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Let your dog roam free, knowing they're always within reach. With a GPS dog tracker, you can monitor their whereabouts and ensure their safety, whether they're exploring the local park or venturing into the wilderness.
Tractive is probably the best known and most trusted dog GPS tracker. The company was founded back in 2012 and now has over 1.3 million users worldwide.
In this review, you’ll be able to find out everything you need to know about their latest GPS Tracker - the DOG 6. We cover everything from how GPS works, to our take on it's performance, design, app, activity monitoring, virtual fences and subscription plans.
We'll also offer testing insights on how it measures up to other GPS tracking tools we've tested.
DECEMBER 2024 : UPDATE We take the DOG 6, the latest Tractive Tracker for a spin - we think that it's the best subscription based dog tracker we've tested and we love the new features. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
How does a GPS Dog Tracker Work ?
Before you read on, let's answer a quick question on how the Tractive Tracker works.
A GPS chip in the tracker reports your dog's position and sends the info to your smartphone (and the internet) via mobile coverage.
The tracker automatically connects to the best available mobile network - just like a phone SIM - to provide location data everywhere your dog goes.
You simply attach the tracker to your dog's collar and download an app to your phone.
This enables you to view your dog's activities and pinpoint their location at all times. Very smart !
GPS Tracker for Dogs - Tractive Review
1. Tractive Review : Performance
A couple of years ago we reviewed the Tractive Tracker and it performed exceptionally well in testing, was super easy to use and reliably located our dog.
So we were very keen to get our hands on their latest version - the DOG 6, and take a closer look at their nifty new updates - we couldn't wait to see what this new device had to offer.
With a new Bark Monitoring function, increased battery performance, improved light / sound for greater visibility and sturdier attachment clips, the DOG 6 also features a new sleek design and 3 colours.
What you get inside the box is, in essence, three core components. There's the Tractive GPS device itself, along with a rubber collar attachment and a charging cable (supplemented by an accompanying phone app).
The first thing to say, is that the tracker itself feels durable, well made and it's light, weighing in at only 39 grams. Designed for dogs over 4kg, it's also fairly sleek, fitting comfortably on your dog's collar.
It has the look and feel of a product that should be able to cope with the elements and withstand the rigors of everyday adventures with your dog.
There are two other versions to consider depending on how seriously your dog adventures -
The XL version is designed for larger dogs over 22kg and weighs 90 grams with a battery life of up to 1 month.
The NEW XL Adventure version for larger dogs weighing in at 115g, comes with a reinforced casing, is extra robust and has an amazing 1 month battery life .
The DOG 6's durable rubber clip ensures a snug and comfortable fit on your dog's collar. The redesigned clip offers even greater security and in testing it didn't appear to rub or come loose, so you can have peace of mind knowing your furry friend is safe, sound and comfortable.
It's worth noting that the device is 100% waterproof to protect it against the elements. So if your dog loves the water, it will stand up to some sub-aqua adventures.
Incredibly easy to set up, we used the enclosed User Manual and accompanying charging lead.
Simply charge the device, download the app and enter the tracker's code to connect them. It really is that easy.
When it comes to battery life, the Tractive tracker doesn't disappoint - incredibly long lasting, depending on usage, up to 10 days. This was a big plus point for us in testing as we seem to be charging watches, phones, ipads, laptops on a daily basis.
Unbelievably, the XL and XL Adventure version batteries can last up to 1 month.
Additionally, you can also set up a Power Saving Zone at home using your trusted WiFi network which will boost the battery life considerably. When your tracker detects your Wi-Fi network it goes into 'sleep mode' and awakens as soon as your dog moves outside the WiFi range.
The easy-to-use, smart app lets you to do lots of clever stuff, but let's start with the most important feature - could it track our dog ?
Well it's safe to say that we were astonished by how well the Tractive tracker was able to locate our dog in testing.
As many dog lovers know, our dogs can cover long distance in minutes and seem unable to hear us calling ! So it's incredibly easy to lose visual contact.
Being able to track them live, with position updates every few seconds, is essential to keeping them safe and sound.
The Tractive GPS tracker has two modes: Live and Default - |
⭐️ In Live mode it detects a new position every 2-3 seconds |
⭐️ In Default mode it detects a position every 2-60 minutes |
Default mode updates depending on your dog's activity level. For example, on a walk it will update more frequently than when your dog's lounging at home.
In Live mode we could actually watch the blue line move as it pinpointed his location in real-time. The screenshot below shows Live mode which you can stop at any time (it's worth mentioning that Live tracking will use more battery).
You can also choose to add light and sound. An LED light and a buzzer sound can help you locate your dog in situations where they might not be immediately visible.
The latest Tractive tracker, the DOG 6, has a stronger light and sound which really helps with greater visibility at night and winter evenings which can get dark very quickly.
Back to the test ! We used the Tracker on lots of different walks off the beaten track and it was able to track Freddie throughout. If you have a dog that loves exploring off-lead, it would certainly make for a calmer, more confident dog walk.
The crucial point to make here, is that you do need cellular coverage. So if you live or walk in an area where your phone doesn't get great coverage, then the tracker is unlikely to either.
But if you are unsure, Tractive offer a 30 day money-back guarantee, so you could try the Tracker where you like to dog walk to make sure it has a strong connection.
Additionally, the latest models of Tractive GPS trackers make use of your phone's Bluetooth proximity feature.
This can help you to locate your dog if they're hiding or in an area where GPS accuracy may be decreased such as around tall buildings, in forests, or bad weather.
So performance wise, it's fair to say that the Tractive Tracker is an impressive piece of kit and certainly offers peace of mind.
You may be interested in our other reviews of dog walking essentials - Dog Walking Bags, Dog Treat Bags, Poo Bags, Poo Bag Dispensers and Puppy Training Treats. |
2. Tractive Review : Features
Ok, that's the basics covered, now let's talk about what other nifty features the Tractive Tracker has to offer.
Virtual Fence
If you are looking for even more peace of mind either at home or when out on a walk, you can set up a number of virtual fences. This allows you to determine safe areas for your dog and you receive a notification if your dog escapes.
Equally you could set up a 'no-go' area and receive notifications when your dog entered an area - this could be useful around large lakes etc.
Not only is this incredibly easy to set up, but if you have some wearable tech like an Apple watch, the app even sends a real-time notification direct to your watch.
In testing, Tractive reliably sent a notification to my phone and watch every time Freddie exited and entered a Safe Zone (approx. 2 minute delay).
Location History
As the device uses GPS to track your dog, you can see where your dog has been over the course of a day, week or month.
The History section of the app offers a trace option (the blue line) and a heat map so you can see at a glance their favourite spots over time. It's fascinating - almost looking at a walk through your dog's eyes!
Of course, we all have our favourite dog walks, but the history information is useful if you want to offer more variety. As Freddie has dog walks with several different family members every week, it was useful to see where he'd already been and then try to offer a new walk.
For all those budding athletes out there, one of the coolest new features is the ability to sync your dog's walks directly to Strava. It's a quick and easy setup process that takes less than a minute!
Activity Monitor
Whilst you can purchase specific activity monitors without GPS, several premium GPS trackers now include activity monitoring data as part of their package.
The Tractive Tracker is no different and offers a health monitoring system so you can analyse just how active your dog has been. With pet obesity rates reaching around 60%, this feature offers a much-needed solution for those of us keeping an eye on our dog's health.
You can use the tracker to monitor your dog's daily, weekly and monthly activity levels and their sleep cycle. With those of you familiar with the Apple Watches and Fitbit monitors, it offers similar information.
You can use this data to help you track and maintain their exercise and weight over time so you know they’re in tip-top shape.
If you're competitive, you can also compare how active your dog is against other dogs in your community and even across the world. Did we mention you can earn awards too ?
Ever wondered about your dog's sleep ? Personally I'm just envious that they get to sleep for so long.
The Tractive sleep monitor tracks - day sleep, night sleep alongside periods of calm. It indicates the quality of the sleep and interruptions, so you can see if there are any changes to your dog's normal routine.
We love that you can set up Health Alerts which notify you automatically if their are abnormal changes to your dog's activity or sleep patterns.
Sleep tracking can be another incredibly handy tool to indicate early signs of any health issues. Of course your dog will need to wear the tracker overnight for it to analyse the sleep patterns.
Barking Monitor
With the DOG 6's new Bark Monitoring feature you can stay tuned to your dog's emotions, even when you're not at home. It's like having a virtual dog sitter detecting changes in barking and potential signs of separation anxiety.
It's an additional health monitoring feature which can give dog lovers another tool to better understand your dog’s behaviour and monitor whether your dog is calm and stress-free while you’re gone.
3. Tractive Review : Additional Info
Subscription Plan
GPS devices like Tractive use mobile / cellular networks to send the GPS location of your dog to your smartphone. This does come at a price and like all GPS dog trackers, there is a small subscription fee to cover the cost of the embedded Sim.
Tractive covers the cost for data communication and only charges a flat subscription fee. This is between £4.50 – £13.50 a month depending on how long you take out the subscription for.
Personally, we think that £4.50 a month is a small price to pay for peace of mind.
There are two plans to choose from - Basic and Premium. The Premium plan offers a couple of additional services - family and friends sharing and it works in over 175 countries worldwide so worth considering if you love to travel. It also offers 365 day location history and a GPS data export facility.
Family & Friends Sharing
We really enjoyed the apps various social features. With both the Basic and Premium plans, you can invite family and friends to download and use the app linked to your device, so anyone walking your dog can benefit from the GPS tracker.
Additionally, if you opt for the premium plan, you can share your dog walk in real time with your friends and amazingly they don't even need the app. You can use WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, whichever social media app you love, to share direct with friends.
Once shared, your friends will receive a link where they can view your dog walk in real time. They'll see your path and any photos you share along the way!
Tractive Tracker Specification
Small & lightweight - weighs 39g
Recommended for dogs above 4kg
Up to 10 days battery life (depends on usage)
Power Saving Zone option at home to maximise battery life
100% Waterproof
Premium plan offer GPS tracking in 175+ countries
Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time
30 days money back guarantee
Colour options
Tractive DOG XL and Tractive DOG XL Adventure available
Our Verdict
What's undeniable is that the Tractive DOG 6 Tracker is an accomplished GPS dog tracking device that doesn't cost an eye-watering amount of money.
It does need cellular network coverage to work, but with a 30 day money back guarantee, you have the option to buy and test it works where you live and walk.
We loved the updated tracker including the Bark Monitoring, improved battery life, light and sounds for greater visibility at night, Strava option and of course the gorgeous new muted colour options.
The app is incredibly intuitive, easy to set up and a breeze to use. To be honest once you've configured the app to work exactly how you want, it's super simple to record walks and find your dog.
Headline features of the Basic subscription package include live tracking, option to add virtual fences (with escape alerts), activity monitoring and location history.
We should mention that there's a detailed Features Guide in the App to help you get to grip with all the features.
There is the monthly subscription plan to consider, but this is on par with the main competitors.
We recommend Tractive Tracker for Dogs if you're looking for top quality GPS tracking at a very reasonable price.
Pros
+ Solid GPS location performance
+ Super accurate LIVE mode (2–3 sec updates)
+ Amazing battery life
+ Option to set virtual fences
+ Activity monitoring
+ 30 day money back guarantee
+ Different colour options
+ Option to link to Strava
Cons
- It needs cellular network coverage
- Not suitable for dogs under 4kg
- Subscription costs
Buying Options
The Rivals
Other GPS Trackers
If you're not convinced by the Tractive tracker, let's take a look at some of the alternatives on offer.
Our Best GPS Tracker for Dogs Review compares 4 premium Trackers - Pitpat, Pawfit, Weenect and of course the Tractive Tracker.
The article explores the accuracy, features and costs of these well known trackers. We fully test all four trackers over several months, so can honestly offer the pros and cons of each option, so you can decide which is best for you and of course your dog.
Activity Trackers
If you are simply looking for a device to monitor your dog's activity levels and not a GPS Tracker, then take a look at a Dog Activity Tracker which don't come with a monthly subscription.
These amazing little devices, a bit like Fitbits for dogs, are able to track your dog's steps, sleep and health. We test three of the best activity monitors available in the UK - PitPat, PoochPlay and FitBark.
Apple AirTag
Apple AirTags offer an alternative for tracking your dog.
Whilst they're designed to track your possessions like keys, wallet or handbag, they can easily be attached to your dog's collar.
That said, there are some major drawbacks that you definitely need to be aware of before relying solely on an AirTag for peace of mind.
We take a look at the pros & cons of using an Apple AirTag to track your dog and explore some suitable AirTag holders.
Considering a pet security camera ?
They're a great idea with new puppies so you can see what's going on when you're not there. They can offer you peace of mind that your pup is settled and relaxed.
If you have a new puppy, they also let you ensure that they aren't chewing your furniture or getting into dangerous situations whilst you're not in the room.
Checkout our review - Wagging With Tech: Unleashing the Power of AI Pet Cameras
Thanks for stopping by and reading our GPS Tracker for Dogs - Tractive DOG 6 Review.
We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed testing it.
