Can I use a Tile tracker to track my dog?

No one ever wants to feel that lurch in the pit of their stomach when their dog doesn’t come back when called. So it’s no surprise that many pet parents turn to trackers to give them peace of mind when walking their dogs. While there are trackers specifically designed to track your dog, like a PitPat Dog GPS Tracker, some people use Bluetooth options like Tile. But can you use Tile to track your dog? We don’t think so, and here’s why.

What’s the difference between Bluetooth and GPS Trackers?

The main difference between Bluetooth and GPS trackers is the range they have. Bluetooth trackers can cover 75-120 metres on average, but once the item being tracked is out of this range, it will lose connection. So if your dog is moving fast out of sight, you may not be able to get a hit on their location before they’ve moved out of range.

On the other hand, GPS trackers have unlimited range so you can keep tracking your dog however far and fast they’re moving away from you, so you’re more likely to find your dog quickly and easily. Don’t believe us? See what happened when we ran an experiment to see if you could use an Apple AirTag to track your dog.

What is a Tile tracker?

Tile trackers are small, Bluetooth-enabled devices that help you find personal belongings like keys, wallets and phones. They work by connecting to an app on your smartphone and emitting a Bluetooth signal that can be detected by the app when in range. This allows you to pinpoint the tracker’s location on a map and, in some cases, make the tracker make a sound to help you locate your item.

How do you use a Tile tracker to track your dog?

Tile trackers are primarily designed for inanimate objects, but some pet owners have attempted to repurpose them for tracking their pets, including dogs. Typically they attach the device to their dog’s collar so they can monitor their location through the Tile app. 

Why wouldn’t I use a Tile Track to track my dog?

They have a limited range. Tile trackers have a Bluetooth range of 75 to 120 metres depending on your Tile device. But they’re most effective the closer they are to your smartphone, making them excellent at finding your keys or wallet but less effective at finding your dog. If they can even find your dog at all.

They have indoor bias. Tile trackers work best indoors or in areas with many Bluetooth-connected devices. Their range may be significantly reduced in outdoor spaces, which is where you’re most likely to be when walking your dog.

They don’t have real-time tracking. Unlike PitPat GPS, Tile trackers don’t offer real-time tracking capabilities. Instead, they rely on the Bluetooth signal and the presence of other Tile app users to update the tracker’s location. 

They’re not dog-proof. Tile trackers are not specifically designed for dogs, so you can bet they’re not going to withstand a good chew or a mad dash through the bushes. And they’re only water resistant, which is not great when your dog decides to go for a swim. That’s why PitPat GPS is attached with super-strong Velcro©, is robust, and is 100% waterproof. A PitPat GPS will withstand all your dog’s adventures, a Tile tracker will not.

What’s the alternative?

If you’re looking at trackers because you want to be able to find your dog, buy a GPS tracker that has been made specifically for dogs, like PitPat GPS. With its built-in satellite receiver, independent mobile connection, real-time tracking and no subscription for finding your dog, this is the only way you can be sure that whatever happens, you’ll be able to find your dog quickly and easily. 

Whether it’s a chance encounter with wildlife, another dog or a new environment, it doesn’t take much for walkies to take a wrong turn. And for that, you need a tracker with cutting-edge technology designed with your dog in mind. A tracker like PitPat GPS.

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