Purrfectplay

Sawyer Shows the Dumpling What For!

Sawyer plays with his new dumpling!
Originally uploaded by Purrfectplay

Working with our dog/companion teams on testing and designing our new hemp toy felt like a interesting walk with new friends. Most of the time we feel connected to our customers. no matter human or pet. This time we felt connected, guided, and inspired. Plus, we got to meet some really great people and dogs.

Besides being interesting, did this process work out? Yes!! We made product modifications, learned more about sizing (we will be offering 4 sizes ranging from large to extra small), got some amazing pictures, we twittered, blogged, and emailed.

We were thinking of calling our new toy the Doggie Dumpling. What do you think? Do you have a better name??

Frankie finds the dumpling chew-ariffic!

Frankie finds the dumpling chew-ariffic!
Originally uploaded by Purrfectplay

This is Frankie. He can out shred the best of them when it comes to plastic and vinyl. His mom, Rachel, says he is better with cloth toys. Really?! Isn't that interesting.

I don't know if you have ever lived with a dachshund but they can be very aggressive with toys. Like Frankie, they look so cute but they are way determined.

We have many dachshund customers who are total wool ball addicts. Wool balls stand up well to a dachshund but cloth toys usually go down in less than an hour. Some part of me flinches when a dachshund goes home with one of our fleece bones. I think: poor bone. Because of this, I am especially glad Frankie is part of our testing team.

Frankie found the dumpling to be chewy, fun to chase, and pretty darn durable but... he would like a louder squeaker. To be really loud a squeaker needs lots of air. The dumpling is made with heavy durable fabric so the air flow is limited. Sadly, a loud squeak is just not in the cards. Sorry Frankie.

Zoe Explores the Weird But Yummy Dumpling Toy

Zoe explores his new dumpling toy
Originally uploaded by Purrfectplay

Meet Zoe. She is an 82 pound German Shepard. Abandoned to fend for herself, she now lives with Brian at Meadow Wood Gardens. Lucky girl.

Zoe adores her new dumpling but it was not love at first sight. The squeaker caught her attention and the exploration was on!

Squeakers are an odd item. Some guardians believe they are a bad influence-- stimulating aggression and predation. Some think making noise is simply fun and not an issue. Zoe obviously buys into the principle that squeaking is a great way to spend a long summer afternoon.

Our new dumpling has held up after many hours of play but we are told that Zoe needs a smaller toy. Even given that she is a big girl, Brian says that the dumpling could be smaller. Who would have thunk it? Just goes to show-- everyone likes different toys and what works for a particular dog (or person, for that matter) takes some trial and error.

Do your dogs like big or small toys?  Or both? We were just wondering.

Why Toy Design Matters-- Gator Teeth.

Gator teeth
Originally uploaded by Purrfectplay

Yes, some of our dear readers have seen these teeth before-- in their own dogs' mouths! Gator teeth must be fed.  They must do their god given job of ripping and shredding.  Toys must be chewed and, if it comes to that, gutted.

As a toy designer this creates challenge and angst. Now throw in our policy against plastics and synthetics and we have double trouble. This is why I am so grateful for the wonderful guardians of our "gator teeth" challengers. Thank you from the bottom of my "hope springs eternal" dog toy designer heart:

Peggy and Kelly at Peggy's Pet Place
Kelly, Lucy, and Sawyer (see gator teeth above)
Rachel and Frankie at Shared Reviews
Leanne, Lexi, Sadie, and Cassie of Three Dog Kitchen
Brian and Zoe of Meadow Wood Garden
Peggy and Casey of Keeping Feet

Stay tune for the chewy details!