A Beginner’s Guide To Dog Trackers

Dog trackers have seen a steep rise in popularity in the past couple of years. This trend is as unexpected as it is positive, given that not long ago, the vast majority of dog guardians did not even consider microchipping a necessity.

Although there are still millions of lost dogs in the streets and shelters, it does seem that dog guardians are becoming increasingly more aware of the fact that dogs can become lost no matter how caring and careful the guardian may be. Not only that, but they are taking adequate measures to prevent it from happening to their beloved canine companions.

If you are aware of this trend but still do not understand what makes dog trackers so valuable to dog lovers and guardians, this guide can make matters a bit clearer, explaining in layman’s terms what dog trackers are, how they work, what they can do for you, and why you should use them.


What Are Dog Trackers?

A dog tracker is a small device attached to the dog’s collar or harness that is designed to provide accurate and up-to-the-minute information on the dog’s location. It allows the dog guardian to monitor the dog’s movement, discover exactly where the pooch is at any given moment, and receive important notifications, like when the dog is about to leave the guardian’s property. Its main purpose is to serve as a second pair of eyes for the dog guardian, giving the guardian peace of mind and providing greater security for the dog.

How Do Dog Trackers Work?

Dog trackers use at least 2 types of technology. They use positioning technology such as GPS to determine the dog’s location and communication technology to inform the dog guardian about the dog’s whereabouts. They can communicate with the guardian’s smartphone via a dedicated app or a handheld locator provided with the tracking unit.

Most dog trackers work in 2 modes – the safe zone mode and the live tracking mode.

The safe zone mode is engaged when the dog is at home or generally accompanied by the guardian. In this mode, the guardian is not notified about the dog’s every move and location information is not updated too frequently because the dog is considered to be in a place where he or she can freely move without getting into danger.

We refer to this mode as the safe zone mode because it requires the guardian to set up the so-called safe zones, that is, define areas where the dog is safe and does not need to be constantly monitored. These areas can include such places as the guardian’s property or the park during a walk.

If the dog leaves the defined safe zone, the dog tracker immediately alerts the guardian and switches to the live tracking mode. In this mode, location information is updated as frequently as possible. With the best pet trackers for dogs, information can be refreshed every few seconds, allowing the guardian to locate the dog easily and quickly.

Primary Uses & Benefits Of Dog Trackers

There are numerous reasons why dog guardians use dog trackers, including:

  • Keeping track of the dog’s whereabouts when the dog is unaccompanied;
  • Preventing the dog from wandering off alone and becoming lost;
  • Safely walking the dog without a leash;
  • Monitoring the dog’s health and activity.

As explained previously, the primary role of dog trackers is to provide constantly refreshed location information and send instant notifications to the dog guardian when the dog is not where he or she is supposed to be.

Dog trackers can be useful in a variety of situations. They can allow the dog guardian to worry less when away from home, knowing exactly where the dog is at all times. They can be used during walks and hikes to make sure that the dog is always within a safe distance from the guardian. They do not only provide greater safety but also greater freedom for the dog, allowing him or her to run and play without a leash while at the same time notifying the guardian if the dog gets carried away and wanders off too far.

However, in recent years, dog trackers have developed to become more than just location trackers. Many of them now enable the dog guardian to gain insight into the dog’s activity as well. They provide information on the amount of time the dog spends playing, walking, running or resting, the number of calories burned, and even the intensity of the activity in which the dog engages. They may further provide custom activity recommendations based on the dog’s age, weight, and breed. They may let the guardian custom-define activity goals for the dog and keep track of the level and amount of activity the dog enjoys during the day, the week or the whole year.

These activity data can help the guardian ensure the dog stays fit and enjoys the level of activity that suits his or her needs. However, the data can also reveal potential health problems. If the guardian notices a discrepancy between previous and current activity levels, he or she can act immediately and take the dog to the vet to check whether everything is alright. This is highly important because the changes in activity caused by a health issue may be slight at first and virtually impossible to detect with the naked eye. Without concrete activity records, the guardian may only notice something is wrong when the illness progresses.

Why Getting A Dog Tracker Is More Than A Good Idea

We can conclude that dog trackers serve multiple important functions. They help prevent the dog from becoming lost, provide insight into the dog’s movement and location round the clock, and even allow the dog guardian to keep track of the dog’s health and fitness. Basically, with a dog tracker, you can become the best dog guardian you can be. It can allow you to stress less while providing better care and a higher level of both freedom and safety to your beloved friend.

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