A Guide to Best GPS Trackers for Dogs
Losing your dog is every dog owner's worst nightmare. GPS trackers are the best way to ensure you never lose your dog. But what is the best GPS tracker for dogs?
In the fall of 2019, my worst nightmare came to life. I was on a hike with my 10-month-old puppy, and I lost him due to an unexpected situation. He was missing for 27 days in the mountains, 40 miles east of Seattle, WA. Thankfully my story has a happy ending, and he was found on the 28th day. That night with my emaciated puppy sleeping soundly on my lap, I promised him I would never lose him again.
I spent many hours researching GPS collars for dogs. I read reviews, learned about the technology, and reached out to other people who used dog trackers to learn about their experiences.
No one should ever have to experience the agony I did over those 27 days that my dog was lost in the wilderness. I hope this article will help with making it easier to decide which dog tracker to buy.
Snow wearing his Dogtra GPS collar on trails
Why Should I Get a Pet Tracking Device?
A critical aspect of pet care is monitoring their location to ensure they are safe. Putting a bell on your pet's collar is one way to keep track of where they are. Luckily, now there are more accurate and convenient ways to track your pet.
You may not need to know where your dog is digging or how many steps they have taken during their last walk. But, a pet tracking device could be of great benefit to your peace of mind, and your pet's health. Most importantly, it could keep you from getting a call that means bad news about your pet's location.
The Benefits of Pet Tracking Devices
The obvious benefit of having a pet tracking device is that you can track your dog any time of day or night. You can see your pet's whereabouts by using an app on your phone that connects to the collar. This is especially important for high-risk dogs that are prone to run or wander off.
If your pet requires a specific amount of activity, or you need to monitor sleep patterns, a pet tracking device can also be helpful. Collars with these health-monitoring features are referred to as a Smart Dog Collar.
You can even use a dog tracker to monitor your dog with an app on your phone in real time. Some pet trackers have a location history, so you can make sure your dog didn't go somewhere he wasn't supposed to.
What is the Best GPS Tracker for Dogs?
There are a lot of options on the market, and even more confusion about how different tracking devices work. When trying to determine the best GPS tracker for dogs, the selection is extensive and growing every year.
The information out there can be overwhelming. Many boast GPS capability, some rely on crowdsourcing technology, and others simply connect to your phone via Bluetooth. Some have costly subscriptions and others are free to use after you've made the initial device purchase.
Some pet tracking devices are water-resistant or waterproof and can withstand high-impact play. Most are lightweight and come in a size that won't hinder your pet's activities.
Many GPS pet trackers allow you to designate a safe zone around your home. An app on your smartphone will alert you if your pet leaves that zone.
There are three main types of pet tracking devices on the market. Some have very basic features and others boast precise data on your pet's whereabouts 24/7 and even track the health of your pet.
So what is the best GPS tracker for dogs? Let's review the 3 main types of GPS dog collars and how they work.
1. GPS Tracking Collars
I'm referring to true GPS. Pet tracking devices that utilize GPS works anywhere on the planet, regardless of cellular connectivity. Many pet tracking devices advertise using GPS as a feature but still have the requirement of cell service to work properly. We’ll get into that later, and for now, will focus on true GPS pet tracking devices.
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. GPS is satellite navigation from a global network of satellites orbiting the earth that transmit radio signals to an equipt device.
In my opinion, a true GPS collar is the best GPS tracker for dogs because it will work anywhere.
Satellite orbiting Earth
What is a GPS dog collar?
A GPS dog collar is a two-piece unit consisting of a collar with a GPS receiver and a remote receiver. The collar (obviously) goes on your dog, has a big goofy receiving antenna, a GPS receiver, and a battery to power the GPS devise. You’ll get all sorts of looks from people when your dog is wearing one of these out on the trail.
The remote receiver looks like some sort of walkie-talkie and has an antenna. Some remote receivers have a screen built-in, so you can see where your pet is on a map. Others sync to your phone via Bluetooth and you can read the data on your phone.
A true GPS pet tracking device does not need cell service to work. This is a perfect choice for anyone who takes their pet hiking or on long road trips where cell service is spotty or non-existent.
An important fact about GPS collars
Remember that the GPS collar and receiver have to be within a specified range of each other to be able to send and receive a signal. Most GPS pet tracking devices have a range of up to nine miles in optimal terrain. This range can be reduced drastically in any areas where the signal could be disrupted, like slot canyons or thick forests.
Dog GPS trackers are the most expensive type of pet tracking device, but they typically do not require a monthly subscription. Once you make your initial purchase, you won’t have any more bills associated with the device.
2. Cellular + GPS Tracking Collars
These are the most popular option for pet owners. Unfortunately, more times than not pet owners don’t understand how these devices work. They think if their pet is wearing one, they will be able to find it anywhere, which is not true.
The marketing involved that boasts GPS use to locate your pet is very misleading. GPS is used to triangulate between active cell towers, thus being able to pinpoint a near-exact location. The location of your pet can only be found if there is an active cell tower to triangulate with the GPS. No cell tower, no signal to triangulate with, and no pet location. This fact is rarely stated clearly in ads or on websites.
Cellular tower
Subscription requirements for cellular + GPS collars
Cellular + GPS pet tracking collars require a subscription plan that is usually charged as an annual or monthly subscription fee. You're technically purchasing a cellular device and a line to access the network, and the monthly fee is much like a cell phone bill. The same way cell phones only send and receive signal in areas with cell service, your pet tracking device operates the same way.
Cellular + GPS pet tracking devices also typically only work with major carriers. If you usually take your dog on walks where there's AT&T service but no Verizon service, check that your device works with your local network.
3. Bluetooth Tracking Collars
Some tracking devices utilize Bluetooth technology, which has a very limited range. You will be able to locate your dog if they are within range of your phone, but not if they are out of range. The collar is useless until it can connect to your phone again.
Much like a Tile or AirTag device, Bluetooth tracking devices connect to your phone with an app. When your pet is out of range, the app will show you a last known location, letting you know which direction your pet took. Many Bluetooth devices also utilize crowdsourcing technology like Find My iPhone. If someone else has their phone set to receive a signal, the device will "ping" at a new location. This is helpful in populated areas like cities but is pretty much useless if you are somewhere more remote.
What Pet Tracking Device Should I Get?
There are so many options out there for pet tracking devices that it can feel overwhelming. A quick Google search of "GPS Collars for dogs or cats" brings up all sorts of reviews and opinions. Many articles are written with some bias as they are promoting a product they received for free in trade for an article. It is disheartening to read about so many GPS collars for dogs and still have to REALLY dig to find out what their true features and functionality were. The number one misconception is that cellular + GPS tracking devices work anywhere. People read "GPS tracker" and assume that means true GPS. It does not.
Here are a few tips and things to consider when deciding on what pet tracking device is best for you and your pet.
Where do you go with your dog?
If you're in the suburbs with strong cell service over many square miles, and you don't go hiking or travel much with your pet, a cellular + GPS pet tracker will work perfectly well for you. Most devices have the ability to create "safe zones" around your home, and you get a notification within minutes of your pet escaping.
Most pets stay within a small radius of their home when they escape. The chances of you finding your pet quickly if they are wearing a cellular + GPS collar are very high.
If you go hiking in the backcountry where there isn't cell service, you should get a true GPS collar. This will allow you to track your pet's location regardless of cellular coverage. Keep in mind that the range for the GPS collar to your receiver will vary depending on terrain.
What functionality do you need from your pet tracking device?
Many pet tracking devices offer a lot of bells and whistles that you may not need. Some offer sleep tracking, step counts, and health monitoring. Some GPS tracking devices are designed for hunting dogs. These trackers have features that tell you when your dog has treed an animal or is barking at something.
There are pet tracking collars that incorporate training tools, such as shock, vibration, and sound. Some collars have lights for better visibility in the dark.
Don't end up paying for a ton of options that you really don't need or will never utilize. The best GPS tracker for dogs will be different for everyone depending on your lifestyle.
Ask the company questions about their product
If a company's website is unclear to you, just ask them! Be specific and give clear examples of a scenario, and ask how the tracking device will work under the circumstances.
My Choice for Dog GPS Collars
For me, a pet tracking device is a no-brainer. The benefit greatly outweighs the cost and having the peace of mind that you can track your pet is worth its weight in gold.
Cellular + GPS collar
I personally went with two different GPS collars. My dog wears a Fi collar 24/7. The Fi collar is a cellular + GPS collar and only works if there is an AT&T cellular network within range of the collar. I chose the Fi collar because the battery life is outstanding and the technology used is more sensitive to cellular signals. The collar will pick up a signal when other devices might not.
True GPS collar
When we go trail running or hiking where there is limited or no service, my dog wears a Dogtra Pathfinder TRX. This collar is a true GPS collar and has a range of up to nine miles, depending on terrain. I chose the Dogtra GPS collar because it is significantly less expensive than other true GPS collars, but has the basics. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles other GPS collars have, like training assistance. It simply shows me where my dog is, which is all I need.
Summing Up
I'm not a representative for either of these collars but wanted to share what has worked for me, and why I chose them. I've been using both collars since the month after I found my dog again (over two years now!). I have been very impressed with the functionality and performance of both. If my dog had worn either of these collars when he was missing, I would have found him within hours instead of 28 days later.
Regardless of your needs, having some sort of tracking collar for your pet is a responsible safety precaution. It might just save you from experiencing the loss of a pet.
The best GPS collar for dogs will vary for everyone. If you have any suggestions or questions, please comment below!
