Our Favorite GPS Dog Tracker Has Live Tracking, A Built-In Light, And Health Monitoring Features
Placing a dog-friendly GPS tracker on a dog’s collar is a useful way to keep track of your pet’s whereabouts. Plus, it can help you find your dog much faster should they get lost.“I’ve used GPS collars with dogs who have a history of escaping, in situations where a dog is likely to become very fearful, and when taking a dog to a place without a secure fence, like camping,” shared Judy Duhr, director of Speak Rescue and Sanctuary. Duhr puts a GPS tracker on all dogs in her care (her own and fosters) for peace of mind at a minimum.
To check accuracy, ease of use, and comfort, we tested over a dozen dog GPS trackers on collars with real dogs in real-world conditions. Our overall favorite is the Whistle Go Explore 2.0 Smart Tracker, which offers reliable location tracking, a built-in light, and health-monitoring features.
What We Like
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Subscription includes health and activity monitoring
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Reliable location tracking powered by AT&T 4G LTE and Wi-Fi
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Battery life for over a day at a minimum
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Built-in light
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App is easy to navigate
The Whistle 2.0 Go Explore Smart Tracker is very popular with the rescue volunteers and dog owners we consulted. With a subscription, the tracker provides connectivity powered by AT&T 4G LTE network or your Wi-Fi, location tracking, health monitoring, and a long-lasting battery. The device comes with two collar attachments which can be used to loop the Go Explore Smart Tracker around your dog’s current collar.
When we tested the Go Explore device, we found it very easy to set up and pair with the mobile app. The tracker includes a printed copy of instructions with diagrams that we felt made it very easy to follow and within a few minutes the Smart Tracker was ready to go.
The app design is modern and intuitive, from download through navigation. In addition to seeing where your dog is located, you can compile activity and health-related data on your dog, which some users find convenient for identifying and discussing any trends or changes with their veterinarians.
The tracker immediately issues a notification when a dog leaves the designated safe area you set via the app. “You know how you can’t leave the house without your cell phone? That’s how I feel about my dog’s Whistle,” expressed one of the dog rescuers we spoke with. For them, the Whistle has always provided consistent, accurate locations without a lag, but depending on your location, results may vary.
The Go Explore Smart Tracker from Whistle has a built-in light you can activate remotely and includes health and fitness monitoring. It tracks calories burned and how much time your dog spends eating, drinking, sleeping, licking, and scratching. It comes in three colors—lime green, gray, or magenta—so you can match it with your gear or pick a color that’s easy to spot.
This tracker is great for dogs over 25 pounds, and due to its weight (7.4 ounces), it will likely be too heavy and uncomfortable for smaller dogs to wear. Whistle also offers the Switch Smart Collar, which comes in three sizes suitable for dogs weighing as little as 5 pounds and over 75 pounds. The hardware and collar combination of the Switch is a little more expensive upfront, but the monthly subscription is the same as the Go Explore Smart Tracker.
Collar Included: No | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 7.4 ounces | Battery Life: 2-10 days | Range: Unlimited | Water-Resistant: Yes
The Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs offers real-time GPS tracking with no distance limits. It allows you to set up a virtual fence around your property and it will alert you if your dog leaves that safe space.
Depending on whether you use Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity, and how active your pet is, the battery can last from a day or two to as long as two weeks. It is waterproof, small, lightweight, and comes in three colors, but a collar is not included.
While testing, the app gave mostly consistent live information, but sometimes struggled to update, or would lose connection due to weak signals. It allows tracking in five-minute increments to conserve battery life, but you can adjust that in the settings.
The device is able to track sleep quality and activity and it keeps a tracking history log. Our tester liked the tracker’s compact size. “It’s a clever design because it’s easy to put on and take off and it looks aesthetically pleasing, simple yet sleek.”
Collar Included: No | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 1.23 ounces | Battery Life: Up to 15 days | Range: Unlimited | Water-Resistant: Yes
What We Like
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Stainless steel tracker and nylon collar are water-resistant, durable, and lightweight
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Battery can last up to three months
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Uses Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity
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Series 3 (new model) is smaller and lighter than Series 2
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Fi app can be connected to Strava activity tracker
We previously tested the Fi Series 2 Smart Dog Collar, and while the brand still offers this model, there is now a Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar that we feel is a better choice. Like the Series 2, the Series 3 is an all-in-one stainless steel tracker and collar designed to keep up with your dog with a rechargeable battery lasting from one-and-a-half to three months. However, the Series 3 is half the size, weighs 50 percent less, and is made to withstand more direct force than its predecessor.
Fi uses Wi-Fi and an LTE-M cellular network with over 70 satellites to track the location of a dog. Fi suggests you check coverage in your area before signing up for a subscription to make sure the tracker will provide the support you need. With the Series 2, our tester experienced a general location within a dozen or so feet, and with the Series 3, the brand claims the tracker can locate a dog within a 6-foot radius.
Through the Fi app, which now includes a partnership with Strava, the popular fitness tracking app for humans, you can connect with other human and dog duos using the Fi Smart Dog Collar. You can keep track of and share your activity with friends while sharing any achievements you reach together. Overall we found the Fi Series 2 and the Fi Series 3 offer great design, a sleek look, and a tracker that is built to endure.
Collar Included: Yes | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 1 ounce | Battery Life: Up to 3 months | Range: Unlimited | Water-Resistant: Yes
What We Like
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Battery life for at least 10 days
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Can also be used for cars, luggage, or other items
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Has a ringing alert
The Cube GPS Tracker can keep tabs on your dog, but it can also do double duty watching your luggage or your car. For a suitcase or vehicle, just pop it inside. For your pet, slide the device onto your dog’s collar, but it’s a bit bulky and doesn’t fit all collar sizes. It probably would be very overwhelming for a very small dog.
Our testers said the setup was very easy and intuitive. The tracker updates quickly and the location is precise. You can start by setting it to default to two-minute reporting intervals. Quicker updating is an option, but it will take a toll on battery life. Batteries can last as long as two months with little use.
The tracker has a ring function to help you find your pup. If your dog is relatively close, you should be able to hear it. One tester said their dog was startled to hear the sound, but you could train your pup to come when they hear it go off.
Our testers like that the app is simple—you can see the route your dog took and where they’ve been. There aren’t a lot of features, which makes it very easy to use.
Collar Included: No | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 2.22 ounces | Battery Life: 10-60 days | Range: Unlimited | Water-Resistant: Yes
Like many trackers, Link My Pet GPS and Activity Tracker uses a combination of GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular coverage to keep an eye on your pup. But it is notable in that it shows your dog’s location using Google Maps.
One of our testers was very impressed with the accuracy. Not only did it pinpoint the exact address, but it showed precisely where in the house the dog was hanging out.
The app design is very clean and easy to understand. You can set up alerts and set daily goals for your dog. It shows how many calories were burned, how many steps were taken, and how many miles were walked.
The app monitors heart rate and gives temperature alerts. There’s 24/7 access to relevant information if you have concerns.
The device is pretty bulky and may not be a good fit for a tiny dog. The device is made of a hard plastic material, which our testers said seemed very durable. Testers also liked the battery life, saying it could probably last all week on just one charge.
Collar Included: No | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 1.6 ounces | Battery Life: Up to 14 days | Range: Unlimited | Water-Resistant: Yes
What We Like
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Lightweight and compact
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Battery last close to a year
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No subscription or regular charging required
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Lower price than other devices tested
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Ability to activate alert with contact information
You don’t need a subscription for the small, lightweight Apple AirTags, but you do need to use an iPhone, iPad, or Apple computer in order for them to work. AirTags don’t need to be charged and the battery lasts about a year.
They are easy to pair with an Apple device and can send alerts to your phone. Use your “Find My” app to locate the tag and your pet.
You can get a small rubber sleeve that slips onto your pet’s collar to keep it in place. The AirTag is waterproof and is affordable compared to many options. The AirTag makes sense if you’re nearly always around good cell service.
It only tracks within a distance of about 33 feet, but its accuracy depends upon how many iPhones are nearby. It’s effective in larger areas if there are a lot of iPhone users around which, as one tester pointed out, isn’t helpful if you’re in the woods hiking with your dog.
The AirTag, however, could be a smart, cost-effective, accurate option if you’re in the city or other crowded areas where lots of Apple products are likely to be in use.
Collar Included: No | Subscription: No | Weight: 0.39 ounces | Battery Life: 1 year | Range: 33 feet | Water-Resistant: Yes
We have not tested the Invoxia Minitailz yet, but we think it sounds promising. It tracks location, health, and activity, keeping logs of where your pet is and what’s going on in their life.
It records how much walking and running your dog does, as well as barking, eating, scratching, and car rides. It tracks heart and respiratory rates and gives alerts when they go above or below normal. (The company utilizes a science advisory board of veterinarians and veterinary professors.)
You can set up a geo-fence for your dog with the tracker, which just means you’ll get an alert if your pup leaves that safe area. It is designed to slide onto most collars and is very lightweight. The tracker is powered by AI and has received some rewards for innovation. Invoxia has created other GPS trackers for objects.
Collar Included: No | Subscription: Yes | Weight: 1.3 ounces | Battery Life: Up to 15 days | Range: Unlimited | Water-Resistant: Yes
What We Like
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Very accurate GPS, even in wooded areas
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Quick to set up
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Can customize unlimited number of virtual fences
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Allows for boundaries within boundaries
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Rain-, snow-, and swim-proof
The SpotOn GPS Dog Fence is a clear favorite of Reddit users, garnering enthusiastic recommendations across multiple dog-related forums. One commenter on the r/cockerspaniel subreddit states, “We have been 100% happy with our decision.” On the German Shorthair Pointers forum, another Reddit user writes, “It’s much simpler in my opinion than Halo. Love being able to set up fences that give visual clues. Our dog knows which tree lines are her boundaries…It’s very easy to change fences when we want to go visit our neighbors with the dog.”
Many Reddit users like the superior accuracy and precise tracking of the SpotOn GPS which works well even in the most wooded areas or areas with no internet. The app is simple to set up and highly customizable, providing users with the flexibility to create boundaries within boundaries while giving their dogs the freedom to safely roam.
You can manage everything from your phone and receive real-time alerts that allow you to call your dog home with the press of a button. SpotOn also provides an easy DIY program developed by certified trainers to help teach your dog to stay within designated zones.
Although the collar is on the bulky side, it is rain-, snow-, and swim-proof and very durable. One issue users have experienced with SpotOn is a problem with connectivity, which is often easily resolved by switching carriers.
Collar Included: Yes | Subscription: No | Weight: 6.72 ounces | Battery Life: Up to 24 hours | Range: N/A | Water-Resistant: Yes
Final Verdict
Our favorite dog GPS tracker is the Whistle Go Explore. It’s easy to use, gives accurate, live tracking information, and also includes health and fitness monitoring for your pup. If you’d like to do this without a subscription, then the Apple AirTag might be a good option. It’s small, lightweight, and can be slipped into a holder for your dog’s collar. It works best in crowded areas because it relies on Apple devices to form a network to find the tag.
What to Look For In a Dog GPS Tracker
Your Location
Dog GPS trackers and smart collars use a combination of technologies to pinpoint the location of your dog over time. For example, Apple AirTags uses Apple’s “Find My” network, which tracks networked Bluetooth signals to triangulate the location of the AirTag on your dog’s collar based on other Apple devices in the vicinity.
The Global Positioning System, more commonly known as GPS, is a navigation system that uses a network of satellites to pinpoint any GPS receiver—so long as they’re visible to enough satellites in the network. While the GPS network established by the United States uses 31 different satellites, there are other Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) that can also be used for real-time geolocation.
GPS connectivity depends on the line of sight with at least four satellites in the network. This means you’re most likely to lose up-to-date location information in dense urban areas and mountainous terrain.
“There can be lag time with some of them so you need to make sure it’s tracking in real-time,” says Duhr. “If you’re chasing a dog that’s chasing a deer, it’s important that you know right now where the dog is.”
Subscription
Most GPS trackers designed for pets require a subscription to activate the GPS tracking capabilities and increase the range of coverage, which is typically unlimited. Subscriptions also provide additional information about your dog that you might find useful, such as sleeping habits and the number of steps they took.
Durability
If your dog roams freely, the tracker you select should withstand the elements and their playful tendencies. Depending on your dog, a tracker’s ability to hold up against water, pawing and gnawing, and dirt should be a deciding factor.
The level of a device’s waterproofing protection is generally determined by an Ingress Protection Rating, more often known as an IP code. This international standard reflects how much protection is offered against solid particles like dust and water.
For example, several GPS tracking devices are coded IP68. The first digit after IP is in reference to dust, and a device is considered “dustproof” if it’s labeled with a “6”—the highest rating. The second digit describes waterproofing, and a rating of 8 indicates that the dog collar is capable of complete submersion for more than 30 minutes (at a depth of 1 meter).
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Battery Life
The battery life for GPS trackers varies widely. Some are meant to be used on an event basis, with a battery life designed to last a few hours during a hike or day out. However, there are also smart collars and trackers with a battery life that can extend into weeks or months. Accounting for battery life before purchase involves, in part, some reflection on your routines.
If you anticipate using a collar similarly to a smartwatch, then it may be reasonable to develop a habit of putting it back on the charging dock at the end of each day. However, if you’d like your dog to wear a GPS tracker or smart collar at all times, then a longer-lasting battery should be a major priority. All of the GPS trackers on our list, except for the Apple AirTag, come with a charger.
How We Tested Dog GPS Trackers
We tested GPS dog trackers in our New York Lab and then in the real world with real dogs. Our methodology guided our testers through multiple scores while also gathering subjective impressions along the way.
To start, our testers timed how long it took to set up the GPS tracker and the corresponding app on their mobile device, and they gave their first impressions on the design and size. They noted their dog’s response to wearing the device.
For several weeks, they tested the accuracy and performance of the tracker, noting real-time information and results. They evaluated features, such as lights and sounds, and offered insight into the type of environment and situations in which they felt the tracker performed well and where it fell short.
Testers then ranked the GPS tracker on a scale of 1 to 5 within the following categories: Ease of Setup, Accuracy, Functionality, Design, and Value, and the aggregation of ratings and feedback were used to inform our selections.
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FAQ
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How do dog GPS trackers work?
Dog GPS trackers connect to nearby GPS satellites, which send the tracker’s location coordinates to the corresponding mobile device. Some trackers can connect to Wi-Fi networks, cellular service (4G and LTE), and Bluetooth to track your dog.
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Are GPS trackers safe for dogs to wear?
If your dog is comfortable wearing a collar, and the GPS tracker isn’t too heavy, then a GPS tracker is safe for use. Always check with your veterinarian if you are unsure whether your dog should wear a collar.
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Do dog collar GPS trackers work indoors and outdoors?
Yes, but the connectivity source and strength will vary based on the tracker you select. AirTags and other devices use proximity to networked Bluetooth signals or Wi-Fi to triangulate your device in relation to other devices. This works great indoors, in urban areas, or in other places dense with technology. GPS, on the other hand, relies on line of sight with a minimum of four satellites in a navigational network. This works perfectly in open areas, but may struggle indoors, or when buildings are in the way.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
This story was written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has covered animals and pets for several decades. DiLonardo is home to a rescue dog named Brodie and has fostered about 70 dogs and puppies. She is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products, foods, and treats for them.
To inform this story, DiLondardo spoke with Judy Duhr, director of Speak Rescue and Sanctuary based in St. Louis. Duhr has placed GPS collars on over a dozen dogs in her care, using them on her own pets as well as with fosters to keep them safe. One time, a dog got out of the fence and its GPS tracking showed the dog was in a specific house not very far away. The homeowner had removed the dog’s collar, which included phone numbers, but the GPS tracker helped Duhr find her dog anyway. “The homeowner wasn’t going to answer the door but the location was so exact that I knew exactly what house my dog was in,” Duhr shared.
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