GPS enabled e-collars for dogs are one of the most effective tools for tracking and training canines. Dogtra e collars are quite popular among hunters, professional and military handlers especially due to their wide range of dog tracking and training products. This post discusses some of the most common Dogtra collar troubleshooting issues from the Pathfinder range.
Dogtra Pathfinder collar not working
This is one of the most commonly searched Dogtra collar troubleshooting issues among GPS e collar users. There can be a couple of scenarios related to this problem.
- The collar doesn’t seem to turn on
- The collar turns on but is not stimulation/shocking
In either of the cases there’s no need to panic. Below are two of the most common reasons for Dogtra Pathfinder collar to stop working and how you can fix it.
GPS collar and transmitter not charged
An obvious yet sometimes overlooked step is to check whether the collar and transmitter are charged, switched and synced with each other and the phone. If there isn’t enough battery juice in the collar or transmitter it can cause erratic performance.
GPS collar and transmitter not paired
Dogtra Pathfinder GPS transmitter needs to be synced with smartphone as well as the GPS receiver collar. The GPS transmitter should be within 33 feet range of Bluetooth to successfully pair with smartphone.
If your devices are adequately charged and paired but still not working I would suggest contacting Dogtra customer support for help.
Dogtra Pathfinder collar not shocking
Is the collar properly fitted?
Dogtra collars have metal contact points that need to be in contact with your dog’s skin to effectively administer the shock. If the collar is loose or you have a long haired dog, the collar would need some adjustment in order to make proper contact with the dog’s skin.
Depending on your dog’s coat/fur thickness try fitting the collar with proper sized contact points that come with the package. The collar should be strapped in such a way that it does not dangle or wiggle around the dog’s neck. It should also not be so tight that it chokes the dog.
Make sure the collar strap is not broken.
With continuous use sometimes the collar strap may break. You can order a replacement strap online or from a pet shop. Replacing the strap may seem a bit tricky but there are plenty of tutorials online that you can take help from. You can also go for a lupine strap for easy strapping and unstrapping.
Different dogs have different stimulation tolerance
It is possible the stimulation intensity might be set at too low for your dog making you think the collar is not shocking. I would suggest strapping the collar on your forearm and testing the shock intensity starting with the lowest setting. Gradually increase the stimulation intensity until you start feeling the shock.
Dogtra Pathfinder collar not connecting
Sometimes Dogtra e collars can show signs of inconsistent functioning. The collar would intermittently work fine for some time and stop responding the next. Usually such a problem is caused due to the following issues:
GPS or Bluetooth connectivity issues
Dogtra GPS units are designed to be ideally used in open areas with clear access to sky for good GPS signal. Make sure you are not surrounded by any tall structures that obstruct the GPS receiver from access to open sky.
Also, make sure to keep the phone and GPS transmitter nearby. Keep the GPS transmitter within 33 feet of the smartphone to establish good Bluetooth connectivity.
Although Dogtra GPS receiver has 9 mile range, it functions best when it is held away from the body as shown below:
Battery issues
As mentioned earlier a low or discharged battery in either GPS transmitter or receiver (collar) can cause the loss of connection between the devices. Recheck the performance after fully charging both the devices.
Dogtra collar not holding charge
Many battery operated devices tend to show signs of low battery backup after prolonged use. If your Dogtra battery is several years old is struggling to hold charge it might be time to replace it.
However I would suggest making a few checks before going for a battery replacement:
- Often times as your dog goes in salt waters or dusty areas, there is a buildup of debris in and around the collar’s charging port. This can cause the collar to not charge properly. Use a clean cotton swab dipped in mild rubbing alcohol to clean the charging port.
- The charging pins in the charging port may get bent or broken due to repeated use. The pin is supposed be straight and in the center of the charging port. If you find it to be bent, try using a set of nose pliers to set it straight. If it is damaged you’ll need to call Dogtra for possible repair or replacement.
- Batteries rely on chemical reactions to work in very cold weather the chemical reactions can slow down or even stop in freezing weather. If you are using your Dogtra Pathfinder e collar low temperature environments try to shield the transmitter from the cold by covering it or keeping it in your jacket. It is always a good practice to charge the transmitter and receiver at room temperatures. Also, avoid storing or keeping the collar in cold environments for prolonged periods.
- If none of the above points apply to you then there must be some problem with the battery. You can order and install new batteries yourself or send the unit to Dogtra for inspection and let them do it for you.
Dogtra e collar causing skin problems to dog
If your dog does not have a particularly sensitive skin, there is a good chance that it is an issue of improper fit of e-collar that is causing the problem. Most commonly either a too tight or too loose fitting dog collar leads to rashes or redness on dogs necks.
Possible Causes
Collar too tight:
A tight collar around your dog’s neck can hamper the blood supply. It can make your dog irritable or anxious.
Collar too loose:
A loose collar may wiggle around the dog’s neck as it runs. This can lead to skin scratching due to friction or even tissue damage if the issue is left unattended.
Prolonged use:
E collars are not meant to be worn around a dog’s neck all the time. Use them only when needed and keep changing the position on the neck from time to time. Continuous use of collar for long periods can cause pressure necrosis or collar sores. This is similar to the condition of bed sores in humans.
What you can do
- Always brush your dog to remove any dead or loose hair so they don’t get trapped under the contact points.
- Use the correct sized contact points for your dog depending on the thickness of its coat.
- Consult a vet if you think your dog can’t tolerate the collar due to sensitive skin or is showing signs of irritable behavior when wearing the collar.
Dogtra Pathfinder transmitter not working
Dogtra Pathfinder collar transmitter comes with a MURS band antenna. If your transmitter is not working properly make sure the antenna is okay. First check if the antenna has become loose. You can tighten the antenna by turning it clockwise.
Avoid holding the device by its antenna or cover it completely. The transmitter may work inconsistently if you hold it too close to the body or cover the antenna by hand or fingers.
The antenna has delicate internal wiring which may break in case of hard falls or bending of antenna. If the transmitter stopped working after a fall then you’ll need to send the device to Dogtra tech support for repair.
Dogtra collar transmitter blinking red or orange.
Dogtra collar blinks every 2 seconds when it is turned on. When the transmitter LED flashes orange or amber it means the batter is at 50% charge. When LED starts flashing red it means the battery is critically low and the unit needs to be charged.
Dogtra collar keeps beeping
This is Dogtra troubleshooting issue is specific to 2500 T&B collar which comes with a 400 yard audible remote controlled beeper, specifically used for pointing dogs.
Your Dogtra 2500 T&B beeps at specific intervals if it is in run/point only mode. These modes help in identifying dog’s current activity.
For example, if your device is in run/point mode, the receiver would double beep every 7 seconds to denote the dog is running. It would beep every 2 seconds when dog is on point.
Similarly when in point only mode, the receiver would beep every 2 seconds when the dog is on point and would remain silent when dog is running.
| Initial beeper sound | Mode | Action | |
| Press 1st time | 2 beeps | Run/Point mode | -Dog running : Double beep every 2 seconds -Dog pointing: Double beep every 2 seconds |
| Press 2nd time | 1 beep | Point only mode | -Dog running : Remains silent – Dog pointing : Double beep every 2 seconds |
| Press 3rd time | 3 beeps | Beeper | No sound |
I have a Dogtra Pathfinder track and train. I recently have issues with it not charging. I boughtva new battery and replaced it but still have the same issue. It won’t power on but when you plug it in the indicator light is red but goes to green in 3 seconds. I have cleaned the charging port out and even bent the little metal ground clip out to make sure it is contacting properly but still no luck. What am I missing?
I have a Dogtra Pathfinder track and train. I recently have issues with it not charging. I boughtva new battery and replaced it but still have the same issue. It won’t power on but when you plug it in the indicator light is red but goes to green in 3 seconds. I have cleaned the charging port out and even bent the little metal ground clip out to make sure it is contacting properly but still no luck. What am I missing?
UPDATE: OK now it does the same thing without a battery installed. The lights go red to green in 3 seconds and no battery inside. WEIRD…white box on the motherboard is loose and now is broken. I’m assuming thats the problem but it’s funny that I don’t see anything on line about the lights quickly changing. Someone else had to have the same problem at some point.
Does anyone have issues w collar not tracking or skipping or loosing track ??
I have that very problem. It works fine for a while then I have a RF disconnect. The collar may reconnect maybe as long as a half hour later. I have two collars and it happens with both of them.
I have same problem it keep loosing RF signal then get disconected. The gps is good the batterie is full but the receiver is most of the time disconected.
My Dogtra collar will not vibrate is there something I can do to fix that? Everything is fully charged.