from—including Cesar's various voice commands and his famous "TSCH" sound—you have complete control over customizing your dog's experience. With Cesar's guidance, you'll learn to set the best feedback for your dog's energy levels.

Does Halo use static feedback? When is this feedback useful?

Halo uses Static feedback that creates a sense of "touch" meant to mimic a tap on the shoulder (as opposed to shock collars which use an electronic pulse that is painful to your dog). This timely touch breaks your dog's fixation in dangerous situations and distraction-filled environments to keep them out of harm's way. You're never required to use static with your dog's Halo Collar—the Halo training process will help you customize the feedback that your dog will respond to. With a range of static levels available, you can provide the right tap-on-the-shoulder effect that is most appropriate to keep your dog comfortable and safe.

Using Halo

What is a Halo Beacon?

Beacons are small devices that automatically communicate with your Halo collar when they are nearby each other - even indoors. The Zone Beacon can be set to one of two modes in your app: “Keep-Away” mode or “Ignore Fences” mode. “Keep-Away” mode is used to keep your dog out of unwanted or unsafe areas by simulating the presence of a Halo Fence boundary. “Ignore Fences” mode can be used to create a portable ‘safe’ zone where your pup won’t receive any Fence feedback. The Remote Beacon can give your dog instant feedback of your choosing with just a push of a button instead of going into the Halo app.

Who will train my dog? How long will that take?

It's highly important that you are the one who trains your dog. Every dog needs a pack leader, so as a pet parent, that pack leader needs to be you! This will not only help with your Halo training, but will build the trust, respect, and love that is essential for a happy life with your dog. The training program is broken down into 5 steps with easy to follow lessons. It will take some practice and repetition. Every dog learns at different speeds, so it may take more or less time. Make sure to be patient with your dog, and they will learn much more quickly!

Is there a limit to the number, location, or size of Halo Fences I can create?

You can create an unlimited number of fences in your Halo app depending on your plan, and they can be created anywhere in the world. If you intend to go to a zero-coverage area, you can set up your Halo Fences before you leave, and it will work seamlessly. You can edit any fence, at any time (just be sure to practice this new boundary with your dog!). Each fence needs to include a minimum of 30ft x 30ft for your dog to roam safely, and can accommodate a maximum of over one thousand square miles.

What if my dog escapes the Halo Fence?

If your dog escapes beyond the three levels of protection provided inside your Halo Fences, there are multiple fail-safes outside of your fences that will help protect your dog. You will immediately be notified if your dog has escaped. In addition, with Cesar's expert guidance, you will train your dog to come right back home! Your dog's Halo Collar will use its advanced algorithms to intelligently determine which direction your dog is facing, so that they only receive prevention feedback if they keep running further away from safety, and so they'll never receive a correction while heading home! You can also see your dog's real-time location in the Halo app at all times.

I don’t have a yard of my own, or I live in an apartment, rental home, condo or townhome. Can I still use the Halo System?

Of course! One amazing part of Halo is the portability and freedom it provides. You can set up Halo Fences instantly in any location: at a rental property, around your apartment building, at a family member or friend's house, the park, the beach—the opportunities are endless! In addition, Halo Beacons can be used anywhere inside to provide indoor support, and your Cesar Millan training will teach you how to be the best pet parent possible.  

If I already own an invisible dog fence, how much training for the Halo Collar is required?

If your dog is already trained on another fence system, Halo can use the same sounds and settings that your dog has already learned. Your dog may understand immediately—but make sure to practice, and check that your dog understands your new boundaries! With Halo, you can even take the fence with you!

Will Halo work when I am out of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage (i.e. while camping or hiking in a remote location)?

If you intend to go to a zero-coverage area, you can set up your Halo Fences before you leave, and it will work seamlessly. Halo Fences are stored in the collar's memory and won't be lost even if/when it loses power or an internet connection.

Does Halo work indoors?

Indoors, the Halo Fence can prevent dogs from entering unwanted or unsafe areas. To do so, the system uses Bluetooth Beacons that trigger fence alerts when your dog comes near them.

What if I have more than one dog?

Each dog needs their own Halo Collar, and each collar can use all Halo Fences that are created on your account. Halo Fences can be turned on and off for each dog without affecting the other dog(s) on your account. We also offer a discount if you purchase two or more Halo Collars, but we also offer significant savings on your Pack Membership Plan for additional collars. If you have a Bronze level membership, an additional collar will only cost $3.99/month. If you have a Silver or Gold level membership, an additional collar will cost $4.99/month.

Plans

What is included in my monthly plan, and why is a plan required?

A plan is required to keep your collar active and access all your Halo collar has to offer. All Pack Membership Plans come with unlimited cellular data and automatic network switching on most cellular providers (AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile, and dozens more worldwide), so you can have continuous GPS with real-time location tracking and alerts. As long as your Plan remains active, Halo will provide all of your subscribed services and will also provide you with live support along the way.