Doggy GPS

MissTyc

MissTyc

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My terrier always wears his tracker as a just in case when he's out and about ... I need to find a new boarding person for him for when I'm away. Until now never had a problem with the tracker but the last two people I spoke to said they didn't like the tracker while dog was with them? Surely the peace of mind can be shared? And also means I know what he's doing (in particular that he's doing what he's supposed to be doing i.e. what I am paying for?!)
 
Have they given an explanation for not liking the tracker?

And in using a boarder- what is the purpose and what do you think you're paying for?
 
amymay said:
Have they given an explanation for not liking the tracker?

And in using a boarder- what is the purpose and what do you think you're paying for?
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One said it made her feel uncomfortable but culdn't really say why. She followed up saying she'd keep him on a lead anyway. The other just said no and I couldn't be bothered to continue the conversation since she clearly wasn't going to work out for me!
I occasionally travel for work. Big dog goes to standard kennels but our little dog has stayed with a lovely boarding lady. Sadly she's left the area :( ... What I'm paying for is whatever we agree on, which would involve at least one proper walk per day while I'm away.
I'm happy for him to be on a long line as I realise he is not reliable yet. His daily dog walker has not ever had a problem but they know each other.
But one of the reasons I even got the tracker was to know how long he's out for. I certainly don't mind if it's shorter one day or in bad weather, etc, I'm not a difficult person in that sense ... but I am bored at work and it reassures me to know he's out having fun.
 
Now perhaps im a suspicious person...but I'd take the refusal to use one to mean that the chances of a proper walk would be pretty low in those places and the tracker would highlight that! I cant see any reason why someone wouldnt want one on a visiting dog tbh.
 
Crumbs if I was walking dogs I would be dogs I would be grateful for a tracker. I think if you have a good working relationship with a carer and they are booked to walk a certain amount of time a day, like you say depending on the weather I can not see why they would object, it saying where the dog is not where they are. I am thinking of getting one just so if our wilful lurcher decides to head off we have an idea where to look, and we have a fenced garden.
Some I know does doggy walks and send people pics of them when they are out.
 
Aru said:
…….. ! I cant see any reason why someone wouldnt want one on a visiting dog tbh.
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Or for that matter, why one would. If someone intended leaving a dog with me, to board and they left it with a tracker, presumably to check what I was doing, I'd take the view that if they didn't trust me, then best they find somewhere else for their beloved pooch. To be truthful, I'd be insulted just as many others would.

[edit] I wonder if, as a Vet you'd care for an owner who wanted to install 24hr tv for a dog which was in your care — just to be sure that you were giving the animal the care and attention for which you've billed the owner. You'd welcome that? :)

Alec.
 
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Alec Swan said:
[edit] I wonder if, as a Vet you'd care for an owner who wanted to install 24hr tv for a dog which was in your care — just to be sure that you were giving the animal the care and attention for which you've billed the owner. You'd welcome that? :)

Alec.
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Can’t speak for Aru but it’s becoming more common (London and USA so far I think) to have little kennel webcams! We’re a bit agricultural for our owners to really appreciate that in general but maybe one day! Most things that are billed for they get a call before to get consent and one after to confirm it went ok/results/next step so between that and the inpatient visits (in situ on the ward) I don’t think there is much doubt! I’m also in the process of finding both a boarding place and choosing a tracker- but wasn’t specifically thinking for checking up on him!
 
We already have cameras in our clinic kennels. No owner access mind as we rarely overnight animals but if theres any concerns regards welfare the tapes are availiable for perusing and everyone knows that. I wouldnt have an issue with a tracker on a dog in the clinic either. We live in the technological world. Its just the way things are going now and the company I'm working for is very modern with a clinic build to purpose so I'm used to having an open setting.

It also helps that our strict company policy is non adverse treatments and low fear settings. When you have nothing to hide from owners its easier. Il let owners watch blood draws etc if they want to as long as the owners are well behaved and the dogs not acting up more because they are there..if there are issues they will be then asked to leave if that occurs and explain what we are doing and why. we muzzle with basket muzzles as needed or use cat bags/cat muzzles etc to reduce the chances of incidences..our surgery window can also be switched to clear if you want to see in as well...though I find very few ppl want to see that.....so ya Cameras wouldnt bother me...already practically working on display anyway....and while il happily use negative association for training my own dog...I wouldn't do that to a clients dog. Not my animal not my choice or place to do so and anyone who hit or treated a pet unkindly would lose their job here. If animals aggressive/terrified and acting up we use chemical restraint rather then wrestle them down for nails etc then work on desensitising them after as well .... our groomers work on display as well with no option of closing the windows.if they have unruly dogs they use muzzles etc when required and do all in plain view of anyone who wants to watch. If they cant be done in public view they have a sedation visit next time.

So I may have a slightly different prospective compared to some.
 
MissTyc said:
My terrier always wears his tracker as a just in case when he's out and about ... I need to find a new boarding person for him for when I'm away. Until now never had a problem with the tracker but the last two people I spoke to said they didn't like the tracker while dog was with them? Surely the peace of mind can be shared? And also means I know what he's doing (in particular that he's doing what he's supposed to be doing i.e. what I am paying for?!)
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I find this strange- and think it is a very responsible owner who uses these. specially in the light off my husbands dog going AWOL and he wont use one and spends ours looking for it when it does. I cannot see any reason for the dog not to where one while in a boarding kennel.
 
Alec Swan said:
Or for that matter, why one would. If someone intended leaving a dog with me, to board and they left it with a tracker, presumably to check what I was doing, I'd take the view that if they didn't trust me, then best they find somewhere else for their beloved pooch. To be truthful, I'd be insulted just as many others would.
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Tbh, this would be my view too (and I board dogs....).
 
I could understand that view if it were a long term client relationship perhaps but as a new client why should trust be automatic? I don't think suppliers should be taking it personally, I wonder what they would do/say if the dog just arrived and the owner then pointed out that this was his tracker and you would like it to stay on rather than asking about it on enquiry.
 
I absolutely cannot see why any dog walker would mind. I am going to go and ask a friend who is a dog walker what she thinks!
 
Clodagh said:
I absolutely cannot see why any dog walker would mind. I am going to go and ask a friend who is a dog walker what she thinks!
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I've been thinking about this most of the morning. And of course, you're absolutely right. I think my initial thoughts were a bit of a knee jerk reaction.

I might actually invest in several and put them on my boarders myself (in addition to the tags we put on them).
 
I can see that initially it could be viewed as a bit of an intrusion, but I genuinely think that quite a lot of owners would just enjoy seeing what their dogs got up to when they were missing them :).
 
I think our dog walker would like it. Reassurance for her for those dogs who might leg it!!

She puts photos on her Facebook daily of the dogs with her that day, and often puts screen shots of her GPS tracker, showing how far she's walked on any day.
 
So many updates! Lots to think about. There's no way I'm removing his tracker, so it was really an academic question.
His normal dog walker doesn't mind it; she even joked she'd give me a call when he got lost so she could locate him before I got home :p Sadly, she's in a flat and too busy for home boarding. I see them on loads of dogs out and about so it's not uncommon nowadays. Too many dogs get lost, and while there is a never a guarantee to get them home safe, I would hope that a quick response to the dog's location would be helpful.

But yes, I do also like to know I am getting what I pay for. Trust is earned not freely given. My friend once came home from work at lunchtime. Her dog was home! She'd paid £35 for 9-5 day care. She texted the day care lady and said "I might be coming home early today" and the lady responded "I'll see if I can get her home early enough to greet you!" followed by hearts and kissy faces. I mean, wtf. I know that's extreme, but I like knowing WHERE mine is, what parks he knows, etc!
 
MissTyc said:
…….. ... I need to find a new boarding person for him for when I'm away. ……..
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Would 'when you're away' imply that the your dog is under the care and control 24/7 of the person who you're employing and whilst you're 'away' or ……...

MissTyc said:
So many updates! Lots to think about. …. ; she even joked she'd give me a call when he got lost so she could locate him before I got home :p Sadly, she's in a flat and too busy for home boarding. I see them on loads of dogs out and about so it's not uncommon nowadays. ………..

But yes, I do also like to know I am getting what I pay for. …….. , but I like knowing WHERE mine is, what parks he knows, etc!
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So what started as you looking for someone who would take in and board your dog has now changed in to someone who you'd like to source who will take your dog for a walk, presumably in your absence, ……..

I'd suggest that you seek out a licensed and competent boarding kennel. They may look at you in an awry fashion if you suggest tracking facilities, but you could always give it a try, I suppose! :)

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
Would 'when you're away' imply that the your dog is under the care and control 24/7 of the person who you're employing and whilst you're 'away' or ……...



So what started as you looking for someone who would take in and board your dog has now changed in to someone who you'd like to source who will take your dog for a walk, presumably in your absence, ……..

I'd suggest that you seek out a licensed and competent boarding kennel. They may look at you in an awry fashion if you suggest tracking facilities, but you could always give it a try, I suppose! :)

Alec.
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I have a dog walker who walks him during the week! Very happy with her :) Walks are not the problem.

I am looking for a new boarding lady indeed for 24/7 care when I'm travelling. Only even considering licensed individuals, but want home boarding not kennels. My other dog goes to kennels, but it's not for the little one. I would have preferred it as this home boarding world is not one I would have ventured into by choice. Sadly he really didn't do well when we tried for a weekend.
 
MissTyc said:
My terrier always wears his tracker as a just in case when he's out and about ... I need to find a new boarding person for him for when I'm away. Until now never had a problem with the tracker but the last two people I spoke to said they didn't like the tracker while dog was with them? Surely the peace of mind can be shared? And also means I know what he's doing (in particular that he's doing what he's supposed to be doing i.e. what I am paying for?!)
Click to expand...

Can I ask what tracker you have? I've been considering getting one for my BTx as he is a nightmare for recall and trying to escape...already has a bell for finding him at home, but GPS would give peace of mind if I ever let him off lead or he manages to escape!
 
Updated on your new thread, but for the record in case anyone finds this one it's "Tractive" that I use. I looked into a few different ones and this service had a good range of services, affordable (it's monthly sim card subscription) and excellent coverage in networked area + EU cover. It's waterproof & insured. I charge it every 4-5 days on normal use (not "live" tracking ; would need more charging them but seems to charge fairly quickly).

I have seen some non-subscription services advertised on Facebook recently, but not sure how they work exactly. Mine connects to phone and computer (and sends me an automatic alert if he leaves a defined area (i.e. escaped the yard or garden - only happened once and I STILL almost had a heart attack even though I was able to follow him straight to the rabbit warren he was staring down.)
 
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