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As a dog trainer who is also an anxious pet parent, having a GPS tracker attached to my dog’s collar has been one of the best things I’ve ever done to manage my anxiety. My dog is the center of my world, and one of my biggest fears is that she could get lost. Even though I’m very careful, knowing I can open an app on my phone and instantly know exactly where my dog is gives me so much peace of mind.
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What are dog GPS trackers?
There are a variety of pet GPS collars on the market that can give dog owners a little extra security by letting them monitor their dog’s whereabouts. I own both the FitBark and the Fi trackers and love using them both. GPS collars allow dog owners to open an app on their phone and know the exact location of their dog, and even the path they’ve taken while walking. If your dog were ever to get lost, you could access real-time information to help you locate them more quickly.
Some dog GPS collars also include activity monitoring features, like many smartwatches have. The trackers collect information about when during the day your pup is most active, how many steps they take, and when they sleep. This information isn’t just interesting for you (you can finally know what your dog’s up to when you’re not home), it can also be beneficial to share with your dog’s veterinarian. Monitoring activity trends can help them notice a slowdown, which could be a sign of pain or injury that a vet might not otherwise detect.
How does a GPS dog collar work?
GPS collars connect to cellular towers allowing you to access your dog’s location. To use one, you’ll need a (pretty affordable) subscription plan. I pay $69.95 annually for FitBark and $99 annually for Fi, which breaks down to about $6 to $8 per month. Most trackers also allow you to set up safe areas which might be your home, a friend’s home where your dog often visits, or your dog’s daycare. Then, you’ll get push notifications whenever your dog leaves their approved safe locations. Many dog GPS trackers also allow you to add different owners, walkers, or pet sitters so if your dog leaves the home with someone, you’ll know who your dog is with and where they’re going. It’s an especially useful feature if you hire a dog walker, as you can monitor your dog’s location and get information about how far they walk and where they go. Or, if your dog were to escape from your yard, you’d get a push notification that your dog is alone.
Why I love having a GPS dog collar
Over the years, I’ve developed an emotional connection to my dog’s GPS trackers. I charge them as religiously as I charge my cell phone (GPS trackers usually have batteries that last several weeks). I never let my dog leave the house without her GPS collar on and I quadruple check the connections before leaving her with a trusted pet sitter. While a GPS collar isn’t fulfilling my fantasy of being able to wrap my dog in bubble wrap, it does give me comfort knowing she has an extra layer of connection and safety attached to her collar.
Of course, while the collar is an amazing security feature, it’s not a replacement for training and caring for your dog. As a dog trainer, I know how important it is to teach your dog not to dart out when a door opens, keep them leashed when out on walks, and only play off leash in fully fenced areas. If you’re leaving your dog in the care of a dog walker or sitter, make sure they are trustworthy and qualified to take proper care of your dog.
My dog’s GPS collar not only helps me keep her safe, but it has also become one of the best ways to manage my anxiety about my dog’s safety. Even though I’m a diligent helicopter dog parent and a dog professional who knows how to handle dogs in practically any situation, I know accidents can happen. A GPS collar increases the likelihood that if my dog were lost, I could find her swiftly, which helps me relax whenever we aren’t together.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
There are national treasures, and then there’s Dolly Parton. The iconic singer-songwriter-philanthropist is already in a class of her own, and now she’s given us another reason to love her: She’s launched her own pet collection.
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The famous animal lover’s new line of dog toys, apparel, and accessories is called — of course — Doggy Parton. And if you and your pup like to belt out “Jolene” or dance around to “9 to 5,” you need to check it out immediately. The line is currently available at DoggyParton.com and Amazon, with more retailers coming soon. And just like its namesake, Doggy Parton gives back: Part of the proceeds will support Willa B Farms, a Tennessee rescue organization committed to giving all animals love and care. Here are the items we can’t wait to buy:
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Pets are just the best. They’re cute and very loyal, so it’s easy to overlook some of their more unseemly behaviors. Like getting into the trash, or barking at the neighbors, or going outside and stepping in god-knows-what and then trying to nip at you when you clean them. It’s true — owning a furry child, particularly a dog, can be tricky, which is why here at AT we try to impart our favorite pet products onto you. Most of the products we share, however, have to do with cleaning home surfaces after your dog has already gotten them dirty. But the tool I’m talking about today actually prevents stains and smudges before your dogs have the chance to get their paws all over your favorite sofa or carpet.
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I introduce to you, the Dexas MudBuster portable dog paw cleaner. The name is quite a mouthful, but its function is straightforward: to clean the dogs on your dogs. The MudBuster is essentially a plastic cup with a bristled silicone insert. To use it, just pour some water inside, slip your dog’s paw into the opening, and gently twist it. When the paw comes out, it should be completely dirt-free. If you’re at all in doubt about the MudBuster’s effectiveness, nearly 36,000 five-star Amazon ratings should alleviate your skepticism. “We wipe our dog’s paws every time he comes back into the house,” one reviewer shared. “This thing works so much better at getting dirt off than wipes. Our dog hates getting his paws touched but doesn’t mind this thing for some reason.” Indeed, it seems like even the most finicky pups won’t snap at this gadget.
Other reviewers also noted that this dog paw cleaner works more quickly and efficiently than towels or wet wipes. Let’s face it, wipes are wasteful, and dirtying a towel every time your dog comes inside is a chore. This accessory is the perfect solution, plus it’s portable, so you can clean your pets’ paws before they hop in the car. It also comes in three different sizes to accommodate dogs of any breed. “We have a large Boxer that is essentially an 80-pound baby when it comes to baths,” one customer divulged. “He does love getting into the mud, though, and this product has been a lifesaver. He has no issues with us using it to clean his paws, and it’s saved my floors and furniture on many occasions.”
When you’re done with the MudBuster, simply rinse it out, let it dry, and it’s ready to go for your next walk or trip to the park. Plus, $15 is a small price to pay for a mud-free home.
With five children, Shifrah is learning a thing or two about how to keep a fairly organized and pretty clean house with a grateful heart in a way that leaves plenty of time for the people who matter most. Shifrah grew up in San Francisco, but has come to appreciate smaller town life in Tallahassee, Florida, which she now calls home. She’s been writing professionally for twenty years and she loves lifestyle photography, memory keeping, gardening, reading, and going to the beach with her husband and children.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors with your pet this summer, nothing is more important than ensuring your beloved furry baby remains cool and comfortable. The dog days of summer can get hot, causing pups big and small to easily overheat — especially if they have an extra thick coat of fur. Whether you spend your days hiking under the sun with your Aussie or chilling in your apartment with your Chihuahua, it’s a good idea to have a quick and easy way to cool down your pup if necessary.
Luckily, Bed Bath & Beyond has the answer in the form of Pawslife’s X-Large Cooling Pad. Filled with a non-toxic cooling gel, it’s an easy (and freezer-free!) way to cool down your dog in a pinch during hot summer days. The extra-large format measures a whopping 37 in. long and 31 in. wide, making it suitable for even large breeds of dogs like golden retrievers and labs.
The key to the pad’s cooling ability lies in the interior gel, which works in opposition to your pet’s body heat to quickly cool them down via one of their most effective spots, their belly. The 100% vinyl cover is stain-resistant to doggy drool and dirt and can be easily wiped clean as needed. The only stipulation: The pad is meant to be used indoors after a day out in the sun, so it’s not a good idea to place it outdoors in direct sun, where it may lose its cooling capabilities.
Fellow pet parents love how easy the pad is for pups to find and use on their own to cool down. As one happy owner writes, “I purchased one of these for our two golden retriever puppies to try out because they were always panting after their play sessions. They immediately started laying on it when I got it laid out for them & have used it regularly since. I purchased two more so I could put one downstairs [and one] in our camper. I think these will really be utilized in the summer months, I’m glad we’ll be ready!”
In addition to quickly cooling down overheating dogs, this pad is also awesome for pets with health issues, like arthritis. “I was wonderfully surprised with how nice this cooling pad is,” says another reviewer. “I bought the extra large for my 105-pound malamute labrador mix. He has a condition called GOLLP, which causes him to overheat. He loves going on the pad when he starts overheating. It’s padded which adds a little more comfort to his arthritis.”
And now for the best part: Right now, you can score this pup perk 20 percent off, making it the perfect time to invest in your dog’s health and comfort before summer kicks into high gear. Trust us, Fido will thank you.
