How Does A Dog Tracker Work? Your Guide To GPS Dog Trackers

As pet parents, we all want to keep our furry friends safe and happy. But what happens when your dog decides to explore the great outdoors a little too enthusiastically? Enter the dog tracker—a small but mighty device designed to help you keep tabs on your canine companion. Let’s break down how this lifesaving technology works and why it’s a must-have for every pet parent.

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Check out how dog GPS trackers work at a glance in this short video from Tractive:

Can you put a tracker on a dog?

Absolutely! GPS trackers are designed to fit securely and comfortably onto your dog’s collar. Lightweight and durable, they’re built to withstand the wear and tear of a dog’s daily activities, from running in the park to rolling in the mud. A popular choice among pet parents is the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker (rated excellent on Trustpilot).

Not only can you put a GPS tracker on your dog’s collar, it’s a really good idea if you want to keep your dog safe. In fact a GPS dog tracker might just save your dog’s life.

Just check out this story (shared by Nichole on Trustpilot):

“Yesterday I could see my dogs making their way to our beach, so I hopped in my truck to get them before they made it to the water.”

“My tracker showed me exactly where they were. My little girl had fallen through the ice and if it wasn’t for Tractive I wouldn’t have found her in time and saved her life. 💙 Thank you Tractive for saving my dog!”

“If you’re on the fence on whether to get one or not, do not hesitate and get this tracker.”

So what exactly is a GPS dog tracker and how does it work to keep dogs safe?

What is a dog GPS tracker?

A GPS dog tracker is a small, lightweight device that attaches to your dog’s collar and allows you to track them in real-time. It lets you monitor their whereabouts and find them anytime – no matter how far they roam. Cause let’s face it, some of our dogs are serious escape artists and long distance runners!

But modern GPS dog trackers go beyond simple location tracking. They offer advanced features like activity tracking, helping you keep tabs on your dog’s fitness levels. You can see how active your dog is throughout the day and set goals to ensure they get the exercise they need. Additionally, some trackers, like Tractive GPS, include sleep monitoring and health alerts. These features allow you to spot irregular patterns in your pet’s behavior or rest, which could indicate potential health issues.

Discover all the features of the Tractive GPS dog tracker below.

Types of dog trackers

It’s important to be aware that all products advertised as ‘dog trackers’ are not necessarily true GPS dog trackers. There are three main types of dog trackers

1. GPS Trackers: Use satellite technology to pinpoint location, so they’re ideal for dogs prone to wandering, escaping, or being off-leash in large areas.
2. RF Trackers: Operate using radio frequencies, typically for short-range tracking. They’re a good choice in areas with poor GPS or cellular coverage (e.g., dense forests or rural locations).
3. Bluetooth Trackers: Use Bluetooth technology to locate at close range. They’re best for indoor use or tracking small pets in close proximity.

In this post, we’ll focus on GPS trackers – but you can learn more about Bluetooth trackers and radiofrequency trackers in our guides below:

• GPS vs Bluetooth Trackers: What’s Best For Pets?
• GPS vs Radio Frequency: How Do They Compare For Pets?

How does a dog tracker work?

True dog GPS trackers use a mix of GPS, cellular network, and sometimes Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology to locate your dog and share that information with you. Here’s a quick summary of how dog GPS trackers work:

1. The dog tracker uses GPS to calculate it’s position.
2. It sends the GPS data via SMS.
3. The location is sent to your phone and displayed in the companion app.

With Tractive, all this happens every 2-3 seconds in LIVE Tracking mode, so you can see your dog’s location updated on the map in real-time. Which really comes in handy when you’ve got a dog on the run.

Tractive GPS dog tracker features

Besides GPS tracking, many dog trackers come with plenty of extra features. Here are some features of the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker:

Besides all that, Tractive’s dog GPS tracker is also adventure- and waterproof, and designed for a dog’s comfort and safety in mind.

How accurate are dog GPS trackers?

GPS dog trackers are usually as accurate as GPS – so within 5 to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet). Accuracy is affected by things like trees, tall buildings and cellular signal strength. In open spaces, GPS dog trackers are more accurate. Tractive uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to improve accuracy when GPS signals are weak, for example if the tracker is indoors.

How far does a dog tracker work?

How far a dog tracker works depends on what type of dog tracker it is.

• True GPS dog trackers have unlimited range.
• Radiofrequency trackers work within a range of a few kilometers.
• Bluetooth-only dog trackers have a maximum range of 100 meters.

Got a dog that tends to bolt – and seems to run a mile a minute? Keep in mind that Bluetooth and RF dog trackers are most effective for short-range tracking and can’t be relied on if your dog goes out of range. With Tractive, distance isn’t an issue. As long as your tracker is in an area with cellular coverage, you can track your dog worldwide over any distance.

How long do dog trackers last?

The battery life of a Tractive GPS dog tracker is between 2 days and 1 month, depending on the model and how often it is used. Battery life depends on things like how often the location is updated and if features like real-time tracking are always on. Trackers like Tractive have power-saving modes to help the battery last longer, and they also notify you when the battery is low so you can recharge it in time. This convenience makes it easy to ensure your dog’s tracker is always ready when you head out for an adventure.

How much does a dog tracker cost?

The cost of a dog GPS tracker varies depending on the features. There is usually an initial cost for the device and, in many cases, a monthly or yearly subscription fee to cover GPS and cellular services. The subscription helps keep real-time tracking features active, ensuring you can always see where your dog is.

Read more: Is there a GPS pet tracker without a subscription?

How much is the Tractive Dog Tracker?

At the time we wrote this article, the Tractive GPS Dog Tracker was selling for $69.

To access the tracker’s features, a subscription plan is required to cover the costs of the integrated SIM card and data usage. Tractive offers two main subscription plans, with a variety of payment options to fit every budget:

1. BASIC Plan:
   • 1 Year: $9 per month (billed annually)
   • 2 Years: $6 per month (billed every 2 years)
2. PREMIUM Plan:
   • 1 Year: $10 per month (billed annually)
   • 2 Years: $7 per month (billed every 2 years)
   • 5 Years: $5 per month (billed every 5 years)

The PREMIUM plan includes additional features such as worldwide coverage, family sharing, and 365-day location history.

Please note that actual Tractive prices may vary based on your location, deals and other factors.

So, what’s the best tracker for a dog?

When it comes to keeping track of our furry family members, we are firm believers that a true, dedicated GPS dog tracker like Tractive is the best tracker for a dog. But of course we’re biased; we’re the ones working hard everyday to create the world’s best GPS dog tracker.

But thankfully, our pet trackers have been reviewed by pet lovers and tech enthusiasts around the world. So you don’t have to take our word for it. In fact New York Times’ Wirecutter recently declared Tractive “the most accurate and reliable device for when your dog or cat stages a breakout”. You can read the full tracker comparison (and discover why Tractive was their #1 pick) in the non-sponsored post here: The Best GPS Dog Collars and Pet Trackers

We’re proud to be the leading dog tracker brand trusted by millions of pet parents worldwide. Want to learn more?

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