GoPro Camera for Dog Training Sessions

Another Camera?

Last spring my cannon camera died. I saw it was missing… and later found Blaze had pushed it into the mop bucket. As a result of that experience I looked into waterproof options like GoPro cameras.

I purchased one of the basic models, a Hero, and found it hard to use without any sort of screen/viewfinder. The medium-cost cameras can have a screen attachment and some of the more expensive ones come with an LCD screen. A month later the Hero+ version was released and I bought one of those, intending to return or sell the first one because I couldn’t use it without a screen. I never got around to it within the return period, leaving me with two cameras.

Good Things About the GoPro:

Action: These cameras are designed for action! This has resulted in some really cool photos and high quality video – when the action is close to the screen.

Waterproof: The camera is in a waterproof case – meaning we had a lot of fun out at the pond, in the woods, and with outdoor training on wet days. I’ve been able to use it in so many situations where I would normally be concerned about dirt/water!

Editing: The videos can be edited online or with the GoPro video editing program (downloaded from their website, free). The GoPro video editing program will allow you to adjust for the ‘fisheye’ lens and make more normal looking videos. Here’s one where I believe I edited with that program.

Fun!   You are tempted to do things like attach the camera to the dog. Not useful for most of the training that I do, but still was (briefly) entertaining.  note – this video is not easy to watch! 

Not So Good Things With The GoPro

Problems: Both cameras have given me trouble at times – the Hero+ even more. Sometimes it doesn’t record even though the counter is increasing. On a regular basis it won’t turn off (or reset). At times the front screen shows a few different things happening at once. Emails to the company haven’t resulted in resolution – the steps they wanted me to take seemed more complicated than what I could do.

Distance: It isn’t so good for far away things – which is a problem for trials and some training sessions. A ‘normal’ camera can give better video. Good news, you can’t really see my dog running away very well…. bad news, not as useful for training.

Sound: There is very muted sound unless the waterproof case is open. Sound also isn’t so great, even with it open.

Attachments: Attachments have to be purchased separately -these can be expensive and there are cheaper versions too. I’ve bought some of the less-expensive ones and they have broken very easily. The basic stand that came with the GoPros have held up fine. Maybe it’s a good thing that there are so many kinds – I know of people using them for nosework/tracking and attach the camera to the front of the handler (vest attachment). There are clips, suction cups, regular tripods, and all sorts of other options – even things to help it float in water (I didn’t trust those enough!).

Misc: I’m a little sad it hasn’t worked out better. I’ve taken some amazing photos (luck) with the burst mode but the video isn’t really working for my needs. I’m not sure what kind of camera to get at this point.

Have you used a GoPro for training? What did you do to make it work well for you?

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