Reviewing the Best Dog Activity Monitors

Do you have a dog? If you do, you know that barking, growling, jumping on furniture, and other undesirable behavior can have dire consequences for your dog. And, unfortunately, such negative behavior is almost always the result of stress. Unfortunately, most dog behavior modification programs (DBPs) on the market today don’t work.

That's why we decided to develop this guide to dog activity trackers. These devices track your pooch”s movements 24/7 so you can see how he‘s doing. They give you instant alerts if your little guy is barking up a storm or if he is jumping up on your shoulder, running around, or gnawing on something.

Beyond the obvious reason that they can help you keep an eye on what‹s going on inside your pet s head, activity beacons can also be used to help keep you, your family, friends, co-workers, pets, birds, fish, horses, lawns, yards, sheds, trees, plants, cars, buses, planes, trains, boats, wind turbines, irrigation ditches, etc. safe and happy.

Dog Activity Monitor Tips

Dog activity trackers are great to have on hand for any outdoor excursion. If you’re planning on using your tracker during a hunting trip, camping trip or vacation, you will want to make sure that your pet is comfortable in the device. All activity wearables should include a water resistance rating.

Water can be a source of contamination for some dogs, so be sure to check that the activity monitor you are considering has a splash guard. While the majority of activity watches for dogs are battery powered, some models have rechargeable batteries. This is a great feature for trips where you want the dog to be able to stay active without needing to recharge the tracker. Some activity bands are waterproof and can survive submersion for up to 30 minutes. Others are not waterproof but are water resistant.

These are typically easier for your dog and you to get out in even the most inclement weather. For a more versatile tracker, look for a tracker with a microphone that allows your pup to speak to you. Even if your canine companion doesn't have a particularly high voice, having the option to chat with you can make the entire experience more enjoyable.

Dog Activity Monitor Considerations

If your little guy likes to explore, a dog activity monitor will allow him to track where he moves throughout the day, what he does, and how active he is. Some models even allow you to keep a running tally, recording distances traveled and whether he got up or down. For those who like to sit still for long stretches, we recommend looking into a device with a motion sensor. These allow the user to set the monitor to detect the slightest movement, so the activity tracker will remind the pup to stay still when he's not doing what you want him doing.

A basic activity trackers usually cost between $25 and $50, but we wouldn't recommend spending less than $30 unless you have very specific needs. Most basic models will alert you if the dog moves more than an inch away from the device, while advanced models allow for a much wider range of motion detection and tracking. We recommend investing in a basic model in case you don't want or need all the bells and whistles, or if you just want a general, non-moving dog monitor.

Dog Activity Monitor Prices

Dog activity trackers vary greatly in price based on features, power source, and other factors. In general, you can expect to pay between $5 and $200.

For a basic activity tracker with limited features and minimal battery life, expect a price between just $4 and around $10. These trackers usually offer Bluetooth connectivity and may have a couple of storage options. If you want a reliable device that will track your dog’s movement for hours on end, check out activity gels with more features. Models in this price range will be Bluetooth enabled, have at least two storage devices, a timer, an alarm, as well as possibly a screen.

In the $20 to $40 range, the models will likely have more advanced features like an app that can help you track the activity of your pup and possibly be used outside. Some may include motion detection, so you won't be surprised when your pooch wanders out of the house. On the higher end of this range are devices that allow you to track multiple dogs. You might get one with multiple sensors and the ability to share the data with a third party.

Dog Activity Monitor Buying Features

If you’re in the market for a new dog activity monitor, you should consider these key features before buying:

• Battery life 

The battery life of your chosen activity tracker is extremely important. You don‘t want to be continually recharging your battery just to have it die out mid-activity. A good activity-trackers battery should last at least a year and provide you with at most a two-month interval before you need to recharge it.

• Measurement accuracy 

Some devices, such as the Garmin device, will display the number of calories you have burned but may not provide the calories for the steps you took on that day. This is important as it allows you to calculate the most effective way of working out to get the calorie burn for each workout. Some of the activity trackers also provide a graph of how long you spent away from home on each of their devices. So, if you are working on improving your exercise routine and want a clear picture of where you stand, this is a useful feature.

• Look out for these features: Health reports

With most of today's activity tracks, there is an option to view a detailed health report. The reports can be very detailed and can give you a lot of information on your health. It's a great way to keep track of progress and monitor your nutritional intake.

• Types of Dog Activities Monitored Activity Trackers 

You can choose from three types of activity tracked dogs monitors. Most of these devices will provide both distance and time-based tracking. If distance is your thing, then the heart rate monitor is probably the best option. However, it is also possible to track both at the same time, as well as a combination of both types. These are called triple-tracked devices and are perfect for long-distance walks and training sessions.

• Trackable movement 

Dogs that have the ability to move around your home can then be tracked. That means that you can use your activity tracking device to check on the progress of pooches that are too big to walk around the house. As long as they can move freely around you, they should be present and accounted for.

• Smart sensors 

A smart sensor is very much like a Bluetooth tracker, but it utilizes a smartphone app to provide much more detailed information to the user. Of course, most smart sensors can't provide distance or time data, so if those are important to you and you want the full picture, make sure you opt for one of those.

• Dual modes 

Another great feature to look out is whether the dog-tracking activity device you choose is compatible with both heart-rate and smartphone apps. For instance, some will allow you both to set up a smart-device heart monitor and also download the app onto the device itself, giving you all the necessary information for both.

All About Dog Activity Monitors

Activity trackers are generally considered useful tools for dogs, so it's worth knowing what to expect when using one. As a guide, the most basic models will keep you informed about your pooch’s every move, whether it's for a day or a month or even a year or more down the line.

These will be waterproof, and they may include some basic features like a calendar to keep track of walks. With more advanced models, you get more sophisticated monitoring they'll periodically record the time spent outdoors, how active your pup is, what he‘s eating, even the sounds he makes. This can get quite involved.

An activity tracker for puppies is likely to be pretty basic, but an adult tracker will provide more detail. If you re having trouble deciding what you need, keep reading, as we ll help you find the right model for your canine companion.