How Accurate Are Dog GPS Trackers?

When your dog escapes, your stress levels go through the roof. Worry, fear, and panic all start to set in. When that happens, you’ll want to know how accurate dog GPS trackers really are. 

After all, this is part of the peace of mind that comes from a pet GPS tracker. That peace of mind, giving you fast answers and assurance, rather than some vague dot on a map. 

We’re here to answer all your questions on dog GPS accuracy. This blog breaks down how accurate dog GPS trackers really are, what affects their performance, and what to look for if accuracy and reliability are your priority. 

So, How Accurate Are Dog GPS Trackers?

In most real-world situations, GPS dog trackers are accurate to within 3–10 meters (or about 10–30 feet). 

This means that if your dog is on the move, you’ll be able to pinpoint their location close enough to locate them quickly and easily. 

There are a few things that can affect this level of accuracy, such as the quality of the GPS hardware, whether the GPS can see the sky, and what method of location tracking the GPS is using to locate your dog. 

Another relevant part of location accuracy is the settings that you’ve selected on your device. You’ll need to select the best settings for tracking your pet in order to get the best results. To use the AirBolt as an example, this involves keeping your GPS in responsive mode and setting motion sensor re-alerts to every 5-10 minutes.

We’ll get further into the variables that affect GPS accuracy later in the article. But first, let’s look at how GPS tracking actually works. 

How GPS Tracking Works for Dogs

So how does your dog’s GPS tracker actually know where they are?

It starts with satellites. GPS (short for Global Positioning System) uses a network of satellites orbiting the Earth to determine the tracker’s location. The device receives signals from multiple satellites and calculates where it is based on the time it takes for each signal to arrive.

Once that location is determined, the tracker sends the information to your phone via mobile data. You’ll see your dog’s location displayed on a live map such as the one in the AirBolt companion app. 

Trackers don’t stream this location information constantly—they send updates at regular intervals. This could be every minute, every hour, or every day, depending on your device settings. Trackers like AirBolt give you the option to customise these refresh rates, so you can prioritise either faster updates or longer battery life depending on what you’re tracking. 

Factors That Affect GPS Accuracy

GPS trackers, like any technology, are subject to changes in performance depending on real-world conditions. Here’s what can affect how precise your dog’s location data is:

• Signal Strength – GPS works best under open skies. Accuracy can dip slightly in dense forests, under heavy tree cover, inside buildings, or in urban areas surrounded by tall structures.

• Type of Tracker – GPS trackers tend to be far more accurate than Bluetooth or radio frequency devices. Bluetooth trackers only work if you’re nearby, making them unreliable if your dog gets too far away.

• Battery Life Settings – Some trackers conserve battery by reducing how often they update your pet’s location. If accuracy and responsiveness matter most, look for a tracker that balances battery life with consistent, real-time performance.

• Tracking Method – Some trackers switch to cellular or Wi-Fi triangulation when GPS signal is weak—like indoors or in heavily built-up areas. While these methods aren’t as accurate as direct GPS, they’re still useful for giving you a general location when satellite signals can’t get through.

Summary

So, to recap:

• The AirBolt is accurate to within 3-10 metres, depending on view of the sky. 

• Signal strength, tracker type, battery settings, and environment all play a role in performance.

• GPS offers the best precision, while cellular or Wi-Fi triangulation can help maintain location indoors or when GPS is limited.

• Update frequency matters—trackers that refresh more often give you better real-time awareness.

At the end of the day, a good GPS tracker should give you fast, reliable updates when you need them most. Because when your dog’s on the move, every meter counts. Check out the AirBolt pet GPS tracker for the ultimate dog GPS tracking solution.