Dogs and drones – sounds like an unlikely mix, right? With all the reasons that dogs run away, any loving dog parent would want to stay on top of their safety at all times. So let’s explore whether drones are the best choice for tracking down a missing dog – and why a smart dog tracker with real-time GPS tracking is a safer, more reliable choice instead.

Key Takeaways

In dire cases, a drone really can help you find your lost dog. But in the end, the cons overwhelmingly outweigh the pros.

A drone can’t intervene in case of a dognapping attempt, may run out of battery midway, and might not be the most helpful for senior dogs.

To avoid a ‘lost dog’ situation, a smart dog tracker with real-time GPS tracking can be a smarter emergency measure.

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Do dogs and drones go well together?

Oftentimes, drones can bother dogs (and their parents) more than they can help them. Like this story of a Malamute who took down a drone that was harassing them in their own backyard. The owner of the drone was flying it in his neighbor’s yard without permission, stalking the frightened dog. This persisted for months, causing anxiety in the dog and a headache for the Malamute’s caretaker. Unfortunately, the ill-mannered drone operator ignored requests from the dog’s guardian to stop flying the drone over his property.

Then one day, the dog snatched the drone while it was flying just above his head and destroyed it. The drone owner tried to sue the dog’s guardian for damages to the drone. But in the end it was he who had to pay for what he’d done.

A Malamute sitting outdoors in a lawn with an ice cream cone in their mouth

⚠️ Besides having to pay over $2,000 for the dog’s medical expenses, the drone owner was banned from flying over the property. He’s also being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for failing to register the drone and other infractions.

As this example shows, drones may cause stress, anxiety and fear in dogs. And for dogs like Malamutes who have a strong prey drive, there’s nothing stopping them from lunging at something flying above their heads.

⚠️ Even Poodles, Labradors, Spaniels, Terriers, Setters, and Pointers have a strong prey drive. So they might not respond well to a drone either.

Studies have shown that flying drones around animals can result in behavioral changes and increased heart rate, which may indicate stress caused by the sound or sight of the drone.

RSPCA

Why do dogs bark at drones?

A drone will commonly be mistaken for prey by dogs; but it’s unlike any kind of prey they’ve seen before. So it’s natural that a drone can cause fear in dogs, which leads to barking. And other potentially more serious behaviors. Most dogs to tend to have a strong or untamed prey drive. So don’t be surprised if a drone sets them off on a hunting frenzy. In this case, the dog may very well try to chase, capture and attack the drone. The combination of fear and the prey drive in dogs can become dangerous. Especially when the dog is untrained, aggressive, or otherwise feels threatened by the drone.

three small dogs running through an open field chasing a drone

One cautionary tale tells how a team of researchers was using a drone to survey seagrass along the coastline in Baja. A group of stray dogs happened upon the team, and were barking and jumping at the drone. When a member of the team caught the drone, one dog attacked him and tore into his leg, causing a bloody injury and a near-death experience. Needless to say, a drone will certainly set off a dog’s natural curiosity, for better or worse.

Always use caution when a dog and a drone are in close proximity.

Drone dog walkers: Can you walk your dog with a drone?

One creative use of drones for dogs is the drone dog walker, aka dog-walking drone! The onset of the 2019 coronavirus pandemic left many dog parents stuck inside under lockdown or quarantine. But that didn’t change the fact that it’s still essential to walk your dog every day.

So in 2020, one creative Cypriot made international news when he decided to walk his dog with a drone. He posted the experiment on Facebook, for the world to see:

Stay home to be safe, but don’t forget your dog’s happiness.

Vakis Demetriou, Facebook

Now, some companies like DronesDirect in the UK are even selling ‘ProFlight Walkies Dog Drones’, with this intended purpose in mind. And admittedly, Vakis’s dog seems pretty chill with their drone chaperone. But if you’re looking out for your dog’s safety and wellbeing, avoid walking them with a drone. The resulting stress and anxiety it might cause your dog just isn’t worth it.

⚠️ If you can’t take your dog for a walk, ask someone else to do it for you. Don’t try walking your dog with a drone, as this may cause fear and panic in your dog.

Drone search & rescue for lost dogs UK

There’s another way drones are used to help dogs that doesn’t involve dog walking. Drone search & rescue teams are popping up around the UK, in an effort to help reunite lost dogs with their desperate parents. Drone SAR for Lost Dogs UK is one such organization, set up by Graham Burton in 2017. The Facebook group has over 50,000 members, and it consists of over 1,300 volunteer drone pilots who have helped to bring home over 1,700 missing dogs.

So it’s safe to say, a drone search and rescue might be just the thing that brings your lost dog home someday, at least if you live in the UK. For that to work, your lost dog will probably need to be microchipped and wearing proper ID tags, too.

Keep in mind: A drone search party wouldn’t be necessary though, if your lost dog was wearing a GPS dog tracker; then you can track and follow their every step in real time on your phone.

black dog wearing gps dog collar in sitting on grass in background; tractive GPS app in foreground
Pictured: The Tractive GPS Dog Tracker allows you to follow your dog’s position live with the help of GPS.

Why we recommend avoiding drones for finding or walking dogs

  • A drone won’t help in case of a dognapping attempt
    If your dog is on the trusting, friendlier side, they might be enticed to enter a dog thief’s car with the promise of treats. And if you’re not around to intervene, you won’t have any way of knowing where they’ve taken your dog. Sure, your drone could follow them for a couple of hundred feet – until it runs out of battery and you now have no idea where your dog’s been taken.
  • Your dog’s sense of smell might tempt them to run away
    Dogs run away for all sorts of reasons. Especially if they’ve sniffed out something interesting – like a female in heat or an intruder on their territory. But during the colder months, snow and cold weather can actually mess with your dog’s sense of smell. Making them more likely to get lost and be unable to find their way home.
  • A senior dog might need your help & presence
    Especially if they can’t make their way back to you by themselves. Because of age, senior dogs might be more vulnerable to dog dementia. Making them more easily disoriented and unable to sniff their way back home.

Where a smart dog tracker with real-time GPS can step in

While drones might seem like a high-tech solution for keeping tabs on your adventurous pup, they often fall short when it comes to practical, everyday dog safety. Think about it: a drone needs to be flown, it’s susceptible to weather, trees, and buildings, and let’s be honest, a whirring machine in the sky might just scare your dog or, even worse, trigger their prey drive. Plus, battery life on drones can be quite limited, and you can’t exactly leave one hovering over your dog all day.

This is where a smart dog tracker really shines. Strapped to your dog’s collar, your trusty Tractive smart dog tracker offers a much more reliable and less intrusive way to ensure their safety.

A brown dog wearing a Tractive DOG 6

Now, with just a glance at your phone, you can:

  • Track your dog’s movements in real-time
    Unlike a drone that needs to be actively flown and can lose sight in dense foliage or around obstacles, your Tractive provides continuous, real-time location updates directly to your phone – every few seconds. If your dog decides to explore beyond the garden fence, you’ll know exactly where they are, instantly.
  • Intercept an escape attempt before it happens
    From your app, you can set up “safe zones” on a map (like your backyard or a designated park area). If your dog crosses that boundary, you get an immediate escape alert on your phone. It’s like having an invisible leash that notifies you the moment they wander too far.
Smartphone lock screen with a notification from Tractive app - Dog Molly left the Virtual Fence
  • Never worry about losing range
    Tractive GPS trackers use GPS and cellular networks to work over an unlimited range. Unlike an Apple Airtag, you won’t be limited to a network of compatible devices.
  • Enjoy having a less-stressed out dog around
    A small collar attachment is far less likely to startle or stress your dog than a loud, flying drone. This means a happier, safer dog, and a much calmer you.

Drones have their place in certain specialized search and rescue operations. But for everyday dog safety and peace of mind, a smart dog tracker with real-time GPS is the smart choice. It’s the ultimate tool for keeping your beloved companion safe, healthy, and always within reach.

brown dog wearing Tractive GPS dog tracker collar, app screenshot showing live tracking for dogs

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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.

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And if you’ve found this post helpful, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.