My best buds, Hudson and Crosby, get so excited when they go to my sister-in-law’s home in New Jersey—yes, they love seeing her but it’s Brooklyn, her little pup, that they can’t wait to visit. My husband and I have been thinking about adding a pet, yet another baby, to our familia. I’ve started to do some research about different breeds, dog names, and food (Is arroz con frijoles OK, or should I go with food made especially for dogs, like Beneful?). Oh, and then there’s puppy health insurance, cover-ups for the winter, toys, and dog sitters — oh my! It’s a lot to think about and so I did what any modern-day mama would do in a situation like this: I downloaded the best apps for dog owners to guide me through my puppy research.
7 Best Apps For Dog Owners
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Tagg (Free with Tagg Tracker)
A kid’s worst nightmare? Their puppy gets lost (in fact, 10 million dogs get lost every year!). This app, which operates like a GPS tracker, helps to track your pup’s steps and will send you a message if your pooch steps outside of the boundaries that you set. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you’ll be able to find your pet quickly. Plus, this app counts the steps your pet takes to ensure your dog gets enough exercise to stay healthy.
Price: Free with Tagg Tracker
Available on: iOS and Android
Photo: Pet Tracker
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Dog Boogie (Free)
Get the perfect picture of your pup every time. This free app includes over a dozen live photo filters, fun sound effects to catch your pooch’s attention with every snap, and a social networking tool so that you can instantly share your doggy photos with your friends and familia on Facebook and Twitter.
Available on iOS
Photo: Dog Boogie
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Pet Names + (Free)
You’ve got the dog of your dreams. Now the hard part: Coming up with a cool name. This app lets you browse thousands of names, and then helps you narrow down the names alphabetically, by pet type, or by popularity. If you get stuck on two or three names, you can easily share your top picks with friends and family to get their input.
Available on iOS
Photo: iTunes
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DoggyDatez (Free)
You have your social gatherings with your mom group…your dog deserves his dates, too! DoggyDatez is a free location-based app that makes it easy to find new amigos for your pup. Here’s how it works: You can “mark your territory” to see who else “visits” your spot and you can customize your date: Search for other DoggyDatez users by their gender and age, as well as their dog’s gender, age, and/or breed.
Available on iOS and Android
Photo: Doggy Datez
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BringFido (Free)
Booking a trip for yourself and your kids is hard enough--the travel plans become tricky when you add your dog to the mix. This app helps you find the best pet-friendly hotels, attractions, restaurants, and more to make your search and stay easy breezy. Bonus: Once you’ve found the hotel you want, you can book straight through the app. In addition, you can leave your reviews of your favorite pet-friendly attractions (in the same way TripAdvisor works) to make it easier for other families traveling with their pets.
Available on iOS
Photo: iTunes
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Spending on My Dog ($0.99)
Treats, toys, grooming, doggie insurance, outerwear…puppies aren’t cheap! This app helps you keep track of your pet spending, helping you manage your pup’s expenses and stay on a doggie budget. View your expenses on a chart format or export it onto a spreadsheet to follow easily where you're spending and where you can save.or works) to make it easier for other families traveling with their pets.
Available on Android
Photo: Google Play
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Trottr (Free)
If you're a working mom and need a sitter to come by to walk your dog, this app is perfect for you! It helps you find a certified dog walker in your area, as well as allows you to schedule the dog walks (you can even watch the route your pup takes every day!), and even pay your sitter. Sweet!
Available on iOS
Photo: iTunes
