# Tether

> Tether makes The Ruff, a small wearable that clips to a dog's existing collar and reads six signals of pain around the clock. The Tether app turns those signals into the Pain Probability Index, a score from 0 to 100 measured against the dog's own baseline, with an explanation of what is likely behind a change and a recommendation for what to do. Tether is based in Kansas City, Missouri, sells in the United States and Canada, and is built with a clinical advisory board of veterinarians and a medical advisor.

## Product

- The Ruff is $299 with 3 months of the Tether app included, then $8.99 a month or $82.88 a year. First units ship November 2026, in the order received.
- It reads movement, gait, vocalization, vibration, temperature, and 60GHz radar for resting breathing and heart rhythm. IPX7, up to 15 days of battery, WiFi and Bluetooth, iOS app, recommended for dogs 20 lbs and up.
- The Ruff is not a medical or veterinary device. It estimates the probability of pain and does not diagnose. Owners should contact a veterinarian if they think their dog is in pain.

## Pages

- [Home](https://tether.pet/): what The Ruff does and why
- [The Ruff](https://tether.pet/ruff): the device, the six signals, specifications, how it compares with activity trackers, and frequently asked questions
- [Science](https://tether.pet/science): how it works, why each dog is measured against its own normal, and the research
- [Is my dog in pain?](https://tether.pet/guide): an owner guide by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS, Tether's Chief Veterinary Officer, on why dogs hide pain and how to catch it earlier
- [Is my dog in pain, and why do dogs hide it?](https://tether.pet/hiding): an owner guide by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS. Why dogs hide pain, the cluster of small changes that gives it away, and when to call your vet.
- [How do I know if my dog is in pain? The silent signs pet parents miss](https://tether.pet/signs): an owner guide by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS. The quiet signs owners miss most, why they look like stress instead of pain, and a weekly check you can do at home.
- [Is my dog just getting old, or is this pain?](https://tether.pet/aging): an owner guide by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS. How to tell normal aging from treatable pain, the five signs that point to arthritis, and why waiting it out costs your dog.
- [My dog seems fine at the vet but not at home. Why?](https://tether.pet/vet): an owner guide by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS. Why a sore dog can look fine in the exam room, and how to show your vet what really happens at home.
- [What does normal look like for my dog? How to build a baseline](https://tether.pet/baseline): an owner guide by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS. What to record while your dog is healthy, from sleeping breathing rate to muscle and everyday moves, and when a change matters.
- [Detecting pain before it's visible](https://tether.pet/research): a white paper by Zachary Pollack, DVM, MRCVS, on continuous individualized canine pain monitoring, what The Ruff measures, how the baseline engine and pain score work, and what the system does not claim to do
- [About](https://tether.pet/about): the founders, team, and veterinary and medical advisors
- [Mission](https://tether.pet/mission): a portion of every sale and free devices go to rescue partners
- Join the waitlist: https://forms.gle/Cj4TStEZsqrC96wN7

## Policies

- [Terms of Service](https://tether.pet/terms)
- [Return Policy](https://tether.pet/returns): 15 days from delivery to request a refund
- [Privacy Policy](https://tether.pet/privacy)