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Want to take your dog hiking with you off-leash? Or do you have a Houdini hound at your home? A Global Positioning System (GPS) dog collar or tracking device could be just what you need. These tech-savvy devices allow you to keep track of your dog’s location and where they’re heading via tracking technology located in a device on their collar. I’ve researched dozens of dog GPS devices, and our team has tested many. See which GPS dog collars and other dog-tracking solutions I recommend.
| Value | Small Dogs | Virtual Fencing | No Monthly Fee | Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |  |
| Tractive | Trackimo | SpotOn | Petfon2 | Garmin Alpha |
| Visit Website | Visit Website | Visit Website | View on Chewy | View on Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review |
Benefits Of GPS Collars
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) found in a study that 14% of lost dogs are never located. Some of the best ways to find a lost dog are to scour your neighborhood and make sure your dog has an accurate ID tag on her collar.
On the other hand, imagine if you could know the instant your dog roams away and track where they’re heading. Having a device that has GPS lost-dog mode gives you peace of mind and lets you locate your pup quickly. Also, if you take your dog hiking off-leash, she’s free to explore far away from you without you having to worry about where she is.
GPS Microchip vs Standard Microchip: What’s The Difference?
When you hear the word microchip associated with pets, you typically think of microchips embedded subcutaneously. However, there are some significant differences between an internal microchip and a GPS microchip for dogs and how they allow you to keep track of your dog.
GPS Microchip
A GPS chip for dogs is external, usually worn on your dog’s collar. The GPS chip sends a continuous signal to the global satellite system, which allows you to see your dog’s exact location in real-time. Some GPS pet trackers can also feature message alerts and information about your dog’s activity levels and health.
Standard Microchip
A standard microchip for dogs is implanted under your dog’s skin and contains information like the chip ID, breed, owner details, and more. You can’t track your dog’s whereabouts at any given time with a standard microchip. It’s only helpful if someone finds your dog and takes them to a shelter or a vet’s office with a particular scanner to read the chip.
Best GPS Dog Collars And Trackers
There are many variations of GPS dog collars and GPS pet trackers, so we’ve broken down our reviews into categories we think will help you choose the type you need. We chose our top picks based on many factors, including performance reliability, tracking range, battery life, cost, customer support, user reviews, and more.
Best Value: Tractive GPS Tracker For Dogs Review
The Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs combines excellent location accuracy, a reliable signal, and other great features at a nearly unbeatable price. Its live-tracking mode geolocates every 2 to 3 seconds (more often than many other devices) and lets you see where your dog has traveled and where they’re heading.
You can also set up a safe zone via the app and receive a text alert if your dog leaves the area. This lightweight, waterproof device attaches securely to most collar types and has an LED light to help you locate your furry friend at night. It also monitors your pup’s active and rest times and calories burned. Another bonus is that Tractive gives you activity and location history so you can see where your dog walker is taking your pup, for example.
Like most GPS dog trackers, Tractive’s technology relies on LTE connectivity (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile), so it won’t work in remote areas without a cellular signal. The LTE functionality requires a monthly service fee, but Tractive works in over 175 countries. Tractive is also available in an XL version and a rugged Adventure XL model (both have a longer battery life than the standard model).
Our Personal Experience
“Our dogs love to hike with us, and Tractive is great at telling us where and how many minutes our dogs were active once we connected to a cell signal or WiFi. It even shows their whereabouts visually on a detailed map. If our dog got lost in a populated area that was well served by cell service, this product would be a tremendous help! However, the GPS wouldn’t connect to the app when we didn’t have a cell signal during our mountain hikes, so the tool would prove unhelpful if they got lost during our off-the-grid adventures. And, while it tracks the minutes of activity, the data is less detailed than with traditional activity trackers.”
– Michelle Schenker, Rescue Dog Parent, Canine Journal Co-Founder
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent value | Requires a monthly service fee |
| Easy to set up and activate | Premium subscription required for worldwide coverage, location history, family sharing, and GPS data export |
| Lightweight device for dogs 9 pounds or more | Some consumer complaints about slow customer service |
| Unlimited range (as long as you have LTE connection) | It relies on cell service, so it may not work in remote areas |
| Receive text alerts if your dog leaves their safe zone | |
| View your pup’s activity and location history | |
| Mobile apps get fantastic reviews | |
| Battery lasts up to 10 days, and it fully recharges in 2 hours | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | |
| 1-year limited warranty |
Price
Subscription
A required subscription gets you access to your dog’s location and activity.
- Basic Plan: starts at $6/month for 2-year subscription
- Premium Plan: starts at $5/month for 5-year subscription
In-Depth Review Of Tractive
Best For Small Dogs: Trackimo Review
Trackimo is similar to the Tractive GPS Pet Tracker in that it relies on cell service and requires a monthly service fee. But Trackimo is more compact than Tractive, making it an excellent option for smaller dogs.
You’ll end up paying more upfront for Trackimo, but it offers a free year of service, and then you’ll end up paying $5 per month. Since Trackimo relies on cell service, it’s not ideal for remote areas. But if you live in an area with reliable cell service, Trackimo is another excellent option for pets who tend to roam. It also allows you to keep tabs on where your dog is with a dog walker.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy setup and activation | It relies on cell service, so it may not work in remote areas |
| Lightweight and extremely compact device | You must pay a $5 monthly service fee (but the first year is free) |
| Battery life up to 96 hours | Several customer complaints that the location tracking isn’t accurate |
| Receive text or email alerts if your dog leaves their safe zone | |
| Compatible with iOS and Android smartphones | |
| 1-year limited warranty |
Price
- Trackimo 4G GPS Tracker + 1 year LTE Subscription: $119.95
- View all options
Monthly Subscription
A required monthly subscription gets you access to the GPS tracker and alerts.
- $60/year (after the 1st year included with device)
Best GPS Virtual Fencing: SpotOn GPS Fence Review
SpotOn GPS Fence is another fantastic option if you want a wireless fencing system, GPS tracking, and more. It works much the same way that Halo Collar does, with some notable differences. First, it’s much more expensive. But SpotOn allows you to create unlimited overlapping fences (Halo does not). It also has more customizable correction levels than Halo.
The SpotOn system uses data from 25-30 satellites from GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou to keep your pup within your set boundaries. Training materials are included, and you also get one-on-one training sessions with one of SpotOn’s certified dog trainers.
While a subscription isn’t mandatory, the system is limited without a plan. While the fences work without a subscription, you can use any cellular coverage service (with the latest Omni version, which offers universal coverage) to receive alerts that your dog has left your yard and to be able to track them on your smartphone.
Our Personal Experience With SpotOn GPS Fence
We had the opportunity to try SpotOn’s collar with our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in exchange for an honest review. The collar itself was easy to set up, attach the contact points, and adjust the size. After activating the collar and creating an account, you can walk with your dog on a leash to create your virtual fence in real-time. I was impressed at how detailed the fence line was and how accurate the invisible fence lines were.
When getting close to the “edge,” it makes a loud beep. As you get closer to the boundary, there is a two-tone alert. And if you cross the boundary, the collar vibrates. There’s no subscription required to use the fence, but if you want GSP tracking, you have to have a subscription. If you’re looking for a way to contain your dog without a need for wires, this training collar is worth the investment.
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog parent
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can create unlimited, overlapping wireless fences over no maximum size | Expensive |
| Easy to set up | Requires a minimum of 1/2 acre |
| Real-time alerts and accurate GPS tracking | Likely won’t fit very small or very large dogs (10″-26″ neck sizes) but has extenders for bigger necks |
| IP-67 waterproof rating | Must pay a monthly fee for tracking feature to work |
| Battery life is 14-25 hours, depending on the mode you’re using | |
| Mobile apps get good reviews | |
| 1-year limited warranty | |
| 90-day money-back guarantee | |
| 10% discount on multi-collar purchases |
Price
SpotOn offers a 90-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty.
Monthly Subscription
An optional subscription gives you access to GPS location tracking and escape alerts.
- Month to Month: $9.95/month
- 1-Year: $8.49/month (save 15%)
- 2-Years: $7.49/month (save 25%)
Coupon
Use coupon code CANINE to get $75 off SpotOn when you purchase via this link.
In-Depth Review Of SpotOn GPS Fence
Check out our full review of SpotOn GPS Fence for more details on this system’s features and how it works.
Best For No Monthly Fee: Petfon2 Pet GPS Tracker Review
Petfon’s collar device is the only no-monthly fee pet GPS tracker you can use with your smartphone. Petfon combines GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and long-distance wireless technologies (LPWAN) for accurate real-time tracking. Since this technology doesn’t rely on cell service, there’s no monthly fee. Just keep in mind the upfront cost is higher than some other GPS dog collars. But the upside is it works in very remote areas where there’s no cell service.
You can set up safe boundaries and get alerts when your pup goes outside of her zone. Petfon also features anti-lost radar searching, a pet activity monitor, and a built-in LED light. You can also record voice commands to share with your pup remotely.
The downside is that the tracking range is limited compared to other devices (up to 0.65 miles in dense, urban areas and about 3.5 miles in an open environment). It also has a shorter battery life, ranging from 6-18 hours. Still, many users say it works extremely well for their needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No monthly fees | Limited range compared to other devices we review here |
| Excellent for hiking or camping in remote locations without cell service | Short battery life |
| Real-time alerts and accurate GPS tracking | A bit of a learning curve to set up |
| Small, lightweight device fits on most collars | |
| Comes with portable charging case | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee | |
| 1-year limited warranty |
Price
Best GPS Dog Training Collar: Garmin Alpha 100 TT System Review
Although ideal for multiple sporting dogs, the Garmin Alpha 100 makes an excellent GPS tracker and training collar for avid hikers, campers, and those living on large, remote farms.
One of Garmin dog trackers’ most prominent selling points? It’s a self-contained GPS unit (that doesn’t rely on cellular service) and has GLONASS reception that performs better in challenging environments.
The waterproof GPS collar transmitter has a sturdy, adjustable steel antenna, which transmits your dog’s position as often as every two and a half seconds to your handheld receiver. The signal is strong enough to track your dog’s status, even in heavy tree cover or deep canyons.
The receiver has a three-inch color display, which lets you see your dog’s current location and a trail of her previous path on the map. The Garmin Alpha 100 is feature-rich with an electronic compass, enhanced map drawing capabilities, BirdsEye Satellite Imagery compatibility, and much more.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No need for cell service and no monthly service fees | Expensive |
| Range up to 9 miles | Not suitable for small dogs (too large for Beagles) |
| Rechargeable battery (optional, not included) | Challenging learning curve to set up and use |
| Receiver unit expandable up to 20 dogs (extra collars not included) | |
| Collar is waterproof | |
| Vibration alert if your dog leaves your designated safe zone | |
| Uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries | |
| 1-year limited warranty |
Price
How Does Garmin Alpha Work?
Check out Garmin’s video below to see all the great features you get with its Alpha 100 TT system.
What About Halo, Petcube & PetSafe Guardian?
Although these dog GPS devices didn’t make it into our top categories, you may want to consider them as well.
Halo Collar 4 Review
The Halo Collar 4 is an all-in-one smart wireless dog fencing system, GPS activity tracker, and remote training collar. Halo uses GPS/GNSS, LTE, Bluetooth, and WiFi technologies to set boundaries, track your dog’s location, and send you escape alerts via the app.
You start by setting up to 20 virtual fences by walking the boundary or via the map in the Halo app. You can customize Halo to keep your dog in-bounds via vibrations, sound, or static pulse, and it comes with dog expert Cesar Millan’s 21-day training program to teach your dog how to adapt to the system. When your pup leaves your set boundaries, the system goes into lost-dog mode and alerts you immediately on your mobile device.
Since the original collar hit the market in 2020, Halo has made several excellent upgrades to address specific customer feedback. These include enhanced GPS coverage and better location accuracy, battery life, and other features. It also comes in five colors, including blaze orange for high visibility.
Our Personal Experience With Halo Collar
“The app walked me through a series of training videos that were super entertaining and informative. The quality is very cinematic, and the text helps reinforce the audio instructions. After learning about types of feedback (prevention and encouragement), I worked on beacon training. This gets your dog accustomed to feedback in a safe, indoor setting. You’ll manually give your dog feedback (sound or stimulation) and a reward to guide them away from the “no-go zone.” You’ll repeat these steps several times for 30 minutes and do at least 3-4 sessions before building up to outdoor boundaries.
Eventually, when you turn the beacons on, the beacon will automatically give feedback when your pup gets within a certain range of the no-go zone. Georgie responded well to the feedback, and I am pleased with the GPS location tracking improvement from the Halo 2+, which we tested previously.”
– Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog parent, Creative & Marketing for Canine Journal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ability to easily set up 20 customizable virtual wireless fences | Expensive |
| Uses GPS/GNSS, Bluetooth, WiFi, and LTE technologies | Requires monthly subscription |
| IP-67 water-resistant rating | |
| Battery life averages 30 hours (latest version) | |
| Covers up to 10 square miles | |
| Apps get generally good reviews | |
| 1-year limited warranty | |
| 90-day satisfaction guarantee | |
| Customer service and tech support via live Zoom sessions, phone, and email | |
| Also works with small dogs (minimum neck size is 8″) |
Price
Monthly Subscription
A required monthly subscription gets you access to the GPS tracker, training tools, and activity monitoring. Each plan gives you different features and advanced tracking, feedback, and support. You can save 15% off the following pricing with a 1-year plan and 20% with a 2-year plan.
- Bronze: $9.99/month
- Silver (recommended): $14.99/month (+ custom support, custom ranges, advanced tracing, instant feedback)
- Gold: $19.99/month (+ premium training lessons each month, live sessions with trainers)
Coupon Code
Our readers save $25 off Halo when you purchase through this link (discount automatically applied).
In-Depth Review Of Halo 4 Collar
Our full review of Halo 4 Collar gives you more detailed information about how this virtual system works.
Petcube GPS Tracker Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy | View on Petcube
Petcube, a leading manufacturer of interactive dog cameras, launched a GPS pet tracker in the fall of 2024. Petcube GPS Tracker offers a lot of functionality and features for an extremely competitive price. Like similar devices, you can track your dog’s location in real-time (updated every few seconds), set up virtual safe zones through the app, and get escape alerts on your phone. Unique features include an LED light and audible buzzer you can control from your smartphone to help locate your pup.
This tracker also gives you your pup’s location history, number of steps taken, calories burned, and other activity and wellness insights. You can also set daily wellness goals (like with Apple Watch) and even have access to virtual veterinarians (with the premium subscription plan). Although this device is relatively new, it’s already getting fantastic reviews from pup owners for its performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly pricing | May be too bulky for very small dogs |
| Live GPS tracking updates every few seconds | Requires an ongoing subscription |
| Get real-time alerts if your pup leaves their safe zones | Some customer complaints that the subscription pricing is too high |
| Rechargeable battery lasts up to 30 days (in power save mode) | |
| Waterproof, glow-in-the-dark case | |
| Remote-controlled LED light and buzzer | |
| 1-year warranty |
Our Personal Experience With Petcube Tracker
I tested the Petcube tracker in exchange for an honest review. The lightweight and neutral tracker blends well with any collar color or design. However, the silicone case was a bit tricky to thread through our dog’s collar, but you can pop the tracker out of the case to charge without having to take the case on and off, which was nice. The tracker charges quickly and the light is bright and clearly lets you know when it’s full. The buzzing and sounds startled our dog, so we don’t use that feature, but the light is a nice feature for walking at night. I get timely alerts when he is out of the boundaries we set with the app. I appreciate the power-saving feature when back in the safe zone to extend the battery life. One cool feature we haven’t had to use yet, thankfully, is the “Lost Pet Mode,” which activates when you leave the power saving mode so you can quickly access the light and sound to find your dog. Overall, we are very impressed with this tracker. Its quality is a terrific value at a low price.
Sadie Cornelius, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog parent, Creative & Marketing for Canine Journal
Price
Monthly Subscription
- Basic plan: starts at $5/month for 2-year plan
- Premium plan: starts at $5/month for 5-year plan
In-Depth Petcube Review
Be sure to read our thorough review of Petcube to learn more about its activity monitor and variety of pet cameras.
Petsafe Guardian GPS + Tracking Dog Fence Collar Review
View on Amazon | View on Chewy
If you have a large property, a medium or large-sized dog, and can’t afford the hefty price tag of SpotOn GPS Fence, this Petsafe Guardian GPS collar could be a great solution. This collar is similar to both SpotOn and Halo in that it uses vibration or mild static correction to keep your furry friend inside the virtual boundaries you set up. However, the training materials to teach your pup to stay in bounds aren’t as extensive as SpotOn or Halo. While I found many positive reviews for this virtual fencing system, I still saw plenty of customer complaints about its performance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More affordable alternative to SpotOn & Halo | Only for dogs 30 pounds and up |
| Create up to 20 customizable virtual fences | Must have over 3/4 acre of property |
| Real-time tracking and escape alerts | Subscription required |
| Good rechargeable battery life (up to 48 hours) | Several complaints that the GPS fencing is inaccurate and the collar gives false corrections |
| Waterproof collar | Some owners reported connectivity issues |
| 45-day satisfaction guarantee | |
| 1-month free subscription | |
| 1-year warranty |
Price
Monthly Subscription
- Monthly plan: $9.99/month (first month free)
- First-year annual plan: $89
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions customers have about GPS dog collars and trackers. Don’t see yours here or have feedback about a device you’d used? Please hit me up in our comments section.
How Does A GPS Dog Collar Work?
Most GPS dog collars and devices use cellular service to share data about your pup’s location with nearby GPS satellites. The satellites then send the collar’s location data to your mobile device. Some trackers can also connect to WiFi and Bluetooth to track your dog.
Are Bluetooth Trackers Effective For Pets?
Some products that only use Bluetooth technology are great for those of us who tend to lose our keys, but pet experts don’t recommend Bluetooth trackers to keep tabs on your pets. Why? Bluetooth technology has a very limited range and isn’t ideal for tracking animals on the move.
Are GPS Dog Collars Safe?
Some owners wonder if GPS dog collars cause cancer or other health problems. GPS dog trackers are perfectly safe for our four-legged friends. They use local cellular networks to send data, which involves electromagnetic fields (EMFs). It’s the same technology that’s built into your mobile phone. While some that we recommend here use static correction (aka shock), this correction is optional.
Are GPS Dog Collars Worth It?
If you have a canine escape artist or an off-leash runner when you’re at the park or elsewhere, a GPS dog tracker is a must. These devices are completely worth it to give you the peace of mind that you won’t lose your pup and can locate her quickly should she bolt.
Need An Activity Monitor Or Training Collar?
If you’ve found our GPS dog tracker reviews helpful and are interested in learning more about other types of dog collars, be sure to check out our dog activity monitor reviews, smart collar reviews, and dog training collar reviews.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Sally has researched dozens of different dog GPS, training, and smart collars as well as GPS and activity monitoring devices. She’s part of a team of dog specialists at Canine Journal who have over a decade of experience in researching, testing, and writing about the best products for our furry friends. She’s the mom to one rescue dog, Tiny, and 3 rescue kitties, Bammy, Lola, and Monk.
