Availability and General
System Set-Up
Geofence
Notification and Reporting
Contacting DogTracsTM
Availability and General
Q: When will DogTracsTM be available for purchase?
A: The DogTracsTM monitoring and tracking system will be available for purchase in January 2008.
Q: Why is DogTracsTM better than implantable or collar based RFID chips like Avid or Home Again?
A: With RFID chip technology, you only get information about where your dog is once he is found by
someone with a scanner. In many cases, days, weeks or even months may pass before dog owners who
depend on RFID technology are provided information about their lost dog. With DogTracsTM
advanced GPS and Wireless technology, you are notified immediately when your dog gets out and you
will continue to receive accurate, up to the minute location information until you find your dog.
Q: How much will DogTracsTM cost?
A: DogTracsTM will cost $275 plus shipping.
Q: Is there an activation fee?
A: No, unlike many of the other GPS products available, DogTracsTM does not charge an activation fee.
Q: Is there a monthly service charge to operate my DogTracsTM device?
A: No, but there is either a 6-month or 12-month wireless communications plan required. Both wireless communications plans provide the same level of service. The plan prices are:
Q: What breed or size dog can wear DogTracsTM?
A: DogTracsTM is recommended for all dogs that are larger than 12 lbs.
Q: How big is DogTracsTM?
A: DogTracsTM is small at approximately 2.85 x 1.65 x .75 inches and weighs approximately 2 ounces
Q: Is DogTracsTM waterproof?
A: DogTracsTM is water resistant, not waterproof. DogTracsTM is designed not to be bothered by activities that would expose the unit to water splashing onto the device consistent with use in rain or running through puddles. However, the unit is not designed for full submersion consistent with activities like swimming or wading in streams, lakes or pools. An accessory water-proof pouch for the device is currently under development and will be available soon.
Q: How long will the DogTracsTM device operate on a single battery charge?
A: The DogTracsTM device is powered by a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that will typically last up to 5 days
between charges (preliminary data and dependent upon the number of alert events).
Q: How will I remember to charge my DogTracsTM device battery?
A: When your DogTracsTM device battery charge reaches a certain level, you will be notified by email and/or
text message to charge your battery.
Q: How do I know if my DogTracsTM device will work where I live?
A: Please use this link to see if our wireless communications provider has service in your area: Wireless Coverage Map
System Set-Up
Q: How do I set-up my DogTracsTM system?
A: After completing the purchase of your DogTracsTM system, you will be directed to set-up your account on the
DogTracsTM Control Center. During set-up, you will be requested to 1) provide your contact email addresses
/ phone numbers of the devices that you wish to send and receive information on the DogTracsTM system
and 2) create your geofence perimeters.
Q: How many contacts can I set-up to send and receive information on the DogTracsTM system?
A: Up to three email addresses and three text message devices for a total of 6 can be set-up as contacts to receive Alert Notifications and make and receive On-Demand Location Requests.
Geofence
Q: What is a geofence?
A: A geofence is a virtual perimeter that helps you keep track of your dog. As an example, DogTracsTM allows
you to set-up a virtual perimeter around your house / property line, Grandma’s house, the neighborhood
park etc.
Q: What happens if my dog leaves one of my defined geofences?
A: If your dog wanders outside of a defined geofence (as an example, the gate to your backyard is
inadvertently left open and your dog hits the road), DogTracsTM sends an alert notification to you indicating
that your dog has left your defined geofence.
Q: How do I set-up a geofence perimeter on the DogTracsTM Control Center?
A: Geofences are easily set-up after accessing your customer account on the DogTracsTM Control Center. Just
type in the address of where you want your geofence, pick a geofence shape, and use your mouse to
drag the geofence over the area that you want covered.
Q: What is a convenience geofence?
A: A convenience geofence is a temporary virtual perimeter that can be used when you travel with your dog
outside of the 3 defined geofences set-up on the DogTracsTM Control Center. The size of the convenience
geofence is defined by you during system set-up on the Control Center (as an example, a circle with a
diameter of 500 yards). The convenience geofence is activated by depressing the mode button on the
DogTracsTM device and selecting the convenience geofence mode. The DogTracsTM device automatically
determines its position and creates a circular geofence with a diameter the size assigned by you using the
determined position as the center-point of the geofence.
Q: Why would I use a convenience geofence?
A: The convenience geofence is an easy way to set-up a geofence “on-the-fly” without having to access your
customer account on the web-based DogTracsTM Control Center. As an example, while camping for the
weekend, you can activate the convenience geofence feature to create a virtual perimeter the size of
which you designated during set-up around your campsite area. As another example, this feature can be
activated when you take your dog with you for an unplanned visit to a friend’s house for the day.
Q: Can I change my geofence perimeters?
A: Absolutely. Geofence perimeters can be changed by accessing your customer account on the DogTracsTM
Control Center. Existing geofences can be modified or eliminated. Modifying your geofences will be
limited to two times a month.
Q: How many geofence perimeters can I set-up?
A: DogTracsTM allows up to 4 geofence perimeters - 3 fixed geofences created on the DogTracsTM Control Center and one convenience geofence.
Q: Can I temporarily take my dog outside of a defined geofence (e.g. for a walk around the neighborhood)
without triggering an alert?
A: Yes. The DogTracsTM device can be placed in walk mode by simply depressing the mode button on the
device. While in walk mode, DogTracsTM continues to determine geographic location but does not compare
the location to your defined geofences (thus allowing you to take your dog outside of your geofence
without triggering an alarm).
Q: What happens if I forget to turn the walk mode off and I do not have access to the device?
A: No problem. The DogTracsTM device can be placed in normal operating mode (comparing your dog’s
current location to your defined geofences) by email or a text message.
Notification and Reporting
Q: If my dog gets out, how often will I receive location information?
A: The DogTracsTM system is programmed to provide updated location information every three minutes.
Q: What is an Alert Notification?
A: An Alert Notification occurs when your dog leaves one of your defined geofences and includes all communications of location information from the DogTracsTM Control Center to all of the contact devices that you set-up to receive information. The DogTracsTM service plans provide for 3 Alert Notifications per month.
Q: What is an On-Demand Location Request?
A: An On-Demand Location Request is a user-initiated request for the present location of your dog that can be made anytime via email, text message or while on the DogTracsTM Control Center. The DogTracsTM system will generate and send location information within a few minutes to the contact devices that you have designated. We at DogTracsTM know that sometimes nothing is more comforting than a simple message confirming that your dog is safe and is located where you expect them to be.
Q: How many Alert Notifications and On-Demand Location Requests do the DogTracsTM service plans provide for each month?
A: The DogTracsTM service plans provide for 3 Alert Notifications lasting up to 3 hours each and 30 On-Demand Location Requests per month. If you exceed these reporting levels, there will be an additional charge of $2.00 per Alert Notification and $.50 per On-Demand Location Request.
Q: If I don’t have access to the Internet and I receive an Alert Notification, how do I find my dog?
A: As long as you have a text message device with you that has been set-up on the DogTracsTM Control Center
as one of your communication devices, you will receive all Alert Notifications with location information in
the form of a street-level address. The DogTracsTM system updates and sends this information every three
minutes until you find your dog and cancel the alert.
Contacting DogTracsTM
Q: How do I contact DogTracsTM if I have a question that was not addressed?
A: Please send an email with your question to info@dogtracs.com.
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