At Tractive, we believe that the best pet technology is created when it’s tested in real-world scenarios—by real pets. While our team of engineers, designers, and product managers work tirelessly to refine our GPS and health trackers for dogs, some of our most dedicated testers never needed a desk.

Mozzie and Nuggets, two energetic and curious mini schnauzers, played a crucial role in shaping Tractive’s products over the years. Their contributions went beyond everyday use—they provided invaluable insights into how dogs move, explore, and even sleep. This is their story and the lasting impact they’ve had on Tractive’s innovation.

Real-World Testing: Turning Daily Walks into Product Insights

Mozzie and Nuggets didn’t just wear Tractive trackers—they helped improve them. Every feature update, every algorithm refinement, and every data point analyzed was shaped by their real-world experiences.

One key lesson they taught us? Dog walks are never straightforward.

People often assume that a walk consists of a simple path from point A to point B. But through Mozzie and Nuggets’ tracking data, we saw the reality: dogs move in unpredictable ways. They dart forward, double back, pause to sniff, take a sudden detour, and repeat the process all over again. This insight directly influenced improvements in our Location History feature, ensuring that our visualized walking routes accurately reflected the way dogs truly explore their surroundings.

Additionally, both dogs had distinct walking styles that influenced how we designed Activity Tracking:

  • Mozzie ranked higher in Leaderboards due to his steady, purposeful trot.
  • Nuggets took a more relaxed approach, stopping frequently to sniff and explore at his own pace.
two small dogs standing on a bench outside

By analyzing their movement data, we fine-tuned our step counting and ranking algorithms, ensuring fair comparisons between dogs of different activity levels.

GPS Accuracy: The Great Escape That Proved a Feature’s Worth

Real-world testing is about more than just data collection—it can also be lifesaving. One evening, Mozzie managed to escape from a fenced garden after being startled by a mosquito zapper. Unbeknownst to anyone, he had wandered two streets over, crossing a busy intersection along the way.

Thanks to Tractive’s Live Tracking, his location was quickly pinpointed, allowing him to be found and safely returned home. This experience reaffirmed why continuous improvements in GPS accuracy and real-time tracking are so critical.

Read more: 10 Dogs Whose Lives Were Saved By Tractive

Sleep Tracking: Understanding How Dogs Really Rest

Mozzie and Nuggets also played a key role in refining our Sleep Tracking feature. While testing, we observed an important insight: dogs don’t sleep in one continuous block like humans do. Instead, they wake frequently throughout the night, shift positions, and settle back down multiple times.

By monitoring their natural sleep patterns, we enhanced our tracking capabilities to provide pet parents with more detailed and accurate insights into their dog’s nighttime behavior and overall well-being.

Keep track of your dog’s daily adventures

Follow every step with unlimited range Live Tracking. Get alerts if they wander too far. Keep them happy & healthy with Activity & Sleep Monitoring. Get Health Alerts if something seems off.

Get Tractive

Beyond Tractive: Competitive & Product Testing

Mozzie and Nuggets weren’t just testing Tractive’s devices—they also helped us evaluate competitor products and explore ideas for new features. From GPS trackers to activity monitors and even unrelated dog gadgets, they played a crucial role in helping us understand what worked, what didn’t, and what pet parents truly needed. Their everyday experiences as multi-dog household members provided valuable context for how pet parents manage multiple trackers, compare activity levels, and navigate app features. Through hands-on testing and real-world scenarios, they helped shape the innovation that drives Tractive forward.

A Lasting Legacy

Mozzie and Nuggets were more than just beloved pets—they were an integral part of Tractive’s product development. Their data shaped some of our most important features, and their experiences provided insights that continue to benefit pet parents worldwide.

Sadly, both Mozzie and Nuggets have now crossed the rainbow bridge, but their impact remains embedded in every Tractive tracker worn by dogs today.

This article is dedicated to two of the most hardworking non-employees of Tractive. Thank you, Mozzie & Nuggets, for everything. 💙🐾

two dogs on the leash outside wearing GPS dog trackers from Tractive
Karen Tiambeng, Director of Process Management at Tractive

Written by Karen Tiambeng

Karen Tiambeng (aka Karz) is the Director of Process Management at Tractive and formerly served as the company’s VP of Product. A devoted pet parent her dog and a toddler, Karz joined Tractive in 2018, inspired by a deep love for animals and a passion for innovative pet care solutions. When not navigating the joys and challenges of life with her furry and tiny companions, she enjoys reflecting on the unique chaos and joy of a life centered around dogs.