Layer mode (blue path)
The person laying the track activates layer mode and walks the planned route. Each article is dropped as a numbered GPS pin at its exact location with photo evidence and a label (glove, wallet, cloth, key, etc.).
K9Codex GPS tracking
K9 GPS tracking software withlayer and follower tracks on one map
K9Codex records two paths on one map: the route the track layer walked and the route the K9 team worked. The layer drops numbered article pins with photos, the handler marks each article found or missed, and the whole track is saved inside the training log. Included in K9Codex at $10 per seat a month; the iPhone app is a free download.
Session 4721: layer and followerSample data
Layer pathFollower pathFoundMissed
Distance1.42 mi
Duration32:14
Articles3/4 Found
Why generic GPS apps fall short
Why generic GPS apps fail K9 teams
Running apps, hiking trackers, and consumer GPS tools were built for a single person moving through space. K9 tracking work needs a few things those apps do not do.
No article management
Running apps track movement but have no concept of dropping numbered article markers along a route. You would need a second app or paper notes to track where articles were placed and whether the dog found them.
No dual-track overlay
Generic GPS shows one line. K9 training requires two: the path the layer laid and the path the K9 team followed. Without overlay, you cannot compare deviation, identify problem areas, or document training accuracy.
No photos on article pins
Consumer apps do not let you attach a photo to a specific pin, label the article, or mark each one found or missed during the session.
No session linking
A route in a running app sits on its own. It is not connected to the training log, the weather, the handler's notes, or the dog's certification record.
No field-first UX
Running apps optimize for screen-on viewing during movement. K9 field sessions require battery-saving dimming, auto-pause when stopped, undo for accidental drops, and wake lock to prevent screen timeout during active recording.
K9Codex keeps the route, the articles, and the outcome together, because a line on a map does not explain the session.
Layer and follower tracks
Two paths. One map. Complete visibility.
The layer walks the track and drops articles. The K9 team follows and marks results. After the session, both paths display on a single map with aligned markers: giving trainers, supervisors, and handlers an objective record of what happened in the field.
Follower mode (orange path)
The K9 team activates follower mode and works the track. Each article is marked as Found, Missed, or Lost directly on the map. The handler never has to look away from the dog.
Overlay comparison view
Both paths display simultaneously on one map. Numbered markers align between layer and follower tracks. You can instantly see where the team deviated, where articles were missed, and how clean the run was.
Direction arrows
Arrows along both paths show the direction of travel. Start markers (green) and end markers (red) anchor the route visually. Numbered article pins appear at their GPS positions on both tracks.
Article pins
Pin each article where it was placed and record the result
Drop numbered pins during layer mode. Attach photos. Mark finds during follower mode. The pins are saved with the training session and show up when you review it later.
Numbered GPS markers
Each article gets a numbered pin (1, 2, 3...) placed at the exact GPS coordinate where it was dropped. Pins persist in session history for review and comparison.
Photo evidence
Tap any pin to attach a photo of the article at that location. Photos are stored with the pin and displayed in a gallery popup when reviewing the session later.
Found / Missed / Lost marking
During follower mode, the handler marks each article as Found, Missed, or Lost with one tap. Results are recorded per pin and tallied in the session summary.
Labeled article types
Each pin is tagged with an article type: glove, wallet, cloth, key, metal, plastic, and custom labels. This creates a searchable evidence log per session.
Article #2Found
Photo attached
TypeLeather glove
Coordinates34.0522, -118.2437
Dropped at10:14:32 AM
Found at10:22:08 AM
HandlerOfficer Martinez
Recording details
Recording tools for handlers working a dog
A handler watching a dog cannot keep looking at a phone. These recording details keep the track clean and the battery alive without asking for attention.
Battery-saving screen dimming
The screen automatically dims during active GPS recording to preserve battery life. The map, distance counter, and drop button remain visible but at reduced brightness so you can still see what you need without draining your phone.
5-second undo for accidental drops
If you tap "Drop Article" in the wrong place, a 5-second undo bar appears at the bottom of the screen. Tap undo and the pin is removed, so there is nothing to clean up later.
Auto-pause on handler stop
The system detects when the handler stops moving for 2+ minutes and automatically pauses GPS recording. When movement resumes, recording starts again on its own. This prevents dead segments from bloating your route data and saves battery during brief stops.
2-hour session warning
At the 2-hour mark, an alert reminds the handler that the session is still recording. This prevents accidental battery drain if someone forgets to stop a session after training concludes. The handler can dismiss and continue or stop.
Wake lock during recording
While GPS recording is active, the wake lock keeps the screen on so the map does not time out. The handler does not have to keep tapping the screen to prevent it from going dark. That matters when you are wearing gloves.
Haptic vibration feedback
Every pin drop and find/miss marking triggers a vibration pulse. The handler gets physical confirmation that the action registered without having to look at the screen. This matters when your eyes are on the dog.
Recording34.0522, -118.2437
Distance0.48 mi
Time14:32
Articles3/5
Article #5 droppedUndo (4s)
Session AnalyticsSample data
1.42 miTotal Distance
32:14Total Duration
14Number of Turns
2.6 mphAvg Speed
Start34.0522 N, 118.2437 W
End34.0589 N, 118.2391 W
Live Heading IndicatorBlue fan on map shows current GPS direction
Route numbers
Route numbers saved with every tracked session
When a tracked session ends, K9Codex calculates the distance, time, turns, average speed, and start and end coordinates from the recorded points, and keeps them with the session.
- Total distanceFull route distance in feet, meters, miles, or kilometers: whatever your team uses.
- Total durationElapsed time from start to stop, excluding auto-paused segments.
- Number of turnsDirection changes counted along the route. Useful for assessing track complexity.
- Average speedAverage pace across the session, excluding paused segments.
- Start/end coordinatesGPS coordinates for both the start and end points of the route.
- Live position indicatorA blue fan shows current heading and position on the map during recording.
In the training record
GPS data lives inside your training records
K9Codex saves every route, article result, and photo in the training session record, tied to the dog, the handler, and the training type, so it shows up wherever that session does.
Embedded in training records
Every GPS session is attached to the training log entry. Route data, articles, and photos live inside the session record, not in a separate app.
Weather from the track location
Weather conditions and temperature can be filled from where the track started, so the handler does not type them in.
Several runs on one laid track
A follower track links to the layer track it ran, so the trainer can review each team's run against the same laid route.
Linked to the dog and handler
Each route is tied to the dog profile, the handler, the training type, and the outcome recorded for the session.
Pricing
GPS tracking is included at $10 per seat a month
Layer and follower tracks, article pins, route numbers, and the recording tools above are part of K9Codex, with training logs, certifications, and reports. There is no separate GPS add-on.
- Dual-track overlay
- Article pinning
- Route analytics
- Auto-pause
- 5-second undo
- Wake lock
- Photo evidence
Questions
K9 GPS tracking: frequently asked questions
How does dual-track overlay work for K9 training?
Dual-track overlay starts with "layer mode": the track layer walks the planned route and drops numbered article pins at GPS coordinates. Then the K9 team runs "follower mode," working the track and marking each article as Found, Missed, or Lost. Both paths display on one map with direction arrows, start/end markers, and aligned article numbers so you can instantly see where the team deviated and how clean the run was.
Can I add photos at GPS pin locations during field sessions?
Yes. Every article pin has a photo attachment option. Tap the pin, take a photo (or choose from gallery), and it is stored with that GPS coordinate, article label, and timestamp. Photos appear in a gallery popup when you review the session later or when supervisors audit the record.
What happens when the handler stops moving during GPS recording?
The system auto-pauses GPS recording after detecting no movement for 2 minutes. This prevents dead segments from bloating your route data and conserves battery. When the handler moves again, recording starts again on its own. The auto-pause state is visible on screen so the handler always knows the recording status.
Does GPS data link to training records automatically?
Yes. Every GPS session is created within a training log entry. The route, article pins, photos, weather conditions, and find/miss results are all embedded in the session record: connected to the dog profile, handler, training type, and outcome. No manual linking or data export needed.
What devices support GPS recording?
Record tracks in the K9Codex iPhone app (a free App Store download) or in a mobile browser using the web workspace. Review tracks on the web or in the Mac desktop app.
How does the 5-second undo work for accidental article drops?
When you tap "Drop Article" to place a pin, a 5-second undo bar slides up from the bottom of the screen. If you dropped the pin at the wrong location, tap undo within those 5 seconds and the pin is removed instantly with no trace. After 5 seconds the bar disappears and the pin is committed to the session. A vibration pulse confirms each action so you know the drop registered.
Part of K9Codex
GPS tracking is one part of the full K9 management system
Tracked sessions sit in the same K9Codex workspace as training logs, dog profiles, certifications, and reports, so a trainer can open a track from the dog's history.
K9Codex
GPS tracking built for K9 teams
Layer and follower tracks, article pins with photos, and route numbers, saved inside your training records instead of a separate app. $10 per seat a month, GPS included.