How to Best Track Your Dog: Methods and Safety Measures
Dogs can be unpredictable, due to their size, behavioral patterns, or breed. They are particularly sensitive to scents and sounds, often responding instinctively to what they perceive—which can sometimes lead to challenges in managing their behavior.
Whether you’ve chased your dog before or worry it might happen, fear not. Here are a few measures you can take to successfully track your dog, so you won’t have to run after them and can feel confident leaving them at home, knowing you can track them even when you're not there.
Tips and Tricks for Dog Owners
Different dogs possess different behaviors, which makes it crucial to tailor the solution to their specific patterns. For instance, your dog may chew on furniture or plants, whether indoors or outdoors. To address this, a pet camera that emits sounds to alert your dog could be an effective solution.
If you are concerned about your dog jumping over your backyard fence or getting lost while on a walk in the woods, it may be better to use a tracker, which typically comes in the form of a collar. Some trackers connect to your phone for live tracking, while others rely on radio frequency. Many trackers also offer a feature called “GPS dog fence,” which allows you to limit the areas your dog can explore.
If you are concerned about identifying your dog in case it gets lost, you could consider asking your veterinarian to implant a microchip under its skin. This serves as a form of ID in case the dog is lost and is found by somebody else.
How Do I Choose the Right Method?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing the best way to track your dog. However, by getting to know your pups and your surroundings—and focusing on effective training, including educating yourself—you’ll discover which method works best.
Additionally, as you look at the upsides and downsides of each method, ask yourself if the product offering matches the price point, which collar is more comfortable for your type of dog, or what your priority is: identifying your dog, tracking its movements live, or to limit its outdoor range?
Lastly, be mindful of the quality of your product, as it makes a big difference when ensuring efficiency—you wouldn’t want to have to replace your collar after just a short time.
Rely on Experts—and Make It Fun!
Consult specific product reviews and ask for experts’ advice, whether that is a veterinarian or dog trainer. Remember, the goal is safety—ensuring your dog is protected from the outside world. So, don’t be swayed by unqualified advice from neighbors or flashy online promo codes.
Besides, dogs’ natural way of wandering isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Who said they can’t track things as well? By helping your dog develop its skills while ensuring it stays safe, you are making the process enjoyable for both of you. Ask for help from the right people, and set yourself—and your dog—up for success.