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Strabbler
A flavorful and interchangeable pet enrichment toy
Client
Benebone
Year
2023
Project Brief
"Create an enrichment dog toy that provides stimulation and exercise, while utilizing interchangeable units and dispensing wet or dry treats."
The Problem
Dogs need more than belly rubs and daily walks—they crave mental engagement, sensory variety, and activities that tap into their natural instincts. And when toys don't deliver, frustration (and destruction) usually follows.
Dogs need more than belly rubs and daily walks—they crave mental engagement, sensory variety, and activities that tap into their natural instincts. And when toys don't deliver, frustration (and destruction) usually follows.
To get the full picture, I looked at what the market offers—and what pet owners wish it didn’t.
To get the full picture, I looked at what the market offers—and what pet owners wish it didn’t.
User & Market Research
“Supposed to be for aggressive chewers, it wasn't!”
“Supposed to be for aggressive chewers, it wasn't!”
“Not mentally stimulating enough for my high-energy dog.”
“It’s impossible to clean!”
“It’s impossible to clean!”
“Treats either fall out too fast or get stuck and never come out.”
The dog toy market includes chew toys, fetch toys, tug toys, treat-dispensing toys, and puzzle toys that are designed for durability, entertainment, or comfort or a blend of the three.
Material choices range from rubber, nylon, or plush materials. Treat-dispensing toys often focus on physical engagement, while puzzle toys target mental stimulation. Some toys aim for multipurpose use, but most are single-function.
Approaching this project, I sought out to create a product that combined the strengths of both dry and wet treat dispensing toys, while minimizing their weaknesses and keeping a simple, user-friendly design
Since Benebone is an established brand, it was equally important that the final design aligned with their existing visual language, fitting seamlessly into their current product line.
Concept Board
unpredictable play experience
natural rubber, benebone flavored nylon, natural colors, soft & creased form
how can innate canine instincts be harnessed to keep dogs engaged?
licking mat surfaces with easy cleaning
Sketch Ideation
Prototyping
Say Hello to the
Strabbler
Strabbler
Strabbler
Strabbler
.
A flavorful and interchangeable pet enrichment toy
Designed to Stimulate. Built to Satisfy.
By mimicking natural problem-solving behaviors, the Strabbler keeps dogs mentally engaged, encourages slower eating, and curbs destructive boredom.
Modular Play System
Interchangeable components allow for multiple play styles and difficulty levels, extending engagement and playstyle variety.
Modular Play System
Interchangeable components allow for multiple play styles and difficulty levels, extending engagement and playstyle variety.
Crafted from toxin-free natural rubber
Crafted from toxin-free natural rubber
Crafted from toxin-free natural rubber
Crafted from toxin-free natural rubber
Easy to clean grooves—no more food clinging in hard to reach crevices.
Easy to clean grooves—no more food clinging in hard to reach crevices.
Easy to clean grooves—no more food clinging in hard to reach crevices.
Easy to clean grooves—no more food clinging in hard to reach crevices.
Tasty Nylon Core
Tasty Nylon Core
Benebone signature flavor infused nylon (e.g., peanut butter, bacon, prime rib).
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Interchangeable components allow for multiple play styles and difficulty levels, extending engagement and variety.
Back
Strabbler
A flavorful and interchangeable pet enrichment toy
Client
Benebone
Year
2023
Project Brief
"Create an enrichment dog toy that provides stimulation and exercise, while utilizing interchangeable units and dispensing wet or dry treats."
The Problem
Dogs need more than belly rubs and daily walks—they crave mental engagement, sensory variety, and activities that tap into their natural instincts. And when toys don't deliver, frustration (and destruction) usually follows.
To get the full picture, I looked at what the market offers—and what pet owners wish it didn’t.
User & Market Research
“Supposed to be for aggressive chewers, it wasn't!”
“Not mentally stimulating enough for my high-energy dog.”
“It’s impossible to clean!”
“Treats either fall out too fast or get stuck and never come out.”
The dog toy market includes chew toys, fetch toys, tug toys, treat-dispensing toys, and puzzle toys that are designed for durability, entertainment, or comfort or a blend of the three.
Material choices range from rubber, nylon, or plush materials. Treat-dispensing toys often focus on physical engagement, while puzzle toys target mental stimulation. Some toys aim for multipurpose use, but most are single-function.
Approaching this project, I sought out to create a product that combined the strengths of both dry and wet treat dispensing toys, while minimizing their weaknesses and keeping a simple, user-friendly design
Since Benebone is an established brand, it was equally important that the final design aligned with their existing visual language, fitting seamlessly into their current product line.
Concept Board
unpredictable play experience
natural rubber, benebone flavored nylon, natural colors, soft & creased form
how can innate canine instincts be harnessed to keep dogs engaged?
licking mat surfaces with easy cleaning
Sketch Ideation
Prototyping
Say Hello to the
Strabbler
Strabbler
.
A flavorful and interchangeable pet enrichment toy
Designed to Stimulate. Built to Satisfy.
By mimicking natural problem-solving behaviors, the Strabbler keeps dogs mentally engaged, encourages slower eating, and curbs destructive boredom.
Modular Play System
Interchangeable components allow for multiple play styles and difficulty levels, extending engagement and playstyle variety.
Crafted from toxin-free natural rubber
Crafted from toxin-free natural rubber
Easy to clean grooves—no more food clinging in hard to reach crevices.
Easy to clean grooves—no more food clinging in hard to reach crevices.
Tasty Nylon Core
Benebone signature flavor infused nylon (e.g., peanut butter, bacon, prime rib).
Competitive Analysis
Interchangeable components allow for multiple play styles and difficulty levels, extending engagement and variety.
