My wife and I will be headed up to to a lodge off the Gunflint in a few weeks, and plan to bring our well behaved 2 year old 30 lb bear/wolf bait dog. Any thoughts about what are good ways to go for a dog tracking device, e.g. GPS.

Garmin has one, but it is around $600 or so that includes the collar and the handheld GPS receiver. The problem on the Gunflint is no cell service. Otherwise, there are many trackers that are less than $100. So, the device system has to include both the collar and a means of visualizing the dog's location. We both have Xfinity cell phones, which use Verizon's cell service. My prior experience with Verizon on the Gunflint Trail is that service disappears after about 2 miles up the Trail from Grand Marais.

Thanks a lot!

Tom

I use Garmin Alpha often in that area and it works perfectly.

Find one that works with StarLink and you won't have to worry about cell service.

Why would you need GPS to locate your dog? How long is your leash?

bobbernumber3: "Why would you need GPS to locate your dog? How long is your leash?"

It is basically insurance if she takes off after a bear, munk, squirrel, etc., and she somehow slips out of her collar or if the leash slips off a hand. We intend to have her on a leash the whole time. We also plan to use our choker collar, so the likelihood of her slipping the collar is remote. But, things do happen.

Tom

I've been intrigued by the Fi collars for a while. To get a location, your dog would need to wander back into cell coverage–and you'd need signal on your phone as well. If your dog was to become lost along the Gunflint its likely they would eventually wander back toward populated areas with some reception.

Otherwise, you're probably looking at those $$$ Garmin systems with satellite communication on both the collar and receiver.

fenrirrr: "...If your dog was to become lost along the Gunflint its likely they would eventually wander back toward populated areas with some reception. ..."

Or not.

I have Jade trained on a Mini Educator(I just use the vibration setting for those who want to tell my how inhumane my training technique might be) . It has about a 400yd range. Of course that's as a back-up to my six foot leash, ground stake and canoe thwart tether.

Not sure why why GPS needed. I use a Garmin Sport Pro with Kimi my 50lb hound mix on our past 5 consecutive Sept/Oct trips into the Gun Flint. Only use the beep and vibrate function and have never lost her. I do not remember ever using a leash.

OP asked about GPS, not training collars folks. Training collars are pointless to help find a missing dog.

quark2222: "...

Garmin has one, but it is around $600 or so that includes the collar and the handheld GPS receiver. ..."

Ouch! $600 makes me cringe. Perhaps equipping your canine with their own Bear Bell(?) could be an option. (Laughing emoji here)

Hope you find a solution that doesn't break the bank. Enjoy your stay at the Gunflint Lodge.

Garmin Alpha 200i