Keeping track of your dog
Why do I need a dog tracker?
Have you, or someone you know, ever had a dog disappear while out on or walk or escape through a gap in a fence? If so you'll know the heartache and distress suffered while trying to find your beloved pet.
I you haven't suffered such a catastrophe - believe me you wouldn't want to feel that anxiety.
For peace of mind you might want to consider using a tracker.
What is a tracker?
A dog tracker uses the same technology as a car's satnav to keep track of a pet’s locations. The tracker is usually attached to the dog's collar to provide real time round the clock tracking, so you will always know where he/she is. With trackers, you can pinpoint the exact location, making it easier to locate them if they become lost or stolen. Some of these GPS Trackers even give an alert when your pet leaves a predetermined virtual area commonly called geo-fence. Modern technology has now made it possible to keep tabs on our furry four-legged friends from afar with dog trackers.
Have you, or someone you know, ever had a dog disappear while out on or walk or escape through a gap in a fence? If so you'll know the heartache and distress suffered while trying to find your beloved pet.
I you haven't suffered such a catastrophe - believe me you wouldn't want to feel that anxiety.
For peace of mind you might want to consider using a tracker.
What is a tracker?
A dog tracker uses the same technology as a car's satnav to keep track of a pet’s locations. The tracker is usually attached to the dog's collar to provide real time round the clock tracking, so you will always know where he/she is. With trackers, you can pinpoint the exact location, making it easier to locate them if they become lost or stolen. Some of these GPS Trackers even give an alert when your pet leaves a predetermined virtual area commonly called geo-fence. Modern technology has now made it possible to keep tabs on our furry four-legged friends from afar with dog trackers.
Take a look below at the responses given by our adopters on Facebook to one of our adopters asking for advice on trackers.
"While we do not let Max off the lead, as he has zero recall, accidents happen. He has reversed out of his harness, escaped from a neighbours garden with their dog etc. I am interested in getting a tracker as I could not bear the heartbreak and stress of losing him. Does anyone have experience of trackers? Which do they recommend, subscription? GPS? App?
It's a minefield and I don’t want to make an expensive mistake.
Advice appreciated please.
"While we do not let Max off the lead, as he has zero recall, accidents happen. He has reversed out of his harness, escaped from a neighbours garden with their dog etc. I am interested in getting a tracker as I could not bear the heartbreak and stress of losing him. Does anyone have experience of trackers? Which do they recommend, subscription? GPS? App?
It's a minefield and I don’t want to make an expensive mistake.
Advice appreciated please.
I have a Nano dog tracker. After Teddy went missing, I never wanted to go through that again. I researched the most suitable and took local advice as we walk in areas with very patchy phone signals. The nano will pick up the strongest signal from various networks not just one. We’ve been very pleased with it and are constantly checking it to see that it’s showing where we are. It hasn’t let us down yet. |
Tractive is the best one in my opinion costs you about £3 a month if you get the premium which works worldwide. Slightly less if you want UK only. This only works on mobile reception though. We also have one called findster which works on Bluetooth and has a 3 mile radius, no monthly fees. This is more of a backup for us for when we go to places like Wales that sometimes has no signal. |
I did a lot or research and decided on the Tracktive We got the smaller one which has a 2 day plus battery life on standby but we charge it between walks so it is always fully charged. If your dog strays you can switch it to live mode from your phone and get very accurate location displayed on a map and an direction arrow/distance pointing towards your dog. Depending on your location and cover (trees etc) it can take a minute or two for it to switch to live mode and get a fix so we usually have it on live mode from the start of the walk which significantly reduces the battery life but it still lasts the length of a good 1 hour walk easily. There is a larger tracker suitable for bigger breeds that has a much longer battery life and costs more. You do need to subscribe to their service for it to work but I noticed the device itself is cheaper to buy on Amazon (Prime) rather than direct and got it for £30. |
I didn't fit the tracker properly one one of our early walks and it dropped off in our local park. Using the iPhone Tractive app I easily found it, which is impressive considering it is not much bigger than a box of matches. Finding a dog should be easier ! We are delighted with it. I suspect that performance of these devices is dependent on your location but it works very well for us in our local country park which has a lot of tree cover (and is quite safe being away from any busy roads). Ozzie tends to dart off the path looking for squirrels which used to worry us when he disappeared into the trees and out of sight, but now we can see clearly where he is, he does not go more that 60-100 meters away, well out of sight in the trees but tracked by the app. He always returns to check in with us after his diversion. It has dramatically reduced the amount of stress on our walks |
Another vote for Tractive. My husband lost our dog for 40 mins today whilst out walking but could see she wasn’t too far away tracking her and managed to get her back. |
I have a Tractive for Jack. He disappeared for what felt like ages (probably about 1 minute) a few months back and ordered it that night. I have no complaints at all. Features include a bleep that you can activate to hear where they are (if they are fairly close obviously) and a light (which I've never used as he's never off lead in the dark) |
Want to know more about trackers?
You can go here for an article with more information and for the author's Top 10 tracker advice.
This link is provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; it does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Chimney Farm International Dog Rescue (CFI)of any of the products, services or opinions of the company, organisation or individual. CFI bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.
You can go here for an article with more information and for the author's Top 10 tracker advice.
This link is provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; it does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Chimney Farm International Dog Rescue (CFI)of any of the products, services or opinions of the company, organisation or individual. CFI bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.