My family got a dog when I was about eight, a blue terrier we named Cleary. Already big when we got him, he was an energetic puppy, and only became more so as he reached his teenage years (which for him was at about nine months). We had a decently sized back yard, full of stuff for him to sniff and dig around in, but he still jumped our chain link fence one afternoon as easy as a horse jumping a hedge.
Back then, the only option was to run after him. Once he’d disappeared into the woods on the other side of our little cul-de-sac, we got in the car and circled the neighborhood, calling his name, and growing more and more sure we’d seen the last of him. Four days later, someone found Cleary and drove him back home.
We were very lucky.
A Better Way to Keep Tabs on Your Dog
Today, dog owners have significantly better tools for keeping their pets safe: electronic tracking devices. Whether you’re worried about a backyard escape or just want some peace of mind on a walk or hike, there’s likely a solution for you. The technology has advanced considerably since early trackers, with 2025 bringing improved battery life, more accurate positioning, and smarter features.
The hardest part may still be choosing the right one, but the options have become clearer as the technology has matured.
The Tempting but Limited Route: Bluetooth Trackers like AirTags
If you’re looking for a simple way to keep tabs on your dog, an AirTag might seem like the perfect solution. They’re small, lightweight, affordable (around $29 each), and easy to use. Plenty of pet-specific collars and charms are designed to hold them securely, and Apple even introduced AirTag sharing in iOS 17, allowing up to six family members to track the same device.
Setup is intuitive and quick, usually via your phone’s Bluetooth connection. The battery lasts about a year and can be replaced when it runs out. No monthly fees, no charging cables to remember.
But here’s the reality check: AirTags fundamentally aren’t designed for pet tracking, and the limitations are serious. They don’t have GPS—they rely entirely on nearby Apple devices to ping their location through Bluetooth. In cities or densely populated areas, this can work reasonably well for finding lost items. But for a moving dog, especially in remote areas, you could wait hours for a single location update.
Recent real-world tests have shown sobering results. In one comprehensive test, researchers left an AirTag in a popular dog park surrounded by houses and regular foot traffic—exactly the kind of environment where you’d expect AirTags to work best. The results were disappointing: the device was detected only once or twice per day, despite dozens of dog walkers passing through with smartphones.
This highlights a critical flaw in how AirTags work for moving targets. Unlike lost keys that stay put until found, a wandering dog covers ground quickly. Even if an iPhone user walks past and pings your dog’s location, that information could be hours old by the time you receive it and arrive at the spot. Your dog could be miles away by then. If your dog disappears into the woods or rural areas, an AirTag becomes essentially useless until someone with an iPhone happens to walk nearby.
Safety concerns have also emerged. Some veterinarians have warned against AirTags for pets after documented cases of dogs chewing and ingesting the devices, sometimes requiring emergency surgery to remove plastic, metal, and battery components. The primary concern is the CR2032 lithium battery inside AirTags, which can leak caustic substances that damage a dog’s stomach, mouth, or cause poisoning if the device breaks apart or is chewed.
So while AirTags might work for close-to-home adventures in urban areas, they’re not a reliable solution for serious pet tracking.
Better Results: GPS and Cellular-Enabled Devices
For dedicated pet tracking, devices that combine GPS and cellular technology remain the gold standard. The market has matured significantly, with several standout options:
The Whistle Go Explore continues to dominate professional reviews and remains the top choice for most dog owners. Priced around $129 plus $99 annually, it offers 15-second location updates in “lost dog mode,” comprehensive health monitoring, and excellent geofencing capabilities. The device now boasts up to 20 days of battery life under optimal conditions, though real-world usage typically yields 2-10 days depending on activity and tracking frequency.
The Jiobit Smart Tag has evolved into the premier choice for small dogs and cats. At just 18 grams—the size of an Oreo cookie—it’s incredibly lightweight while offering 5G-compatible technology and up to 30 days of battery life in power-saving mode. It excels at “trusted places” functionality, automatically conserving battery when your pet is home.
The Fi Series 3 represents a major advancement over previous generations, connecting to 78 satellites for improved accuracy and coverage in remote areas. It’s particularly strong for active dogs, offering detailed fitness tracking alongside location services.
Notable newcomer Tractive has gained recognition for being waterproof and offering affordable pricing with flexible subscription options, making GPS tracking more accessible to budget-conscious pet owners.
All of these devices share common advantages: unlimited range, real-time tracking anywhere with cellular coverage, immediate escape alerts, and comprehensive mobile apps. The main drawback remains battery management—even the best devices require charging every few days to a few weeks, depending on usage.
The Innovation Gap Persists
When Cleary returned to us, it was thanks to a vigilant neighbor—a different kind of network, one that was no more or less reliable than today’s electronic devices in its own way.
As of this writing, we’re still looking for that ideal solution: one that keeps your pet close, your mind at ease, matches your sense of style, and doesn’t create new anxieties about battery levels or subscription fees. The technology has certainly improved—GPS trackers are more accurate, longer-lasting, and feature-rich than ever. But they haven’t yet achieved the “set it and forget it” simplicity that many pet owners crave.
Perhaps the real solution continues to be layered: a reliable GPS tracker for serious adventures, an updated ID tag with current contact information, and yes, that same network of caring neighbors who understand that a lost pet represents someone’s family member in distress.
The tools have gotten remarkably better since Cleary’s great escape, but the most reliable technology for bringing pets home safely might still be the combination of good tech and good people looking out for each other.
