'Tidy Dog' is a toy container for pets that dispenses treats when a pet returns its toys to the container.
The designers claim that over time, this will generate a conditioned response that will prompt the dog to put away its toys instead of leaving them scattered around the house. Essentially, the Tidy Dog aims to achieve the same thing pet owners do when they give their pets a treat for doing something good.
The Tidy Dog went to great lengths to ensure their system couldn't be abused or manipulated by smart dogs. The system's weight sensors are set up in such a way that they don't respond to dogs placing their own weight inside the bin to try and get treats. The treat dispenser is also programmed to not be able to dispose a treat more than once every 30 seconds. This feature will dissuade crafty dogs from removing and then immediately placing a toy back in the bin to get extra treats.
Treat-Dispensing Toy Boxes
The 'Tidy Dog' Toy Container Rewards Neat and Tidy Dogs
Trend Themes
1. Interactive Pet Toys - The rise of treat-dispensing toy boxes shows a trend towards interactive pet toys that engage and reward pets.
2. Positive Reinforcement Training - Treat-dispensing toy boxes reflect the trend of using positive reinforcement training methods to encourage desired behaviors in pets.
3. Technology Integration in Pet Products - The incorporation of weight sensors and programmed treat dispensers highlights the trend of integrating technology into pet products for enhanced functionality.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Products - The treat-dispensing toy boxes cater to the pet products industry, offering innovative solutions to engage and train pets.
2. Training and Behavior - The positive reinforcement approach of using treat-dispensing toy boxes aligns with the training and behavior industry's focus on effective and humane training methods.
3. Smart Technology - The integration of weight sensors and programmed treat dispensers demonstrates the potential for disruptive innovations in the smart technology industry for pet-related applications.