The Best GPS-Tracking Dog Collars, According to Trainers and Veterinarians
Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your account’s‘Saved for Later’section.
Comment
In the past few years, I’ve noticed more and more GPS-tracking dog collars — designed to track your pet’s exact location on a map, almost like a pet version of Find My Friends — on the market. They’re handy for keeping track of your dog’s location in real time, especially when your dog is off leash or has run off in the neighborhood. Some GPS collars even offer a similar function to invisible in-ground fences and can be synced with a set perimeter — drawn up in a corresponding app — that creates a safe zone for your dog without the need for a physical fence. Some devices will send you an alert when your dog has crossed the preset border, while others can give customizable feedback (like warning tones, vibration, or even your own recorded voice commands) to guide the dog away before they fully cross the border. They can even be used as a training aid for recall commands.
Most experts I interviewed caution against traditional invisible fences because they depend on a “mild static correction” — essentially an electric shock, according toDr. Steve Weinrauch, chief veterinary officer atTrupanion. He says they are meant to be uncomfortable and can increase anxiety or fearfulness in dogs, especially in those that are sensitive. Dr. Aliya McCullough, chief veterinary officer atFetch Pet Insurance, adds that such corrections for crossing a boundary may lead to behavioral or training problems.
Unlike traditional invisible-fence systems, which often require digging for in-ground installation and ongoing maintenance, GPS-tracking collars with fencing capabilities offer much greater flexibility and don’t necessarily rely on static corrections, according to Evan Doggett, a certified dog trainer andSpotOn Fenceboard member. That’s because some GPS-collar models have boundaries that can be adjusted or expanded, and their portable nature makes them a good fit for owners who move frequently, travel, or have a second home. GPS-tracking collars are also helpful if you own a dog with a history of wandering, and they can be lifesaving for dogs who tend to bolt out the door or escape from the backyard. (It’s worth noting that some collars, like the SpotOn, do offer static correction if that’s your preference.)
Another perk of a GPS collar is that many can function as a fitness tracker to give updates on your dog’s daily steps, sleep, and calories burned. Doggett says additional features can include customizable voice recall cues and access to certified dog-training support. “These capabilities can make them particularly appealing for owners whose needs may evolve over the lifetime of their dog,” he tells me. Dr. Kerri Rodriguez of theFetch Veterinary Advisory Boardsays research suggests that GPS collars have been shown to alleviate anxiety and provide greater peace of mind for pet owners. Just note: Professional dog trainer Maggie Zaharoiu, founder of dog hiking and boarding companyExpawers, says tracking collars are not a substitute for solid recall, training, and handler awareness. “A GPS collar can help you locate a dog faster if something goes wrong,” Zaharoiu tells me, “but it should never be the reason someone gives a dog freedom before the dog is ready for it.”
Our top picks
New! You can now save this product for later.
Our favorite tracker, recommended by multiple experts for real-time tracking and health monitoring.
New! You can now save this product for later.
An affordable GPS collar for urban tracking that includes six months of free premium service.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Our pick for off-grid tracking or for dogs who have an extremely strong prey drive.
Whatwe’relookingforinaGPS-trackingcollarfordogs
When shopping for a GPS collar, Doggett tells me, owners should prioritize one with accurate signal reliability, as irregular property lines, hills, or homes with dense landscaping can interfere with the device’s performance. If containment is your goal, Doggett suggests a collar with a compatible boundary that can be set up by walking and dropping pins around the property’s perimeter (rather than drawing the perimeter in an app) for the best accuracy. “Some companies use open-source maps, which means the lines you draw on the app aren’t your actual property lines, as they would be with updated mapping like Google Maps,” Doggett says. Weinrauch also notes that many GPS collars require a subscription and frequent charging to stay active.
Best GPS collar for urban tracking
New! You can now save this product for later.
The Fi Series 3+ is the favorite tracker of multiple experts I interviewed.Kimberly Carney, CEO of the Wires and founder of PawWire, recommends this model because it combines reliable tracking, excellent battery life, and a user-friendly app, plus the collar is comfortable enough for everyday wear. Carney says many GPS devices require frequent charging, but the Fi can often go weeks between charges depending on usage. “I also like the escape alerts and geofencing features, which notify owners if their dog leaves a designated safe area,” Carney says, adding that it’s a collar dogs can wear all the time, so it’s there when you actually need it. The Series 3+ offers subscription-based GPS tracking with LTE coverage across the U.S. It also doubles as a health monitor to track your pet’s steps, sleep, and behavioral trends such as scratching, eating, licking, and barking.
Zaharoiu says the Fi is her pick for an everyday collar: “We work with dogs professionally in real-life off-leash environments, so for me the biggest value is not just tracking a dog but having an extra layer of safety and visibility when dogs are moving through woods, fields, trails, and water.” She notes that the battery life is strong, the collar itself is durable, the device is waterproof, and the app interface is easy to navigate.As for fit, the collar is secure and lightweight enough that a dog can run, hike, and swim in it without its getting in the way. “That matters because a GPS collar is only helpful if it’s charged, fitted properly, and part of the dog’s normal routine,” Zaharoiu says.
This month, Fi released a new tracker model called theUltra, which utilizes satellite connectivity rather than relying on cellular networks. While Zaharoiu hasn’t tested the Ultra yet, she says it’s worth considering, especially if you like the features of the Series 3+ but want to use a tracking collar in places with limited cell service, perhaps while camping or hiking. While the Series 3+ is popular for urban neighborhoods where cell towers are common, the Ultra is designed for use in rural areas and on hikes because its satellite connectivity makes it more reliable, according to Zaharoiu.
Best (less expensive) GPS collar for urban tracking
New! You can now save this product for later.
Paws for Thoughtfounder Maddie Messina, a certified dog trainer and animal behaviorist, is a fan of Tractive. Messina says the tracker is ideal for cities and heavily populated areas because the signal requires reliable cellular coverage. The Tractive works in two steps: It detects its location from GPS satellites and then uses cellular networks to send this information to your app. That’s why Messina wouldn’t recommend it for doing “deep-woods off-leash hikes” since very weak cell coverage can make it difficult to receive an accurate position for your pet. Messina adds that it’s great for pairing with a perimeter set around your home as it will alert you when your dog leaves the designated area. The Tractive app also offers feedback on your dog’s daily health, sleep patterns, and activity levels.
Best GPS collar for off-grid tracking
New! You can now save this product for later.
For more serious remote tracking, especially with dogs that have extremely strong prey drive, you might consider a collar with more advanced GPS technology like this Garmin. It allows monitoring a dog’s location in real time from up to nine miles away via very high frequency radio and as often as every 2.5 seconds. The drawback is it’s compatible only with a Garmin handheld device, such as theAlpha 300or Alpha 200, which can run you upwards of $900. (TheAlpha T 20 collar and Alpha 300 bundleis around $1,150.)
“That kind of tracker is more of a working-dog tool than a casual-lifestyle collar,” Zaharoiu tells me. “It gives much more immediate location feedback, which is important when you’re dealing with dogs who may lock on to wildlife or cover distance quickly.”
The GPS collar I’m testing currently
New! You can now save this product for later.
I started testing this tracking collar from SpotOn, which allows you to contain your dog without a subscription — all you have to do is download the SpotOn app, connect your collar, and create multiple fences. If you do decide to subscribe, you’ll unlock features such as tracking, escape notifications, activity maps, and recorded voice commands. The brand recommends a minimum of two consistent weeks of training for a GPS collar to work, and I’m not quite there yet. But here are my observations so far: The Nova edition does not require Wi-Fi or cellular service to operate. The collar itself is very heavy-duty and happens to be one-size-fits-all (down to a ten-inch neck size), and the excess strap can be trimmed to fit. It comes with optional short and long static contact points, though I have not attached them (I don’t plan on using static corrections). I’ll be using the warning tones and vibration features to safely keep track of my dog. The GPS hardware has a dual-band, dual-feed active antenna, and a dual-band receiver designed to reduce the drift of the boundaries I’ve created.
More From The Strategist
- The Back-to-School Hall of Fame
- The Best Things Strategist Editors Have Bought This Year (So Far)
- Everything You Need to Outfit Your College Dorm
- The Strategist Summer 100
The Strategistis designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read abouthere. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
