How to Troubleshoot Canary Pet Detection Issues
One of the most valuable features of a Canary camera is its ability to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to differentiate between general motion, people, and pets. This intelligence allows you to receive notifications that matter and ignore the rest. However, if you find that your Canary is not detecting your pets correctly, this guide will help you troubleshoot the common causes and get your smart alerts working as intended.
## How Canary Pet Detection Works
Canary's pet detection is an AI-driven feature available to Premium service subscribers. When the camera detects motion, it analyses the video clip to identify the specific shapes and movement patterns characteristic of common pets, like cats and dogs. If it confidently identifies a pet, it labels the notification accordingly. If it is unsure, it will send a more generic "motion detected" alert.
## Pre-Troubleshooting Checklist
Before diving into deeper settings, let's ensure the basics are in place.
- Premium Subscription: Verify that your Canary account has an active Premium subscription. Pet detection is not available on the free plan.
- Feature is Enabled: Go into your Canary app's settings for your Location. Tap on Modes, and for each mode (e.g., Away Mode), check that your Motion Notifications are set to "Person/Pet notifications" and not "All other motion" or "Off".
- App and Firmware Updates: Make sure your Canary app is updated to the latest version from the app store, and that your camera's firmware is also up to date.
## Steps to Improve Pet Detection Accuracy
If the basic settings are correct but detection is still unreliable, follow these steps to optimise the camera's performance.
### 1. Check Camera Placement and View
The AI needs a clear, unobstructed view to work effectively.
- Clear Line of Sight: Ensure the camera is not positioned behind furniture, plants, or other objects that could block its view of your pet. The AI works best when it can see the whole animal.
- Optimal Height: Place the camera at a height where it can get a slightly downward-looking angle on the room. This helps it distinguish the overall shape of a pet from other objects. Placing it too low or too high can distort the perspective.
- Avoid Backlighting: Do not point the camera directly at a bright window or light source. Strong backlighting can create silhouettes, making it very difficult for the AI to identify shapes accurately.
### 2. Ensure the Lens is Clean
A smudged or dusty lens can soften the image, making it harder for the AI to analyse the details of what it sees.
- How to Clean: Use a soft, dry microfibre cloth to gently wipe the camera lens. Do not use chemical cleaners, as they can damage the lens coating.
### 3. Improve Lighting Conditions
While Canary cameras have excellent night vision, the AI detection works best with good lighting.
- Daytime: Ensure the room is reasonably well-lit.
- Night-time: If you are finding that pets are not being detected well at night, it could be that the IR night vision is creating deep shadows or not fully illuminating the area. A small, strategically placed night-light can sometimes provide just enough ambient light to improve the AI's accuracy without affecting the night vision's performance.
### 4. Understanding AI Limitations
It is important to have realistic expectations. While Canary's AI is very advanced, it is not perfect.
- Partial Views: If the camera only sees a pet's tail or a fleeting glimpse as they run past, it may not have enough data to confidently classify it as a pet and may default to a "motion" alert.
- Unusual Pets: The AI is primarily trained on four-legged pets like cats and dogs. It is less likely to recognise birds, reptiles, or other less common household pets.
By optimising your camera's placement and environment, you provide the AI with the best possible information to work with, leading to more consistent and accurate pet detection alerts.