GPS Dog Collar – Your Dog Tracker Guide
Welcome To Our GPS Dog Collar Review. Your Dog Tracker Guide.
Is there any feeing worse than realizing you don’t know where your dog is?
It can happen in a split second – one minute your beloved best friend is right there at your side, and the next minute he is just GONE.
Perhaps he heard a loud noise and got spooked and his instincts said, “Run!”
Or maybe he was taunted by the neighbor’s dog across the street and attempted a jailbreak.
Perhaps your child forgot to double-check the latch on the gate, or you didn’t realize your precious pooch had made such excellent progress digging that hole underneath your fence.
For whatever reason, while you can’t always ensure you and your dog will never get separated.
But, now there is a way to make it much easier and faster to be reunited!
That is what this article is all about.
Learn about the best GPS dog collar options and GPS dog tag products available today and pick the one that best serves your needs!
All of these products were carefully and independently selected by the Labrador Site team. If you decide to make a purchase from one of the links marked by an asterisk, we may earn a small commission on that sale. This is at no extra cost to you.
What is a GPS dog collar?
There is no doubt the use of what researchers call “tracking technology” is on the rise across the globe.
We are keeping track of friends via social media, kids via cell phone apps and pets with a GPS microchip for dogs.
This just makes sense: we have the technology, so why not use it for good? With a dog GPS tracking system, you replace worry with knowledge.
Whether your concern is over escape artist canines, pet theft, hunting dogs moving out of range or another risk, now you can put precautions and safeguards in place.
Even better, these great GPS locator for dogs options means you can tailor your safeguards to your unique situation.
Dog tracker uses
In today’s families, a dog isn’t just a “pet.”
Your dog is a part of your family!
So of course you want to keep tabs on your pooch’s whereabouts, especially if she might need your help!
Today, there are as many different uses for dog tracker technology as there are dogs and besotted owners.
Here are some of the most common reasons dog parents decide to invest in a GPS tracker for dogs, in order to….
- Give their pup some freedom to roam on their land safely.
- Travel with their dog.
- Guard against dog theft.
- Keep a dog from trespassing on a neighbor’s property.
- Make it easier to retrieve their canine escape artist.
- Be able to let their dog off a lead during hikes and long walks.
- Stay in touch during hunting trips.
- Facilitate special training (hunting, service, military, et al).
- Better understand why a pup runs away (gets startled, feels disoriented, scents another dog, et al).
- Understand their dog’s daily patterns and habits.
There are many more great reasons besides these to invest in a dog GPS tracker chip. Whatever your personal reason is, you can feel sure it is a good one!
Now all you have to do is select the right dog tracker system for your needs and concerns. The following sections will help you do just that!
GPS dog collar
A GPS dog collar can be a great choice so long as you do not remove the collar.
Many dog owners (and some pet sitters) get in the habit of removing their dog’s collar for comfort reasons, and there is nothing more heart-breaking than realizing your lost dog wasn’t wearing his collar when you got separated!
LINK AKC Smart Dog Collar – GPS Location Tracker, Activity Monitor
The attractive and sleek LINK AKC Smart GPS dog tracking collar*(paid link) won the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017 Best Of Innovation award as one of the best dog tracker designs available today.
The GPS dog collar works with a customizable app and a nominal monthly subscription. You can choose from small, medium, large and X-large collars suitable for pets 15 pounds and up.
TKSTAR Pet GPS Tracker.
The petite TKSTAR Pet GPS pet tracker*(paid link) can fit small and large pets alike via the adjustable collar.
Instead of a monthly subscription plan, you simply purchase a prepaid GSM SIM card (here is an example*(paid link)) that you can refill as needed.
To track your dog, you can use the app or the free online tracking portal and/or get text messages when your pet’s location changes.
Whistle dog tracker
The Whistle company is a known leader in the dog tracker technology field. Both of these Whistle systems are highly rated and can cover a wide range on land and water.
Not only can you rely on the Whistle technology to find a lost dog, but you can also learn a great deal about your dog’s daily habits and activities by studying your dog’s movements.
Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor
This amazing, highly rated Whistle 3 GPS tracking device for dogs* (paid link)uses both cellular signal and GPS to expand the tracking range to 3,000+ feet.
The unit does require Wi-Fi for setup and there is a monthly subscription. The battery can last up to 7 days before needing a recharge. You can set your pet’s safe zone and get alerts whenever there is movement outside that zone.
The tracker is waterproof and can even go swimming if your pet decides to take a dip! This new design is for any pet that weighs at least 8 pounds.
Whistle GPS Pet Tracker
This earlier model of the Whistle 3*(paid link) works very similarly to its recent counterpart, with nationwide coverage, on-demand alerts and a waterproof casing.
The battery lasts approximately 10 days and the tracker can be used for any pet that weighs at least 15 pounds.
Dog tracking collar
Each of these app-based dog tracking collar systems can give you up-to-the-second details on your dog’s whereabouts until you are reunited.
Tractive GPS Pet Tracker
This unobtrusive Tractive GPS dog tracking device works*(paid link) with the same brand Tractive LED dog tracking collar*(paid link)
The tracker plus collar can fit any pet 9 pounds or greater, is waterproof and offers nationwide geo-location coverage. You can use the app to track your pet’s movements.
There is a nominal monthly service charge.
Dog tracking system
Dog tracking systems are very popular GPS dog collar programs.
Eureka Technology Pet Monitoring/Tracking and Locating System
The Eureka Technology integrated dog tracking system* (paid link)works without any kind of monthly subscription service.
It’s able to track up to 3 pets at a time via a self-contained GPS tracking system.
The small device attaches to your dog’s collar with a rechargeable lithium ion battery that can last up to 90 days. Making him his very own GPS dog collar.
This system can track up to a 2-mile radius and works with pets weighing 10+ pounds.
There is also a newer version that works with pets weighing 5+ pounds*(paid link).
It’s been very well received and is well worth a look.
Find My Pet Nano GPS Dog Tracker
The Find My Pet Nano Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled GPS dog tracking system* (paid link)works with any GSM system to track your pet in real time and gives you updates every 60 seconds.
It syncs with a free app and the first month of service is free, although after that you will need to pay.
The battery can last up to four days before you need to recharge it.
GPS dog hunting tracker
If you hunt with a canine partner, equipping your dog with a GPS dog hunting tracker can give you great peace of mind so you can both focus on enjoying your time together!
Pod Trackers CU6595212318 2 GPS Plus Wi-Fi Pet Tracker and Activity Monitor
The Pod Trackers highly rated small and lightweight GPS dog hunting collar* (paid link)and activity tracker works in 175 countries.
It can record 8 hours of your pet’s movements for you to review via app and the battery lasts 6 days before requiring a recharge.
Whether you have lost your dog while hunting together or for another reason entirely, this tracker has a sufficiently robust construction and wide range for you to locate and reclaim your pet.
The first year of use is free and the second year is charged.
Dog Expedition TC1 Border Patrol GPS System and Remote Trainer
The portable, wireless Dog Expedition GPS-based system*(paid link) is perfect for hunting and camping trips as well as travel.
It has a range of 800 yards with an optional e-fence you can also use. The battery life is 12 hours.
It works best if your pet is 35 pounds or heavier. If you have more than one pet, you can purchase a second collar as well*.(paid link)
Best dog GPS tracker
We hope you have enjoyed learning about the many innovative gps dog tracking devices, chips and systems to keep your pooch close and safe!
Millions of pups go missing each year. On average, just 20 percent of missing dogs ever see their owners again. But these odds can and DO change when you use a dog GPS tracker!
Whatever GPS dog tracker system you choose, you can feel good about your efforts to ensure that if you and your pooch lose contact, you won’t have to be apart for long!
Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.
Resources and Further Reading
- Mancini, C., et al, “Exploring Interspecies Sensemaking: Dog Tracking Semiotics and Multispecies Ethnography,” Department of Computing, The Open University, 2012.
- Jackson, M., et al, “FIDO—Facilitating interactions for dogs with occupations: wearable communication interfaces for working dogs,” National Science Foundation, 2014.
- Webber, S., et al, “Interactive technology and human–animal encounters at the zoo,” International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 2015.
- CES Innovation Award
Free Labrador Updates!
Get my training tips, news, reviews, and the latest from The Labrador Site delivered to your inbox
I have the Findster duo+ gps tracker..no monthly fee was the main reason i chose it. Was very skeptical. It sounded to good to be true. But after 1 wk of use, I am very pleased. It does exactly what i want it to, tracks my 10mth lab pup where we hike.(forest mountainous trails) He often gets outa my sight. His recall is very good, but if a bird or an aimal spooks him he will give chase. So far when i whistle and look at the app on my cell, i can tell if he turns or keeps running(5-10 sec reload) they say it tracks up to 3 miles away.? (hope I do not have to find out max distance)
Battery is good for 7-8hrs of continuous use. I have attached it securely to a separate collar, that i can slip on/off easily when we hike, as we live on a lake and labs love the water, even tho it is waterproof to 3 meters. I am not prepared to test its waterproof capabilities quite yet. total cost was about $200 CA (incl: taxes, duty & other shipping chgs) only con: charger is tricky to align..but once I got the hang of it, it works.
Great article. Very informative. However, which is the most reliable one ?. I have read reveiws on a lot of these units and its a total mixed bag. Its hard to decide when many have only used the one that they have written a review about.
Thanks