What do dog GPS trackers do? What you should know

If you have a dog then there may have been a time when you realise that your dog is not where you thought the was or that he has run off when out walking or training.

When your dog clears off and you cannot find him this can be a panic inducing moment for many dog owners and, there are times, when dogs have not returned.

You may have heard of them but what are they and what do dog GPS trackers do?

A GPS tracker for your dog is a device that fits onto his collar, it transmits a signal which is received by your receiver, which in some cases is a mobile phone, and this shows your dog’s location. Using a dog GPS tracker will help you to locate your dog, useful if he ever goes missing or runs away.

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What is a GPS Dog tracker?

A GPS Dog tracker is a piece of technology, about the size of a small matchbox, that normally attaches to your dog’s collar.

The tracker uses the GPS or Global Positioning Satellite network. This is an array of satellites, orbiting the earth, that are used for many purposes, such as car navigation systems and others.

By sending a signal from your dog’s collar to the satellites, the GPS system allows you to see where your dog is, normally via an application installed on your mobile phone.

It doesn’t matter where in the world your dog is, so long as he is wearing his collar and the collar is working, you’ll be able to see exactly where he is.

One of the great advantages of GPS is it’s accuracy and you will know where your dog is to within a few feet, if not inches.

Why would I need GPS for my dog?

There are probably a number of reasons why you might consider a GPS collar for your dog.

If you go for lots of walks where your dog runs free then you’ll be able to see where he is if, for example he disappears.

Your dog may chase after something, a cat, rabbit, a mouse or something else and go missing. With GPS you will be able to find him.

There is a possibility that your dog could get trapped or injured, and, despite him hearing you call, he may not be able to get to you. With GPS you can work out where he is to help him.

Some dogs have been known to escape from their homes or kennel and if this happens you can use the GPS to track him down.

Sadly dogs have been stolen in the past and, so long as his collar is not removed, you can find him.

Are GPS collars safe for dogs? Things to consider.

In terms of the actual technology, yes they are safe for dogs, your dog will come to no harm from the actual GPS device.

There are a few things that you should consider before you get a GPS collar for your dog.

Check the size of the GPS device. Although most are the size of small matchbox, there are some that are too large for a smaller breed dog.

Some of the GPS collars that are available are waterproof and there are others that are not. This may be important to you if your dog swims or is adept at getting wet and muddy.

GPS devices attach to your dog’s collar. There is always a risk that the collar and anything attached to it could get caught or hung up on big sticks, wire or other obstacles that your dog may encounter. This could mean your dog being trapped or, more likely the loss of the device – but as it’s GPS you will find it.

What is the best GPS collar for dogs?

There are a number of GPS collars that you can choose from and selecting the best one is dependant on your needs and your budget.

Some collars require a subscription to use the service, a little like a cell phone subscription, and there are others that charge no subscription fees.

Typically the subscription collars allow you to track your dog if he is a long distance away. The subscription based Whistle Go Go lets you track your dog when he is down the street or on the other side of the planet.

You can find out more about the Whistle Go Go here.

The non subscription GPS dog trackers are, in our view, better value. Once you’ve paid for the device there are no ongoing fees.

You won’t get the same level of coverage as the paid for services and a typical non subscription service will let you see where your dog is up to about 3.5 to 4 miles away.

In most scenarios, when you are out with your dog it’s unlikely he’ll get so far away.

The PetFon GPS Trackers provide good value, they are small, tough and water resistant.

You can find out more about the PetFon GPS Trackers here.

Dog GPS Trackers on Amazon

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Can you implant a GPS in your dog?

No. You cannot implant a GPS in your dog. It is important not to confuse GPS with microchipping. The microchip that is inserted into dogs is a tiny, RFID chip that contains information about your dog – normally who owns him, and this is read by a special chip reader.

A GPS tracker is a matchbox sized device that provides location information. It is far too big to be implanted in your dog, it also uses batteries.

You cannot implant a GPS tracking device in your dog.

Final Words

We hope that we’ve answered your question ‘What do dog GPS trackers do?’ and that with this information you’ll be able to go out and find the best GPS tracker for your dog.

Whether you opt for a subscription based tracker or a non subscription option will be based on your personal needs and circumstances.

Whatever your choice there are a large range of options available for you to choose from and a great place to start looking for a GPS tracker is Amazon.