If you're like me, your dog is a beloved member of your family.. The thought of it running off and getting lost, is a horrid one. Not only is there that fear of losing your loving pet, there is also that ugly feeling of wondering where your dog is, what dangers it's being exposed to, the fear it must be experiencing, and whether you'll ever see it again. Thousands of dogs stray away from their owners and end up missing every day.. More than 15% of them never come back home safely. The Humane Society estimates that almost 50% of the millions of dogs that are rounded up and put in shelters each year are euthanized.

As soon as you realize that your dog is missing, your first impulse would no doubt be to canvas the neighborhood; whether it be driving around, walking you're dog's favorite beat, or going door to door asking neighbors if they've seen you're missing Fido. Then there's always the last ditch effort of handing out fliers and displaying lost posters, hoping for the best. Well, now there's a way to go high tech. The capability now exists to attach a small GPS tracking device to your dog's collar or harness which will give you the ability to monitor its movements and know exactly where it's at.

The are 2 types of GPS tracking systems for dogs. One is based on the use of cell phones and cell phone towers, and the other makes use of radio transmissions. The cell phone based devices are best for people who live in the city where cell reception is available. They will be your answer for tracking down your dog if it escapes from the house, backyard, or any other area that has cell phone reception. The radio transmission devices are best used when you are in remote areas where there is no cell reception. They are popular with hikers, campers, and hunters who use dog tracking.

Let's take a look at the more popular cell phone based GPS tracking devices for dogs. The principal for all these devices are the same. You use your computer or smart phone to set up virtual boundaries, which are basically safe areas for your dog, such as your house or backyard. If your dog leaves the preset area, the GPS tracking system immediately alerts you via e-mail and / or text. You can then use your computer or cell phone to pin point your dog's location and track it until it is safely back in your arms. If you are using a smartphone, the system will guide you turn by turn until you reach your dog. Since the system is cell based, you can literally set up safety zones and track your dog any where in the world where cell reception is available. Even if you are on vacation and have a pet sitter, you can be alerted on your phone if your dog leaves its safety zone. Taking your dog with you on vacation or when visiting a friend? Set up a virtual boundary in the area in case your dog runs off, especially in an area they are unfamiliar with.

The first thing you need to do in deciding on a GPS tracking system for your dog, is to determine whether the cell based or radio transmission device is best for you. From there, do your research and compare the features of different tracking devices. The great thing about the tracking devices that attach to your dog's collar is that they are portable and can also be used to track virtually anything, from children to cars to portable personal possessions.

If your dog tends to run off, jumps fences, or is often left off leash and unattended, a dog GPS tracking system can provide you with a sense of security in knowing that, should your dog go missing, you will immediately be alerted to the fact, be provided with its exact location, and have the ability to be guided turn by turn until you locate your pet.