GPS Collars for Dogs

The technology of GPS, or Global Positioning System, which uses satellites orbiting the Earth to relay information to receivers, is now being used for GPS collars for dogs. This is the same technology that is used for the GPS in cars, cell phones and other devices.

The RoamEO GPS Pet Location System is the name of one of these GPS collars and is made by White Bear Technologies in New Brighton, Minnesota. The company was founded in 2004 by two dog owners and businessmen, Boyd Palsgrove and Mark Mitchell. They achieved their goal of developing a GPS collar for dogs with their first prototype being tested in 2007. The company began marketing their products online later that year. The company is also proud to say that their products are designed, manufactured and tested in the USA.

The RoamEO GPS Pet Location System consists of the GPS collar, worn by the dog, and the hand held receiver. The system enables dog owners to quickly identify the precise location of their dog.

Information, updated every few seconds, is transmitted to the hand held receiver and can be viewed on the liquid crystal display screen of the receiver. In addition to the exact location of the dog and the owner's location, the following information is also displayed on the screen: the distance in feet of how far away the dog is, the speed in MPH that the dog is traveling and the direction that the dog is going. The screen also includes a compass, battery life indictors for both the collar and the receiver and the GPS signal strength.

The range of the RoamEO GPS Pet Location System is a one mile radius, however trees and landscape may have an effect on the range in actual situations. If the dog becomes out of range at any time, the last location will continue to be displayed. When the dog comes back into range, the system will be restart instantly.

The hand held receiver of the RoamEO GPS Pet Location System may be used for up to three dogs, each wearing their own GPS collar. In this case, each dog's information is displayed in a different color on the LCD screen.

The GPS collar comes in three neck sizes: 14 inches, 20 inches and 27 inches. The collar is waterproof and can be submerged in water for a brief time. Both the collar and the receiver use recharagable lithium ion batteries.

Why would a dog owner want to use a RoamEO GPS Pet Location System?

The RoamEO GPS Pet Location System has several noteworthy applications. GPS collars are being used by owners and handlers of hunting dogs, search and rescue dogs, police dogs and military dogs. In each of these disciplines, the dog may be required to work at great distances and knowing the precise location of the dog is of great importance.

GPS collars are also being used by dogs and owners who live in rural properties with extensive acreage. The collar allows the dog to roam the property while the owner is aware of his location.

The use of GPS collars is acceptable in the situations described above in the previous two paragraphs. However, as a dog trainer, I do not recommend them for use in urban or suburban areas and they should not be used as a substitute for basic obedience training that all dogs should have. Owners of dogs living in urban or suburban areas should not be allowing their dogs to wander the neighborhood, but instead should be teaching their dogs to stay on their own property and additionally, to come when called.

For more information regarding the RoamEO GPS Pet Location System, go to their website at http://www.roameoforpets.com/index.php

Other dog related articles by Sunshine :

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Dogs Who Are Heroes

Tips for Housebreaking Your New Puppy

How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping Up on You

How to Train Your Dog to Listen to You

Training the Submissive Dog

How to Teach Your Dog to Come when Called