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The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 2024
The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 2024
Sep 21, 2024 11:24 PM

  It’s a dog’s life, as the saying goes, which is lucky for us when a dog’s life includes swimming in rivers, running up mountains, chasing friends in fields, and rolling in unthinkable messes. We tested the top dog GPS trackers so you can track where your pup ends up, even if you wish you didn’t (or didn’t have to smell it).

  Writer,dog mom, and gear-tester extraordinaire Carolyne Whelan has tested GPS devices for the past decade. Shes tried everything from wearables to cycling computers to handhelds to dog GPS trackers. Since moving to the mountains 3 years ago, she’s taken a deep dive into dog GPS trackers in an attempt to keep her (mostly) well-behaved wild beast safe.

  She and her pup, Broose, have spent hours upon hours in the mountains, fields, and rivers around Montana and Idaho testing these devices. She sent Broose off on walks alone and on group hikes with devices attached to her collar. Carolyne also reached out to others who use these devices to gain their insight and cross-reference her experiences. After testing six different trackers for a few months, Carolyne’s 5-year-old Chinook is ready for a nap. But together, they’ve gained deep insight into the best GPS trackers for pets to make your decision-making easier.

  No matter how well-behaved your canine companion is, it’s likely you’ve had an “oh-no”moment during an off-leash run, hike, or swim. In the blink of an eye, your pup picks up a scent and disappears out of sight. Or, maybe you have an escape artist on your hands who manages to get out of your yard periodically for some solo exploration. Whatever the situation, scroll through our list to find the best pet GPS trackers sure to keep your precious pups safe and keep your sanity in check.

  Learn what differentiates dog GPS trackers in our comprehensive buyers guide and FAQ at the bottom of the article. Our comparison chart can help you make a decision. Otherwise, read our full gear guide below.

  The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 2024 Best Overall Dog GPS Tracker: Fi Series 3Smart Dog Collar Best Budget Dog GPS Tracker: Tractive Dog XL Best Dog GPS Tracker for Off-Grid Exploration: Garmin Alpha T-20Dog Collar Best Dog GPS Tracker for Training: Link Smart Pet Wearable Best Dog GPS Tracker for Health: Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker Best Overall Dog GPS Tracker Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar Specs Price From $102 Subscription Varied and included with price of collar Dimensions 1 x 12.5-16.5” Tracking method GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, plus LTE-M (ATT) to help boost coverage Battery life 6 weeks

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20241

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20242

  Pros Long battery life Lightweight Always-on design Great coverage Cons Automatically “ends” a walk if your dog pauses Light is dim Carolyne Whelan The Fi Series 3 Smart Collar ($102 including a 6-month membership) is a sleek design that your pup won’t even realize they’re wearing. The GPS is super lightweight and integrates fully into the collar. This makes it a great option to wear consistently throughout the day.

  While you likely don’t need to be tracking your dog’s whereabouts while you’re both at home, having a collar with a constant GPS tracker helps for those feared moments when your dog may run away or be stolen. More than that, you never need to remember to grab the device or set the app on “walk” mode. This device also tracks steps per day, energy level/exertion, how long they’ve napped throughout the day, and their ranking among other dogs in the area and other dogs of their breed.

  Fi recommends always keeping the app open on your phone to ensure consistent tracking. If you do this, you will receive notifications when your dog leaves your home and when it returns. This is an amazing feature that only a few GPSs have, but most require you to turn this feature on while still in range. Fi delivers this info via automatic alert so you can rest easy.

  The downside of this feature is that it also automatically stops exercise events if there’s a perceived pause. This is a minor inconvenience, but if youve utilized the option of pairing the collar to your Strava account to keep up with your fitness, you may find that one hike gets broken up into a few short walks as your dog stops for bathroom breaks, water, or to say hi to some friends.

  If you end up being out late, the light on this collar isn’t sufficient for finding your dog in the dark. Depending on your dog’s coat, it may not be bright enough to act as a safety light. And because it always wants your phone to have the app running, it can drain your phone battery faster than you may like. Plus, the collar’s usefulness depends on your phone’s cellular connectivity.

  Fi promotes a social media aspect of its app, including the ranking system and Fi Community, where people can post pictures of their pets, comment on posts, and follow each other. The app makes it easy to see how beloved the Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar is by its users. After testing this smart collar, we understand why.

  $41 at Amazon Best Budget Dog GPS Tracker Tractive Dog XL Specs Price $56 Subscription Options ranging from $13/month monthly to $300/5 years Dimensions 3.5 x 2.0 x 0.9” Tracking method GPS, GLONASS, Galileo Battery Up to a month with minimal live tracking

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20243

  Pros Long battery life Waterproof Easy to attach and remove Cons Heavy and bulky Requires connection to phone Carolyne Whelan If you have an active dog who is an escape artist and likes to roam the woods, go swimming, and play rough, the Tractive Dog XL ($56 with monthly plans starting at $6 per month) may be the device for you. It’s been able to keep up with tracking all over the local mountains here in Montana, even in areas that are difficult for phones and other devices to track.

  We were still able to track the device as long as the paired phone was in range of cell towers even when we took the device to places without cell coverage. This makes it helpful for tracking a dog and seeing which direction they’ve gone in, though, like any phone-based product, it can be challenging to maintain a connection.

  The connection on this device is very good, and updates every few minutes to keep up with your dog’s whereabouts. You can use precision tracking to show a more specified location and use the device’s light and sound options to find your pup once you come in close enough range.

  The live tracking option will drain your device’s and your phone’s battery more quickly but will give a precise and more rapidly updated location for 5 minutes at a time. This is ideal if your dog has caught a scent and you need to keep up with their path of travel.

  The Tractive XL is rather large. So, if your dog stays basically in the same locations where the tracker has regular Wi-Fi access, which helps keep the battery charged, the smaller Tractive Dog 4 may be a smart option for smaller dogs.

  The Tractive XL can also drain your phone battery and requires a phone connection. This is problematic if youre adventuring in an area without cell coverage. The device won’t lose coverage because it utilizes several satellite systems. But, the Tractive won’t be able to connect to a phone that’s out of cell coverage.

  With consistent wear, Tractive also keeps track of general patterns for your dog, such as how often they sleep, how many minutes of activity they get daily, and how many calories they burn. Using the app, you can let the device know manually when you are going for a walk. This information creates a general health profile for your pup, and the app will send you alerts for any changes.

  The Tractive Dog 4 and Tractive Dog XL set goals for how many minutes of activity and rest are ideal based on your dog’s breed, age, and weight. They also keep a calendar of their activity so you can keep track of walk patterns. Both the Tractive XL and Tractive 4 are ideal budget options for dog owners who want to keep track of their pups location, health, and activity levels.

  $49 at Amazoncheck price at tractive Best Dog GPS Tracker for Off-Grid Exploration Garmin Alpha T-20 Dog Collar Specs Price $300 Subscription None needed Tracking method GPS, Galileo Dimensions 3.2 x 1.8 x 1.4” Battery Up to 84 hours (non-continual use)

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20244

  Pros Doesn’t require a subscription Pairs with handheld to protect phone battery Great coverage Cons Bulky and heavy Requires handheld (sold separately) Carolyne Whelan If you plan on letting your dog off-leash in a place with limited-to-no cell coverage, the Garmin Alpha T-20 Dog Collar ($300) is the GPS product to check out. Rather than connecting to your phone like the other GPS collars and attachments tested, this one relies on a handheld device so coverage is never an issue.

  We tested the Alpha 10 ($400) handheld to pair with the Alpha T-20, which is the simplest and most affordable option. The Alpha 10 gives you all the basic information you need: how far away your dog is and in which direction they are moving. You can connect up to 20 Garmin collars on the Alpha 10 and keep up with where they all are, how many miles each dog travels, plus mark where your vehicle is parked.

  Additionally, you can send simple messages to people in your party or at home regarding when you are leaving or whether you need help. While having to purchase an additional item is a downside for an already expensive device, we understood the reasoning and value of this setup once we used these devices in the field.

  The T-20 collar is relatively simple compared to other Garmin models with training features such as sound and vibration stimulations. If you want a GPS collar with those features, try a Link (below) or a Garmin Alpha T-25. The pared-down T-20 version gives you less to fuss with, which, in many instances, is a feature in itself. It also means it has an impressive battery life — over 80 hours when set up for tracking every 2 minutes, its least frequent option.

  Because it’s not paired to your phone, it takes a bit to get used to the fact that you don’t have a map to look at on your phone. However, if you want to use an app with your Alpha T-20, you can connect the Explore app or Alpha app to your handheld to gain a greater sense of distance, direction, and elevation.

  A big issue with many GPS trackers is phone coverage. Whether or not the tracker uses GPS, Galileo, or cell coverage, once out of range for phones, the app-based trackers can’t keep up with the devices. This is the biggest benefit of the Garmin Alpha T-20 Dog Collar and the reason Garmin dog trackers are so popular for anyone interested in spending serious time in the backcountry with their dogs.

  $300 at Amazoncheck price at garmin Best Dog GPS Tracker for Training Link Smart Pet Wearable Specs Price $149 Subscription Varied from $9.99/month monthly to $288/3 years Dimensions 2.25 x 1.4 x 0.8” Tracking method GPS via Verizon LTE-M, Bluetooth Battery 3-4 weeks

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20245

  Pros Extremely bright light makes dogs visible even in brush Vibration and sound help get dogs attention for training Portable home base and ambient temperature alert make it great for van life Cons App can be glitchy, making using training features inconsistent Carolyne Whelan While Broose is extremely well-behaved 90% of the time, she still has a wild streak in her. When she’s feeling zoomie in the woods, she can catch a scent and tune out the world to all but that sense. The Link Smart Pet Wearable ($149, with plans starting at $6.88 per month) is a great tool for breaking those heavy focus moments and bringing your pet back to your side. Using the vibration tool has helped snap her back into focus and come running. Link has a learning section with links to YouTube videos on how to use its device for training.

  The Link has a Track feature that can be used when your dog is not with you. Utilizing this feature and the Light or the Sound features help you get your eyes back on your pooch in no time. While the sound isn’t particularly loud (we wouldn’t want it to be louder, considering its proximity to the pup’s ears), the light is extremely bright. Despite the brush cover and fallen trees in the area, we felt very safe letting her run off-leash in our local river trails system at night.

  Every once in a while, features cut in and out on the app itself. We fixed this by simply closing and reopening the app. We hope a bug fix in the app will solve those problems. However, it did make us question its reliability, but we will continue testing (stay tuned for updates) to see if Link solves this issue.

  The Link Smart Pet Wearable has other features like activity monitoring, health tracking, and symptom analysis, but the vibration and strong light are really where this little device shines (pun intended). We look forward to seeing app updates to truly bring out the best in this smart GPS trainer.

  $99 at Amazoncheck price at link Best Dog GPS Tracker for Health Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker Specs Price $129 Subscription $99 per year Dimensions 1.75 x 1.25 x 0.75” Tracking method GPS via ATT 4G LTE-M Battery 2 weeks

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20246

  Pros Small and lightweight Monitors health Fast notification when your pet leaves safety zone Cons Relies on cell coverage for tracking Requires subscription Carolyne Whelan The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker ($129 plus $99 per year) tracker monitors your dog’s well-being. If you live in an area with good ATT coverage and want one simple, lightweight device to help you keep track of your pet, this may be the device for you. Through a combination of GPS monitoring, manual input, and AI, Whistle Go Explore 2.0 keeps track of everything from diet and drinking habits to stool sample analysis and exercise history.

  Whistle uses Vetinsights to help you reach out to a vet directly from the app if you see any tracked behaviors that warrant a closer look. This can ultimately save hundreds of dollars in costly vet bills, plus the time and stress on your pet to make the trip to the doctor’s office. This feature will not replace a relationship with a trusted local veterinarian but can help triage before putting your dog through the ordeal of a vet visit.

  If you need a vet visit, you can easily email your pet’s health report right from the app (or download it for your records) with all the data you’ve been collecting. This provides a much more holistic perspective of your dog’s condition than just a brief examination.

  Since it only uses ATT cell towers, coverage may be limited in your area or where you plan on traveling. Whistle has a generous 30-day return policy, so if you think you have adequate coverage in your area, you can purchase the Whistle Go Explore 2.0 with the year subscription, confirm that it works, and return it if you can’t use it to your liking.

  The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 notifies us when Broose leaves or returns to the safe zone faster than any other tracker we’ve tested, which can be especially helpful for escape artists. It also sends push notifications with specific locations if your wandering dog pauses somewhere so you can quickly track them down without having to stare at your phone.

  Whether we’ve walked to the grocery store and the device sends periodic push notifications that she’s still patiently waiting outside, or we are hiking through the woods and she gets distracted with a rotting log (hey, we all have our thing), this feature on the Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker has come in handy many times.

  check price at whistle Best of the Rest Cube GPS Tracker Specs Price $99 Subscription $198/year or $19.95/month Dimensions 2.75 x 1.57 x 0.64” Tracking method GPS, cell tower triangulation, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Battery 10-60 days, average 3 weeks

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20247

  Pros Easy to attach Easy to use Live tracking updates rapidly Cons Subscription is expensive It’s a bit bulky on the collar Carolyne Whelan The Cube GPS Tracker ($99 plus $198/year subscription) isn’t specifically for dogs, but it’s been making a name for itself in the world of pet tracking. While this tracker has a simple design and utilizes more urban tracking devices, it does have some unexpected features.

  Using the history tool, you can scroll back and see the paths your pet has taken each day, which is helpful if tracking down the wanderings of a lost pet. As an added bonus, it pairs with Apple Maps so when you are separated from your pet, you can get directions to their location directly from the Cube app, rather than trying to copy GPS coordinates or guess whereabouts on a separate map. This feature mainly works in urban settings, though, where you would follow streets rather than trails or bushwhacking through brush.

  You can share the device with others so they can also track your pet, which comes in handy for a family or in a shared home. A pairing button on the back of the device also works as a notification button that will send a text to anyone with access to that pet. You can let them know you are safe, are in danger, or need a rescue based on how many times you hit the button. We found this option to work inconsistently, but it is a nice emergency option to have.

  The ringer on this tracker isn’t incredibly loud and only works within 100 feet or so, but we did find it handy when walking in a favorite section of woods with many downed trees and bushes. As a training device, the ring is too long to get your dogs attention and turn off quickly.

  This device also alerts you whenever the temperature rises to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. While that sounds very hot, it allows your pet to do some safe sunbathing without setting off alarms. But, it also offers peace of mind that you’ll be notified if they become dangerously hot.

  This Cube GPS Tracker is a straightforward tracking tool. Or is it? Automated messages, quiet ringers, and high-set temperature readings are all potentially useful tools that still need a bit of tweaking. But, when it comes down to it, this device is a solid option if all you want to know is: Where’s Fido?

  $25 at Amazoncheck price at cubetracker FitBark GPS Specs Price $100 Subscription Varied from $9.95/month monthly to $214.20/3 years Dimensions 1.86 x 1.18 x 0.61″ Tracking method GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SBAS and QZSS, plus cellular (Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile) Battery Roughly 3 weeks with typical use

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20248

  Pros Pairs with Apple Watch and Fitbit Tracks various health factors Small and lightweight Fantastic customer service Cons Battery doesn’t last very long Inconvenient charging Carolyne Whelan Despite its tiny size, FitBark GPS ($100 plus subscription) is a powerhouse of a dog GPS tracker, utilizing every form of tracking available. It sends a notification within a few minutes when your dog leaves the house.

  There’s an option to change this setting to make the notifications more instant, but it also has more false alarms and can drain the battery faster. And, as is it only currently lasts about a week on default settings, but multiple weeks when connected to Wi-Fi.

  Many of us who enjoy spending time exercising our dogs have our own goals or metrics we’re also considering. FitBark GPS not only tracks your dog, but it can also keep up with your own health goals. Pair it with your Apple Watch or Fitbit and you can see your steps and fitness alongside your dog’s location and activity. Or, check the app’s “Together Tab” to see your goals and metrics listed alongside your pet’s.

  Using the sleep and activity data, FitBark helps formulate a larger picture of a dog’s well-being based on other factors you may already know, such as dermatitis, frequent urination, and even separation anxiety. The metrics alone are interesting. But, seeing them smartly displayed paints a clear picture and delivers a wonderful tool for managing our dogs’ comfort.

  Charging the FitBark can be a hassle. The device has neat covers that clip on to protect the device and its charging port, but the cover is challenging to remove. Once it’s off, the proprietary charger must clasp onto the device securely enough to make consistent contact, which was sometimes harder than we wanted.

  The charger bites onto the device like a dog gingerly holding her favorite stuff. But, the device remains attached to the collar unless you’d like to cut the zip-ties that hold the FitBark onto the collar, so it doesn’t exactly lay flat on your charging surface in most scenarios.

  Such a small, lightweight device is an easy add-on to almost any dog’s collar, regardless of size (FitBark recommends your dog be at least 5 pounds to wear their device). And considering the metrics that can be tracked and the power of the GPS, the Fitbark GPS is a great value that at least offsets the financial cost of the occasional snipped zip tie.

  check price at fitbark Dog GPS Tracker Comparison Chart

Dog GPS TrackerPriceSubscriptionTracking MethodBattery
Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar

$102 Varied and included with price of collar GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, plus LTE-M (ATT) to help boost coverage 6 weeks
Tractive Dog XL

$56 Options ranging from $13/month monthly to $300/5 years GPS, GLONASS, Galileo Up to a month with minimal live tracking
Garmin Alpha T-20 Dog Collar

$300 None needed GPS, Galileo Up to 84 hours (non-continual use)
Link Smart Pet Wearable

$149 Varied from $9.99/month monthly to $288/3 years GPS via Verizon LTE-M, Bluetooth 3-4 weeks
Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker

$129 $99 per year GPS via ATT 4G LTE-M 2 weeks
Cube GPS Tracker

$99 $198/year or $19.95/month GPS, cell tower triangulation, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 10-60 days, average 3 weeks
FitBark GPS

$100 Varied from $9.95/month monthly to $214.20/3 years GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SBAS and QZSS, plus cellular (Verizon, ATT, T-Mobile) Roughly 3 weeks with typical use
How We Tested Dog GPS Trackers

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 20249

  We tested the best of the best GPS dog trackers so you dont have to; (photo/Carolyne Whelan) Here at GearJunkie, we are dedicated athletes, outdoor hobbyists, all-around adventure aficionados, and dog lovers. We travel deep into the wilderness and explore urban jungles, often with our dogs by our side. We know the importance of keeping tabs on your dog if they explore independently.

  For testing, we spent months hiking, traveling, walking, cycling, skiing, and lounging all around Montana and Idaho. We pushed these devices to the limits of their GPS capabilities high on mountains and deep in canyons. We went swimming in icy rivers as soon as they thawed to check waterproofing.

  Many times, Broose had multiple devices attached to her collar or harness at once. This allowed us to compare the response times and accuracy of the trackers in real time.

  Carolyne purposely brought Broose to locations where she could explore off-trail and beyond her sight. These situations offered opportunities to test GPS functionality and any stimulation like sounds or vibrations that come with certain devices.

  Broose is a 5-year-old Chinook mix. She loves the snow, swimming, and frolicking in the woods. At least once a week, she goes on a 7-mile off-leash hike with a group of adventurous dogs. We cycled through various devices to track her on these hikes. From these tests, we saw which ones were most trackable from afar and which best showed her minute-by-minute location.

  Overall, this energetic and well-behaved dog tested these GPS trackers hundreds of miles. She led the pack on cross-country ski tours. She chased after rabbits and deer. Broose helped her humans train for trail-running races and gravel rides. She spent plenty of time lying in her favorite sunny spot testing the battery life of devices while on Wi-Fi.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202410

  Broose traveled far and wide testing dog GPS trackers like the Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker; (photo/Carolyne Whelan) Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Perfect Dog GPS Tracker Dogs truly are humans’ best friends. Just like our human besties, our fur pals have minds of their own. They enjoy the errant adventure. And, they aren’t always the best at telling us what’s bothering them. With a dog GPS tracker, you may not convince them to agree with you on the best movie or to do a TikTok dance. But, you can at least track them when they wander off and help troubleshoot any ailments.

  With so many options, which one works best for you and your pup will depend on your specific needs. Use this guide to help comb through the jargon and find the best fit for your best furry friend. If all this wandering wears out Fido, check out our Best Dog Beds guide so they can rest as hard as they play.

  Types of Tracking Depending on where you live and what activities you enjoy, one type of coverage may be better than another. Cellular coverage relies on a mixture of cell towers and GPS satellites to give a location.

  When in an area with good cell coverage for the sorts of towers your device has access to, this could mean a more precise location than GPS alone. The Link, for example, uses GPS via ATT LTE-M and works fantastically in areas where ATT has great coverage.

  However, suppose you are out of cell coverage, or in an area that doesn’t have good cell coverage for the specific towers utilized by the tracker (for instance, ATT or Verizon towers). In that case, you may have a hard time getting a decent and consistent location.

  Galileo works best in mountainous regions where elevation is important. GLONASS is best for urban areas where the terrain may be flatter but many buildings and conflicting signals are involved. The Fi Series 3 and FitBark use a combination of coverage.

  They both utilize various satellite systems and cellular towers, making them more accurate. However, if you plan on going out of cell service, you need something that transmits information through satellites. This is where the Garmin Alpha T-20 shines.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202411

  The Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar uses a combo of tracking types and integrates a subscription into the overall cost of the device; (photo/Carolyne Whelan) Subscription Fees All but the Garmin Alpha T-20 require a subscription to utilize the GPS tracker functions of the device. This can potentially swing a devices overall cost and value, as well as the “set it and forget it” abilities. If you are looking for a device with a long-term plan, Tractive offers a 5-year premium plan.

  Most all the devices offer monthly rates. The Fi Series 3Smart Dog Collar integrates plans into the overall cost of the device. However, all others offer subscription fees as an addition to the device.

  The benefit of a shorter plan is if you use it for a short time. For instance, if you get a tracker for hikes but have an older dog who doesn’t have much more exploration left in her, or if youre purchasing it as a gift and don’t want to give someone 5 years of coverage if you don’t know if they will use it. Or, if you simply aren’t wild about commitment.

  However, the longer plans invariably offer discounts for signing up for longer periods and paying up front. So, if you know you will have a few years of use with the device you select, investing in that time may be beneficial. With so many ways to price your device’s subscription plan and the reasons behind wanting a longer or shorter plan, you’ll be sure to find something that works for you.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202412

  The Garmin Alpha T-20 is the only dog GPS tracker we tested that doesnt require a subscription to utilize the GPS tracker functions of the device; (photo/Carolyne Whelan) Health Tracking A dog GPS tracker can be as simple as letting you know where your dog is during a hunt or hike or a tool to monitor your dog’s overall health and well-being. Age, breed, general health, and lifestyle all come into play when determining your needs.

  The Whistle Go Explore 2.0 can truly help manage just about everything related to your dog’s wellness, from submitting photos of stool samples, tracking sleep patterns, having access to a veterinarian through the app, and being able to email the info collected through Whistle to your vet directly through the app. The Cube GPS, meanwhile, is a very simple monitoring device that puts all its power into precision tracking without the frills of health information.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202413

  We loved the simplicity of the Cube GPS Tracker; (photo/Carolyne Whelan) Battery Life Many of these trackers utilize Wi-Fi to lengthen battery life while dogs are home. This is great for the majority of users, whose trackers will be at home most of each day when their dog isn’t on a walk or otherwise out of the house.

  Some, like Tractive, allow you to enter multiple Wi-Fi networks which works great for dogs who live in multiple homes or go to daycare. If you don’t have consistent access to the same Wi-Fi network, though, this could drain the battery life of some devices with dynamic tracking. Of course, you can turn off the device to save battery life, but the trade-off is not knowing if your dog slips out of the safety area.

  Size Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so be sure to find a dog GPS tracker that fits your pup. The Tractive XL is a fantastic tool with a long battery life, but it’s also bulky and rather heavy. If you have a smaller dog, consider getting the smaller and lighter Tractive Dog 4, especially if you have Wi-Fi access to lengthen the battery life.

  Cube GPS and Garmin Alpha T-20 may also be a bit heavy for some smaller dogs; Whistle Go Explore 2.0 or FitBark may be more manageable options for smaller breeds. Link Smart Pet Wearable, meanwhile, is medium-sized but its body is rather lightweight.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202414

  The Link Smart Pet Wearable is a lightweight option that uses light and vibration to bring your pet back to your side; (photo/Carolyne Whelan) FAQ Why do I need a dog GPS tracker? We all want to think our furry little angels will always come when we call them, stay within our eyesight, never sneak out of the fence, and communicate all their needs. But sometimes, even the best furbabies catch a wild hair, need additional training, or worse — get stolen or lost. A GPS dog collar offers peace of mind whether you are hiking, camping, leaving your dog with a sitter, or just want to monitor their health.

  How do dog GPS trackers help me understand my dog’s health? While none of the collars offer biometrics like pulse or blood oxygen like your smartwatch (yet), there are some similarities to our own devices, such as how many steps are taken and how sedentary your pet is. They can also notice how restless they are during their sleep, which can help identify whether they are woken up to scratch itchy skin, nurse a wound, or use the bathroom.

  When collected together to identify shifts in patterns, plus adding additional information like eating habits, a holistic picture is painted to help identify problems or progress that may be difficult to notice otherwise.

  Are these devices meant to be worn all the time? That depends on the device. Some, like the Garmin Alpha T-20, are temporary devices worn during outdoor activity. Others, like the FitBark, are designed to be worn on your dog’s favorite collar at all times to track all their movements, not just specific activities.

  Depending on your needs and your dog’s behavior, you may prefer one style over another (or both!). If youre looking for other ways to boost your dog’s safety and comfort while wandering, check out our guide to the Best Dog Harnesses to find the perfect fit for your perfect pup.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202415

  The Best Dog Harnesses of 2024 A dog harness can improve connection, safely restrain your pooch, and allow for better control in a myriad of situations. Here are the best dog harnesses of the year.

  

The Best Dog GPS Trackers of 202416

  The Best Dog Backpacks of 2024 Get your furry friend ready to hit the trail with the best dog backpacks. From big gear haulers to sleek saddlebags, theres something for every pup.

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