Does anyone have any experience with GPS collars? Our pup will stay close and come when called 90% of the time, but like any husky she can become distracted by prey.

Before everyone freaks out, I would never let her off-leash unless we're hiking, far away from streets and cars. And in the environment where we hike her, even most husky owners let their dogs run free without a care. But I'm still worried about that one scenario of her chasing a deer or something so far that she becomes lost.

I also know that a GPS collar is not 100% reliable, but it would give me some peace of mind at least.

So now that all the disclaimers are out of the way, does anyone have any experience with these and have a recommendation?

It looks like they either come in wimpy, cheap-looking versions, or heavy-duty hunting devices like the Garmin Astro. I'm willing to spend the money on the Astro, and willing to withstand the laughter and ridicule of others on the trail who wonder why my dog has a harness and an antennae just to go for a stupid walk, but I don't want to embark (get it?) down this path unless the products work.

Thanks in advance.

My first questions would be: What kind of terrain? Does it use GPS and GLONASS? How much does it weigh?

Personally I've never used one. I've been lucky to find mine every time they take off. I've found heavy packs to be a good anchor of sorts. Not at first mind you, but after they get going the weight will stop them within a few hundred yards. Maybe if you had a heavy pack AND a gps collar...

It would be mostly dry canyons & ridges year round as well as the mountains in Lake Tahoe, CA in Summer and Winter.

The pack idea is interesting, but unfortunately the temps we have here are just below being too hot for a hiking husky. Out climate is generally mid 60's to low 80's with lots of direct sunlight and no shade usually. Our girl does great if it's cold, or on level ground, but even at 70 degrees hiking uphill, she slows way down and starts panting like crazy and I wouldn't want to tax her any more. Normally, that would solve the problem, but even in that state she would take off after a squirrel or deer in a heartbeat, and not return until she caught it or lost it.

Honestly, this isn't an everyday problem right now, but we're also planning on taking up wilderness camping soon (using baby steps of course), and I just couldn't live with myself if we lost her in the middle of nowhere.

Btw, from what I can tell, they rely on GPS if available, and a set of radio bands when there is overhead obstruction. But I don't know how well they work of course.

This is the collar I'm saving my pennies for:

https://www.sportdog.com/gear/tek-series/

Great system.

I'm surprise a company hasn't come up with a GPS tracker integrated into a microchip at an affordable price. I think they have something similar for wildlife. That would be the optimal solution. Expensive GPS collars may just end up stuck on the nearest scrub oak or smashed to pieces by rolly polly dog.

GPS requires a power source, whereas a microchip does not.

The wild-life ones they implant only last a certain amount of time before the battery dies and you would have to remove and re-insert.

rileyflorence wrote:

GPS requires a power source, whereas a microchip does not.

The wild-life ones they implant only last a certain amount of time before the battery dies and you would have to remove and re-insert.

True, but with NFC charging it shouldn't be an issue.