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Scoffed at GPS dog collars until my lab ran off during a storm in Tulsa last spring

I always thought those GPS trackers were overkill for a casual dog walker. Then a thunderclap hit and my dog bolted into some woods near Riverside Park. Spent 45 minutes panicking before a neighbor lent me their Findster collar to track him down. Now I keep one on him even for quick trips to the backyard. Anyone else change their mind about a piece of gear after a close call?

3 comments

3 Comments

taylor121mo ago

Kind of funny you mention Tulsa, I used to live a few blocks from Riverside Park and those storms come out of nowhere. The GPS collars are a lifesaver in that area with all the creek access and thick brush. But just a heads up, the Findster collar has a limited range compared to something like a Garmin. You did fine that one time but if your lab really gets going, you might want to check the specs before relying on it for a full search. Real close calls do change your perspective though, I started carrying a headlamp after I nearly lost my dog in the dark off the Turkey Mountain trails.

jenny_hall1mo ago

A whistle and training recall commands saved me when my mutt vanished into a soybean field near Broken Arrow. Sound carries way better than a GPS signal in heavy brush.

ellis.leo1mo ago

45 minutes of pure panic while your lab is probably just sniffing a possum is exactly how I ended up with a Garmin on my husky. I was the GUY who swore trackers were for rich people with hunting dogs till mine slipped his harness and ran 3 miles through a creek bed in like 20 minutes. Now I look at that collar like it's a damn life insurance policy. But hey, at least your neighbor was prepared - mine just handed me a flashlight and said "good luck.