Is the Tractive GPS Tracker the Best Option for Keeping Your Dog Safe?

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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.

Vets and welfare organisations stress that microchipping is vital, but it cannot tell you where your dog is if they run off. A GPS tracker adds that real‑time location information, helping owners react immediately.

— based on UK pet safety guidance Gov.UK

photograph : tractive

Tractive produces 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 dog tracker for your dog's collar - the DOG 6.

We put the DOG 6 through its paces and 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 reviewed.

UPDATE : APRIL 2026 We've updated this review with details of the new DOG 6 XL model and the scratching monitor to detect potential skin issues.

View on Tractive

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How does the a GPS Dog Tracker Work?

Tractive GPS Tracker for Dogs Review

1. Tractive Review : Performance

2. Tractive Review : Features

3. Tractive Review : Additional Info

4. Which Tractive GPS Monitor is Right for My Dog?

Our Verdict

The Rivals

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.

photograph : smart bark

The tracker automatically connects to the best available mobile network with a integral SIM - 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 when you open the app. 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 heart & respiratory rate monitor, bark monitoring function, increased battery performance, light & sound for visibility and new scratching monitor software, the DOG 6 Smart Tracker also features a sleek design and 3 colours ( black, brown and mint)

photograph : smart bark

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 models of the Tractive Tracker to consider depending on how the size of your dog and how seriously your dog adventures -

• The updated Dog 6 XL version

• The XL Adventure 

DOG 6, DOG 6 XL & DOG XL Adventure

We explore the differences between the models in our At-a-Glance Comparison Table later in the review

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.

photograph : smart bark

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.

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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 DOG 6 XL has a battery life of up to 42 days and the XL Adventure's 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.

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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).

photograph : smart bark

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.

photograph : smart bark

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.

photograph : smart bark

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.

photograph : smart bark

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

photograph : smart bark

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 smart GPS trackers now include activity monitoring data as part of their package.

photograph : tractive

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.

Recently updated this super smart tracker now provides a comprehensive view of your dog's well-being. You can monitor their daily, weekly, and monthly activity levels, understand their sleep cycles, track their barking patterns, and even keep an eye on their resting heart and respiratory rates.

For those familiar with Apple Watches or Fitbits, Tractive offers a similar wealth of health insights.

This data helps you to track and manage your dog's exercise and weight over time, ensuring they stay in peak condition.

photograph : tractive

The heart and respiratory rate monitors are particularly valuable, offering a fantastic way to monitor overall health and potentially detect early signs of illness. You will need to use the tracker for at least seven days for it to learn what is normal for your dog to establish their baseline.

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.

Scratching Monitor

Ever caught your dog in a full-on scratching frenzy and wondered what's going on? The brand new Scratch Monitoring feature can help you get to the bottom of those bothersome itches.

Your tracker detects every scratch and measures how long each session lasts, then compares it against data from millions of dogs to tell you whether your pup's scratching is normal, or something worth paying attention to. I know, what an amazing feature!

What you'll see in the app:

• Daily scratching duration

• Status: normal or increased

• A seven-day chart showing scratching trends over time

  
  

No waiting around either, unlike some health features, scratch monitoring needs no baseline period. You'll see data from day one. Brilliant.

We particularly love that you can take the seven-day chart straight to your vet. Instead of the classic "well, he scratches... sometimes?" conversation, you'll have clear, concrete data on exactly when and how often your dog is scratching. Now that's a smarter way to get to the bottom of what's bugging your best friend.

Barking Monitor

With the DOG 6's 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 £4.00 – £8.00 a month depending on how long you take out the subscription for and whether you opt for the Basic or Premium Subscription.

Personally, we think that £4.00 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.

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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!

4. Which Tractive GPS Monitor is Right for My Dog?

Not sure which Tractive GPS tracker is right for your dog? With the brand new DOG 6 XL now available alongside the DOG 6 and the rugged XL Adventure, there's a model to suit every dog and every adventure. Take a look at our handy comparison table below to find the best fit.

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.

photograph : tractive

We loved the heart and respiratory rate monitor, battery life, light and sounds for greater visibility at night, Strava link option and of course the gorgeous new muted colours on offer.

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

   + Heart rate and respiratory 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

View on Tractive

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, Kippy and of course the Tractive Tracker.

photograph : shutterstock

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.

Best GPS Trackers for Dogs Review

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.

photograph : pitpat

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.

Dog Activity Trackers Review

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.

photograph : smart bark

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 plus we explore some suitable AirTag holders.

Best AirTags Dog Collar Holders

Thanks for stopping by and reading our Tractive DOG 6 Review.

We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we enjoyed testing it.