11 Smart Dog Collars with Features, Pros, and Cons

The innovation of a smart dog collar has been a great benefit for protecting fur companions. These smart dog collars have many features that assure your dog’s safety. Contrary to traditional collars that provide identification tags, these smart collars provide a different experience to dog owners.

You can track your dog’s health, fitness levels, real-time location, etc. If your dog is prone to getting lost or needs constant monitoring, this smart dog collar is something you should get.

So, stay connected to know its pros and cons, features, and 11 types of smart dog collars you can buy from!

Features of Smart Dog Collar

There are a lot of features that you should need to know before purchasing a smart dog collar. Remember that these collar characteristics differ depending on the model and brand of dog collar you are buying.

• GPS Tracking: You will find most of the smart dog collars come with GPS sensors. It helps you to track your dog’s current location through a mobile app. If your pet goes missing, it can help you track them easily.
• Geofencing: It creates virtual boundaries for your dog to define the area you want them to be. If they cross this boundary, the dog receives vibrations and notifies you in the app.
• Health Tracking: Some smart dog collars indicate your dog’s health, like heart rate and respiration rate, which are essential to keep in check. This will help you to stay at ease about your dog’s health.
• Long Battery Life: This feature of dog collars is essential for extended battery life and helps you minimize frequent recharging. So make sure you check it well before buying one.
• Waterproof: Many models of dog collars are designed to be water-resistant and ensure that they keep working well even in wet conditions. In addition, it also allows your dog to play with water at any time of the day.
• Multiple Dog Support: Many brands provide multiple dog support collars if you have multiple pets. You can track many pets at the same time without any issues.
• LED Lights: LED lights are the best option if you are going on an evening walk and want improved visibility for you and your dog. You need to check for dog collars with this specification.
• Temperature Monitoring: Some dog collar models help you check on the environment around your dog. It sends alerts when temperature levels are unsafe.

Pros & Cons of Smart Dog Collar

When buying any gadget, you should check its advantages and disadvantages. Check out the details below for the pros and cons of a smart dog collar.

Advantages of Smart Dog Collar

• Enhanced Safety: You can stay at ease, knowing that the geofencing feature will send you alerts when your dog crosses the boundary or is in danger.
• Get Health Insights: These smart dog collars can work wonders for your dog’s health since they can help you monitor their heart rate and provide valuable insights into their well-being.
• Track Your Dog’s Location: These smart dog collars can work wonders when finding a lost dog. It provides GPS tracking, thus showing your dog’s current location.

Disadvantages of Smart Dog Collar

• Cost is High: Trying to get the best quality smart dog collars can be quite expensive for the initial purchase and the subscription fees that will be required.
• Battery Life: While many models and brands provide a good battery life, it is impossible for all of them. In that case, you will need to recharge the collars frequently, which can be inconvenient.
• Size and Comfort: When talking about comfortability, all sizes do not fit all dogs. Thus, you must be cautious before buying one for your fur companion.

List of Smart Dog Collars You Need to Know

Smart dog collars are a great way of ensuring the health and safety of your dogs. These dog collars with names use advanced technologies, making it easier for your dog to stay safe.

1. Tractive 3G Dog GPS Tracker and Pet Finder

This smart dog collar is different from other GPS tracker collars because it has a unique feature of keeping records of the history of your dog’s location.

They are waterproof and have a feature of a digital fence that does not allow them to roam around. Another advantage of using this smart dog collar is that it can track your dog’s location outside the U.S.

It will require a subscription plan and cell service to work. This subscription starts at $5 per month. You will need to charge it every 2 to 5 days. In addition, they are found in a blue shade.

2. PETBLE Pet Smart Tag Activity Tracker

The Petble smart dog collar is perfect for keeping your dog safe and in the best condition. The easy clipping of the smart dog collar onto your dog makes it a favorite among dog owners. Also, this vet-designed smart dog collar easily works through Bluetooth with Android or Apple devices.

Through this collar, you can track your dog’s activity goals and age, weight, and breed to keep their health in check. They also help you track your dog’s sleep. You get these collars in two colors, that is, purple and yellow. These are easy to use and very durable.

The dog owner needs to stay in range for the device to sync, which is disadvantageous. You won’t need any subscription for these waterproof smart dog collars.

3. Pet GPS Tracker by DAGPS

The device helps you to track your dog and their activities. In addition, they come in a multiple of 2, which saves money. The GPS works for almost five meters, which helps in tracking your dog’s location and giving them quite an area to wander. These are super lightweight and waterproof.

It comes with different battery modes and a feature of accurate GPS. You will need a subscription plan to use this smart dog collar. In addition, you can register up to 5 phone numbers to the device, which lets other family members track the dog, too.

It will only work on the T-Mobile network and has confusing set-up instructions.

4. LINK AKC Smart Dog Collar

If you are a dog owner who loves adventures and is often off to trekking and hikes, this smart dog collar is something you should get for your fur companion. It helps you track your dog’s location 25/7 with an iPhone or Android. This also helps you record the surroundings when your dog is wearing the collar. It alerts you when your dog leaves the safe zone.

You can also track their health by including breed and age details. The highly durable collar also comes with an LED light attached to it. Disadvantages include getting a subscription, and its battery life is short, less than three days.

5. Findster Duo+ Pet Tracker

You should surely get this brand of smart collar if you live in a place where the cell service is not that great. If you have more than one dog, this is the best option. It allows you to track up to 3 dogs at a time. The tracking radius is 3 miles and sends you alerts when they escape the boundary.

Most importantly, it works in all countries since it uses no cell service. This waterproof dog collar does not need any service plan and helps you track your dog’s location and activities. You need to charge it every 12 hours to 3 days, and it is not very durable, so be mindful of that.

6. FitBark 2 Dog Activity Monitor

Every product of FitBrak is strong and durable, and this dog collar is all you will ever need to keep your fur babies safe and protected. It tells you how many steps your dog has taken, the calories it has burnt, and the distance it has traveled. You can even track their sleep patterns; it can also be tracked if they develop any skin conditions.

You also get it with a cover to protect it from any damage. The fit collar is up to 1.58 inches. The battery life is very long, but it does not have a GPS tracker. You must replace the battery every six months without a service plan.

7. Find My Pet GPS Pet Tracker

If you worry a lot about your dog getting lost, this smart dog collar is definitely for you. It helps you get a street view, satellite view, and your dog’s location history. It sends alert signals when your dog changes speed or goes beyond the allocated area.

You can track your dog from any corner of the world; most importantly, it is highly affordable. This waterproof dog collar needs to be recharged every 3 to 7 days, and this tenure is quite unpredictable.

8. PitPat 2 Dog Activity Monitor

This smart dog collar stores a week’s data about your dog’s health and well-being. You can track their fitness goals and calorie burns. It is a lightweight, waterproof smart dog collar that works well on Android and Apple. This brand is reliable, so getting it from here also helps you stay assured of good quality.

However, there have been reports where the velcro wears out, and there are inaccuracies in the recording. The GPS tracking does not work well, and the battery needs to be replaced after ten months. Thus, you must do thorough research before wearing any smart dog collar.

9. AUTOSEEKER GPS Pet Tracker AT-6 with Real-Time Call Monitor

If you are looking for a waterproof tracker with which you can give verbal commands remotely, this smart dog collar is for you. An SOS rapid emergency alert signals if anything goes wrong when you go on an adventurous ride. The GPS works pretty fine, making it easy to use.

You can track them from anywhere since it is not limited to cell networks. One of the disadvantages is that it does not show a lot of history. You will need to recharge its battery every 15 days for it to resume working.

10. DOTT The Smart Dog Tag

You don’t need much battery life to track your dog’s location. The best part of this dog collar is that you won’t need any subscription and can use it by connecting to your Android or Apple devices. You can track your dog’s meals, medication, walks, and other activities.

This waterproof smart dog collar must be replaced after 6 or 9 months. It alerts you of your dog’s heat, flood, and poisoning issues. It is not very popular when it comes to its durability. You should get it if you want a smart dog collar with less investment.

11. Whistle 3 GPS Pet Tracker & Activity Monitor

The Whistle 3 GPS smart collar is waterproof, highly durable, and can be attached to a dog’s collar. It helps in tracking the dog’s activity and location. It sends you an alert when your dog crosses its safe zone assigned by you. It works on both Apple and Android phones.

The shirt collar fits collars up to 1 inch. The versatility provided by it is worth the money. These smart collars’ battery lasts up to 7 days, so the battery life is great. You will need a service plan which starts at $6.95 per month. Also, it doesn’t save routes on maps for more than 24 hours.

What to Look for in a Smart Dog Collar

Choosing the right smart dog collar is essential to ensuring they are always safe and healthy. They come with various features and enhance your dog’s quality of life to a great extent. There are many characteristics that you can look for before buying one.

You can check whether the dog collars have GPS tracking capability, battery life, utmost range, waterproof, and many more. One of the most essential things to check is whether the budget aligns with the cost of the smart dog collar you want to buy.

Getting a good quality smart dog collar ensures your peace of mind and your dog’s safety. When you choose a smart collar by checking its specifications, it will always be good.

Conclusion

A smart dog collar is an invaluable creation in the field of technology. Your fur companion is safer when wearing a smart dog collar. As discussed, they have numerous advantages, the best being the GPS tracking feature. It has surely restored the peace of mind of pet owners and made their work easier.

Not to mention, there are many drawbacks as well, but it is up to the person using it. Before purchasing one, you must decide your requirements, preferences, and other criteria. However, they can be a great addition to your steps for your dog’s safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Safe to Use Smart Dog Collars for My Pet?

Yes, it is safe to use them, but you should use them according to the instructions. However, you must be careful how you use it; it should not be too tight and comfortable for your dog.

Can One Smart Dog Collar be Used for Multiple Dogs?

No, you will need additional collars, and make sure they are compatible with the app you are using. You can track multiple dogs using the same app but with different collars.

Do Smart Dog Collars Work in All Locations?

Smart collars with GPS features work in almost all locations, but you must be careful in remote or heavily wooded areas. GPS does not work well in these areas, failing a smart dog collar.

How Long Does a Smart Dog Collar’s Battery Sustain?

The battery life of a smart dog collar highly depends on the model you are purchasing. While some last for a day or two, others might get discharged within a day. So, you must carefully check for the brand and model before buying.

Can a Smart Dog Collar be Used to Train a Dog?

You can surely use a smart dog collar to train them. You can use commands to train them in behavior management and obedience. This will make it easier for you and them to understand and get trained faster.