Microchip vs. GPS Dog Collar: Can You Track a Dog With a Microchip?

Every dog owner's worst fear is their dog getting lost. In that frightening moment, you want the fastest and most effective way to get them home. Microchipping has been the best way to permanently identify people for years, but a dangerous misconception has spread: many people think a microchip works like a GPS tag.

That will be clear after reading this help. We'll talk about the main difference between a microchip and a GPS dog collar, as well as what each technology can and can't do. This will help you decide which tool is best for active, real-time tracking that can help you find your dog quickly.

What Is a Pet Microchip and How Does It Actually Work?

The vet will insert Pet Microchip just below your dog's skin between his or her shoulder blades. It is a quick and painless procedure that will provide your pet with a lifelong method of identification.

The key term here is “passive.” The microchip is not battery-powered. In fact, it is not capable of sending out information regarding its location. It is not capable of doing a thing until a specific microchip scanner is placed over it. The scanner radiates a “low-frequency radio wave” to activate this microchip. Subsequently, this microchip will transmit a unique number in response to this scanner.

The Microchip's Role: Identification, Not Tracking

So, can you track your dog with a microchip? The simple answer is no. Microchips are not for tracking. The only function of a microchip is to identify your dog once it is found.

Here's how the process is designed to work:

• Your dog runs away and is luckily rescued either by a well-meaning individual or an animal control officer.
• The dog is taken to a vet care facility or animal shelter by the finder.
• The staff member scans for a microchip with a universal scanner.
• The scanner displays a unique ID number. The unique ID number is inputted into a pet recovery database.
• The database connects ID number to your contact information, and you get a call that your dog has been found.

Such a system is an invaluable safety net and has brought many pets back to their owners. The system is reactive and relies entirely on some well-meaning individual finding your dog and scanning it.

What Is a GPS Dog Collar and How Does It Work?

Unlike a passive microchip, a GPS dog collar is an active, electronic device designed for real-time location tracking. These collars are part of a category of advanced dog tracking collars that use a combination of technologies to pinpoint your dog's exact location and transmit it to your smartphone.

A GPS collar contains a battery, a GPS receiver, and a cellular modem. The GPS receiver constantly communicates with a network of satellites orbiting the Earth to determine its precise coordinates. The cellular modem then uses a mobile data network (just like your phone) to send that location information to an app on your phone. This allows you to see your dog's position on a map in real time, with updates every few seconds.

The Power of Proactive Tracking: When Every Second Counts

The difference in a lost dog situation is staggering. A microchip is a tool of hope—you hope that a good Samaritan will find your dog and do the right thing. A GPS dog collar is a tool of action—it enables you to take matters into your own hands.

Rather than waiting nervously for someone who finds your dog to call you on the phone to come and find him, you can simply fire up your app and find out where your dog is. Using the app of a collar will enable you to monitor your dog’s movements and go directly to where your dog is to retrieve him. In cases where your dog is lost in a location that is near a road where many cars are passing through and in a location where weather is extreme, this app will come in handy.

Combining Technologies for the Ultimate Safety Net

The choice shouldn't be between a microchip and a GPS-tracking collar. The brightest and safest path for any dog owner is to have both. The microchip and GPS-tracking collar are two different tools for different goals that make a safety web for your beloved pet.

• The Microchip: Here is your dog's permanent and non-lossable identification. In case their collar slips off or when the GPS battery runs out, this microchip serves as a final safety to confirm that your dog is your property and can therefore reconnect you to your dog in shelters and vet care.
• The GPS Dog Collar: That is your first level of defense and your first line of recovery. That is your tracker that will assist you in keeping your dog from ever having to go to a shelter. It is how you will locate your dog. Just think of it like car security. The microchip is like your car VIN number engraved on your engine, important for identifying your car in case it's stolen and found. The GPS collar is like your car LoJack system that alerts the police to locate your car right away when it has been stolen.

Beyond Tracking: The Rise of the Smart Collar

In recent years, dog tracking collars have advanced beyond just GPS. A lot of them work as smart collars that come with a whole list of features, making your dog more secure and even healthier. Among some of those features are alerts for health issues, activity tracking to ensure your dog is getting enough exercise, and even dog fence systems via wireless.

With a portable dog fence, often referred to as a “virtual fence,” you can easily define a secure boundary for your dog through your smartphone. When your dog crosses that boundary line, you will immediately receive an alert on your smartphone to allow you enough time to retrieve your dog before they go too far. That is how GPS ensures that no one ever gets lost with their dog.

Combine Microchip and GPS Collar for Safety

The microchip is a valuable tool for permanent dog identification; however, this item is not designed to locate your dog if it is lost. Once your dog is found and scanned with this device, this gadget will only function. GPS dog collars are only reliable in locating your dog in real-time and prior to its actions. With a GPS dog collar, you will have the capability to locate your dog within minutes. In essence, you can provide your dog with the best safety network possible through a combination of a microchip and a GPS tracker.