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By Greg Bartlett

One new use for GPS technology that has emerged recently is a GPS tracking system designed for dogs. Some owners believe that they need an extra precaution when leashes and fences are not enough. These features vary, but most are collars equipped with a tracking device that sends out a signal with the animal’s location. These systems can be set to send a signal as often as every five minutes or as little as every hour.

Pet Tracking Collar

The devices also range in prices. A simpler GPS tracking system designed for animals may cost around $100, while a more complex version that includes geo-fencing features might be as high as $500. In addition to the price of the system, there is a monthly fee for the tracking, because these kinds of trackers must be real time instead of passive trackers. This requires an additional fee of $15-30 per month.

Many people confuse GPS tracking with chipping. Chips have necessary contact information and are placed under the surface of the dog’s skin. These chips must be read with a scanner in order to find out the information. In this way it is better to get a GPS tracking system for your dog than to have a chip put in. With a chip, you’re hoping that someone will find the dog and have the chip read. On the other hand, with a GPS tracker, you have the power to locate your dog and retrieve him immediately. Provided, of course, that your pet is wearing his collar. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that a GPS tracking system will ever be implanted in an animal, because there is no way to recharge or replace the battery that is necessary to send out a signal.

However, the GPS tracking systems that are designed for dogs are not very advanced, and pet owners have several concerns about them. One thing to consider is the price. After purchasing the GPS tracking system, the tracking alone will cost between $200-400 a year. When added on top of dog food and vet bills, pet owners may find that they cannot afford this extra precaution. However, that is just one of the problems of this kind of a system.

The signal from the tracking device might be blocked if the animal is found and taken indoors, to a dog shelter for instance. The battery life can also be a problem. The more often the transmitter sends a signal, the quicker the battery dies and each system has its own level of battery power.

These are just a few of the several problems that would need to be worked out before GPS tracking systems for dogs will rise in popularity.