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There are many dog GPS trackers on the market, but many of them are geared towards larger breeds due to their large sizes. My little rescue dog is only about 15 pounds. So, while those products are effective at tracking dogs, they can be uncomfortable for my dog, Mabel. However, small dogs can get lost just like big dogs, so it’s important for dog parents to have a way to track them if they get loose. So, I recently tested the classic Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs on my furry friend to help keep him safe without making the product too heavy for him.
What I Received
Tactive sent me a classic GPS Tracker for Dogs, which can fit any dog over 8.8 pounds (4 kg). It measures 2.8 x 1.1 x 0.6 in (71 x 28 x 17 mm) and weighs 1.23 oz (35 g). It comes with two colorful cases – one is a solid light pink color and the other has a blue marble pattern. Even though Mabel usually wears a pink collar and harness, I usually use blue because I like the way it looks.
It also includes a short charging cable and a charging case to make recharging the battery easy.
Setting it up
Setting up my GPS tracker was a little difficult at first because I couldn’t figure out how to charge it. There was no place to plug a charging cable into my device, and I couldn’t find any instructions on how to set it up. But then, after trying a few things, I realized that the product comes with a charging case. Simply attach the case to the device and plug the charging cable into the case. Once I did that, it charged fully in less than an hour (it must not have reached 0% because the website says it takes about 3 hours to charge).
To set up the GPS, you need to have the Tractive app, which is free to download. Once I downloaded the app, it walked me through how to set up the device, which was a pretty straightforward process. I just need to turn on Bluetooth, enter the device information, and add Mabel’s details once the device is connected. Normally, customers would need to select a subscription plan when setting up, but I was given an activation voucher to test the product.
Battery Life
Even though I have the smallest Tractive device, its battery life seems to be reliable. After using it for about 8 hours a day for a few days, the battery is at 90%. So, you can probably use it for more than a week without having to charge it. The website says it should last up to 10 days on a single charge.
However, if you want better battery life, the XL version of this device has a battery that lasts longer. The website says it can last up to a month on one charge. It’s a larger device, so it’s probably too clunky for small dogs like Mabel.
Tracking My Dog
Once everything was set up, I clipped the device to Mabel’s collar and let her wear it all day. It was the perfect size for a small breed dog as Mabel was able to do her routine without even noticing that her collar had been cut. The only thing he doesn’t like about it is the beeping sound it makes when it’s on. The sound startles him sometimes because he is sensitive to certain sounds. So, I always turn it on before attaching it to his collar.
Of course, the main benefit of this collar is tracking your dog’s location. So, I took Mabel for a few walks with the collar on to make sure it was following her accurately. After each walk, I checked the app. Exactly, I can see the exact route he took. If he ever leaves the house while wearing the tracker, I can check my phone to see his location.
While Mabel is unlikely to wander from home, this tracker can be a lifesaver for families with escape-artist dogs. Personally, I also find it handy for camping trips. My family owns some camping land and since it is private property, many of the dogs are off leash. I’m usually uncomfortable with having Mabel off leash, but this tracker will help me keep track of her better while also giving her a little extra freedom.
Other Features
In addition to showing your dog’s location, the app can also monitor your dog’s health. You can set a goal for how many minutes you want your dog to be active each day, and it recommends a goal range based on your dog’s information. Even though Mabel is a very lazy dog, she meets or exceeds her exercise goal of 110 minutes every time she wears this device. Probably because it counts her going up and down the stairs and playing with toys in addition to her walks.
It also tracks how long your dog sleeps, and for a laid-back senior dog like Mabel, those results aren’t surprising. He sleeps a lot during the day and night. However, I realized that if I forget to turn the device off when he’s not wearing it, the tracker thinks he’s sleeping that whole time. So, his results were a bit skewed on days I forgot to make him wear the tracker.
What I Love About This Tracker
My favorite thing about this tracker is that it’s small and lightweight. Whenever I put it on Mabel, she doesn’t even notice it’s there. So, it’s perfect for dog parents who want to keep the tracker on for a long time each day. This is especially useful for small dogs because there aren’t many other reliable and compact trackers on the market.
I also like how easy it is to use the tracker and connect it to my phone. All I have to do is hold down a button on the tracker and then turn on my phone’s Bluetooth. Then, without any further steps, I can see the location of the tracker in the app.
Is there anything I think could be better?
Overall, I like this tracker the way it is and wouldn’t suggest any significant changes. The only thing I struggled with was figuring out how to charge it. I didn’t realize mine came with a charging case, and I didn’t see any charging instructions in the box. So, maybe if there were some clear instructions on charging after opening the packaging, that would make the setup easier.
Would I recommend this Dog GPS Tracker?
I would definitely recommend the Tractive Dog GPS Tracker to anyone with a dog. Because it is compact, it can be used on all breeds, even small dogs, without it bothering them. If your dog wears it when he runs away, you can easily track their location with the app, helping you bring him home as quickly as possible. In addition to location, it can also track your dog’s health, such as their exercise and sleep patterns. So, with all the information this tracker provides, you can keep your dog safe, healthy, and happy.
If you’re looking for an easy, convenient way to track your dog, consider purchasing the Tractive GPS Tracker. There’s also the Tractive XL Tracker, which is ideal for larger dogs and has a longer battery life. If you’re interested in a Tractive product, you can get 20% off with the code IHDOGS20.