If you’re a Dachshund parent, you know these little sausage dogs are full of curiosity and love to explore. But with their adventurous spirit comes a risk — what if your Doxie wanders too far or escapes your backyard? This Tractive GPS Tracker Review for Dachshund offers insights to help keep your adventurous pup safe.
That’s where the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker steps in. It’s a compact, lightweight, real-time location tracker that helps you monitor your Dachshund’s movements and health — all from your phone.
But is Tractive the best GPS tracker for your small dog? In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know, especially for Dachshund owners, to decide if it’s worth the investment.
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🐾 Quick Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.2 oz (35g) |
| Dimensions | 2.8 x 1.1 x 0.7 inches |
| Waterproof | Yes (IPX7-rated) |
| Battery Life | 3–10 days |
| Real-Time GPS | Yes |
| Activity & Health Tracking | Yes |
| Subscription Required? | Yes |
| Monthly Plans | From $5/month |
| App Compatibility | iOS, Android, and Web |
🐶 Why Tractive Is Great for Dachshund Owners
Dachshunds are curious, stubborn, and love to follow scents. Their small size also makes them more likely to slip under fences or through gaps in gates.
Tractive GPS is a smart solution designed to prevent escapes and give you peace of mind. Here’s why it works so well for Doxies:
- Lightweight for small breeds – Fits comfortably on a Dachshund’s neck.
- Escape alerts – Get instant notifications if your pup leaves a safe zone.
- Live tracking – Watch your Doxie’s movements in real time with location updates every 2–3 seconds.
- Activity monitoring – Helps you track how much exercise your pup is getting, which is important for managing weight and back health.
🛰️ How Tractive GPS Tracker Works
Tractive uses LTE/4G cellular networks to send your dog’s location to the Tractive app. It works in over 175 countries, which is great if you travel or live in rural areas.
Main Features:
- LIVE GPS Tracking
Track your Dachshund in real time with unlimited range — as long as there’s cellular service. - Virtual Fences (Geofencing)
Set safe zones like your home or yard. You’ll get alerts if your pup leaves the area. - Location History
See where your dog has been over the past 365 days — great for spotting behavior patterns. - Activity & Health Tracking
Monitor steps, rest, and calories burned. You’ll even get sleep quality insights to track your dog’s overall wellness. - Family Sharing
Share the tracker with family members or pet sitters — helpful when you’re not home. - Waterproof & Shockproof
Safe for beach runs, rainy walks, and rough play.
📱 Tractive App: Your Control Center
The Tractive app (available on iOS, Android, and browser) is easy to use and packed with useful features:
- See your dog’s exact location at any time
- View activity levels and set fitness goals
- Set up safe zones
- Track sleep quality (great for senior Dachshunds)
The app also includes a Leaderboard where you can compare your Dachshund’s activity with other dogs in your area!
🔋 Battery Life: What to Expect
Tractive claims battery life of 3–10 days, depending on your settings and how often you use live tracking.
Realistically, for most Dachshund owners using moderate settings:
- Average battery life is 5–7 days
- Charging takes about 2 hours
There’s also a Power Saving Zone feature that helps conserve battery when your dog is home.
📦 What’s in the Box?
When you buy a Tractive GPS Dog Tracker, you get:
- 1x Tractive GPS Tracker
- 1x Charging Cable
- 1x User Manual
- 1x Clip Mount (for collar attachment)
⚠️ The tracker doesn’t come with a collar, but it attaches easily to most standard dog collars.
💰 Subscription Plans
You’ll need a subscription to use the GPS tracking features. Plans start at:
- Basic Plan: From $5/month (billed annually)
- Premium Plan: From $8/month (includes location history, family sharing, worldwide tracking, etc.)
We recommend the Premium Plan for Dachshund owners who want full peace of mind.
✅ Pros and ❌ Cons
Pros
✔️ Real-time GPS with unlimited range
✔️ Lightweight and small — perfect for Dachshunds
✔️ Excellent value compared to competitors
✔️ Activity + health tracking included
✔️ Easy-to-use mobile app
✔️ Waterproof and durable
Cons
❌ Requires a subscription
❌ Battery lasts 3–7 days, not months
❌ No built-in flashlight or sound alert
🐕 Real Dachshund Owners Share Their Experience
“I rescued a mini Doxie last year, and she’s a runner! Tractive has saved us twice when she escaped from the yard. Live tracking helped me find her within minutes.” – Karen, Georgia
“We live near the woods, and my Dachshund loves to explore. I set up a virtual fence, and I always get an alert when she wanders too far. The peace of mind is priceless.” – Marcus, Oregon
🐾 Is It Comfortable for Dachshunds?
Yes — the tracker weighs just 1.2 oz, making it light enough for mini and standard Dachshunds. It doesn’t interfere with neck movement or posture when attached to a regular collar.
If you have a Miniature Dachshund under 7 lbs, be sure to place the device properly to avoid imbalance.
🧠 Tips for Using Tractive with a Dachshund
- Attach the tracker to a breakaway or soft collar for comfort
- Use the Power Saving Zone for better battery life at home
- Set up multiple virtual fences (home, dog park, grandma’s house)
- Check activity reports weekly to adjust walks and exercise
🏁 Final Verdict: Is Tractive Worth It for Dachshund Owners?
Absolutely. The Tractive GPS Tracker is one of the best tools you can invest in to keep your Dachshund safe, active, and healthy.
Its lightweight design, fast real-time tracking, and health monitoring features make it ideal for Doxies — especially those with a strong prey drive or a habit of escaping.
If you’re serious about your dog’s safety and want peace of mind every time they step outside, Tractive is well worth the price.
🐾 Our Score: 9.5/10
Reliable, affordable, and Dachshund-friendly.
🙋♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Tractive work without cell service?
No. It needs cellular coverage (LTE/4G) to send location data. It does not use Bluetooth or offline tracking.
Q: Can I use it indoors?
Yes, but GPS accuracy indoors is lower. It’s most reliable outdoors.
Q: Can I track more than one dog?
Yes! You can add multiple pets to your Tractive account and manage them from the same app.
Q: What happens if my dog chews it?
The tracker is tough but not chew-proof. Place it where your Dachshund can’t reach it with their mouth.
Q: Can I try it without a subscription?
No. You need an active subscription to use the GPS and health tracking features.
