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The doghouse

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Original poster

GPS tracker recommendations

35 replies

BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:15

Seriously thinking of getting one due to DDogs poor recall.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Thinking I need the following features as a minimum; GPS, multiple users, smart phone app to locate dog, waterproof.

Not bothered about price but want one that works out and about in the uk (I guess anywhere there is a mobile signal).

OP posts:
Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:17

Oh should also say one that you can securely attach to any collar would be good as well.

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Dementedswan · 09/05/2017 12:18

Why would you let your dog off lead if it's recall is that bad it needs a tracker?

Dementedswan · 09/05/2017 12:19

My pups recall is terrible if there are too many distractions so I only let him off when it's quiet and practise recall. I'm taking him to training sessions to try and improve it. Would that not be an option for you?

Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:21

Because I need to practice recall still. Whilst I plan to practice where I can see him there is always a chance that you think the recall is 100% ok until it isn't.

He is a gun dog and is fast so I would prefer to have a gps tracker as my last back up.

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Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:22

I do gun dog training, I do practice recall. This is ongoing...

However, he is doing selective deafness as he is in teenage mode so I would like a last defence.

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sparechange · 09/05/2017 12:26

If recall is that bad that a dog could get away from you, and get lost in an instant, you should not be letting your dog off the lead outside enclosed spaces.

If not, the only thing a GPS tracker is going to be good for is telling you which road to find its dead body on after it has been hit by a car

Gundogs inherently have good recall. It has been bred into them for countless generations. If you are struggling to harness this, you should spend money on working with a trainer before you spend it on gadgets

Dementedswan · 09/05/2017 12:27

Mines a labrador. I thought I had his recall sussed until he hit 9 months then he started ignoring me Hmm recalls perfect on a long line though.

Off Leash in secure area to practice?

Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:29

Ok guys I do go to gun dog training classes. I really don't want help with his recall as I have people helping me with that in real life.

As a very last back up when I can't find him in a forest (not near any roads) I would like to think I have the ability to know which direction he may have gone. A tracker is not a substitute for recall training, it is a last line of defence if something goes wrong.

If anyone has any recommendations then great, otherwise please ignore this thread.

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Dementedswan · 09/05/2017 12:37

The nano dog tracker seems to fit your specifications. It's on a collar so not a microchip.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:40

Yes I saw that one but was wondering how accurate it really was. My fear with these things is when you really need them it might show your dog a long way from where it is. A bit like when people use find my iPhone and it reports that they are miles away.

I guess the only way to really find out is to buy and see if it tracks the walks correctly.

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Dementedswan · 09/05/2017 12:46

Hopefully someone who has used one will be along shortly.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 12:46

Actually the PDSA has that tracker on their website (looks like they get a donation when you buy it). I would hope they would only support one that works Wink

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Dementedswan · 09/05/2017 13:00

It was the only one I saw that's waterproof and you need that with a gundog Grin I only did a quick search tho.

Doublechocolatetiffin · 09/05/2017 13:23

I think sadly the technology isn't really up to much yet with the dog trackers. We got one for our dog because she was prone to escaping from our enclosed garden.

We bought the findster one because it didn't rely on a mobile phone signal (as coverage is awful here) and supposedly it worked ok in wooded areas. It wasn't great at tracking (it'd frequently alert me to tell me my dog had escaped when she was lying next to me!) The clincher for me though was the clip that allowed you to attach it to the collar broke after a couple of weeks. It was an expensive mistake.

Most of the trackers don't work well in woodland, if that is where you are training then they probably aren't going to be much use for you unfortunately.

Could you maybe use a falcon bell to tie to his collar? It might give a more reliable method of tracking.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 13:29

Ah that was my worry about reliability of signal :(

Thinking about the bell I did see someone walking their dog in the forest with a bell and it was definitely loud.

Thanks, will investigate that option. Today his recall was fine until he decided it wasn't and had I not caught a final glimpse of his tail I would not have know he was as heading in a completely different direction. A bell would have at least alerted me to that.

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LilCamper · 09/05/2017 14:32

My gundog regressed with recall a few times. Back on a long line and harness is the only real sure fire way to deal with this. Everytime you let him off lead and he bogs off he is getting better at doing so.

CornflakeHomunculus · 09/05/2017 14:48

You don't need a GPS tracker, you need a long line (attached to a harness) and later on somewhere properly secure where you can let him off lead with no possibility of him disappearing.

The problem with using stuff like GPS collars or bells is that whilst they might help you locate him (depending on signal issues, whether you're in hearing range, etc.) they won't keep him safe and they also won't help you improve his recall.

Dogs get better at behaviours they're allowed to practise, the more he blows his recall the more likely he is to keep on doing it. You need to be allowing him some freedom whilst making sure you're not putting him in a situation where he can fail. This is where the long line comes in, he'll still be able to behave pretty much as if he was off lead but he can't fail at recall because if he looks like he's going to ignore you then you can use the line so he can't disappear (or even just continue moving away from you) whilst you catch him up. is a good little video showing using a long line with an adolescent dog.

Hiring a private, secure field can also really help as you can let him compeltely off lead knowing he can't escape and that there won't be people or dogs or anything appearing that you might have to try (and fail) to recall him from. In such an area you can be really selective about when you try and recall him (because there's not going to be anything you have to recall him from) so you can set him up for success every time by only calling him to you when you're sure he'll do it. This is a very handy website for finding secure fields in the UK that are available to hire.

Pippa Mattinson (who specialises in gundogs) has written an excellent book called Total Recall which is also well worth a read if you're having recall related problems.

ruthsmumkath · 09/05/2017 16:43

I have been recommended this one

www.retrievatracking.com/

by a man who uses it for rescue dogs.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 09/05/2017 16:47

Thanks ruthsmumkath I'll take a look.

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ambereyesore · 09/05/2017 21:55

I seriously looked at one last year, but didn't end up going for it.

The reason is that the dog would be out of control. Therefore I'd be liable for prosecution. It's a real problem now with social media and stuff. 10 years ago if your dog went wandering for a bit nothing much happened. It appeared or was found and you were reunited.

Now (round here) you'll be named and shamed, and the dog warden will be called 🙄

I have made peace with secure fields, long lines and canicrossing.

ambereyesore · 09/05/2017 21:58

Sorry. Just rtft and realised my reply isn't helpful

Good luck - I wish I could let mine off lead.

sparechange · 09/05/2017 22:32

A bell is a really, really terrible idea

You already have trouble with your dog listening to you. Adding in yet more distractions isn't going to help things

You have an underlying training issue, which needs to be addressed. Stop burying your head in the sand with toys and train your dog!

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 09/05/2017 22:44

We use gps for our geocaching. It's really unreliable near any woodland, the trees just block the signal.

Wolfiefan · 09/05/2017 22:48

Wow. Bit of a pasting here for the OP. Bitey clearly says that training is ongoing and this is a defence against the worst happening. It's not to be used instead of training.

Original poster
BiteyShark · 10/05/2017 05:47

Wolfiefan I know it's not like I don't spend my money and time on perfecting his recall. The irony is that many people compliment him in RL because we recall lots and he has been perfect until these last few weeks. I over insure on everything in my life and this is my dog equivalent of over insuring.

Thanks to all those with good suggestions (completely ignores the others).

Looks like the nano is the best on paper so might just splurge the money and see how it tracks the walks. If it is any good I will keep it on him 'just in case of a catastrophe' otherwise I guess it will go into the draw of crap technology Grin

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