Tractive GPS & Health Tracker Review: What’s New in the Latest Model?

When it comes to keeping Freya safe and secure, I’m always on the lookout for products that give me peace of mind. I recently got my hands on the latest Tractive GPS & Health Tracker, and after thoroughly testing it out with Freya, it’s time to share my honest thoughts. If you’re considering this tracker for your pup, read on for the full scoop!

Tractive GPS Tracker & Health Monitoring for Dogs

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What Exactly Is the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker?

Tractive is one of the leading GPS pet trackers on the market, designed to help dog owners keep tabs on their furry friends in real-time. This compact, lightweight device attaches easily to your dog’s collar and syncs with a smartphone app to give you constant updates on your dog’s whereabouts.

It’s especially handy if your dog is adventurous like my Pharaoh Hound, Freya. While I’m SUPER careful about making sure she never gets out of our fenced-in yard, I’m not naive enough to believe it could never happen. Hence my obsession with GPS dog trackers.

A few years ago, I did a Tractive XL review and really loved it. I still think it’s an amazing tracker, especially for bigger dogs. A few months ago, Tractive came out with a whole new version of their original tracker, though, and I think I’m even more in love. It’s sleeker and more modern than ever.

Let’s check out what’s new first. Then we’ll go over the top features and pros as well as the few drawbacks.

What’s New in the Latest Tractive GPS Dog Tracker?

Bark Monitoring: The tracker keeps tabs on your dog’s barking habits, letting you know if there’s an increase or decrease from their usual patterns, thanks to a built-in sensor that measures sound levels.

Stronger Light: Find your tracker easier with bright LED lights that make it easier to spot your tracker (and pet) during night walks.

Enhanced Sound: The louder sound makes it easier to hear even in busy areas.

Up to 14 Days Battery Life: The Dog 6 GPS Tracker uses cutting-edge technology to the extend battery life longer than ever.

Improved USB-C Charging Mechanism & Sturdier Attachment: The tracker can be charged with any standard USB-C cable, and its port has a dirt protection cover. I am SO thrilled about this because the charger was one of my “could be betters” on my XL review.

Sleek and Modern Design: The new model is smaller, sleeker, and (in my opinion) just plain prettier.

Top Features:

• Real-time GPS tracking
• Virtual fences (geofencing)
• Health and Activity monitoring
• Compact, waterproof design
• Long-lasting battery life
• Worldwide coverage
• Family sharing features

What I Love About the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker

• Still fits almost any collar
• Reliable real-time tracking
• Easy-to-use mobile app
• Robust activity monitoring
• Super easy activation
• NEW Bark Monitoring
• Geofencing alerts*

Fits Any Collar

Like the original and the XL Tractive, the brand-new Tractive 6 still fits just about any collar on the market, including Freya’s 1.5″ Martingale. This has always been one of my favorite Tractive features.

As much as I love the GPS collars that I’ve tried out, Freya’s “giraffe” neck makes it challenging to get them to sit just right, especially since most of them double as training collars with vibration and whatnot. Since Tractive isn’t designed to work as a training collar, it doesn’t need to sit in a specific spot on your dog’s neck to do its job.

Reliable Real-Time Tracking:

The real-time GPS feature gives me instant peace of mind, knowing that if Freya manages to escape the leash while chasing a squirrel, I’ll be able to find her again.

The updates are quick and accurate, so I always know exactly where she is, down to a few feet (I’ve tested this out by having my son walk her while I track them).

User-Friendly Mobile App with Insightful Activity Monitoring:

Tractive’s app is intuitive, clean, and straightforward. Setting everything up took mere minutes, and navigating through the app feels natural, even for less tech-savvy dog parents.

Not only does the tracker show me Freya’s location, but it also gives valuable insights into her daily activity levels. This helps me ensure she’s getting enough exercise, which is vital for her energetic breed.

Quick note: I used Tractive‘s screenshots for the app because I’m having issues with my phone at the moment.

SUPER Easy Activation

If you’d rather not deal with setting up your new account through the app, Tractive is one of the few (if not the only) trackers that allow you to set everything up through a browser.

Just sign up or login in on the Tractive website, then choose “Activate Tracker” and enter the 8-digit code that’s on the back of the tracker (the actual tracker, not the box).

NEW Bark Monitoring:

Monitor how often your dog barks and get alerts if Tractive detects unusual patterns. This is really helpful for monitoring everything from separation anxiety to excessive barking at squirrels while you’re away from home.

Geofencing alerts

First, it’s important to remember that Tractive isn’t a true invisible fence collar. However, it does allow you to set up boundaries in the app. If your dog goes beyond these boundaries, you’ll get an alert.

It’s handy for people like me who have fenced-in yards but want that backup option in case their dog manages to escape the fence. Knock on wood, so far that hasn’t happened with Freya, but my dogs before her were expert escape artists. One would climb over the fence and the other would dig under.

What Could Be Improved

• Subscription required
• Slightly bulky for very small dogs

Subscription Required:

You’ll need a subscription to use Tractive. In fact, you can’t even finish activating the tracker without choosing one. Plus, you’ll need to pay for at least a year in advance (no monthly option).

Keep in mind, though, that pretty much every GPS tracking collar right now also requires a subscription right off the bat. When you factor in Tractive‘s significantly lower up-front price tag, it’s still a great bargain.

Size for Very Small Dogs:

The tracker is compact and lightweight, but it may still be bulky on very small dogs. While I haven’t tried it on a small pup (I’m a big dog person), Freya has a Shih Tzu friend that we see on our walks every day. Looking at her compared to the Tractive on Freya, I don’t really envision it being too bulky at all.

So, when I say, “very small dogs,” I mean VERY small. That makes sense, though, since Tractive recommends their trackers for dogs 9 lbs and up.

Final Thoughts: Is Tractive Worth It?

If you have an adventurous dog or simply want that extra reassurance, the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker is definitely worth considering. Just remember to factor in the subscription fee, and if your pup is super tiny, make sure they’re comfortable wearing something slightly larger than usual. For Freya and me, it’s a definite win!

Tractive GPS Tracker & Health Monitoring for Dogs

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