An improved object or projectile throwing device may include a handle and base having an element configured for improved projectile retention and release. The handle may be removably attached to a coupler, where the couple may include a receptacle or socket that is attached to the handle. Various bases include different projectile retention and release elements that configured secure or retain different types of objects or projectiles, thereby enabling the projectile throwing device to be adaptable to throw a variety of objects. Two or more handles of different lengths can be selectively coupled to a base of the projectile throwing device, such as to adapt the throwing distance, or the effort required to throw an object, to the throwing strength or abilities of an animal caregiver or to facilitate throwing of objects of different weight or density.

A dog toy assembly includes an elongated stick with a toy attachment on an end. A toy is attached to the toy attachment. By holding and manipulating the stick during play, a user obtains leverage to accurately and quickly control the toy. The toy attachment may be removably attached to the stick, may be rotatable, and may include loops, hooks, concave sections, and rings. A locking sleeve may be included to keep the toy attached. The stick may include a handle and may be flexible. A leg strap including an eyelet through which the stick passes may be worn by the user to provide a pivot point and allow one-handed play while seated. Door mounts, floor mounts, seat mounts, and support racks include stick holders to give the user a break while the dog continues to play. The toy attachment and toy itself may be fully chewable and removable.

One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.

A pet toy includes a bar and a hollow casing. The bar includes a first-end portion and a second-end portion. The hollow casing is mounted to the first end portion. The hollow casing has an internal wall that defines an accommodation space. The hollow casing includes multiple apertures in communication with the accommodation space. The pet toy is applicable to the interaction between an owner and a pet and is also suitable for being played by the pet itself.

A device (2) for training and stimulation of dogs or children, which device (2) comprises a number of elements (6, 6′, 8, 8′, 74, 76, 78, 80, 88, 88′, 90, 90′) configured to be locked and thereby fix and at least partly hide a number of tidbits (4, 4′, 4″, 4″), wherein the device (2) has activation members (12, 12′, 12″, 12′″, 14, 16, 26) for opening/detachment of the elements (6, 6′, 8, 8′, 74, 76, 78, 80, 88, 88′, 90, 90′). The elements (6, 6′, 8, 8′, 74, 76, 78, 80, 88, 88′, 90, 90′) prevent one or more of the other elements (6, 6′, 8, 8′, 74, 76, 78, 80, 88, 88′, 90, 90′) from being opened/detached in such a manner that a first element (8′) is required to be opened/detached in order to open/detach another element (8).

A pet toy, in combination, including a containment structure having a longitudinal axis and cross section defining an interior volume. The containment structure, which is preferably collapsible, includes a plurality of containment openings along its longitudinal axis exposing the interior volume to a pet during use of the pet toy, and an electronic component in the form of a hollow shell having a shell opening configured therein. A motor having a rotatable shaft extends toward the opening. A power supply for powering the motor and optional microprocessor, the motor, microprocessor and power supply being supported within the interior of the hollow shell. An attractant is affixed to the rotatable shaft and extends through the shell opening, the microprocessor being programmed to control operation of the motor to cause the attractant to rotate intermittently, the electronic component and attractant being visible to a pet during use of the pet toy.

A pet puzzle feeder includes: a housing; a treat chamber, a portion of which is rotatably received in a cavity of the housing; and an access cover. The housing has a pattern of openings on a spherical surface that define recesses that extend to a first radial depth and do not reach the cavity. A portion of those housing openings, being in three different regions of the housing, define conduits that extend to interconnect with the cavity. Different numbers or sizes of the opening on the three regions permit dispensing of treats at different rates, when the dispensing opening of the treat chamber is rotated/aligned therewith. A detent mechanism releasably inhibit treat chamber rotation when aligned with the openings in each region. A first color is used for the conduits, and a second color for the recesses, as a visual cue for the pet.

There is provided a therapeutic apparatus for an animal, the apparatus comprising a base and a plurality of food entrapment members that extend from the base, the food entrapment members and the base being configured so that, together, they define zones in which food paste can be trapped so that a tongue of a pet is inhibited from licking the food paste out of the zones, the base and the entrapment member being of a food grade material, in which the entrapment members extend from a first side of the base.

A pet toy container used during play by a pet and used to store pet toys and accessories. The pet toy container has recessed openings on the outside that receive toys to entice a pet to play with the pet toy container. The pet toy container opens to allow the toys and accessories to be stored in the interior of the pet toy container. The pet toy container includes weights, a grippy bottom surface, and suction cups to hold the apparatus in place during play.

A pet puzzle toy that holds toys or treats in an inner pocket and multiple outer pockets. The pet puzzle provides a challenge to the pet to attempt to retrieve the toys or treats from the pockets. Multiple sizes of the pet puzzle toy are nested to provide additional challenge for the pet.