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While I admire the goal, this solution makes me sad. If a dog needs more exercise, then it should be exercised more often. A responsible pet owner should know t

by jcizzle 12y ago

While I admire the goal, this solution makes me sad. If a dog needs more exercise, then it should be exercised more often. A responsible pet owner should know their schedule and lifestyle, and choose a dog whose exercise needs match that. I find it unfortunate that some pet owners would absolve their responsibility towards their pet with a machine. There is great value to the relationship between a pet and its owner during both feeding and training. While it's neat that we live in an age where technology allows us such "conveniences", I think there is a point where you must ask yourself what is the point of life if you don't actually do anything meaningful? Bonding with a dog, if you have not experienced it, is a lot more meaningful than just making sure they don't shit on your rug while you're gone.

leot 12y ago
Founder, here Thanks for your comment. Like you, we'd be disappointed and surprised if our users viewed CleverPet as a substitute for real interaction. Our concern is for the times during the day when a dog would like to have something to do, but doesn't. When we've spoken with other dog owners, it's not that they don't want to engage with their pet, it's that they can't. Very few people with dogs can afford to spend eight hours a day directly engaging with their pet, and until now, that has just meant lots of bored dogs. Arriving home to a dog who's happier and less anxious means a stronger bond and fewer behavioral issues.
JeffL 12y ago
I think this could be more than just a substitute for responsibly exercising and interacting with a dog. I work at home and take my dog for plenty of walks and hikes, and do a lot of training with her, but she's very smart and food motivated, and loves all the Kong-like food dispensing puzzle toys. I suspect she would love this, and if it were a bit cheaper, I'd be all over this. (I could get a lot of $10 dog puzzles for the cost of this.)

by jcizzle 12y ago

leot 12y ago

Founder, here Thanks for your comment. Like you, we'd be disappointed and surprised if our users viewed CleverPet as a substitute for real interaction. Our concern is for the times during the day when a dog would like to have something to do, but doesn't. When we've spoken with other dog owners, it's not that they don't want to engage with their pet, it's that they can't. Very few people with dogs can afford to spend eight hours a day directly engaging with their pet, and until now, that has just meant lots of bored dogs. Arriving home to a dog who's happier and less anxious means a stronger bond and fewer behavioral issues.

JeffL 12y ago

I think this could be more than just a substitute for responsibly exercising and interacting with a dog. I work at home and take my dog for plenty of walks and hikes, and do a lot of training with her, but she's very smart and food motivated, and loves all the Kong-like food dispensing puzzle toys. I suspect she would love this, and if it were a bit cheaper, I'd be all over this. (I could get a lot of $10 dog puzzles for the cost of this.)