GPS dog trackers aren't just built for your peace of mind - they can even save your dog's life. So if you're on the fence about them, here are 10 reasons you should get your dog a GPS tracker - and how pet parents around the world have picked Tractive.
Dogs run away for a whole bunch of reasons – and at the end of the day, coming home to find your dog missing is one of the worst feelings possible. But like dog parents around the world are finding out, it’s also one of the reasons to get your dog a GPS tracker.
Specifically, a GPS tracker you can use to track your dog in real-time, over an unlimited range, and which is actually built for pets – not your car or keys. So you never have to worry about losing your dog ever again.
Because, let’s face it. Even the best-trained dogs can run off if they get scared. In other words, you may never end up needing a GPS tracker – but it can be a lifesaver in case you do.
So here are 10 reasons to get your dog a GPS tracker – for your peace of mind and their safety at every step.
A GPS tracker for dogs is a small device that attaches to your dog’s collar or harness and allows you to see where they are – and follow every step – with help of GPS (Global Positioning System) and other technologies.
Here’s the Tractive GPS pictured for you:
How does the Tractive GPS work, for example? Here’s a quick explanation:
“Your Tractive device’s GPS module receives signals from several GPS satellites. This helps it better and more accurately calculate your pet’s position.
These satellites then forward their location to the Tractive servers with the help of the network module. (Which also includes a SIM card.)
Once the Tractive servers receive this information, you can quickly and easily check your pet’s location when you open the Tractive app.”
– Ivelin Nenkov, Embedded Systems Engineer at Tractive since 2016
Which, in case you’ve run into a “lost dog” situation, means you can track your dog:
In real-time,
Over an unlimited range,
While on vacation – or 175 countries if you’re on a Premium subscription
According to a survey by the ASPCA, 15% of pet parents had lost their dog or cat in the past five years1. Some even estimate that 1 in every 3 dogs will go missing in their lifetime.
And for many pet parents, that’s the number one reason to get a GPS tracker – to stop that from happening to their furry friend.
Why does your dog keep running off? It could be one of many reasons, but one thing is clear. If you have an escape artist on your hands, you’re not alone.
Take the story of Marnie, an escape artist Irish Setter who often runs off from home due to her high prey drive. With a little help from her Tractive GPS, her family was able to find her safe and sound.
With Tractive’s LIVE Mode, his mum was able to find him by the edge of a stream in no time.
Some of the reasons dogs go running off include their hunting instincts – but also their sense of smell. (Like, for example, if they smell a female in heat nearby.)
2) Your dog’s microchip won’t help you find your dog.
Do microchips for dogs come with GPS to track four-legged friends? The answer is no.A microchip works only to identify lost and found dogs. A GPS dog tracker, on the other hand, allows you to track your dog in real-time and retrieve them quickly.
💡If your dog runs off or goes missing, a GPS tracker can help you to bring them back home safe on your own.
You won’t need to rely on microchips, lost dog posters or kind strangers to be reunited with your dog.
Rather, with a GPS dog tracker, you can simply track your buddy on your phone screen. Aka, take a more active role in finding your lost dog.
Because, think about it. Just leaving your dog’s safety to a microchip is actually not a 100% guarantee for their safety.
A stranger might find your dog – but then you have to rely on them to take your dog to a vet or animal shelter. (Where they’ll scan your dog’s microchip, find your contact details, and then get in touch with you.)
3) A GPS tracker can help you foil a dognapping attempt
And in the case of your trusty Tractive device, we’ve built up something of a track record in helping dog parents pick up quicker that their dogs have been kidnapped!
Take the story of Kathy, an off-leash Beagle who was in the middle of her hunting dog training – with her dad tracking her location in real-time via her Tractive GPS.
Suddenly, he noticed she was traveling at high speeds and way off-course!
⚠️From her movements on the Tractive mobile app, he realized she’d been stolen and the kidnappers were driving off with her in their car.
Tracking her with Tractive’s LIVE Mode, her dad called the police and after a two-hour car chase had her back in his arms, safe and sound.
A frightened dog is one that is more likely to run away. That’s why so many dogs go missing on New Year’s Eve and 4th of July each year2. Dogs are often afraid of fireworks and other loud noises, but other things can cause a fear response too.
So if you notice your dog getting scared easily, a GPS tracker is a good safety measure. You may not be able to predict when they bolt, but you can see where they’re off to right away.
For example, your dog might be stressed out from the constant foot traffic at your home over the holidays. (Like, for example, if you have trick or treaters over at Halloween or a host of friends and family for Christmas.)
Which might end up in an escape attempt or two. So another one of our reasons to get your dog a GPS tracker.
6) You want to take an active role in your dog’s health & wellbeing
Did you know that some GPS trackers for dogs also double as activity trackers? This means you can set activity goals and make sure your dog gets enough exercise – and also compare how active your dog is to other, similar dogs around the world!
All with a glance at your phone – helping you stay motivated to your buddy’s daily exercise routine.
Because with its built-in motion detector, your trusty Tractive device also logs in your dog’s movements – and active minutes – throughout the day.
Which with time can help you figure out:
What’s a normal level of activity for your dog
Whether your dog’s hit their activity goals for the day – or still needs some more exercise
If there’s a sudden, weird drop in your dog’s activity – which might signal sickness, infection, or pain
Most importantly, your Tractive device helps you compare how active your dog is to other dogs around the world – with your very own community leaderboard!
Because what’s better than a little healthy competition to keep you and your buddy on your toes?
7) You want to enjoy your evening walks, stress-free.
Do you take your dog on walks in the evening? As the days get shorter in fall and winter, you’ll find it’s pitch black by 4 pm (if not earlier, in some parts of the world!)
Now imagine your dog running loose in the dark and being unable to find them?
Electric invisible fences for dogs are not ethical, leaving dogs with a nasty shock and more fear and anxiety.3
So, what to do? Easy. Set up a virtual fence around your yard, or anywhere you think of as a safe space.
Your Tractive GPS tracker will then immediately send you an escape alert on your phone or tablet the moment your dog leave its – or when they come back in.
With a virtual fence, you can quickly and easily intervene if:
Unleashed dogs can enjoy their freedom and get lots of healthy exercise. That, plus being able to 100% enjoy just being a dog.
Of course, the safety of everyone – you, your dog and others around you – is the top priority.
So make sure your dog is not a threat to anyone before you let them off leash. Follow local leash laws and equip your dog with a GPS tracker for security, and peace of mind.
10) You just want to know your dog is safe and sound.
Some say that the real point of a GPS dog tracker (besides GPS tracking of course) is to let a dog parent worry less.
If you’re someone who tends to get anxious about your beloved pet(s), or often worry about where your dog is and whether they’re in danger, a GPS dog tracker may be your new best friend.
Follow every step in real-time with unlimited range. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Wellness Monitoring. And let others – like walkers or sitters – keep an eye on your dog too.
So there you have it, 10 reasons why you should get your dog a GPS tracker! For more tips on dog tracking from a dog mama and experienced GPS dog tracker user, check out the video below.
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
