Accidents happen; the pest control guy forgets to close the gate door or the front door doesn’t close all the way. It takes a second for a dog to engage with this mishap and she’s gone, she’s nowhere to be found. Dog trainers will tell you that even the best-behaved dogs can wander too far off leash. A lost dog is every dog owner’s nightmare, and thankfully technology is helping find lost dogs quickly.
Locator Tags
For budget conscience owners, engraved metal dog tags have an individual code that’s easily scanned using a downloadable app. Once the dog is found, using the downloadable app, the finder will immediately be informed of the dog’s name, breed and how to contact the owner. When scanned, the owner receives a GPS email with the location where the dog was scanned. While there are many variables to finding this dog’s owner, it’s an inexpensive option with no monthly fees.
Wifi & GPS Collars
Each collar differs a bit and so does the price, some collars and devices are very sophisticated. There are some inexpensive options, such as attractive buckle collars, made of nylon, cotton or leather, and have blue tooth technology embedded within the fabric. As the lost dog moves, over a million locators will track the dog’s movement and sent specific locations to the owner. It’s similar to locating a cellphone by tracking its signal as it pings off a cell tower. These collars cost $30 with no monthly fees.
The most sophisticated location collar has all the bells and whistles and so does the price tag. Many GPS collars have technology embedded within the collar’s fabric or a device that attaches to the dog’s collar. This type of collar has a cell signal, and works similar to the iPhone Find Me App. It shows the dog’s real time location on a map, which makes it very easy for the owner to instantly find the dog without waiting for someone else to find the dog. Plus, this prevents someone from finding and keeping the dog . This type of device can easily cost up to or over $100; plus monthly cell phone fees.
Who Needs This Type Of Collar
Of course, never allow a dog to roam free, even if she’s wearing a location device. Manage the situation and keep the dog indoors and keep an eye on the dog when outdoors. Additionally, this gadget will never replace an updated microchip, however a location tag or collar is excellent support tool. This device is perfect when traveling with a dog, especially if the dog escapes a hotel room or runs away after a car wreak.
Have you used a location collar or tag with your dog? If so, what do you think about it?