When we moved to our farm in Kentucky last year, we knew we wanted our English Setter Ivy to be able to romp and enjoy the rolling country hills while we were completing a dog fence, cleaning up the property, moving items in and out of buildings, and more. That’s when I learned about the Heel Virtual Leash Dog Collar, a modern approach design to help dogs stay close and focused without relying on the physical restraint of a leash or the manual work and focus required by a regular E-collar. It’s simply a “portable invisible fence” that sets a radius around you the dog owner as you walk together. I loved the idea of being more hands-free and have a collar help us keep her within a set boundary. After spending time using Heel Virtual Leash Dog Collar in real-world scenarios, here’s an honest breakdown of how it works, what sets it apart, and who it’s best for.

What is the Heel Virtual Leash Dog Collar?

The Heel Virtual Leash Dog Collar is a collar designed to keep dogs within a set range as you move holding the remote. The collar uses cues such as vibration, sound, or optional static correction. Years ago, we trained Ivy to return to the beep tone sound of a E-collar. We use the same sound with the Heel Dog Collar. This collar helps you communicate to your dog during walks.

First Impressions & Design

Right out of the box, the Heel Virtual Leash comes in an easy, storage pouch to keep all your items together and clean. It was quick and intuitive to set up. The materials are lightweight and the collar adjusts easily and sits securely around the neck without shifting or twisting. It’s clear the product was designed with everyday use in mind. The design is sleek and modern and not bulky or intimidating looking. The remote includes a comfortable lanyard to wear around your neck. I personally enjoy the set came with two chargers for both the remote and collar that are compatible with your cellphone or other devices if you need a charge in a pinch.

Comfort & Fit

Comfort is a big concern for me. I didn’t want it to reveal any signs of irritation or discomfort or feel heavy or rigid. This collar rests evenly on the neck, doesn’t dig in, or create pressure points. You can easily adjust it based on your dog’s neck size. It stays in place during walks.

How it Performs on Walks

The Heel Leash Dog Collar helps reinforce the boundary you’ve set by gentling reminding your dog when they drift too far ahead or lose focus. You can change the boundary distance based on the situation you’re in. Maybe you’re on a crowded trail and need your dog to “heel” to you, or if you’re like me, on your own property with lots of acreage, you can increase that boundary to much larger yardage. What stood out to me is how it vibrates and blinks on the remote when your dog has hit the boundary, so you know the collar has communicated.

Training Support, Not a Shortcut

The Heel Virtual Dog Leash isn’t a magic fix to recall. It works best when you have trained your dog to return with positive reinforcement to the sound. We always had treats in our pockets for Ivy to return to while using the beep sound. Switching between E-collar brands to this one was no problem for her at all because of the similar tone sounds.

What Makes This Collar Different

What sets this collar apart is proactive guidance rather than reactive correction. It helps reinforce boundaries in real time. This provides clear, consistent communication and a more relaxed walking experience. I can focus more on our time together walking knowing I had a support system in place if I need it.

Pros:

• Love you can determine the boundary with multiple options (from 10 to 750 feet)
• Safer off leash adventures with the boundaries centered around you
• Remote gives visual assurance
• Love that it is supportive to you in case you have to be hands-free or you lose focus
• More proactive than reactive
• Great fit, comfortable, more sleek design, and definitely lighter weight
• No subscription costs
• Works up to 3 dogs
• No GPS or cellular required

Cons:

• My current version is not waterproof, but they have recently upgraded this and I’m excited to try it. Ivy has taken my current collar into creek beds, muds, and puddles and it is still working fine. But I understand over time, it may not be able to take the abuse. The waterproof version should be a solution to this.
• The beep tone sound can be a little soft compared to other collars we’ve used but she doesn’t have any issues responding to it. The great thing is the company is very accepting of feedback and quickly makes updates as we’ve seen with the waterproofing design.

Final Verdict

The Heel Dog Collar delivers on its promise of making walking your dog safer, more controlled, and more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a training-support tool that prioritizes communication, comfort, and consistency, I would absolutely recommend the Heel Virtual Leash. It’s a smart, thoughtful solution for dog owners who want better walks without the struggle. If you’re interested in shopping for Heel, use code IVY10 to save. This link goes to my current collar and also has an option to shop the waterproof version.

Check out this video from our Instagram profile on how it works!