The impacts of free-ranging rural dogs on wildlife conservation, including predation and disease transmission, vary by context, highlighting the need to assess their specific effects. This study examines the home range and native habitat use of dogs within a protected area and fragments of the Cerrado biome. We monitored 105 dogs using GPS collars over two months. Home ranges were estimated using the 95% autocorrelated kernel density estimate (AKDE), with influential variables analysed through general linear models (GLM). We assessed the number of GPS locations within native habitats for each dog and performed multiple ordinal regression to identify associated variables. Most dogs exhibited restricted home ranges (mean = 30.74 ha, range = 0.89–624.75 ha), with larger ranges correlated to dogs accompanying owners in daily activities. Dogs primarily occupied farming areas and human settlements, with only 4% of their locations recorded in native habitats; use of these areas was associated with lower body condition scores. The likely ecological impact of these dogs stems more from their high density in the matrix, which could reduce habitat connectivity. Dog movement patterns are strongly influenced by the socio-environmental contexts in which they live. These findings facilitate the development of targeted management strategies aimed at specific local contexts, reducing impacts on biodiversity and promoting animal welfare.