Whether you have a Lab who is reliable being “around” when off-leash, or one that tends to wander off given the opportunity, a GPS tracker might be a handy device in which to invest – and there are several designed with pet owners and dogs in mind. These trackers are not electronic collars and do not provide any stimulation; they simply provide you with an accurate physical location of your canine friend. Their costs, one-time and ongoing, cover a wide range, ensuring that any pet parent can feel comfortable making such a purchase.
The price tag might put off some people ($699), but Halo was designed as a wireless dog fence and as a GPS tracker. You can create up to 20 GPS wireless fences, something no other collar can do, so if you travel, you can set up a new fence with ease. There are three monthly subscription plans ranging from $4.49 to $29.99 per month. The more expensive the plan, the more data you have access to, plus the Gold Plan offers live sessions with expert trainers and monthly training lessons.
Garmin is probably one of the most well-known brands – as they have been a reliable choice for many years across multiple segments. For pet owners, Garmin has the T 5X dog collar, which has decent battery life (80 hours), is waterproof, and can locate your dog up to nine miles away. Plus, it has beacon lights that can be activated from your handheld, which is handy if you’re searching for your Lab at night. It is a separate, additional collar for your Lab to wear, and you’ll need to also purchase a Garmin handheld unit, which is also compatible with a smartphone app.
Marketed as the World’s Smallest Pet Tracker, Fitbark utilizes cellular connectivity to help you quickly locate your Lab. This GPS tracker also comes equipped with multiple Wi-Fi fence capability, and the battery can last up to six weeks if you and your buddy go for daily walks, up to 10 days when you have a lost pet. It’s lightweight and goes right on the collar. It also has the most color options. The activity ties to a mobile app with various times and fee structures.
Pawfit was built with a lot of the features already mentioned, including real-time GPS location tracking, monitoring activity, ability to set up “safety zones” for which you’re alerted if your Lab goes beyond the bounds, light and sound tracking, and up to 30 days of battery life. A feature not seen on others, however, is voice commands – you can recall your dog even when they are out of earshot. Plans range from one month to two years, breaking down to roughly $5 per month for extended plans. The device, a $150 value, goes onto your Lab’s collar and is lightweight and waterproof.
At $49.95 and with several color options, Tractive has a built-in SIM card that gives you, at the basic subscription level, location updates, live tracking, and wellness features such as activity and sleep metrics. The cost is $13 per month or $96 annually. The premium subscription includes family sharing, worldwide coverage, a year-long location history, and data export (all for a price, of course). One of the best features is that it can be set up to notify you if your dog crosses the “virtual fence,” so you know right away if you’ve got a runner on your hands. It’s light, waterproof, and clips onto your Lab’s collar.
When deciding on which GPS tracker to purchase, consider the up-front cost, if there is a subscription, if the tracker is designed to work over Bluetooth or mobile network, app information and capabilities, and if it will work well with your dog’s lifestyle. If you want peace of mind in case your Lab leaves your side, or you want to reach fitness goals, then consider a GPS tracker.
