Arlo
One of the most common reasons that dogs are returned to a shelter in the U.S. is hyperactive behavior. Arlo is an interactive treat dispenser designed to stimulate & entertain the energetic pup that chases his own tail and runs circles around the dining room table.
Brief: Design and fabricate a playful and engaging handheld object, which consists of two different materials or is made with the use of two different manufacturing techniques.
My First-Ever Industrial Design
Techniques & Materials: Maple hardwood, metal weight & silicone rubber processed via lathing, vacuum-forming, molding and casting (done mid-pandemic, partially in the basement of my childhood home!).
When the pandemic began back in March, my family decided to get an Aussiedoodle puppy to fill our days with joy and purpose. While Arlo did indeed bring us great joy, he also brought us scratched floors, torn socks, shredded newspapers, plenty of “zoomies,” and late night pee-breaks.
I researched companies like Fable Pets, Wild One, and Up Dog toys to get a sense of the competitive market landscape for puppy toys.
Yet I still saw a need for an interactive playful object that could keep an incredibly intelligent and hyperactive pup’s attention for extended periods of time.
That’s when the idea for the Arlo Treat Dispenser toy was borne…
a wobbling, treat-dispensing enrichment puzzle that also looks attractive in any interior.
How it Works
The “pup parent” places treats through the top dome & places the toy in front of the pup. The curious pup then nudges, taps & smacks the toy so that it wobbles and releases gratifying snacks.
