Brand of the Month: Woof and the Pupsicle Enrichment Toy

Since its founding in 2019, Woof has started to take the world by storm with their Pupsicle Toy invention. Already, 25,000+ dogs love the Pupsicle Toy, and that number is growing each day! So, we are sure our customers and their pets will adore this treat dispenser just as much as we do.

That is why we have chosen Woof and their marvellous invention as our ‘Brand of the Month’. Within this article, we dive into everything you should know about Woof including their back story and how the Pupsicle Toy for dog enrichment came to be what it is today. Plus, an exclusive interview with Founder, Daniel Haarburger himself!

The story of Woof all started with Founder, Daniel Haarburger, and his love for his one-year-old dog Milo. Poor Milo was diagnosed with Luxating Patella and had to go in for surgery as a puppy. After his surgery, Milo was unable to walk, so Daniel found himself needing a solution that would entertain and engage him. This is how their enrichment toy was born.

Made from non-toxic, BPA and Phthalate free natural rubber, Daniel invented the Pupsicle Toy with the Treat Tray so he could freeze treats in advance and re-use whenever he needed. The Pupsicle can be unscrewed to fill with larger treats, keeping dogs like Milo entertained longer. In fact, it's more lasting than chews and is much safer for your dog than chewing on dog bones.

This recovery was the genesis of Woof, based in Denver. The team consists of pet parents from all walks of life who are passionate about making time with our dogs as special as possible. They achieve this by striving for thoughtful design, making sure every detail of their products is carefully considered. There is no wonder why the Pupsicle Toy is being enjoyed by dogs all over the world.

You can use the Pupsicle with frozen treats (using the Treat Tray) or fill it with your dog's favourite food that doesn't need freezing.

For treats that don't require freezing, just unscrew the top of the Pupsicle, insert the treat, screw it back on, and you're ready to go! For freezing treats, use the special tray that comes with the Pupsicle Enrichment Toy Combo. It's perfect for making and storing treats.

The Pupsicle enrichment toy stands out for its cleanliness and ease of use. This treat dispenser opens from the back which makes it easier to clean and easier to fill with larger treats using the Treat Tray. Most rubber dog toys cannot hold larger treats like the Pupsicle, so they won't last as long. This is what makes the Pupsicle Toy so special as it’s an amazing long-lasting enrichment toy for dogs that ensures they will stay distracted for longer!

Is your dog a pretty tough chewer? Good news – the Pupsicle Toy is designed to withstand even the toughest of chewers. So, they too can say goodbye to boredom and hello to endless, mentally stimulating fun!

Woof put a lot of work into the Pupsicle Toy to guarantee it’s also the cleanest enrichment toy out there. The slots on the top of the Pupsicle Toy prevent doggy drool from pooling. This rubber dog toy has no holes at the bottom and is weighted to remain upright. This means you don't have to worry about food tipping out and making a mess in your home!

After your dog finishes with the Pupsicle Toy, you can clean it by placing it on the top shelf of the dishwasher. Of course, you can opt to wash the enrichment toy yourself too, which will be just as easy to do.

If you want to try out a Pupsicle Toy with your fur baby and are not sure which size is best, here is a guide for the sizes available:

• Large Pupsicle: 3.6” in diameter and 2.8” tall with the hole in the middle being around 1” in diameter.
• Small Pupsicle: 2.9” in diameter, and 2.2” tall, the hole in the middle is about 0.9”.
• XL Pupsicle: 4.8” in diameter and 3.8” tall, the hole is about 1.5” in size.
  
  

To determine the right size, measure the hole in the middle against your dog’s lower jaw. Their lower jaw should be wider than the hole and this will ensure a perfect match!

"While the Pupsicle's main innovation (a toy that unscrews to open) is relatively simple, that functionality provides a wide range of benefits for dogs and their people. Most importantly, being able to open the Pupsicle makes cleaning a breeze unlike other enrichment toys on the market that are notorious for being difficult to clean and often have old food / mold inside. The Pupsicle is also dish-washer safe!

Secondly, the large interior cavity and functionality with the Treat Tray makes it super easy to prepare treays for the Pupsicle in advance. This allows for longer distraction and enrichment times for your dog - often 30 minutes or more!"

"We're all about it! Woof is joining the Pet Sustainability Coalition and we already orient our design process to make sustainable choices wherever possible.

All of our packaging, for instance, is made of recyclable paper, and we partner with nutritious ingredient suppliers to source proteins that have a lighter environmental impact than traditional sources."

"So many new things! We're leaning into more functionally nutritious refill options for the Pupsicle to embody our 'wellness meets play' mission statement. There's so much more we can do to provide benefits to our dogs through play and Woof wants to spearhead that innovation as much as we can!"

We shall definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for more!

If you are ready to whip up some deliciously nourishing homemade treats for your pup, look no further.

Daniel says, "Just freezing canned wet food is a super simple and convenient option. Sometimes I freeze our leftovers as well - rice & chicken is definitely one of Milo's favourites!"

However, if you are up for more creative options, here are some easy recipes for the Pupsicle Treat Tray that are designed to fit perfectly in the Pupsicle enrichment toy. 

Perfect for the upcoming warmer months, you can create a fruity, refreshing Pop full of probiotics for your pup. This way, they can have their own doggy ‘ice lolly’ to enjoy. 

1. Muddle 1 watermelon slice (this can be done with a wooden mixing spoon). Following this, fill 1/3 of each treat tray mould.

2.  Freeze this for 30 minutes. Then remove from the freezer and fill with plain yoghurt.

3.  Add blueberries, and pour some water on top.

4.  Freeze one last time until frozen, then unscrew your Pupsicle Toy and place the moulded pupsicle treat inside for your pup to enjoy!

Omega-3 is essential for your dog’s heart health, healthy brain, and vision function. As dogs cannot make their own Omega-3, it means they need to rely on a healthy diet to obtain this essential fatty acid. But don't worry, here is a recipe that makes sure they get the vitamins they need!

1.  Pour ½ tsp of Salmon Oil and ½ tsp of coconut oil into each treat mould.

2.  Chop up the mint leaves and sprinkle on top.

3.  Pour some water on top of the mix.

4.  Place in the freezer until the mould has hardened, place into the Pupsicle dog enrichment toy for your pup to enjoy.

Do you love a Banana Split? Well, now your pup can enjoy one too – in a dog-friendly way!

1.  Fill ¾ of each tray mould with plain yoghurt.

2.  Cut up 1 banana, and place one slice on top of each mould.

3.  Drizzle on some delicious Poochbutter by Nuts for Pets,

4.  Place in freezer until frozen, then put the yummy treat within the Pupsicle Toy for your dog to lap up!

Vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals that contribute to your dog’s overall health and wellbeing. Broccoli and carrots are good for pets because they have vitamins and fibre. These nutrients help boost the immune system and aid digestion, keeping our furry friends healthy. Here is a yummy veggie recipe you can make for your pup so that they can absorb the nutrients they need to stay fit!

1.  Chop up 2 carrots and 4 broccoli florets into small pieces before steaming.

2.  Fill each treat mould with these cooked veggies.

3.  Top up with milk of your choice.

4.  Place into the freezer, once frozen – put inside your Pupsicle and screw the toy back up ready for your dog to enjoy.

If you don’t want to use frozen recipes within your dog enrichment toy, remember you can always fill the Pupsicle Toy with your dog’s favourite treats without freezing!

At WOOOF, we team up with brands who share our core values. Woof are such a lovely brand and truly worthy of the ‘Brand of the Month’ title, as we’re sure you’ll agree! If you haven’t already, make sure to try out the Pupsicle dog enrichment toy – available in green or black.