Zach wearing the SpotOn collar.

Welcome to The Pampered Pup – your trusted resource for keeping your four-legged family members safe while giving them the freedom they deserve. I’m Zach, the guy who straps dog collars around his own neck and gets shocked (err… corrected – repeatedly!) so you and your pup don’t have to experience it firsthand.

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The Pampered Pup started as a humble blog exploring various pet products – from dog food (yes, I’ve actually eaten some to test it) to crates and traditional invisible fences. But as any good journey goes, our path evolved.

thepamperedpup.com homepage circa 2019.
The Pampered Pup website circa 2019

Around 2020, when the world was changing in more ways than one, I recognized an opportunity to dive deeper into specialized containment solutions. That’s when GPS dog fences caught my attention – first through research, and eventually through connections with innovative companies like SpotOn.

By early 2023, facing challenges with website rankings, I shifted our primary focus to YouTube. This move allowed me to provide more engaging, visual demonstrations of these products in action – showing rather than just telling you what works and what doesn’t.

What sets The Pampered Pup apart? Paws down, it’s our testing methodology. With over five years of experience working with invisible dog fences – longer than many products have been on the market – I bring a perspective that few can match.

Zach in the shower wearing the PetSafe Guardian.

While other reviewers might simply read spec sheets or give products a quick once-over, I strap these collars onto my own neck. Yes, you read that right. I personally experience every vibration, tone, and static correction that your dog would feel. I’ve been “corrected” multiple times by various collars to understand exactly what your dog experiences and help you make informed decisions.

I’ve personally tested and reviewed:

  • Multiple generations of SpotOn GPS Fence
  • Halo Collar (versions 2+, 3, and 4)
  • PetSafe Guardian (original and GPS + Tracking models)
  • Wagz Freedom Collar
  • Extreme Dog Fence
  • PetSafe Wireless Pet Containment System
  • Invisible Fence GPS collar

Each product undergoes rigorous field testing under various real-world conditions. I take these collars to different environments – suburban neighborhoods, open parks – and test them in different weather conditions to assess how cloud cover and other factors affect GPS performance.

My background in Chemical Engineering gives me a unique lens to evaluate the technology behind these systems, looking beyond marketing claims to understand how they actually work. I’ve even met with companies like SpotOn to gain deeper technical insights into their products and the engineering challenges they face.

Dog with glasses
Dog With Scrunched Face
Cool Cat Dog

Let me make no bones about it – my philosophy is simple: Find real solutions that work for real dogs and real people.

The reliability and accuracy of a GPS fence is crucial for keeping your dog safely contained, and not all collars perform equally. This is why thorough testing matters.

Zach testing the Halo Collar 3 in small spaces.
Zach testing the Halo Collar 3 in small spaces

I believe in complete transparency, so here’s the truth about static correction: it hurts. I know because I’ve felt it myself, multiple times. While I demonstrate how static correction works through personal testing, I don’t advocate using it as a primary training method. I appreciate brands that default to non-static feedback (like vibration and tones) or don’t offer static correction at all.

When evaluating these products, I look beyond just containment capabilities:

  • GPS Tracking: How accurate is it? How frequently does it update?
  • Activity Monitoring: Does it effectively track steps, walks, sleep patterns?
  • Battery Life: What’s the real-world performance? (Spoiler: most GPS collars need overnight charging)
  • Comfort & Durability: How does it feel to wear? Will it withstand daily outdoor adventures?
  • Ease of Use: Is the setup intuitive? How user-friendly is the companion app?
  • Training Support: What resources do brands provide to help your dog adapt?

My ultimate goal is to empower you to find the most reliable and effective solution for your specific needs and property, giving your dog safe freedom to roam and play.

You might recognize me from my YouTube channel, where I greet you with a hearty “What’s up, dog lovers!” before diving into reviews of these “bad boys” – strapping that bling around my neck and giving you the unfiltered truth.

Zach with Rosie

I’ve tied myself to trees, showered with collars, and endured countless shocks to bring you honest reviews. I was genuinely stunned by the performance difference between early Halo versions and SpotOn, and I’ll always share these revelations with you – no sugar coating.

Whether I’m testing the latest GPS fence technology or sampling dog food (yes, I actually eat it), my commitment remains the same: thorough, honest testing from your dog’s perspective.

I encourage you to explore our detailed reviews and comparisons available on this website and our YouTube channel. See these collars in action and understand the nuances of each system before making your decision.

At The Pampered Pup, I’m committed to helping you choose the best and safest option for your furry family member – because they deserve nothing less than the perfect balance of safety and freedom.

Keep those tails wagging!

Zach

Editorial Team

Helen Ledford

Helen Ledford
Lead Editor

LinkedIn

Helen runs a tight ship, and The Pampered Pup wouldn’t have made it to where it is today without her relentless drive for perfection.

An avid dog lover and parent, Helen harnesses her passion for canines and imbues everything she writes and reviews with her magic touch. She’s responsible for making sure everything here at pamperedpup.pet runs smoothly.

Estrella Bolton

Estrella Bolton
Canine Nutrition Specialist

When it comes to food, treats, or just about anything your pup eats, Estrella is our go-to contributor here at The Pampered Pup. She’s helped countless dogs and owners achieve their canine fitness goals, and she understands the various needs of the Nation’s most popular dog breeds from early puppy life to full-fledged adulthood.

Anthony Dewitt

Anthony Dewitt
Product Researcher

Anthony loves to tinker with the latest and greatest in household gadgetry. It’s what makes him the perfect fit for diving deep into the latest and greatest dog products that hit the market. From high tech, smart enabled doggy devices to the simplest of canine pleasures, Anthony is here to help us sniff out the mediocre products from the pack.

Puppy stand-in for Danielle Loughnane, freelance writer at The Pampered Pup.

Danielle Loughnane
Freelance Writer

Website

Danielle earned her B.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College and has been freelancing since she graduated in 2007.

When she’s not writing – Danielle enjoys going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with her family, including her two dogs – Indiana Bones & Candi.

Zach Lovatt - content creator at The Pampered Pup

Zach Lovatt
Research Fellow

LinkedIn | Instagram | SoundCloud

Meet Zach, the face behind The Pampered Pup. Zach brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, having grown up in the family business and spent three years in the biotech industry as a chemical engineer before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey.

With a passion for dogs and a drive to make a difference in the pet industry, Zach took over The Pampered Pup in 2023 and transformed it into a one-stop-shop for all things dog-related. From his YouTube videos eating and evaluating fresh dog food to their informative articles, Zach is dedicated to providing the most helpful, awesome, and entertaining content for The Pampered Pup’s audience.

Zach’s mission is simple: to connect with as many pet parents as possible, providing dog owners with the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions for their furry friends

Rick Allen

Rick Allen
Behavioralist

Website | LinkedIn | Twitter

Rick grew up practically surrounded by dogs, so much so that it’s as if he’s tapped in to their instinctual behavioral tendencies. We’ve seen Rick accomplish some major turnarounds with troublesome dogs – and he makes it look astonishingly easy. While we can’t all be as excellent trainers as Rick, we can thankfully learn some nuggets of wisdom from his contributions to The Pampered Pup.

Laura Ortega

Laura Ortega
Grooming Specialist

The Pampered Pup is built for all things interesting to dog lovers, but there’s no question that a tinge of glam resides in the core of our foundation. When it comes to making your pup look pampered, there are few more knowledgeable and skilled than Laura. She doesn’t just bark the bark, she walks the walk when it comes to making dogs look and feel their absolute best.

Jacquelyn Hooper

Jacquelyn Hooper
Public Relations

Jacquelyn is the Head of Public Relations at The Pampered. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in General Business, and has worked in marketing ever since. In her spare time she enjoys going to concerts with her husband and long walks on the beach with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Miley.

Dr Linda Simon MVB MRCVS

Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS
Veterinary Consultant

Dr Linda Simon MVB MRCVS is a locum veterinary surgeon who has worked in London for the past 10 years. She graduated top of her class in small animal medicine from UCD, Dublin. She is currently a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. 

In her spare time, Linda enjoys baking, yoga and running around after her young son! 

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