Hear Doggy!

 Last week I told you about a new product Preferred Pet Care was expecting called “Hear Doggy”.  Well our shipment of “Hear Doggy” arrived and I was eager to try this exciting new product. 

I read rave reviews about the product.  Some highlights of the reviews:

4 Stars! “…The squeaker sounds like the noise when you squeeze an empty turkey baster or something. Slight squeal of air. Dog goes nuts over it, though…It's a good size for me to throw, it's usable in the house as it's soft and light, and I don't mind throwing it for her while I'm watching TV because I can't hear it. So all in all - this one's a winner.”

5 Stars: “My dog really loves this; I love it because you can not hear the thing squeak. You only hear a pffft pfft. Noise.”

5 Stars: “I love these toys. My dogs love them and I like how quiet they are! I think they are durable and last a long time too. If you want your dogs to be able to play, you can do and not hear a squeaker.”

5 Stars: “My dog loves playing with this toy and I love it that I can't hear the squeaker. It seems to be pretty durable (my dog is an aggressive chewer). I would recommend this product.”

These reviews were taken from Amazon.  About 70% of the reviews on Amazon were rave reviews with giving the product a 4 or 5 stars out of 5 stars. 

I wondered the same question many of you are probably wondering too, do the dogs actual hear anything?  Well I took one of the toys and squeaked it outside of the playgroup without the dogs actually seeing it.  To my surprise the dogs responded, their ears perked up, side head tilt- WOW!  It seemed like they could actual hear the toy. 

I decided to find out the durability and if dogs would actually be interested in playing with the toys.  I brought home one of the large pink penguins to see how “Hear Doggy” would stand up to my pooches. 

I decided to try it out with my two dogs, Dallas (Shepherd/Husky/Akita mix) & Natalya (German shepherd mix).  Natalya typically has a habit of nibbling off arms, legs, hats, and essentially dissecting her toys over time just to get to the squeaker.  Dallas on the other hand is fairly gentle with his toys, unless they have hats or scarves in which case he very delicately takes them off his toys.  However many toys have been in great condition until the two of them decide to battle over one.  Natalya always win the battle, the toy however doesn’t always win.

After squeaking it just once Natalya was immediately intrigued.  Tilting her head, ears perked up, almost saying, “Come on Mom let’s play throw the toy!  I want the toy!”.  (I’m pretty sure that’s what her barking translated into).  After the next squeak Dallas was now intrigued, not as excited, however he had just woke up from a nap. 

I threw the toy across the living room, and almost immediately regretted that decision.  Both dogs ran haphazardly across the kitchen through the living room to the toy.  Dallas beat Natalya to getting the Penguin which immediately began the chase throughout the house.  Dallas ran down stairs shaking the Penguin in the air.  He flew down the stairs (missing two steps) as he wiped out at the bottom of the stairs.  He dropped his Penguin for a moment but quickly grabbed it before Natalya could pick up the Penguin.  Dallas ran to his couch, jumped on it and starting chewing on his Penguin. 

Natalya determined that she was not content playing with another toy and decided she wanted the Penguin toy.  After waiting about 10 minutes, till Dallas had let his guard down Natalya carefully went down the stairs to the rec room.  Dallas though was not ready to give up his Penguin, and put up a fair fight.  I for sure though the tug-o-war battle between Dallas and Natalya would end with the Penguin in flight along with his stuffing and squeaker in the air.  But shockingly to my delight it didn’t!  Natalya swiftly managed to extract the Penguin from Dallas’ grip and retreat to the upstairs kitchen to lay on her rug with Penguin.  

The Penguin survived both Dallas and Natalya unscratched.  So far, so good. 

In conclusion the Penguin survived.  No holes.  No rips.  No tears.  Just covered in dog slobber.  My rating of the “Hear Doggy” toy is 4 stars.  4 stars because the item appears to work, the dogs do appear to hear the product.  I wouldn’t give it 5 stars because it is a plush toy, so I can foresee it being destroyed or dissected in the future (not immediately).  Keep an eye out for “Hear Doggy” products, which will be on our shelves shortly.