If you’re looking for Free Spirit Collar reviews, chances are you’re wondering if they’re worth buying.
The short answer: it depends on which one you’re thinking about.
For the longer answer, keep reading.
We’ll talk about the different models and whether either of them are good dog training collars to try.
Free Spirit Collar Reviews
A quick glance on Amazon shows us that there are quite a few listing for Free Spirit remote trainers and collars.
However, they all come down to two basic concepts. One is an electric fence system. The other, a training system. Let’s compare.
First, though, I should be upfront and tell you that I absolutely abhor shock collars, I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone, ever.
However, the Free Spirit isn’t JUST a shock collar, so I’m a bit more comfortable talking about it.
Free Spirit In-Ground Fence
If you can’t put up a physical fence around your property but still want your dog to have a bit of freedom to run in your yard, an electric fence might be a good alternative.
I say “might” because I would never, ever feel comfortable using one for my dog.
Her prey drive is so intense that she’d suffer the momentary shock if it meant getting that nasty squirrel once and for all.
If your dog isn’t quite so driven to take down Mr. Squirrel once and for all, though, electric fences can be a life-saver.
Since we’re talking specifically about the Free Spirit system, let’s look at its features, pros, and cons.
Features & Pros
- Kit contains “1 dog in 1/3 acre” system
- Expandable up to one acre and can handle unlimited dogs with additional purchases.
- Collar emits warning tone and vibration when your dog gets within a certain distance of the wire.
- Waterproof (thank goodness, otherwise it would be downright dangerous)
- Rechargeable
- Fits dogs with necks from 6-26″
- Customers say you can remove the prongs, so it’s not as rough on your dog’s skin.
Cons
- Shocks your dog when he gets too close to the boundary. (I know that’s the point, but I’m not a fan).
- Won’t fit toy breeds under 5 lbs.
- Can damage your dog’s skin, especially if left on for more than 12 hours.
- Hard to install, according to several customers.
- Doesn’t include enough boundary training sticks.
- Not foolproof, as some dogs simply don’t care about the shocks (or they do, but not as much as they care about getting loose).
Also, while the description implies that you can set the level of correction, customers complain that the collar actually increases in intensity on its own.
Recommendation
Since it issues tones and vibrations as warnings, I do prefer it over straight-up “shock first, ask questions later” models.
That said, you’ll have to really work with your dog and train him to understand what those vibrations mean.
You have to really know your dog, though. I’ve had dogs that stayed on our property and would have been fine with just a “hey, you’ve gone too far” beep.
However, I now have a dog that would say, “Shock, shmock, totally worth it!” as she comes back with her arch-nemesis dangling between her teeth!
- EXPANDABLE UP TO 1 ACRE WITH UNLIMITED DOGS: This kit contains 1 dog in 1/3 acre, but can be expanded to contain an unlimited number of dogs in up to 1 acre with additional purchases
- tone, VIBRATION AND 5 LEVELS OF CORRECTION: The collar emits a warning tone and vibration when your dog approaches the wire. If your dog continues, the collar will deliver the shock level you select to deter more steps forward
- WATERPROOF AND RECHARGEABLE: Whether it's raining or your dog enjoys puddles, this humane, the rechargeable training device will perform safely
- FITS ALL DOGS 5 Pounds. AND UP: Whether you have a small, medium, large or giant-sized dog, this adjustable collar works for all dogs 5 Pounds. and up with neck sizes 6 in. to 26 in.
- EASY TO FIT: Simply adjust the strap to your dog's neck, ensuring the contact points touch skin to avoid discomfort or damage to your dog's skin, it should not be worn more than 12 hours a day
Now let’s take a look at the free spirit remote trainer collar.
Free spirit remote trainer review
The Free Spirit Remote Training Collar is most commonly used to deal with excessive dog barking, although it can be used in other types of training.
While there are a couple of models, we’re going to look at the remote trainer option.
Out of all of them, it appears to be the only one that’s not a straight-up shock collar.
Let’s look at the features, pros and cons again.
Features & Pros
- Remote has a 330 yard range
- Includes tone and vibration correction, not just shock
- If you do choose to use shock, it has 99 different levels.
- Rechargeable system
- Waterproof
- Expands to 2 dogs with additional purchase (basically, same remote but different collars)
- Fits dogs with neck sizes from 6-26″
Cons
- Again, it won’t fit toy breeds
- Can’t just buy a replacement remote (if you lose it, for example)
- It’s not compatible with the in-ground fence system
- Several complaints about how it quit working fairly fast
- If it does quit working, you have to pay for repairs, according to several reviewers.
- Doesn’t always work up to 300 yards as advertised (some say it only works up to 75 yards).
Recommendation
Honestly, I’d rather see you buy a collar that ONLY uses tones and vibrations than something that shocks as well.
However, if you really feel that an e-collar is the way to go, then I’d much rather see you get one that isn’t just a shock collar.
So, while the reviews on Amazon are mixed, I’d still recommend the Free Spirit over most of the other shock collars on the market.
Okay, now that we’ve compared the two major types of Free Spirit collars, let’s go over some frequently asked questions.
- 330-YARD RANGE: This rechargeable training system can be used to train your dog up to 330 yards away, making it perfect for training in the backyard, hiking on the trail or hanging out at the park
- TONE, VIBRATION AND 99 LEVELS OF SHOCK: You can deliver your choice of tone/beep, vibration or any of the 99 levels of shock by pressing a button, matching the stimulation to your dog's temperament
- WATERPROOF COLLAR: Whether it's raining or your dog enjoys puddles, this humane collar will perform safely
- EXPANDS TO 2 DOGS AND FITS ALL DOGS 8 LB. AND UP: This adjustable collar fits all dogs 8 lb. and up with neck sizes 6 in. to 26 in. Train 2 dogs with the purchase of an additional collar
- EASY TO FIT: Simply adjust the strap to your dog’s neck, ensuring the contact points touch skin. To avoid discomfort or damage to your dog’s skin, it should not be worn more than 12 hours a day
Free Spirit Collar FAQs
During my research, a few questions seemed to pop up more often than others. So, to help you out, I’ve found the answers.
How to pair the Free Spirit Remote Trainer
The most common question is about Free Spirit Remote Trainer pairing and how to do it, Here’s what the manufacturer says (I paraphrased, but it’s the gist)
- Make sure the collar is turned off.
- Press and hold the collar’s power button until the light comes on.
- Keep holding it until that light goes off.
- Now, release that button and press the red button on your remote.
- The light on the collar should flash five times.
- Release the remote button, and voila, it should be paired.
Where can I find free spirit remote trainer instructions?
If you lost your original Free Spirit Remote Trainer manual , grab a new copy right here.
That link takes you directly to the manual and tells you everything you need to know about the Free Spirit Remote Trainer set up process.
What is the Free Spirit Remote Trainer add-a-dog collar?
Remember how both of the options above expand with additional purchases?
Well, that’s where the “Add-a-Dog” collar comes into play. You can find them both on Amazon. Grab the fence system add-a-dog collar here and the remote training collar add-on here.
- EXPAND YOUR FREE SPIRIT IN-GROUND FENCE: Add an unlimited number of dogs to your Free Spirit In-Ground Fence with this Add-A-Dog collar, or replace your old collar
- TONE, VIBRATION AND 5 LEVELS OF CORRECTION: The collar emits a warning tone and vibration when your dog approaches the wire. If your dog continues, the collar will deliver the shock level you select
- WATERPROOF AND RECHARGEABLE: Whether it's raining or your dog enjoys puddles, this humane, rechargeable containment system collar will perform safely
- FITS ALL DOGS 5 LB. AND UP: Whether you have a small, medium, large or giant-sized dog, this adjustable collar works for all dogs 5 lb. and up with neck sizes 6 in. to 26 in.
- EASY TO FIT: Simply adjust the strap to your dog’s neck, ensuring the contact points touch skin; to avoid discomfort or damage to your dog’s skin, it should not be worn more than 12 hours a day
For other questions about specific collars, I highly suggest looking through the Amazon Q&As. Often, you’ll find out more about the product there than you will in the Free Spirit collar reviews themselves.
Final Recommendation
Like I’ve said repeatedly in the past (and throughout this post), I’m just not a fan of shock collars at all.
However, if you do choose to use one, this would be my top choice.
I like that you can use beeps and vibrations before resorting to painful aversion methods.
Thank you for sharing your insights and your honest reviews. I will share this with my brother. He mentioned he needs collar for his dog.
Thanks for such an honest review! We don’t have a dog yet but this is helpful
What part of the dogs neck should the probes be on..
Some say the bottom of the neck and some say the sides….
I want to know the proper area to put it that would not harm the dogs neck…
Thank you
Kristi scott