Whether out of simple curiosity or a genuine desire to keep an eye on your dog from afar, every owner has their own motivation. New technologies such as surveillance cameras or activity monitors now allow you to always keep an eye on your four-legged friend, no matter where you are. But what do you think of these devices? Are they really useful? How do you make your choice? We’ll tell you everything.
Why Monitor Your Dog When You’re Away?
Leaving your dog alone in the morning is the daily routine for most owners. Even though we know that these absences should not exceed 6 hours, during this time, a dog left alone can still find plenty of things to do. Indeed, not all dogs react the same way to solitude. Some, accustomed to being left alone, tolerate it well and wait patiently, while others may show signs of anxiety or boredom.
Stress or lack of stimulation can lead to:
- Destruction (furniture, clothes, garbage, etc.);
- Inappropriate elimination;
- Endless napping.
Even if sleeping all day does not pose a real danger to your dog, an animal that retreats into sleep is not necessarily a good sign. This can mask depression as well as health problems.
Monitoring your animal’s actions and behaviors can therefore be very useful to check its health status and ensure its well-being.
Cameras to Monitor Your Dog Remotely
Sophisticated camera or not, it’s up to you to choose what seems most appropriate to keep an eye on your dog.
Webcams
If watching your pet during your absences is just out of curiosity, it can be good to use what you have on hand: your computer’s webcam. For this, there are free or paid software programs that can turn a simple webcam into a surveillance camera. Thus, thanks to an application, you have direct access to what is happening at your home.
Among the most popular software programs is Skype. A free way not only to monitor your pet but also to talk to your dog remotely! How to do it? You just need to:
- Create an account in your dog’s name;
- Install the automatic responder on Skype;
- Position your computer’s webcam where you want to film your pet;
- Download the application on your smartphone.
Advantage: it’s free. Disadvantage: the camera does not move and therefore cannot follow your animal’s movements.
Surveillance Cameras
For owners concerned about monitoring their pet more precisely, it is possible to invest in more sophisticated cameras. Their price can range from €50 to €250 depending on the available options.
Among the most popular ones is the Furbo Dog camera. It has a 160° angle and night vision to watch over your beloved pet. What makes it unique is the ability to launch treats (activatable remotely from your smartphone). This can occupy, or at least, divert your animal’s attention for a while.
Other models like the various versions of the Imou camera offer great features: 360° coverage angle, barking alerts, night vision. Your dog can be monitored remotely in all circumstances.
It’s up to you to determine which one best suits your needs and budget.
GPS and Activity Monitors
Apart from cameras, there are other ways to monitor your dog remotely. GPS and activity monitors offer two very useful functionalities:
- Real-time location tracking,
- Monitoring of daily activities (e.g., number of steps, sleep time, etc.).
For example, the Kippy EVO allows you to locate your pet in real-time. You can thus find its position on a dedicated application and access other features such as flashing light, Geofence. The latter gives you the possibility to be alerted when your beloved companion moves away from your home.
In conclusion, regardless of the method you choose—cameras, GPS, and activity monitors—all offer an excellent way to keep an eye on your animal even from a distance.
This article might also interest you: How to Monitor Your Dog’s Health Remotely?