Dog Tracker

[KobayashiMaru86]

Want something for my Shiba as we're practicing more with off lead and it's well known that recall isn't the best with them (he is getting better). But better to be safe I wanted something that was GPS, ideally without a sub or much of a sub. I know some use apple tags but I don't have an iPhone. Have seen some do dog stats, a bit like a Garmin, etc.

[twokcc]

Get one of theses. Vodaphone curve tracker
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275619649650
Additional £2.99 per month for app can stop/start subscription at any time.
Not truly a tracker as only updates information at a moment in time(to increase battery life) but can do an update at any time on the app. Will be a problem if you are not in a vodaphone network reception area but that is only to get the info to your phone - move into network virgin netwoik signal area and you will get update.
Don't know why vodaphone stopped promoting it - not sure if you can get new. Works but never had to use in an emergency yet,

[Marcellus]

We’ve had Tractive for all our dogs, one of which was a scent hound by breed and training.

It never missed a trick always had him.

[NoTreadLeft]

Marcellus said:

We’ve had Tractive for all our dogs, one of which was a scent hound by breed and training

Our JRT got through 4 Tractives before we gave up on them. To be honest we found the signal from them to be really hit and miss and the (potentially very useful) beeper function was much too quiet to be any use.

Switched to a Pawfit tracker 18 months ago and it’s been much better. The beeper is loud enough such that our JRT will often come back just to get it turned-off.

One thing we’ve learned several times though: none of them work underground!

[Tomo1971]

We started with tractive but as they are based in Austria, any returns need to get replaced from there and takes an age. We had to have the units swapped out several times and became a pain.

We moved to Pawfit 12 months ago and although we have had to have 2 replacements in that time (we have 2 dogs / 2 trackers) the turn around for faults is quick - all they want is proof of postage for the faulth unit and they send out a new one from the UK.

As others have said, very much dependant on mobile phone signal on the tracker and phone, although the tracker does use a roaming SIM, so has a fair chance of getting a signal. I have a dual SIM phone and have 2 physical sims and a 3rd e-sim, so can swap around between networks if ever it came to it.

[KobayashiMaru86]

I did buy a Pitpat one as I knew some who had just the activity tracker and the UI looked decent. Tried it last night, setup seemed easy. Took him outside for a walk and it couldn't find him, despite being fully charged and not undercover, although was cloudy. Disappointed so that's going back.

[Bonefish Blues]

I bought one for a new rescue dog a few years ago (forget brand I confess). The issue we had was that the tracker was just weighty enough to swivel the collar underneath Mutt 2's neck which seemed to be sufficient to mean we couldn't track him on many occasions. I sold it and trained the bugger - he's still here so we must have curbed his wanderlust

[AmazingGrace]

We tried PitPat for our boxer. It was ok, app was good but actually finding your dog was so hit and miss it became irrelevant.

Instead I spent time making a game of hide and seek. Now, when I’m quiet she’s in the game finding me.

Nose to the floor, picks up my scent and I’m easy prey.