Best Ways to Track Your Dog With GPS and Activity Trackers
The best way to track your dog depends on your phone, coverage needs, and willingness to pay a subscription. The five options below include no-monthly-fee trackers for iPhone and Android, a collar with an audible alert, and a GPS tracker with activity insights. Check each device’s app and phone requirements before choosing: some features depend on cellular coverage or a specific operating system.
| Tracker | Best For | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Tractive-style iOS tracker | iPhone and iPad users | Apple devices required |
| DEONETAG GPS tracker | Android and iPhone users | Uses the DEONETAG app |
| BONSO tracker collar | Owners wanting an audible alert | Battery-life details are not supplied |
| Petivity Purina tracker | GPS and activity insights | Subscription and cellular coverage required |
| Smart Pet Tracker | Cross-platform basic tracking | Requires newer phone operating systems |
Best For iPhone Users: Tractive GPS Tracker
This tracker is designed for people who use an iPhone or iPad and want location tracking without a monthly fee or SIM card. Its listed features include satellite positioning, location display on street maps, and playback of up to seven days of route history. The package also includes an adjustable 9–16-inch collar and a keychain for alternate attachment.
Best for: iOS households that want to review where a dog has traveled, not just check a current location. Choose this if Apple Find My compatibility and route history fit your needs.
Limitation: The listing specifies iPhone and iPad use, so it is not the best choice for Android-only households.
Best For Android And iPhone: DEONETAG Tracker
The DEONETAG tracker is a practical cross-platform option for owners who use Android or iPhone. The listed features include app-based real-time location, one-click pairing, and seven-day historical route playback. It is described as lightweight and IP68 waterproof, with a holder intended to attach to a collar. The listing says core tracking does not require a subscription or SIM card.
Best for: Households that need a tracker compatible with either major smartphone platform and want route history. It was selected for its stated cross-platform support and waterproof design.
Limitation: Tracking and history are accessed through the DEONETAG app, so check that app requirements suit your phone before buying.
Best For Audible Alerts: BONSO Tracker Collar
The BONSO product combines a tracker with a pet collar. Its listed functions include real-time location updates, geofencing, activity monitoring, and an app-controlled speaker that can beep to help locate a dog nearby. The product name also states up to 365 days of battery life; buyers should review the product details for conditions attached to that figure.
Best for: Owners who want an audible cue when their dog is close enough to hear, in addition to location tracking. It stands out among these options for its described built-in speaker and geofencing.
Limitation: A sound alert is for nearby searches; it does not replace checking the app’s location information when a dog is farther away.
Best For Activity Insights: Petivity Purina Tracker
The Petivity tracker combines live GPS location with movement tracking and personalized activity goals in its app. The listing states that it can offer up to 30 days of battery life. This option differs from the no-fee models because the Petivity app requires a subscription, and GPS tracking depends on adequate cellular coverage.
Best for: Owners who want location monitoring alongside activity information and personalized goals. Choose it if those insights matter more than avoiding an app subscription.
Limitation: A subscription is required, and the listing identifies cellular coverage as a condition for tracking.
Best For Simple Cross-Platform Tracking
This slim tracker is listed for iOS and Android, with a free app, real-time location updates, and mobile history settings. It is described as IP68 waterproof and includes a holder for collar attachment. The listing says it has no subscription or monthly fee for use.
Best for: Owners looking for a straightforward, no-monthly-fee tracker that supports both phone platforms. Its slim design and included holder make it a simple option to consider for everyday collar use.
Limitation: The listing specifies iOS 14.5 or later or Android compatibility. Confirm your device meets the stated requirements before choosing it.
Buying Guide: How To Choose A Dog Tracker
Does the tracker work with your phone?
Start with operating-system compatibility. One option here is listed for iPhone and iPad, while others specify Android and iPhone support. Some require a particular app, so check its availability and phone requirements before purchase.
Do you want to avoid a subscription?
Several listed devices describe core tracking as having no monthly fee or SIM requirement. Petivity, by contrast, requires a subscription. Compare the ongoing cost structure as well as the initial device features, and verify what the app includes without a paid plan.
Will it work where your dog goes?
GPS and app-based tracking depend on the device and service conditions described by the manufacturer. The Petivity listing specifically notes that live tracking requires adequate cellular coverage. Consider your typical walking areas, travel routes, and home surroundings, and review the product details for coverage limitations.
Which extra features matter?
Route history can help you review a dog’s movements over time. Geofencing may suit owners who want boundary-related alerts, while a built-in speaker can help with a nearby search. Activity goals are useful for owners interested in movement insights. Pick features you expect to use rather than treating every extra as essential.
How should you compare fit and durability?
Check how the tracker attaches, whether a holder or collar is included, and whether its size suits your dog. Waterproof descriptions vary by product, and they do not establish every use condition. Review the manufacturer’s instructions for collar fit, charging, and water exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track my dog without a monthly fee?
Some listed trackers state that core tracking has no monthly fee. Petivity requires a subscription, so check the specific app terms before buying.
Do dog GPS trackers need a SIM card?
Several products in this guide state that no SIM card is required. Confirm how a specific tracker sends location information and whether coverage conditions apply.
Can I see where my dog has been?
Some models list historical route playback, including up to seven days for the DEONETAG and iOS-focused options. Check the app description for the history period and settings.
Is a waterproof tracker suitable for swimming?
A waterproof rating describes resistance under specified conditions, but it does not automatically confirm suitability for every swim or water activity. Follow the device’s care instructions.
What is the difference between GPS tracking and activity tracking?
GPS tracking is used to view a pet’s location. Activity tracking records movement or activity information, and some products combine both functions in one app.