Research is currently being conducted in an attempt to equip dogs with a computer that could remotely monitor and control with the idea of creating a “Cybernetic Enhanced Working Dog” but the required equipment is bulky and expensive.  The hope is to miniaturize the equipment and make it available to dog owners to, not only keep track of their dogs, but to perhaps serve as a training aid.  There are numerous wearable devices that are already available or will be soon, and at a relatively low cost.  These devices are designed to allow dog owners to, not only keep track of their dogs and monitor their activity, but to even keep watch on their health status.  Here are a few more interesting items.
A wearable monitor is being tested at the Andover Animal Hospital in Massachusetts under the supervision of a veterinarian.  It has sensors that monitor a dog’s temperature, pulse, respiration, pain, and even calorie intake, as well as other vital signs.  It also monitors whether the dog is running, sitting, sleeping, and other activities.  These sensors are mounted in a simple dog collar and the dog’s owner and his veterinarian can monitor the dog’s activity via a smart phone app or their home computer.  It can be used to check on dogs with chronic medical conditions by setting it to trigger an alert which is sent directly to the veterinarian should the dog’s health status change to negative.  Though the collar costs around $150, it requires a $15 monthly subscription to run the software.
Another device soon to be released is a simple collar that keeps track of the dog’s location and wellness through parameters such as respiration, heart rate and activity level.  This information can be converted to an estimated number of calories burned over the day and the quality of leisure your dog has had.  The information is presented through a smart phone app along with an analysis of your dog’s general wellness and tips to improve particular elements of your dog’s well-being.  There are simpler and less expensive devices already in use but they are basically GPS devices which allow you to locate your dog using a smart phone app and has an accelerometer allowing you to keep track of changes in your dog’s activity to determine if he’s getting enough exercise.  Then there are digital pet cameras that allows you to give commands to your dog which you pre-record and trigger later using a push button remote control.
But all of these devices are “one way.”  The dog’s owner can monitor aspects of their dog’s behavior but they cannot communicate or send messages to the dog without knowing what the dog’s current circumstances are.  However, the experimental cybernetic dog harness is “two way” which contains a number of little motorized units that vibrate. The harness can be fitted with a speaker that broadcasts a tone or a human voice as another way of communicating with the dog.  These added functions require a large bulky harness instead of a light compact collar unit.
There is a sort of video phone that allows you to talk to and see your dog in a two-way system which plugs into the wall and has a small video screen so your dog can see you if you’re broadcasting from a computer or smart phone with a built-in camera.  A speaker and microphone allows you to have a two-way “conversation” with your dog.  The device sounds a tone and when the dog comes close in response, you send a signal that delivers a treat to your dog.  You keep the “conversation” going by dispensing treats at a cost of $350.
With so many devices, don’t be surprised if, at some point, your dog demands his right to some privacy!