Finding Fido with your Smartphone

Photo Credit: Karen Arnold

If you’ve ever lost your dog for even a second, you know just how nerve-wracking it can be. There’s searching followed by waiting and even a period of time that worst case scenarios run through your mind. Hours, days, and weeks may go by without word of where your furry friend has gone to.

Many people will admit that losing a pet is akin to losing a child. The frustration felt is fueled by waves of regret and hopelessness which is very overwhelming. Could more have been done to prevent your dog from escaping through an open door or a hole under a fence? Can an ounce of prevention prove to be effective when dealing with an escape artist pet?

Microchip technology is useful for identifying you as the owner of a four-legged friend but does little to ease your mind until your pet has been located. So, what’s an animal lover to do when his or her beloved dog pulls a disappearing act? Hire a private detective to scout out leads or apply modern technology as it’s intended to be used with pets? Enter the GEODOG system, a GPS-enabled collar that allows pet owners, to receive coordinates via text showing exactly where there dog is at.

The GEODOG System Uses GPS Coordinates to Locate Missing Pets

The system runs on batteries and allows its owners to set up virtual fences, No-Go Zones, and Off-limits by SMS or with the software included with the collar as a way of setting up safety zones. This allows escapee pets to be tracked down in real time which alleviates some of the worry that takes place whenever a dog goes missing.

Here’s how the invention works:

  • A pet owner purchases the GEODOG system for $378 and chooses the software that meets his or her needs. A single mobile version license costs $87 and a multi-dog mobile version license costs $125. The app can be downloaded on Android and Windows (up to version 6.5 software) smartphones which will be handy when a person is outside looking for his or her dog.
  • Reference points are setup according to roadways and property lines. Once the dog has crossed these perimeters and the toll-free number for GEODOG has been called, the pet owner receives an SMS message. The direction and distance that the dog is traveling is relayed in the text. The GEODOG software displays a road map or satellite view of the route your pet is traveling so you know exactly where to find him or her.
  • Updates are given regularly as the pooch moves from his or her last reported location. This allows you to track down your dog before animal control officers are called or danger ensues. It allows you to prevent accidents from happening on busy streets and intersections.

The system comes with a mountable charging station as well as a USB charging adaptor and USB cable. A fully charged GEODOG collar can last up to a week in Standby mode. The batteries will last up to 24 hours in normal operating mode.

Design and Engineering Are Big Selling Points for GEODOG

Global Positioning Systems have proven successful in locating lost and stolen electronics but can the same be said about dogs? The biggest selling point of this invention is its design and engineering. The two play a big role in the system’s appeal to pet owners.

The inventors of GEODOG took into consideration that dogs can wiggle out of collars or get caught in fences and they created a design completely their own. Never in the history of mobile communication and navigation has there been a collar that looks and performs the way that GEODOG’s does. It’s sleek and functional.

There are two sizes of collars to choose from. The first is GEODOG S for smaller dogs with neck sizes between 41 centimeters and 47 centimeters. Larger dogs will need the GEODOG L. It’s meant to fit around necks between 46 centimeters and 52 centimeters.

Best of all, it’s safe. The GEODOG collar has been put through the test by certified test laboratories. Industry standards similar to those applied by the automobile industry were applied to the engineering of this invention. In addition to extensive vibration and shock tests, the GEODOG collar has undergone temperature and temperature-step tests, electrical tests used to measure component safety (e.g. EMC), and switching impulse voltage.

The results conclude that the GEODOG system is secure and built-to-last making it an investment that pays for itself throughout the years. Waterproof and ready-to-use, the invention can take the worry out of pet ownership. After all, isn’t it worth it to add one more safety feature to protect your dog?

Edward Lakatis runs and writes for Idea Design Studio, an invention development and marketing company. He is passionate about all things related to invention, and helping other inventors realize their products potentials. More of Edward’s writing can be found on http://ideadesignstudio.com/.