The Red Ferret Journal

The Garmin Astro GPS Dog Tracker helps you keep tabs on your mutt when it disappears after that squirrel. OK, so officially it’s for hunting dogs, but we don’t see why you shouldn’t slap one of these things onto your Pekinese and watch it scurry through the undergrowth yelping like a Baskerville. Ah such dreams. $499.98 (including handheld position viewer) will secure your pooch a place in doggy geek heaven.

  This system includes a bright, color-screen handheld Astro 220 GPS device and a wireless transmitter, called the DC 20. Simple and easy to use, you just take the Astro outdoors and turn on both units to acquire a GPS satellite signal, then attach the DC 20 to your dog, either via the included neoprene harness or by threading it onto an existing 1-inch e-collar, and you’re ready to go…The DC 20 transmits your dog’s position to your handheld every five seconds, showing current location as well as where he’s been on the Map page. The Dog Tracker page shows you a compass that points to your dog’s location, and lets you see your dog’s current status, such as running, sitting, on point or treeing quarry. The Garmin Astro can even sound an alarm to let you know instantly when your dog goes on point.