This has been a heavily requested topic since ‘Archie’s Great Adventure’ a few weeks ago. So, I have been researching what is out there to help keep track of our dogs in the great wide world. A tracker has been a great piece of mind for Jessie while working on her training and it would have saved a lot of stress if Archie had been wearing one when he took his tumble and got stuck. They are also helping pet professionals to keep track of their charges while out on walks.
Now that isn’t to say that there are not limitations with these trackers.
They won’t work underground, for example. If your dog gets trapped in a hole or underground, then you will only have the last pinged location to work from. This is also true for getting stuck inside buildings or if someone takes your dog inside. However, these circumstances are rare and you still have a more specific last location of your dog than the one you might have had when they first disappeared from your sight.
There are 3 main categories of trackers for dogs:
Airtag style tracker via Bluetooth
GPS tracker via mobile network
Hunting Trackers via VHF and/or GPS
Let’s break down what each of these does, their pros and cons as well as some brands you can get in the UK.
Airtags and Bluetooth trackers
Bluetooth-linked trackers, such as Apple's Airtags, are small devices that can be attached to your dog's collar. They connect to your phone via Bluetooth and allow you to track your dog's location within a certain range. When doing my research, I found that these types of trackers are quite commonly used for dogs, however, I don’t think a lot of people are aware of one of their biggest downfalls, their limited range.
Leading brands for these are the Apple Air Tag and the Samsung SmartTag, there are other brands you can use but their reliability is questionable.
Let’s talk their general pros and cons:
Pros are:
Affordable
Easy to use and set up
Compact and lightweight (more the AirTag than other brands)
Can ping the tag so it sounds out
Cons:
Limited range (typically up to 100 meters max)
Relies on proximity to your phone or other Bluetooth-enabled devices
Not suitable for long-range tracking
Airtags only work with Apple devices, same for the Samsung version.
You might be thinking, well they aren’t all that practical then, but that isn’t necessarily the case. These devices are most practical for use in urban environments or enclosed spaces where your dog is unlikely to wander far. They a would also work great in combination of some other trackers due to being able to ping the device and get them to sound out. If your dog is stuck in brambles somewhere, this added feedback is perfect for narrowing down the area.
GPS Trackers via Mobile Phone Networks
GPS trackers that use mobile signals offer real-time tracking and typically require a subscription service, however there is one exception I will talk about too. These devices can track your dog's location over long distances by connecting to mobile networks and have an app you need to download onto your phone and connect to it. These are by far the most commonly used trackers for pets and as long as there is mobile network coverage, very reliable. You can also share the devices with friends and pet professionals so they can track your dog too.
Leading brands in the UK for these types of trackers are the Tractive and Pawfit, that require you to also pay a monthly subscription for the device to work, and the Pitpat, that you buy and do not need to ever fork out for a subscription.
In general, the pros and cons of these devices are the same.
Pros:
Real-time tracking over long distances
Additional features such as activity monitoring
Reliable and accurate location data
Long battery life
Built to cope with the great outdoors
Budget friendly
Cons:
Limited to mobile network coverage, so a bit useless in the middle of nowhere.
If areas of crap signal, the battery on the tracker can drain faster as it constantly pings for signal.
Accuracy reduces in dense woodland and deep gully areas.
I also wanted to go into a bit more detail of the specific pros and cons of each brand that I have researched in this category. To clarify, I’ve not been sponsored by any of these brands, I picked them out as they where the main three I saw mentioned over and over by the people who use them.
Tractive
This is the main one I see being used and have used myself on Jessie. The app is easy to use and updates very quickly for real-time tracking of your dog, Jessie has never managed to dislodge it despite being a bush diving maniac. They come in a range of types and colours and include an activity monitor. These things are built like a tank, and last well against the abuse of the outdoors. The range is potentially worldwide, if you pay the right subscription and there is mobile signal.
The one thing that annoys me about this brand, is that there are two subscription levels, so if you want to be able to use the tracker overseas or to have family able to track the devise as well, you need to pay more. It’s an extra £1 a month for their Premium Plan and I just think they should keep it simple and have one plan and include it all. But’s that’s my personal bug bear.
Pawfit
The Pawfit is the devise that Archie now wears while out on his walks. It is the other tracker that requires an app in order to work, but unlike the Tractive, there is only one subscription option, and it includes everything that the more expensive Tractive subscription does. It is slightly cheaper than the Tractive but you don’t have colour options to choose from. So far, being another bush diving manic, he hasn’t managed to dislodge it.
One feature it has over the Tractive is the ability to prerecord 5 personal voice commands for you to activate if your dog is out of hearing range. I love this feature and would also use them to record reassurance and a sound to be able to use in dense undergrowth or in places difficult to see my dog. The one thing I am still getting used to is the ID button on the side, that if you press it, tells you the dog’s name and owner’s phone number. Archie keeps hitting it on random stuff and setting it off, hahaha.
PitPat
This brand is an outlier in that you only need to buy the device, and no subscription is required in order to use it. That does make it more costly upfront but cheaper in the long run. They have two devices for sale, one is an activity monitor only and the other is that plus the GPS tracking aspect. Make sure you’re buying the right one for your needs. Like the Tractive, you can get them in a range of colours. It is also a bit more compact in size than the Tractive.
You do still need an app to connect to it, and I think due to the fact there is not a subscription, the app is a bit more clunky, and people have reported issues with how long it takes to update locations sometimes. These are also built like a tank and I love the wireless charging ability that they have.
Trackers via GPS and/or VHF
And finally, we have the overkill of the dog tracking devices. GPS hunting collars are designed for professional use, often by hunters, and come with a dedicated handset for tracking. Unlike the trackers previously mentioned, these are true GPS and do not rely on a mobile phone network to ping off. Some are also VHF based and work a lot more reliably in dense covering and under things.
You may have seen these used by researchers tracking wild animals and in the US on dogs hunting bears and other animals. Rather than a device you clip onto a collar, it is its own collar, and a clunky one at that. And while it would fit a terrier, at over 250g, it’s a lot for a little neck.
The main brand I could see and have personal experience with when using GPS for hiking and sailing, is Garmin. I also found a company called PACDog. Now there might be a moral issue for some, as both these companies also sell and promote e-collars and anti-bark collars.
Pros:
Extensive range and reliability
Durable and designed for rugged use
Features like geofencing and tracking multiple dogs
Cons:
Expensive
Complex setup and usage
Overkill for casual dog walking
I do not believe these are needed for pet dogs, in all honestly. Not unless you have exceptional circumstances. These collars are best for professional use in hunting or training scenarios where long-range tracking and durability are paramount. However, I wanted to be thorough in my research and I think it is important to understand the different types and uses of all these trackers.
Are you still reading? Well done for making it this far to the conclusion.
Now, for general dog walking, my preferred option is the GPS trackers via mobile signal and a subscription (Tractive and Pawfit). While they do come with a monthly or yearly fee, that, in my mind, sort of guarantees that they are going to continue to invest in their apps and have them run the smoothest.
However, if the long-term cost is not for you, then choose the Pitpat. I would also favour the PitPat over the others if it was something I would not be actively using on a daily basis.
There are also some extra steps you can do to maximise your chances of reuniting with your dog should the worse happen. Most of these are inexpensive compared to investing in a tracker.
It is ultimately up to you to think logically about the risk of your dog going missing. It can be a bit traumatising, experiencing a dog going missing, whether it is yours of someone you know. So having a game plan on top of these options can help you to process it.
Have a step-by-step plan saved on your phone of what to do if your dog goes missing. I have made a reel with these steps and will be sharing an infographic with them in due course.
Ensure your dog's microchip information is up to date. Ask your vet to check it next time you’re there to make sure it is both there and your info is reading correctly.
Use name tags that cannot be easily removed, such as flat tags on a collar, embroidered collars, strong o rings attaching to collar.
Get some hunting bells. We use these on our terriers who like to ferret in the undergrowth and so while not physically far from us, we can’t see them. The bells help us to home in their general location. You can also make Santa jokes at Christmas.
Make sure collars and harnesses are not too loose that your dog can slip out of them. I used to use a martingale collar for Bertie as his head and neck were the same size.
Join missing dogs groups on Facebook in advance, as they generally require approval to join and this can massively slow down spreading the word.
Keep scented clothing with your fresh scent on and dog bedding with their scent on, in your car to help lure your dog back if they go missing.
Have up to date photos of your dog ready to share, have a few from different angles and any distinctive features they might have.
So, there you have it. It might seem like a lot to take in, but the bare bones of it are that trackers are very handy and give many owners piece of mind and confidence. Whether you choose to invest in one or not, there are lots of other important things you can action to help if your dog goes missing.
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