Best GPS Dog Tracker: No matter how responsible you’re and try to protect your pet by doing everything that could be done, there’s always a way to sense a lack of security for your pet dog.
You just can’t sit and wait for your canine to come back home when he/she decides to sneak out for a date without telling you, right?
And that’s the reason that pet owners go for GPS trackers these days.
Before going in further detail we first need to know about GPS trackers. Following is a short guide on GPS trackers which includes everything you need to know before buying one.
We’ve also included common misconceptions and frequently asked questions to give you a complete view of the whole picture.
Our team, taking in the importance of a GPS tracker for dogs, decided to pick some best GPS dog trackers available in the market and review them.
For that purpose, we took nearly 20 more and less known GPS trackers and collaborated with two pet shops to help determine the best GPS tracker for dogs.
After careful observation of nearly twenty days, we decided on eight best products to feature our article as the best.
The products are decided based on their features, affordability, and conditions.
Based on our observations we’ve concluded that Whistle Go Explore is the overall best GPS tracker for dogs.
You can read more about it in the product review section.
Things to Consider (Don’t buy one before reading this!)
When you are looking for a tracker for your dog, the first question that comes to mind is, “how to pick the best GPS tracker for my dog?
Well, here are certain things you need to consider before buying a GPS tracker for your dog.
Range
The range is a key feature to deem, which GPS tracker is for you.
Cellular GPS trackers offer global coverage and are the best pick for everyone.
They’re preferably used by people who love to travel or go hiking with their dog, are often out of the town, or own a sneaky dog for a pet.
You can also opt for a Radio or Bluetooth tracker depending on the range coverage they offer.
Battery life
It’s not always possible to charge your tracking device daily.
You may forget to carry a charger in case of an emergency.
It’s important that the tracker’s battery doesn’t finish up in a time span of a few hours while your furry friend strays away and you’re out looking for him/her.
The best option to choose a Pet GPS tracker is a tracker with longer battery life.
Choose a device that lasts for up to a week in a single charge.
Durability and Waterproofing
A GPS tracker’s durability depends on whether it’s a tracking collar or a tracking tag.
In the case of a tracking collar, the tracker is built into the collar which makes a lot of collars bulky.
If you’re choosing a tracking collar, make sure it’s lightweight and smart to make your pet at ease.
Otherwise, a smart and lightweight tracking tag is a good option that can be attached to the existing collar easily.
Bonus Features
There are several other features these days which are helpful in advanced tracking. They all may not be featured in every tracker but most of them are present in advanced GPS trackers.
These features include built-in LED lights to guide you on night walks and help locate your dog in the dark, customized ringtone to help locate your dog from afar, and activity tracking available on the app.
The activity tracking lets you track your pet’s activities such as distance traveled, licking, sleeping, exercise, and calories burned and thus helps you determine your pet’s health conditions.
Types of GPS Trackers you should look in to:
There are three types of GPS trackers according to their working conditions.
Cellular GPS
This GPS tracker works on cellular service and helps in real-time tracking by using cellular towers to transmit the GPS location of a tracking device on an app on your phone.
This kind of GPS tracker works almost anywhere as long as there’s a cellular connection. Since it uses cellular data to pinpoint your pet’s location, a monthly subscription plan is necessary to use this kind of tracker.
Radio
Radio trackers don’t need cellular service or a monthly subscription fee. They are used as a walkie-talkie and are best suited for remote areas. They cover a distance ranging between six to ten miles.
Bluetooth
This tracker connects to your phone via Bluetooth and covers just a few miles. It doesn’t cost a monthly fee or a high price.
Two Important Clarifications
1. A microchip is not a GPS Tracker
A lot of people misunderstand microchips for a tracker. A microchip is completely different from a GPS tracker as it is a permanent method of electronic identification. Sized as little as a grain of rice, it is implanted between your pet dog’s shoulder blades under the skin. This microchip has a unique number that is registered with a Microchip database registry. When scanned with a microchip scanner, this number shows the pet owner’s contact details.
This method is only used as security. In case your pet wanders or becomes lost and you’re unable to track the pooch, you can hope that animal shelters or any helpful stranger for that matter get your pet scanned for a microchip and contact you via the database.
A microchip is not a replacement for a GPS tracker.
2. A GPS Tracker can’t be embedded in a Dog
Considering the hassle of having to get entangled with tracking collars, tags, and charging problems, it’s common to contemplate the option of getting a tracker embedded in your pet.
However, it’s not possible in reality because it’s neither pet friendly nor healthy.
A microchip is merely the size of a grain of rice and can easily settle between the dog’s shoulder blades under its skin. Moreover, because of its size, a microchip doesn’t hurt or cause any discomfort to the dog at all. Once implanted, your pet can move as freely as ever without slightest of irritation.
However, a tracker is much larger in size and it’s impossible to place it just under the dog’s skin, not for a civil reason at least. It’ll be a cause of permanent pain and discomfort and may even injure your pet badly and leave wounds.
The second issue is the battery. A GPS tracker needs recharging to perform its functions efficiently, and it’s not possible to charge an implanted GPS tracker.
We have included a series of faqs at the end of our best picks for GPS dog trackers.
Whistle Go Explore
This ultimate health and location tracker for pets easily made its way up the list to the first slot.
Features
Track all over the U.S.
With the Whistle pet tracker attached to your dog’s collar, you can track your pet anywhere in the U.S., Unlike many other apps that have a limited tracking range, this one helps you feel more secure because even if you’re at home and your furry friends decide to sneak out, you can track their activity and know if they’re visiting a safe place. Whether you’re out working away from home or hiking with your pal and it decides to take a different route, you can track and reach your dog easily with the help of Whistle tracker.
Whistle App
All you have to do is install the Whistle app on your phone and connect it with the GPS tracker in your dog’s collar. You can then set virtual boundaries or safe zones for your dog. Whenever your dog goes out of the safe zone, you’ll get a notification on your phone that the canine just left the safe zone.
Moreover, live GPS tracking with AT&T network and Google Maps allows you to see where your pet goes as well as monitor the pet’s activity.
You can set custom activity goals for your dog and then track progress.
Built-in light
The GPS tracker has a built-in light that you can use to guide you on an evening walk or help you locate your dog in the dark. You can use the app to choose from three light settings (slow flash, high flash, and always on) before turning it on.
20 days of battery life
Whistle Go Explore lasts up to 20 days on a single charge thus giving you fewer reasons to always stay cautious about your pet.
Monitor Behaviors
You can track behaviors and monitor changes in your pet’s licking, scratching, sleeping and activity levels with Whistle wellness weekly reports. This feature helps you get an alert regarding any health issue your pet might be facing.
Share 30 days report with your vet
You can share your pet’s 30 days report with your vet in a single tap from the app. Yes, you don’t have to keep charts or narrate a whole month’s changes by yourself. Just tap and your vet will receive a 30 days report featuring every tiny bit of changes in your dog’s behavior.
Other features
Other than escape alerts you also get to monitor your dog’s activity such as distance traveled, active minutes, and calories burned. Moreover, you’re also recommended daily activity based on your dog’s breed, age, and weight.
Whistle Go Explore is waterproof for up to 3 feet for 30 minutes too.
What comes in the package?
- 1 Whistle Go Explore device
- 1 Snap Collar attachment (fits collar up to 1″ wide)
- USB charging cable
- 1 Quick start guide
Who’s it for?
People who love to travel with their furry friends might find it the most helpful. In this case, you only have to have a 3G AT&T coverage or Wifi and you’re good to go. No matter how many times you two go your own way, you can always track your way back to your naughty pal.
Points to keep in mind
- The collar is sold separately
- There’s an annual or monthly subscription required for the services you enjoy
- Only 2.4GHz wifi network is supported on the device. This, or you can opt for a 3G AT&T coverage.
Although we tested a lot of devices, we decided to go for only eight best ones. After our best overall pick, here’s a list of remaining seven products. You can choose according to your requirements and budget.
PETFON GPS Tracker
Petfon Tracker is a real-time tracking caller device with no monthly fee.
What comes in the package?
- 1 Controller
- 1 Tracker
- 2 Loops
- 2 Bands
- 1 portable charging box
The set consists of two parts, controller and tracker. After you’re done setting up the app and connecting it with the pair, tracker goes with your pet and the controller remains with you.
Features
- This device is an awesome choice in terms of budget as well as features. There’s no monthly subscription fee. Once bought, it’s free for a lifetime.
- No sim card is required for this one. Petfon pet GPS tracker uses a combination of GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and long-distance wireless technologies to accurately locate your pet.
- In open areas, it can locate your pet in the range of up to 3.5 miles, and in congested areas, it reduces to 0.65mile which is a good option too.
- Battery works for almost 16 hours a day which means you have to recharge daily at night or whatever time suits you best.
- Install the Petfon app on your phone and connect it with both, control unit and tracker. You can then set-up a safety fence and danger zone as well as locate the pet position in real-time via the app. You can also monitor the pet history information such as track, number of steps, distance traveled, and duration of the exercise.
- There’s an 11 color LED that emits colorful lights through your control. This feature can help you easily locate your dog at night.
- The sound alarm is the best help when you’re out in a dense forest. You can also set your DIY ringtone to make it unique and more recognizable while a high definition speaker helps you locate your dog.
- Its structure is durable and waterproof too. The tracker works fine in rain but not suggested for a swim.
- It comes with a charging box that has an internal battery. It’s a huge plus because it can charge without a USB outlet if needed.
- The Petfon app has the ability to download offline maps.
Who’s it for?
If you often like to go out hiking with your canine, this device is for you. It’s 11color LED light show and customizable voice command makes it easier to track in a dense forest.
Pros. & Cons.
Pros.
- Smart and lightweight
- No monthly subscription required
- No cellular data required
Cons.
- Not recommended for remote monitoring or indoor tracking.
FitBark GPS Tracker
This one got our heart with its stunning battery life. With one recharge, you can spend up to 20 days without having to worry about the recharge.
What comes in the Package?
- 1 FitBark GPS
- 2 Black Covers
- 10 zip ties
- 1 charging cable
- 1 Quick start guide
Features
- With 20 days of battery life and a year warranty, this GPS pet tracker is very budget-friendly.
- Ability to track the canine’s health, fitness, and location
- This tracker is waterproof, small, and lightweight.
- You can monitor your pet’s stress and anxiety level by checking Hourly View after you leave home. This helps determine how your pet is doing when alone or in the care of other human beings.
- You can also track your dog’s activity and determine mobility, pain, itchiness, or any other skin disease by keeping tabs on FitBark nightly Sleep Score.
- No range limitations specified. You can use it in more than 140 countries.
- Use the app to determine multiple safe zones and get escape alerts.
- Features live tracking nationwide. In case of emergency, you can locate your dog via the embedded Verizon 4G LTE-M cellular service.
- 30- day money refunds on all plans if canceled.
Who’s it for?
If you want to track your pet’s activity more closely including its health issues, this is your device.
Pros. & Cons.
Pros.
- Up-to 20 days of battery life
- Nationwide coverage
- 1-year warranty
Cons.
- Public and Hotspot WiFi not supported
Tractive 3G Dog Tracker
With its 3G coverage and budget-friendliness, this item is best for indoor tracking and remote monitoring.
Features
- This device uses GPS and communicates through cell phone towers and thus enables you to track your pet all day long.
- You can use Tractive services with a small monthly or annual service fee. There’s no activation or hidden charges.
- Live tracking enables you to pinpoint your dog’s location real quick as the location is updated every 2-3 seconds on the map.
- You can use Tractive virtual-fence to determine a safe territory and get instant notifications whenever your pet leaves the safe zone.
- It’s waterproof so you don’t have to worry about the set getting damaged during rain.
- The system works with the Verizon network and provides global coverage. Even if you’re traveling abroad, you can still monitor your pet’s activity and check it’s location history.
- There’s no range limitation and the device supports 3G network too. It’s a good feature because a lot of trackers support only 2.4 GHz Wifi or 4G network which is not possible in hilly or remote areas.
- The battery lasts up to 5 days in a single charge.
Who’s it for?
Whether you are a traveler and often leave your beloved pet at home or just want to keep an eye on your pet’s whereabouts, this GPS tracker is good for both cases.
Important Point
Tractive 3G GPS dog tracker is only recommended for pets over 4.5kg or 9lbs.
Pros. & Cons.
Pros.
- Shock resistant
- Global coverage
- Waterproof
Cons.
You might find customer service a little concerning since you can only contact via email.
Bartun Pet Tracker
This GPS pet tracker is loved for its compatibility with 2G sim card, or 850\900\1800\1900 mHz sim card.
Features
- It has an unlimited range. For one low price of the monthly subscription, you can track your pet in more than 150 countries around the world.
- Track your pet’s location history via app to discover your furry friend’s favorite place to hang out.
- Its low battery alarm is one best feature you’ll love to experience. Given our busy lives, it’s often normal for pet owners to forget to charge their pet’s tracking device. However, Bartun pet GPS tracker won’t allow that to happen anymore. Every time the battery reaches the warning line, you’ll get a notification on your phone app to recharge your tracker.
- The device’s mini size is easy to get along with.
- For normal weather situations, it’s waterproof and shock-resistant.
- 5 days of battery life is much better than a lot of other trackers and a good bet when you’re out in another city for a couple of days.
Who’s it for?
If you want to keep a track of where your dog has been for a longer time, you can opt for this one. It’s also a good choice if you are supposed to travel overseas with your canine.
Important Point
Since the device is designed to be a mini size, normal pet collars aren’t a fit for it. You can order a collar with this tracker or use your own one as long as it’s not wider than 0.8 inches.
Pros. & Cons.
Pros.
- 5 days of battery life
- Global coverage
- Low battery alarm
Cons.
Only compatible with a 2G sim.
PetBiz GPS Pet Tracker
With a thirty days ultra long-lasting battery, you can easily guess how wanted this item could be.
Features
- The first and foremost feature this amazing device offers is a battery life unmatched by any. With an average of 30 days with a single charge, the battery lasts up to 45 days if your dog is a homebody. That being said, you can always have sufficient power supply during emergencies.
- You get a low power alert when the battery reaches 30%.
- It’s waterproof, but not like any other GPS tracker. This one is made to survive in bad weather and swimming too.
- PetBiz offers a one-month free subscription trial. It is also the first-ever GPS tracker that utilizes 5G technology and thus gives you 20%-30% more coverage across the US that other 3G trackers can’t.
- PetBiz charges the cheapest subscription price among all the GPS pet trackers.
- You can pinpoint your dog’s location with this real-time tracker and activity monitor.
- You can use the app to determine a safe zone for your pet and get notified whenever the canine leaves or enters the safe zone.
- You can use the app as your dog’s personal trainer by setting daily exercise goals and feeding recommendations based on their age, weight, and breed.
- You can track your furry friend’s activity and fitness by data provided in the app regarding their calories burned, distance traveled, and minutes active.
- Use the visible LED light to guide you during a walk at night or locate the sneaky friend in dark.
Who’s it for?
It’s not easy and never convenient to recharge the GPS tracker on a regular basis. So with its longer battery life and cheaper subscription charges, it’s a good go for everyone.
Pros. & Cons.
Pros.
- Longer battery life
- Real-time tracking
- One month free subscription trial
- Affordable subscription charges
Cons.
It sometimes takes longer to activate the device.
Link Smart Dog Collar
Unlike our previous options which only offer a tracker, Link AKC offers a smart dog collar with GPS tracker and activity monitor.
Features
- Waterproof up to 3 feet for 30 minutes.
- Connected by AT&T, this smart dog collar helps you locate your dog via GPS location tracking.
- You can record your special walks, hikes, or other special memories on the app and then share and remember them.
- You can get customized activity level recommendations based on the insight into the American Kennel Club.
- You can store all of your important vet records and also set health reminders.
- Get temperature alerts to know if your dog is maybe in a too hot or cold environment.
- Turn on the LED light to help in night walk or locate your furry person in the dark.
- You can also use the sound feature to help in training your pet.
- Get 3 months of free service on activating the Service Plan bundle.
Pros. & Cons.
Pros.
- Tracker and activity monitor
- Waterproof
- Temperature alerts
Cons.
Battery life is short. You’ll have to charge it on a daily basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to use a phone as a GPS tracker?
With some settings such as turning on the location of your phone and signing in with your email address, you can put your old phone in your vehicle or some other important stuff and track its location with your other phone using the same email address.
You can use it for your dog but that’ll be a lot of hassle because you have to find secure ways to attach the phone with your jumpy friend. So, although it’s technically possible, we don’t recommend doing that.
What GPS trackers work on AT&T?
Whistle GPS tracker and Link Smart dog collar runs on AT&T’s 4G network.
Which GPS dog tracker works on Verizon?
FitBark GPS tracker and Tractive 3G GPS tracker work on Verizon.
What pet tracker is best for a 7lb dog?
Except for Tractive 3G pet tracker, all the above-discussed devices are compatible with a 7lb dog. Tractive pet tracker requires a minimum of 9lb weight to be used.
Conclusion
“Actually, my dog I think is the only person who consistently loves me all the time.” – H. G. Bissinger
As dog owners, we all know how curious and health-conscious our dogs can be, to the point that they can go walk around the whole city in an attempt to shed some calories or chase an enemy. Several times a dog owner goes through the fear of losing his faithful yet playful friend who decided to go on a date without making an announcement or specifically leaving any clue about its whereabouts. Well, the dogs aren’t completely at fault here.
They need their “me time” too. Going for a walk or sneaking their way out while sulking is natural for them just like us humans but they can’t announce their outing plans to us. That’s where some pet owners freakout and that’s the very reason we brought you the best GPS trackers for your pet dogs.
It’s never easy to decide on one thing easily when it comes to your family, so naturally, we know that it’s not an easy decision for you to settle on one option. We can, however, assure you that all the products mentioned here are proved the best in terms of features. All these trackers use GPS and have apps to help you monitor your pet’s activity and health condition.
If you’re looking for something budget-friendly, Cube finder and Link Smart collar is a good option for you. You can also opt for Loc8tor pet tracker since it can be used for dogs too.
If battery life is your concern, go for Whistle Go Explore, FitBark, and PetBiz dog tracker. Their average battery life is 30 days in a single charge.
Our other picks are best in themselves too. You can read and check all the above-mentioned products before picking one which suits your requirements and budget perfectly.