Pit Pat Dog Review

We put the PitPat on multiple dogs for several weeks at a time to thoroughly examine its performance across an array of metrics. While it didn't top the charts, it is one of the few options available on the market today that doesn't require a monthly subscription, making it very affordable in the long run. Taking this into account, the PitPat might be a great choice for some dog owners who have a dog that usually sticks close by.

GPS Reliability

We carefully assessed the PitPat throughout weeks of testing, and found its reliability to be moderate, which is why we recommend it as more of a “just in case” collar. Considering it doesn't require a monthly subscription, some dog owners might not mind this.

Similar to other leading models, the PitPat uses cell coverage to be located. We liked how easy it was to see the signal strength of the device via the app, but even with a strong signal, the PitPat was slow to update, often taking 5 minutes or more to pinpoint location. The app notifies you that your dog must be outside and away from dense tree cover in order to work, but we found these lag times occurred even when the collar was in an open field.

We also ran into some snags, almost not being able to locate the PitPat at all, and in these moments, the app would notify us of a poor signal. This makes sense, but it happened more frequently with the PitPat than with other leading devices. In most instances, we were able to locate the collar eventually, but it took upwards of 30 minutes or more.

Features

The PitPat is a relatively simple option that offers a friendly app that tracks your pup's rest and activity levels. While the GPS reliability was mixed, this model scored better here.

Uniquely, this device differentiates between running, walking, and playing, while some other brands only share the amount of active time. Unfortunately, one feature we missed was a geofence, which notifies you when your dog leaves a prescribed area. How important a geofence is will vary from person to person. Otherwise, the features list is simple but functions well, and it may be all you're looking for.

Ease of Use

The PitPat provides a relatively straightforward interface in their app, and the start-up steps are intuitive. While the location lag times weren't ideal, we have to say the PitPat was pretty easy to use.

The PitPat has excellent battery life, which we attributed to a lack of a geofence and on-demand location programming, rather than continuously hunting for a GPS signal. Other collars with activity tracking and geofence functionality required a weekly recharge, but the PitPat lasted nearly twice as long. Battery life can be highly variable depending on how often you locate the device, but we appreciated the less frequent charging overall. We also were able to get the PitPat up and running quickly without spending too much time with the manual, and the velcro attachment made it easy to latch the device to any dog collar.

Construction Quality

The PitPat is bound to have a rough life around the neck of some dogs, so the IP67 rating goes a long way if your pup likes to swim and roll around in the mud. While the Velcro attachment isn't quite as robust as other models, most dog owners will find it to be durable enough; it stayed reliably attached throughout the entire testing period.

The IP67 rating of the PitPat means it's dust-tight and can be submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. In practice, our water-loving dogs wore the PitPat in rivers and streams for multiple walks, and we never saw a change in performance.

Size

We appreciated the modest dimensions of the PitPat and found it to work with a variety of neck sizes. While it isn't the smallest in the lineup, it'll likely work for your pup.

At just 1.10 ounces (including the attachment strap), small dogs are unlikely to be too encumbered by the PitPat, and the attachment strap easily allows you to move the device around the collar to find the most comfy spot. While it's not the lowest profile option, it is small enough that it should work for most dogs.

Should You Buy the PitPat Dog GPS Tracker?

If price is one of your main constraints, the PitPat should be at the top of your list. As a subscription-free model, this device will save you hundreds over the course of a few years. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the best GPS reliability compared to some of the competition, so we'd recommend this to you only if your dog is rarely, if ever, roaming the streets or the wild without you. As with any gear purchase, context is everything, and with the PitPat, it might just be the perfect option for you and your pet if they're unlikely to get lost, but you want an inexpensive option if they ever roam away from home.

What Other GPS Dog Collars Should You Consider?