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Dog Finder

A homing device for your best friend.
 
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My escape-artist beagle (Rattus maximus) has made it his life's work to be free from his fenced back yard so that he can wander and frolic in the adjoining forest. My task of trekking through the woods and calling his name would be made so much easier if he simply had a small radio homing beacon on his collar or under his skin that I could detect with a handheld device.

The implanted microchip already exists for dog identification, and I think the implanted homing beacon for dog location is the logical next step. I haven't the slightest idea how it would be powered or what kind of range it would have, but I think it would be just the thing for dogs who love to slip the leash or hop the fence and go chase rabbits in the woods.

Smilodonna, Aug 05 2003

Invisible fence http://www.invisiblefence.com/
Don't even let the dog escape. [kbecker, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Wheels of Zeus http://www.bayarea....usiness/6349353.htm
Steve Wozniak's new company is building something just like this. [krelnik, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Baked http://www.pointers...hunting_dog_gps.htm
One of many search results on Google for "dog GPS" [-alx, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]


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Annotation:







       A radio tag on the collar, powered by a lithium battery; probably about 500m range on the 418 or 433 MHz bands. They already exist for tracking wild animals.
8th of 7, Aug 05 2003
  

       A rather cheaper option would be 50' of chain.
angel, Aug 05 2003
  

       Try dog homing bacon
Worldgineer, Aug 05 2003
  

       +1 But then I think I might have to find a new name...
lostdog, Aug 05 2003
  

       While you're at it, put a critter cam on and see what he's been up to.
FloridaManatee, Aug 05 2003
  

       The new startup by one of the founders of Apple is building something just like this. See link.
krelnik, Aug 06 2003
  

       what if you just found a way to get him to come back home then you wouldnt have to chase him? Maybe a chip implanted that makes him think he's being chased or in danger. Then he would run home and be happy to see you!
crispee, Aug 06 2003
  

       I think I've heard of something like this before..... hmmm..... But, don't you think it would be better to have an invisible fence AND this chip thing? Becuase if the dog had an invisible fence it wouldn't be able to get out. And if something happened to the invisible fence you have back-up.
bmwrox, Aug 06 2003
  

       <oblig Spike Milligan>
Man loses Dog
Man puts advert in local paper
Writes 'Here Boy!'
</oblig Spike Milligan>
gnomethang, Aug 06 2003
  


 

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