Nobody wants to think about losing their beloved dog. As an essential part of any household, your dog is a central member of your family. For your dog to go missing would be heartbreaking. And, you would no doubt be filled with all kinds of fear in the event of them going missing, and the worst-case scenarios are saddening and distressing.
If you have an energetic Labrador Retriever who loves to run free off the lead, or you have a dog that is prone to errant behavior, there is always a risk of losing them. The sheer panic of this situation can cause severe anxiety.
Fortunately, there are several precautionary measures that you can take to ensure that you can find your dog easily if they should stray.
What Is A Smart Collar?
A smart collar is a device that you can use to track your dog. In the event of them slipping their lead or getting out of your home or back yard fence, you will be able to view their location via GPS to an app on your smartphone. You can use wi-fi, cellular data, Bluetooth, and GPS to connect with the tracker.
The benefits of this are evident to any pet owner who is concerned about losing their puppies or dogs. You can keep track of several animals from one app, and they are not just limited to dogs either.
Why Smart Collars Are Beneficial In Addition To Microchipping
Getting a smart collar does not override the need to get your pets microchipped. Smart collars are a useful, short term solution for looking for your missing dog in the immediate window of time after they have gone missing. Microchipping, on the other hand, offers the opportunity for anyone else who finds your dog to be able to return them to you with the help of a vet.
You must always keep your dog’s microchip up-to-date. This means letting the company that the chip is registered with know if you have changed your address or contact details. While there may be an administration fee associated with updating this, it is a small price for the peace of mind knowing that this information could help you and your dog become reunited. We register your puppy’s microchip with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). If you ever have to make an address change simply call them and they will take your new information over the phone.
Microchipping is also important so that you can identify your dog. By using an electronic scanner either at our kennel or a vet’s office, you will be able to prove ownership of your dog in the event of a dispute.
Importance Of Information On Your Dogs Tag
Your dog should have a regular tag on their collar at all times, on which you should have your contact details. This should be kept on them in addition to a smart collar and their microchip. While you may not want to include the dog’s name or your own on the tag, it is vital that there are some contact details on there should your dog ever be picked up a dog warden, or even be found by a passer-by.
The Pros And Cons Of Smart Collars
Smart collars are designed specifically to go around the neck of a dog. And, as we all probably know too well, dogs can get into some scrapes at times. If you have an energetic Labrador puppy, for example, you will know that they can bounce around with wild abandon with little regard anything other than the fun they are having. The last thing that you would want in this situation is for your dog’s tracker to break. For this reason, smart collars are durable.
Collars are available in sizes to suit all breeds and builds, so you will be able to find one that comfortably fits your Labrador. You should check your dog’s measurements before you buy.
If your dog is a swimmer, you will worry that the collar will stop working when submerged. Therefore, collars are designed to be water-resistant up to a reasonable depth and length of time.
The device could be used for storing all kinds of useful information about your dogs, such as their medical history, and other information about their vet.
You will need to find the time to charge the collar regularly. This should ideally be done every day. In regular use, you would be able to run the collar for a day, however, when tracking using GPS, the collar will consume power much quicker. You will get a warning alert within plenty of time to let you know that the battery on the collar is running low. This will help you to get it to a charging point as soon as possible.
The battery life of these collars could, therefore, be a concern when your dog is lost. Assuming that the smart collar is fully charged, you may have just a few hours’ worths of power in which to track your dog. Hopefully, though, you spot that your dog is missing soon enough and that they are not so far away that this is going to present too much of a problem.
How Much Do Smart Collars Cost?
Prices for smart collars can vary, and there are several on the market. But, you should consider paying upwards of $100 to get one with the best features that will be built to withstand everything your dog can throw at it.
In addition to the initial outlay when buying your smart collar, there may also be a monthly cost to using the device and app. This subscription may add the benefits of being able to use a cellular connection and will provide 24/7 access to a pet poison helpline.
Should I Buy A Smart Collar
You should see a product like this as a resource in finding your missing dog. It should not be considered foolproof or be relied upon. It is crucial that you still ensure that you know where your dog is at all times, and only ever allow them off their lead in public spaces if you are totally confident in their recall abilities.
Smart collars represent additional security and peace of mind. They offer an extra layer of protection for a responsible and caring dog owner. However, these devices should never be considered as a replacement for any of the other security measures that go hand-in-hand with pet ownership nor should they be considered as a substitute for training commands such as “come” or teaching your Lab acceptable boundaries.
