Fitbit for Fido: Wearable Tech For Your Pet

Fitbit for Fido: Wearable Tech for Your Pet BY CAMILLE GRAHAM

These days, you track everything. You count steps, measure sleep and — if you’re, ahem, a bit nosy — track the location of your loved ones. With smartwatches and fitness trackers, every movement you make is accounted for. Why should pets be any different?

LINK SMART DOG COLLAR

Wearable technology for pets is the latest development in applied technology. GPS trackers and fitness monitors for your furry ones are here to ensure that they’re sleeping, moving and not wandering – just like you.

GPS TRACKERS While it’s not uncommon for dogs and cats to be microchipped with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, GPS collars are another way to keep tabs on your animals. These collars offer 24/7 real-time tracking for peace of mind.

The Link Smart Dog Collar connects to your phone to show you your dog’s locations, in addition to alerting you should he wander outside of designated “digital safe zones.”

Should Fido make a break for the neighbor’s yard, you can quickly track and locate him before it becomes unsafe. For outdoor cats, keep tabs on your feline friends while they wander during the day and quickly locate them when it’s time to come in at night. Link Smart Dog Collar, $59.95, linkakc.com

ACTIVITY MONITORS While it’s not necessary to count the calories in Fluffy’s cat food or suggest that Fido starts doing interval training at the dog park, tracking your pet’s activity is beneficial. Considering that the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention estimates that over 100 million dogs and cats are overweight in the United States, it might be time to start keeping an eye on your pet’s weight.

The Whistle FIT tracker snaps onto your pet’s collar and tracks the minutes your pet spends running, playing or resting. If you have a wanderer, it will even track the total distance traveled and calories burned. The Whistle FIT will also track any excessive licking or scratching and compile a report to send to your veterinarian. Whistle FIT, $79.95, shop.whistle.com

PET’S EYE VIEW Curious what your furry friend does while you’re gone? Wayward curiosity and a rise in documenting every aspect of life on social media has led to the creation of the collar cam. Small, movement triggered cameras mounted on collars and harnesses make it possible to see life through your pet’s eyes. Prices vary, with lower-end models available online for $10.

BARK COLLARS While many shock collars have been shunned for being too aggressive, newer, smarter collars are designed to train your dog not to bark without causing physical harm.

The Spray Bark Collar by PetSafe ®

detects the vibration of your dog’s vocal cords and the sound when barking which triggers a small spray of unscented or

citronella spray to discourage excessive barking. Its bark-sensing technology

means that only your dog’s unique bark will trigger the spray response, in order to quickly and humanely train your dog not to bark. Your neighbors will thank you.

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ALL IN A DOG'S WORK BY JACQUELINE SAGUIN

A frenzied storm of soft cream furs fly all over the room and stick like Velcro to anything within three feet. Big hazel eyes gaze up, giving puppy dog eyes a new meaning. AJ dropped to the ground and flopped over onto his side in a dramatic fashion. The 7-and-a-half month Golden RetrieverLabrador mix just went door-to-door at Tioga Town Center, experiencing the sound of grinding coffee beans and the wandering hands of those who pass by who coo as if they’re seeing a newborn. It’s been a ruff day, pun intended.

Attached to AJ is Jim Ebling, a leash in one hand while his other is stuffed deep inside his fanny pack filled with treats. He’s had AJ for about a month. It’s the sixth dog he’s “puppy raised.” He’s exposing AJ to the community, so that he familiarizes himself with different environments. And Ebling wants people to see the Southeastern Guide Dogs’ cause in action.

The non-profit nurtures lifelong partnerships between dogs and people. Since its start in 1982, its trained over 3,200 elite working dogs, which includes guide dogs, service dogs and skilled companion dogs. Veterans with disabilities, children with significant challenges and people with vision loss tend to be the lucky recipients, free of cost. Even the dogs’ schooling is covered. They take in easily trainable Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers and goldadors – a mix of the two. The non-profit raises and trains these pups so that they can enter Puppy Academy, then move to puppy raiser homes, then to Canine University and eventually into someone’s home.

Ebling, the event organizer and veteran puppy raiser, says it costs about $40,000 to breed, raise, train and match guide and service dogs with the people who need them. They receive no government funding, which is why events like their upcoming walkathon are so important to them.

The Gainesville Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon on April 4 at the Tioga Town Center is their biggest event, raising over $1 million across Florida. And, in the event’s second year in Gainesville, Ebling says they hope to contribute toward their current goal

of about $1.3 million. With its 3K walk and Waggin’ Tails Festival, they’re sure to draw a crowd. It’ll feature a puppy-kissing booth, the UF Spirit Squad, puppy trading cards and raffle prizes. All are welcome to attend, especially pets. Race registration opens at 9 a.m. on the day of the walkathon. Or sign up online at GuideDogsWalkathon.org. The walk begins at 10 a.m. There’s no entrance fee, but the event welcomes donations to help support the non-profit organization. Ebling has worked with the Southeastern Guide Dogs for over 20 years. As a puppy raiser, he gets puppies at about 10 to 12 weeks old. He trains and cares for AJ. The pair have been all over town this month. Publix, Home Depot, Bass Pro Shops – you name it, they’ve sniffed it out. It’s part of AJ’s socializing training. And it’s why he’s flopped over, dark brown paws stretched out on the cold tile. In about six and a half months, AJ will be enrolled at Canine University. The school teaches its trainees over 40 commands in about six-to-seven months. If they successfully complete the guide dog program, they can be matched with someone in need. If not, they can become service dogs, therapy dogs or even emotional support dogs for veterans and children. “It’s a pretty rigorous program,” Ebling says. “You’re the eyes of somebody.” Ebling pulls out two pictures of Betty, another Labrador Retriever that he raised. She started pre-school as a puppy and grew twice the size as a 14-month-old dog in college. Betty graduated from the university and matched with a blind woman in Starke who has 10% vision in one eye and 0% in the other. Puppy raisers’ involvement doesn’t end there. Although they won’t look after them every day, it’s a lifelong commitment. They’re invited to the dogs’ graduation. It’s the hardest part of caring for these puppies. Ebling chokes up a little bit, thinking about stepping back to watch the dogs he’s raised go off with their “forever person.” “We’ve had these dogs for a year, then you have to give them back and it’s like ‘what?’” he laughs it off. “It’s, like, my dog.” Letting out another breath he says, “It’s pretty emotional. And it’s a pretty big deal.” Those who would like to fundraise for the dog walkathon can qualify for different incentives based on how much they help raise for the non-profit. Incentives range anywhere from a T-shirt to a student scholarship, granting them an invitation to that dog’s graduation. Ebling feels it’s a very rewarding experience seeing this magic happen and hopes others can experience it as well. For more information on the Gainesville Southeastern Guide Dogs Walkathon and how you can contribute, visit guidedogswalkathon.org.