Bruno The Rescue Dog: Safety First With Tractive GPS
Rescue dogs play a vital role in finding missing people - even if their work takes them into some tricky spots. Here's how Bruno the rescue dog stays safe with his Tractive GPS.
As dog parents, we always try to do our best. We train our pups, keep an eye on them, and make sure they’re safe. But sometimes, life happens. And sometimes, life happens to involve a cheeky, adventurous pup like Bruno — who now heads off on search & rescue missions safe and sound, with a little help from his Tractive device.
Here’s his story, in the words of his mom, Sara Doblmair.
Find out how your dog spends their time.
Read moreThe day Bruno went missing
I’ll never forget the day Bruno, my mischievous 2-year-old, managed to escape. We had overlooked the fact that the front door wasn’t properly locked, and before we knew it, he was gone. Panic immediately set in. We lived near a busy country road, and in those terrifying moments when we didn’t know where he was, my mind raced with all the possible worst-case scenarios.
Thankfully, we found him safe and sound — he had only made a quick trip to visit our neighbor’s dog. But that scare was enough for me to decide: I never wanted to go through that again.
That’s when I discovered Tractive GPS.
Everyday peace of mind
Since getting the Tractive GPS tracker, our daily lives have become so much more relaxed. One of my favorite features is the Virtual Fence. I’ve set it up at home and at my parents’ farm, where Bruno is allowed to roam freely.
Now, I don’t have to constantly check on him — I get an instant escape alert on my phone if he ever leaves the set area. This has been a game-changer for us. I can focus on what I’m doing, knowing that if Bruno decides to go on another little adventure, I’ll know exactly where he is.
Extra safety during walks & training
Bruno always wears his tracker when we go for walks, especially when he’s off-leash. It’s an extra layer of security that lets me relax and enjoy our time together.
But it’s not just about everyday walks — Bruno is also training to be a rescue dog. The tracker has been incredibly helpful for tracking his movements during training. In densely overgrown forests, it’s easy to lose sight of him, but with Tractive, I can see exactly where he’s been and how far he’s traveled.
Nighttime training with the new Light feature
Recently, I’ve been considering upgrading to the new tracker with the Light function. Since we often train at night, and eventually, Bruno will be deployed on real search missions in the dark. In these cases, having a built-in light would be an incredible advantage. It would help me see him better while he works, making our training sessions even safer and more effective.
Why I recommend Tractive to every dog parent
Honestly, I can’t think of a single dog parent who wouldn’t benefit from having a Tractive GPS tracker. Even if your dog is always on a leash, things can happen — a leash slips from your hand, a carabiner breaks, or, like in my case, a door doesn’t close properly. Far too often, we hear stories about lost dogs or found dogs with no way to locate their owners.
With Tractive, that worry disappears. Whether it’s tracking Bruno’s location in real time or getting an alert if he leaves his safe zone, I always know I’ll be able to find him.
Another thing I love about Tractive? The durability. The tracker and its attachment to the collar have held up through everything — wrestling with other dogs, running through undergrowth, and all of Bruno’s wild adventures. It’s reassuring to know that no matter what, Tractive can keep up with him.
For anyone who’s ever worried about losing their dog, I can’t recommend this tracker enough. It gives me the confidence to let Bruno explore, knowing that no matter where he goes, I can always bring him home.
Follow your dog anywhere
Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.
🐶 Got your own Tractive rescue story to share? Then drop us a kind word on Trustpilot or get in touch with us over Facebook or Instagram. Stay connected and discover a growing family of loving, responsible dog parents – just like you!
Sara Doblmair has been a dedicated member of the Austrian Rescue Dog Brigade (ÖRHB) for three years, training alongside her dog, Bruno, since he was a puppy. Together, they have already passed the IPO Area V test and are now working toward their IPO Area A certification, with the goal of becoming deployment-ready.
Besides her volunteer work as a search and rescue helper, Sara is passionate about dog sports, having achieved IBGH 2 in obedience. She is also training to become a course instructor at her local dog school in Schwanenstadt, Austria.
Read more: Looking For The Best GPS Tracker For Search & Rescue?
