Meet the PAWTY Pack: Dogs Who Test Our Toys
Behind every PAWTY toy is a team of dedicated product testers with wet noses, wagging tails, and absolutely zero patience for mediocre toys. We call them the PAWTY Pack, a diverse group of dogs who put every prototype through its paces before it ever reaches your shopping cart.
Because here is the thing: humans can design toys, engineer fabrics, and create beautiful shapes. But only dogs can tell us if a toy is actually worth playing with.
Why Dog Testing Matters
You might think toy testing is simple: toss a prototype to a dog and see if they like it. In reality, it is a structured process that reveals insights no amount of human brainstorming can provide.
Dogs interact with toys in ways designers do not always predict. A toy designed for tugging might become a comfort object. A squeaker placed in one location might be more engaging in another. A shape that looks perfect on paper might be awkward in a dog mouth.
Our testing reveals engagement level and whether the dog immediately picks up the toy or ignores it. Play style preference and whether dogs carry it, shake it, tug it, or cuddle it. Durability hot spots showing which seams and areas take the most stress. Size appropriateness and whether different-sized dogs can interact comfortably. And safety issues including any choking risks, sharp edges, or accessibility problems.
Profiles of Our Top Testers
The PAWTY Pack includes dogs of all sizes, breeds, ages, and play styles. Here are some of our MVPs, or Most Valuable Pups:
The Destroyers
Every testing panel needs a destroyer, the dog who considers every toy a personal challenge to dismantle. Our destroyers test durability by doing exactly what they would do at home: biting, shaking, pulling, and doing their absolute best to find the weak point.
When a destroyer cannot break a toy, we know we have built something that will hold up in the real world. These dogs are the reason our Dumbbell Plush Dog Toy and other tug toys have reinforced stitching at every stress point.
The Cuddlers
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the cuddlers, dogs who choose toys as companions rather than opponents. They carry toys gently, sleep with them, and treat them like precious possessions.
Cuddlers test the comfort factor. If a toy texture is even slightly off, a cuddler will not bond with it. These dogs helped us perfect the softness of our GentlePlush fabric. The Love Bone is a cuddler-approved favorite. They literally refuse to put it down.
The Puzzlers
These are the brainy dogs who approach every toy as a problem to solve. They are perfect testers for our interactive toys, evaluating whether the difficulty level is appropriately challenging: not so easy it is boring, not so hard it is frustrating.
The Fried Chicken Interactive Toy went through multiple difficulty iterations based on puzzler feedback. Too easy and they would empty the treats in seconds. Too hard and they would lose interest. The final SnackStash design hits the sweet spot.
The Fetchers
Retriever types who live for the chase. They test how toys fly through the air, how they bounce, and whether they are easy to find and pick up at speed. The Barky Balls were shaped and weighted based on extensive fetcher testing.
The Seniors
Older dogs have different needs including gentler play styles, possible dental sensitivity, and lower energy levels. Senior testers ensure our toys are accessible and enjoyable for dogs at every life stage. Their feedback shaped the softer options in our collection and confirmed that SuperSqueak lowest volume setting is ideal for dogs who prefer gentler sensory experiences.
The Testing Process
Round 1: First Impressions. The toy is placed in a room with the test dog. We observe: How quickly do they approach? Do they sniff and walk away, or immediately engage? First impressions matter since a toy that does not capture a dog attention in the first 30 seconds has a problem.
Round 2: Extended Play. Dogs get 30-minute play sessions over multiple days. We track how play style evolves and whether the toy maintains interest or becomes background furniture. The best toys show sustained engagement across sessions.
Round 3: Durability Marathon. Destroyer dogs get extended access to test structural integrity. We document every stress point, every seam that shows wear, and every design element that becomes a target. This data goes directly back to our design team for reinforcement.
Round 4: Multi-Dog Testing. Toys are introduced in multi-dog environments to test sharing dynamics, competitive interest, and whether the toy causes resource guarding issues.
How Testing Shapes Our Products
The PAWTY Pack has directly influenced every product in our line. The 3-in-1 Cupcake multiple play modes came from observing different dogs using a single-mode prototype in completely different ways. SuperSqueak adjustable volume was born from noticing that some test dogs loved squeakers while others were startled by them. The variety of shapes in our collection from flat toys to round toys to elongated toys reflects the diverse grip preferences our testers showed.
Joining the PAWTY Pack
We are always looking for new testers to join the PAWTY Pack. If your dog has strong opinions about toys, and let us be honest they all do, follow us on social media for announcements about testing opportunities. We look for diversity in breeds, sizes, ages, and play styles to ensure our products work for everyone.
The Ultimate Stamp of Approval
When a toy passes through every round of testing with wagging tails and enthusiastic play, it earns the PAWTY Pack seal of approval. That seal means real dogs have tested, played with, and loved this toy before your dog ever sees it.
Every toy on pawty.com from the Champagne Bottle to the Korean Soju has been PAWTY Pack approved. When your dog picks one up and their eyes light up, know that a whole pack of tail-wagging testers paved the way.
Because at PAWTY, the dogs do not just inspire us. They guide us. Every squeak, every snuggle, and every enthusiastic game of tug tells us we are on the right track. Thank you to the PAWTY Pack, and thank you to every dog parent who trusts their judgment.
