The Whistle GO Explore used to help people find a lost dog and track daily activity in one app. Now the story changed. Whistle service ended, and Whistle devices stopped working on August 31, 2025. So, in 2025 and 2026, the GO Explore is not a real GPS tracker anymore.
So, should you buy a Whistle GO Explore today? No. Even if the device turns on, it cannot do the main job.
The 2025 shutdown, what it means in real life
Whistle shut down the platform in 2025 after the acquisition, and the app side stopped supporting tracking. So the device loses its core feature set, not just a bonus feature.
If you already own one, treat it as retired gear. Then put your time into a tracker that still runs and gets support.
What Whistle GO Explore did well when it still worked
Back when service was active, GO Explore combined location tracking and health stats. So you did not need two devices.
You clipped it to a collar, and you set a Safe Place at home with Wi Fi. Then the device used cellular service when your dog left home range.
It was simple to set up for most people. Still, it always needed an active subscription for tracking features.
Tracking and Safe Place alerts
GO Explore used assisted GPS, so it relied on GPS plus cell towers. Then you requested a location update in the app. In normal conditions, you got a fresh location in about a minute.
Safe Place alerts were the key safety tool. You set a boundary, then you got an alert when your dog left it. Still, timing varied with signal strength and settings.
Battery, size, and water resistance
Battery life changed based on usage. So it lasted longer when your dog stayed on home Wi Fi. Then it drained faster with frequent away from home tracking.
The tracker stayed compact. It measured about 1.4 inches wide and 1.8 inches long, and it weighed just under 1 ounce.
Water resistance was a strong point on paper. It carried an IPX8 rating, listed as up to 2 meters for 30 minutes.
Coverage and subscription cost
GO Explore relied on 4G LTE service through AT&T, and Whistle marketed it mainly for the United States and Canada. Then you paid a subscription to keep tracking active. Plans were often shown as monthly, yearly, or multi year options.
What to do instead
If you want a current GPS collar that still works today, start with a product that has active service and ongoing support. Then read this review: Fi Series 3 smart dog tracker collar review.
If your dog is brand new to your home, routine matters as much as gear. So build calm habits early, then layer tech on top. This guide helps: Two week shutdown for dogs, the gentle 14 day reset.
Price
Whistle Go Explore/The Ultimate Health + GPS Location Tracker for Pets/Grey
Pros
- Small and light on most collars
- Strong water rating on paper
- Clear, simple app experience back then
Cons
- No tracking value now after the 2025 shutdown
- Subscription was required for core features
- Location checks were not true live tracking
Final verdict
Whistle GO Explore was a solid idea in its time. Now it is a dead end purchase for tracking. So if you see it on sale, skip it and pick a tracker that still runs on an active platform.
