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If you have a dog who’s a master escape artist, hasn’t yet grasped the art of walking on a leash, or has regular visits from the dog-walker or pet-sitter, you know how important it is to know where your dog is at all times. Using a dog GPS collar tracker can give you peace of mind in all of these situations, no matter where you (or your dog) might be.
Not all trackers are built alike—and there are a lot of options on the market. When shopping for a dog GPS collar, note that some rely on cellular service to locate your dog, while others do not; still other styles of tracker don’t use GPS but radio frequency (RF) technology or Bluetooth instead. Each type has pros and cons, and we’ve included examples of a few different styles in our top 10 list. The one that’s best for you will largely depend on where you live, how good the cellular service is in your area, how far you want to be able to track your pet.
Another important consideration when shopping for a tracker? Monthly fees. Many trackers require a subscription fee to work on top of the purchase price. However, you can find some models that have low or no fees at all.
The Best Dog GPS Collar Devices
We’ve gathered up the best dog GPS collar trackers on the market and tallied the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision about the one that’s right for you.
Utilizing AT&T’s wireless network and Google Maps, the Whistle GO Explore will notify you whenever your dog leaves his designated safe space and provides live location tracking. In addition to GPS monitoring, the GO Explore can also be used to track physical activity goals for your pet, as well as certain health behaviors.
What we like:
- Contains a remote-activated built-in light and a long-lasting battery that can last up to 20 days on a single charge
- Provides a weekly health report that monitors your pet’s licking, scratching, and sleeping
- Can be set up so that multiple owners all receive alerts
Drawbacks:
- A monthly or yearly subscription plan is required
If the Whistle GO Explore is out of your budget, the Whistle 3 offers some of the same features, more affordably. It can text, email, or notify you through its app whenever your dog leaves home and provides tracking anywhere AT&T’s cellular network is available in the U.S.
What we like:
- Can withstand up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes
- Has a battery life that lasts up to seven days
- Can set up daily activity goals
Drawbacks:
- A monthly or yearly subscription plan is required
For dogs who tend to wander off or roam long distances, this Garmin dog GPS tracker is built into a collar, rather than attaching to an existing collar. It’s equipped with an antenna that can help locate them up to nine miles away.
What we like:
- Has a nine-mile range
- No monthly subscription fee
- Battery life ranges from 20–40 hours
- Built-in LED lights for extra visibility
Drawbacks:
- You must purchase a separate Garmin transmitting unit for the collar to work
- Has a minimum neck size of 9.5 inches, so it may not be an option for some toy breeds
If you live somewhere without reliable cell service, the Findster Duo+ pet tracker might be a good option for you. It works up to half a mile in congested urban areas and up to three miles in open outdoor areas without any need for cell phone service. It’s small, lightweight, and sturdy, so it works for both dogs and cats. The system has one piece that goes on your dog’s collar, and another piece that stays with you, in addition to the app you’ll download for your phone.
What we like:
- Great for off-the-grid locations
- Includes a free one-year subscription
- Battery life up to 12 hours with GPS always on
- Waterproof in up to three feet of water
Drawbacks:
- Doesn’t work indoors
Designed for pets nine pounds and up, this Tractive GPS dog collar device offers tracking in over 150 countries with an app for iOS, Android or via any web browser. It’s also lightweight and fully waterproof for dogs who love to swim or splash around in mud in their wanderings.
What we like:
- 100% waterproof
- No range limitation; works in over 150 countries with a variety of cellular networks
- Has a battery life of two to five days
Drawbacks:
- A monthly subscription plan is required in addition to the cost of the tracker
Available in a black sport or brown leather option, this Link AKC smart dog collar device contains both a GPS tracker and an activity monitor all within its sleek design. It slips on your pet’s favorite collar via a sleeve on the back. You can even store your pet’s veterinarian records through the app.
What we like:
- Track your pet nationwide anywhere AT&T cellular service is available
- Contains a built-in LED light that can be turned on remotely
- Battery life lasts up to three days
- Has a temperature alert if your dog’s environment is too hot or cold
Drawbacks:
- A yearly subscription plan is required
- Some reviews indicate the activity monitor is unreliable
While many other dog GPS collar trackers require the use of a cell phone, this tracker comes with its own handheld GPS device to track your pet. If you have more than one dog, you can also purchase additional collars and track all of your pets with the same tracker.
What we like:
- Works up to a seven-mile range, even in areas without cellular service
- Battery lasts up to 24 hours
- Can be submerged in water up to 25 feet
Drawbacks:
- According to some reviewers, the maps may be limited or very basic
This device comes with three trackers, so it’s a great option if you have more than one doggo. It’s able to trace up to 0.65 miles in a dense space and up to 3.5 miles in an open space. Waterproof and durable, Petfon is not dependent on cell service and does not require a subscription.
What we like:
- Battery life is up to 16 hours
- Compact size
- Stores recorded voice commands
Drawbacks:
- Not designed for indoor use
The Best non-GPS Dog Collar Trackers
We’ve got a couple of non-GPS dog collar tracker favorites as well. These use RF or Bluetooth technology, which have quite a few pros—the main con for each is their more limited range.
The Loc8tor pet tracker is not a dog GPS collar—it’s actually made for cats, and instead of GPS it uses radio frequency (RF) technology. However, the device’s light weight and small size is also ideal for smaller breed dogs; plus, there are no additional subscription fees with this tracker. Your dog wears the round collar tag and you carry the handset, which tells you if you are getting closer to the dog.
What we like:
- Uses radiofrequency (RF) tracking to keep tabs on your pet’s location
- Attaches to any collar
- Money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied for any reason
Drawbacks:
- It only works within a 400-foot range
This budget-friendly and super basic tracking solution needs no subscription and easily attaches to your dog’s collar, syncing with the app via Bluetooth. You can use the Cube for dogs or cats—and it’s waterproof to boot!
What we like:
- Compact, lightweight design
- Works indoors or outdoors
- One-year battery life
Drawbacks:
- Bluetooth range is only up to 100 feet
Got an app for that? We sure do! Download the Rover app.
Further Reading
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