Taking my dogs to the park is one of my favorite ways to wind down after a busy day, especially with the small window I have after school before it gets dark. I received a new tool from Roam 350 by Heel to test and assess. Full Disclosure: I reached out to Heel to test their collar, and they generously sent me two Roam 350 collars in the mail. While this post is based on my own experience, I wanted to be upfront about how I got my hands on these collars to review. This virtual leash, has a 750-foot range, giving my dogs the freedom to explore while keeping them safely within boundaries.
The available boundary distances are:
- 10 feet
- 25 feet
- 75 feet
- 150 feet
- 750 feet
These settings provide flexibility, enabling you to choose the appropriate boundary based on your surroundings and your dog’s behavior. For instance, a shorter boundary may be ideal for crowded areas, while a longer boundary can be used in open spaces.
I was impressed with how quickly both dogs adapted—it took just a few minutes for them to figure it out. As I moved around, they stayed right with me, enjoying all the new smells and the adventure. They weren’t distracted by other dogs or seemed to know where they could and couldn’t wander.
The Roam 350 is actually what I imagined years ago at our camp in the Adirondacks a collar that gave the dogs a boundary based on my location. Here’s what I loved about it, how it works, remember these are merely tools, you still need to be a responsible owner in control of your pet and you can’t always control what comes into your space.
How Does the Heel Roam 350 AutoProx™ Virtual Leash Work?
The AutoProx™ Virtual Leash creates an invisible boundary, which you can adjust from 10 feet to about 750 feet. If your dog gets close to the boundary, the collar plays a warning tone. If they go past it, the collar delivers a correction (a vibration or static shock) to help them return.
The system uses:
- Tones to warn your dog.
- Vibrations or static corrections if needed.
- LED indicators to show the status (green means safe, orange is a warning, and red means a correction is happening).
This combination helps your dog learn to stay close and safe.
How to Train Your Dog with AutoProx™
Training your dog to use the system is simple if you follow these steps:
- Start with the Basics
Use the manual tone button on the remote to call your dog back. Reward them when they listen (treats or praise). If they don’t respond, use a vibration or static correction. - Practice with Boundaries
Set a boundary using the AutoProx™ mode. Let your dog wander, but call them back if they approach the boundary and play the warning tone. Reward them when they come back. - Train While Walking
Once your dog understands, try walking with them while using the system. This helps them learn to stay close even when you’re on the move.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you run into issues, here’s how to fix them:
- Devices not connecting?
Make sure the collar and remote are both turned on and charged. If needed, press the reset button (use a pin). - Corrections not working?
Check that the static correction is turned on and that the devices are connected. - Not sure the collar is working?
Test it manually by pressing the tone, vibration, or static buttons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions about the system:
Q: What is the AutoProx™ Virtual Leash?
A: It’s a system that creates a virtual boundary for your dog. If they get too close to the edge, it warns them, and if they cross it, the collar delivers a correction to help them return.
Q: How does the collar warn my dog?
A: It plays a warning tone when your dog gets close to the boundary.
Q: What happens if my dog goes past the boundary?
A: The collar delivers a correction (vibration or static) to encourage them to come back.
Q: How do I know the system is working?
A: The LED lights on the collar tell you:
- Green: The dog is within the boundary.
- Orange: A warning tone is playing.
- Red: A correction is being delivered.
Q: Is the collar waterproof?
A: No, it’s not waterproof, so don’t let it get wet.
Q: How do I train my dog to respond to the system?
A: Start with the tone feature. Call your dog back and reward them. Over time, they’ll associate the tone with returning to you.
Q: What if my dog doesn’t listen to the tone?
A: Use a vibration or static correction right after the tone to reinforce the behavior.
Q: Can I change the boundary distance?
A: Yes, you can adjust it from 10 feet to about 750 feet.
Q: What if the devices won’t connect?
A: Make sure both the collar and remote are on and charged. Try resetting them if needed.
Q: How does it handle a dog running away?
A: The collar will play a warning tone and deliver corrections until the dog starts coming back.
Q: What if my dog stays outside the boundary?
A: After 20 seconds, the collar will keep playing a tone every second but won’t deliver more corrections.
