The best apps for walking your dog
Which apps should you use when walking your dog? Here are the three I always have on my phone when I head out with Jaina, my Labrador. This isn't a sponsored list: nobody paid me, and I bought everything myself. And to be upfront from the start, I built the third one myself.
1. Tractive: a GPS tracker to find your dog
The gear I use on every single walk is Tractive. It's a GPS tracker that clips onto your dog's collar or harness, ideally all the time, and connects to your phone.
Why it's useful
Your dog might run off at some point without you knowing where. Instead of shouting all over the neighbourhood or waiting for a neighbour to bring them back, you open the app and see where they are.
It's handy in town, if your dog gets spooked while off the lead. And in the woods: where it's allowed, we like to let Jaina off so she can run around and have fun. She's never run off, but we have the app just in case.
Other features
- A health section. Honestly, I don't have the scientific background to judge whether it's really useful, but it's there.
- A light. Now that winter is coming, it's dark in the morning and early in the evening. Being able to switch on a light on the collar, without even getting your phone out, is brilliant.
- Sharing. You can share tracking with your partner or whoever is looking after your dog, so you always know where they are.
What you're really buying: peace of mind
Jaina is my first dog. At the beginning, I was afraid she wouldn't find her way home if she got away, because I'd lost hold of the long lead, she'd slipped her collar or something else happened. Knowing I could find her let me relax with her, and feel comfortable letting her off in the woods.
2. Google Maps: the classic that always helps
Google Maps isn't made for dogs, but I use it on every walk. It's handy for knowing where you are, of course, but mainly for questions like:
- is there a café nearby for a break?
- is there a dog-friendly hotel around here?
- is the place we're heading to open or shaded?
Whether you're planning a walk or already out, it's a safe bet. And if you prefer Apple Maps or another map app, it does the same job.
To find places that really welcome dogs, I've written a separate article: how to find dog-friendly places.
3. Quest.Dog: so you never do the same walk twice
The third is Quest.Dog, which I built because I couldn't find any app that did what I was looking for.
My worry was routine: always taking the same path. I needed a bit of a game to push me to change routes every time. And it worked: by taking different paths, I stumbled on great spots, with chickens or rabbits suddenly appearing, little discoveries in the woods I'd never have seen otherwise.
What the app does
- A map to uncover: fog clears wherever you go. The goal is to explore as many places as possible.
- Paw prints shown during the walk when you start walk mode, so you don't retrace your steps and can find your way back.
- Plan a walk: know in advance it'll take about 1 h 30 with a given elevation gain, so you can prepare.
- Generate a loop: somewhere I don't know, I ask for a loop of about 30 minutes, then just follow the directions.
- Small quests all over the place, simple, quick activities to do with your dog. The goal: a happy dog, of course, but above all a dog who stays calm everywhere.
With the Premium subscription, you can generate unlimited routes and loops, and share your dog with your partner.
These days the app is on for every walk with Jaina. It even annoys me when I forget to start it and the fog doesn't clear where we've been! And when we go away for a weekend, I look forward to exploring new places. Jaina's happy, I'm happy, everyone's happy.
Quest.Dog is available on the App Store and on Android.
At a glance
| App | What it's for | Made for dogs? |
|---|---|---|
| Tractive | Find your dog, light, sharing | Yes |
| Google Maps | Find your way, a café or a hotel | No |
| Quest.Dog | Vary your walks, loops, activities | Yes |
FAQ
What's the best app for walking your dog?
It depends on what you need: Tractive for safety and finding your dog, Google Maps for getting around, Quest.Dog for varying your walks and getting activity ideas. The three work well together.
Does my dog need a GPS tracker?
It's not essential, but it gives real peace of mind, especially with a puppy or if you let your dog off the lead in the woods.
Is there an app to find new walks with my dog?
Yes: Quest.Dog generates loops based on the time you have and encourages you to explore new paths with its map to uncover.
