Why it matters
Coverage is Tractive's argument. It says the DOG 6 connects to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile LTE across the U.S., rather than a single carrier.
It also monitors activity, sleep, scratching and vitals and sends a weekly report. Treat those as trends to discuss with your vet, not diagnoses.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Good fit if
- You want multi-carrier cellular coverage
- You want a low up-front price
- Your dog is over 9 lb
Look elsewhere if
- You want to charge monthly or less often (look at Fi)
- Your dog is very small
- You won't pay a subscription
What it really costs to own
Tractive sells the plan separately from the tracker. Tractive's pages have shown two different prices for the same 1-year plan ($144 and $120); both are listed so you can see the range.
| Plan (as listed) | Per year | 1 year total | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Plan ($144 billed annually) | $144 | $223 | $367 | $511 |
| 1-Year Plan ($120 billed annually) | $120 | $199 | $319 | $439 |
| 2-Year Plan ($204 billed every 2 years) | $102 | $181 | $283 | $385 |
| 5-Year Plan ($360 billed every 5 years) | $72 | $151 | $223 | $295 |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three U.S. LTE carriers (maker)
- Low device price, often discounted
- IP68 water rating (maker)
- Activity, sleep and vitals tracking
Cons
- Up to 2 weeks per charge
- Plan required and priced separately
- Plan prices varied between two reads on the same day
Limitations to weigh
- Health monitoring reports what the device measures; it doesn't diagnose illness.
- Cellular tracking needs coverage; no tracker works everywhere.
Specifications
Every figure below comes from the source shown in brackets. Where the maker doesn't state something, we say so instead of estimating.
| Price seen | $79 | Maker |
|---|---|---|
| Model number | TRDOG6BK | Maker |
| UPC / GTIN | 9120056451906 | Maker |
| Sale price seen | $47.40 | Maker |
| Minimum dog weight (maker) | 9 lb | Maker |
| Battery life (maker-stated) | Up to 2 weeks | Maker |
| Water resistance (maker-stated) | IP68 (maker-stated) | Maker |
| Network | AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile LTE (U.S.) | Maker |
| Subscription | Required, sold separately from the tracker | Maker |
| Health tracking | Activity, sleep, scratching and vitals | Maker |
Alternatives worth comparing
More gps & trackers we cover
- PetSafe GPS Dog Tracker $79.99 seen
- Tractive DOG 6 XL GPS & Health Tracker $89 seen
- Dogtra PATHFINDER2 GPS Tracking & Training System $429.99 seen
- Dogtra PATHFINDER2 MINI GPS Tracking & Training System $429.99 seen
Final verdict
A dependable, inexpensive cellular tracker if multi-carrier coverage matters to you. If you want to charge rarely, Fi's devices beat it on stated battery life.
Where to buy
Our links open this exact model's product page. Prices and stock change; check what's included before you order.
Each button opens this exact model. Disclosure