About Paw Pets

Paw Pets: Irresistible 26-inch puppets for dogs and cats. Our interactive dog toys and cat toys are designed by two pet lovers and are for pets of all sizes. Paw Pets are extremely durable puppets (dog and cat toys) that fit comfortably over any size hand and forearm for animated fun, training and exercise with your pet. Our first Paw Pets dog toys and cat toys are Sharkiana, Crocobob, and Hippolynne; friendly shark, crocodile and hippo puppets that are designed with movable mouths and legs for comfortable, hands-on play with your pets.

Paw Pets Babies: Irresistable 10-inch interactive dog toys and cat toys designed for play and training with small dogs and cats. Although the original Paw Pets are well loved by dogs and cats of all sizes and ages Paw Pets Babies dog toys and cat toys are made specifically for the smaller pups and kittens who like dog toys and cat toys that are of a smaller size. 

Founders: Ian White and Robert Shank

Check out the Paw Pets blog for the latest on paw pets, pups, cats, entrepreneurship, sales and marketing in the pet industry. 

It was late in the afternoon at a BBQ planned by Ian’s fiancé, Ariana, and attended by both of their shizzu poodles, Leo and Mini, as well as a ton of other human guests. As the guests mingled and chatted Leo decided he wanted to play and jumped up and gave Ariana’s grandmother’s hand a little bite. Not enough to break the skin, but more than enough to upset her grandmother and cause me to realize that all of the play I do with my hands was not just fun and games; I was training Leo and Mini to bite at hands… not good.

I’ve had pets all my life and I love playing and bonding with my pets in a loving, interactive and physical way.  I was upset to think that I wouldn’t be able to play and bond with my pups like that anymore so I had to find a solution.  That solution came on my one-year anniversary with Ariana in the form of a puppet; I bought it and brought it home and my pups loved it! They loved it so much that it was destroyed in 10 minutes as we played, causing me to question my $30.00 investment but more importantly wonder if this toy was made of dog-safe materials… it was not intended by the manufacturer to be eaten.

I tried to find tough puppets at dog stores, children’s stores, everywhere… but to no avail. That’s when I decided it was up to me to create Paw Pets, toys that are not just amazing fun, but also create strong bonds between owners and pets, save lots of money, and are great training tools.

However, I couldn’t do it on my own. For the last year Robert Shank and I had been working on miscellaneous business ideas, mostly because and despite our age difference, we had developed a special bond and our skills and styles are complimentary.  Robert is numbers oriented, and practical, knows the right questions to ask and has a ton of experience in starting and running business.  I, on the other hand, am marketing oriented, head in the clouds, eternal optimist who has some great connections and all of the energy that youth affords.

Robert had also used puppets to play with his pets and his kids. As a matter of fact, as a child my favorite stuffed toy was a gator and Robert still had the gator puppet he’d used to play with his children when they were little.  I was amazed on the day I went over with the shark and he said ‘Hold on’ and returned from his room with his gator puppet!  That’s when we knew were on to something we could both believe in.

We’ll save you the details, but after many drawings, logos, dog stores, parks and owners, surveys, seamstresses, trademarks, safety certifications, meetings and tests we finally had a prototype that was strong enough for my 70lb pit-bull/American bulldog Laya, but cute enough for play with 10lb Mini.  With the advice and manufacturing help of Moe, an experienced puppet master, from the Small Actors Studio in Pawcatuck CT we have now released 3 Paw Pets, named after loved ones, are in over 30 stores, have a great sales representative, and are selling to small boutique pet stores, which is perfect since we are small boutique dog toy makers who came up with an idea and created a pet toy for fun, for training and durable enough to save pet owners (like us) money!

Paw Pets  designed using the highest standard in dog toys and cat toys and are durable enough dog toys and cat toys for any size dog or cat. Paw Pets dog toys and cat toys are designed to be durable, flexible, and comfortable and are made of soft velboa plush and bonded with a specially formulated tough mesh fabric lining for maximum durability and safety. Paw Pets dog toys and cat toys are made in a fair trade certified safe factory with the help of the Small Actors Studio in Pawcatuck Connecticut. Paw Pets Dog toys and cat toys are made entirely with pet-safe materials and dyes. 

The Tail Teaser: Get your pup or cat's  attention on the Paw Pets tail by moving the Paw Pet dog toy or cat toy quickly in your pup’s path. Then lead your furry friend on an amazing chase. The tail is extremely durable and flip-able and is a perfect place on the dog toy or cat toy for your pup or cat to grab hold. Hippolynne’s tail is hard to catch so you may want to emphisize the rear legs. Remember, encourage gentle play by stopping aggressive games of tug-of-war and letting your pet know that you set the rules for playtime.  

The Hide-and-Seek Nibbler: Perfect for small dogs.  Nibble at your pup gently with you Paw Pets dog toy or cat toy, as if you were a loving friend, with the soft but durable mouth. Then move Paw Pet quickly and put your fingers into the paws or into a fist and start a game of hide-and-seek. Keep your pet guessing and chasing all the moveable parts of Paw Pets dog toy or cat toy as you animate them with your fingers. Then start again by darting the away from your pup and starting the chase anew. (Great to play in conjunction with the Tail Teaser.)

Paw Pet Pounce Workout: Get both you and your pet into an aerobic work-out by starting with the Tail Teaser and Hide-and-Seek, then walk quickly or run to another part of the yard and throw the Paw Pet dog toy or cat toy where both of you can chase and then pounce at the toy and resume play.

Special Games for Cats! 

Thank you Salina Baby Patches and LociLu of Suppliesjust4pets

The Rabbit Kick: If your cat is laying down, Gently poke or pet your cat with the Paw Pet and once they start to paw or bite the Paw Pet start to shake it with your fingers, position your arm towards you. They will latch on wrapping their paws around it to chew, bite, and give this fun toy a good rabbit kick. They especially love the crinkle in the nose part of the Paw Pet so be sure to give them that to chew on.

Shaking Fun: Shaking the limbs or fins is a fun way to get your cat to interact with the Paw Pet.

Extra Fun: Spray the Paw Pet with Catnip spray or Honeysuckle spray to entice play with the Paw Pet. 

*Since cats don't really always play tug of war and similar games I thought this would be an excellent way for people to play fun with their cats while being protected from teeth & claws. They learn that the behavior is okay with the paw pet, mine seem to be fine with petting by my hand even after which is good because you never want to encourage aggressive behavior.

Tell us about the games you play with your Paw Pet and we’ll put them on this page! info@getpawpets.com

Teaching the Rules of Engagment:

Paw Pets dog toys and cat toys are an ideal way for teaching your pup or cat how to play and what to play with while practicing and learning basic or advanced commands

Teach Them Not to Bite:

Paw Pets dog toys and cat toys allow trainers owners to teach what appropriate mouthy behaviors and when it’s ok to be mouthy.

Be the Top Dog:

• Like ending a good concert, leave your pet “begging for more.” Put the Paw Pet dog toy or cat toy away before your pet gets tired, and keep it in a special place he or she knows. When you bring out the Paw Pet, your pet will be pumped!
  
  
• Train your pet to know that when the Paw Pet dog toy or cat toy comes out, it’s playtime. When the Paw Pet comes off, playtime is over.
  
  
• Dogs like playing tug-of-war because it helps them express what comes naturally to them.  Stop playing if the game gets too competitive or if your dog gets rough. Set strict ground rules.
  
  
• Dogs can and will chew through most anything, so don’t leave your Paw Pet dog toy or cat toy laying around. Keep it in a safe place and use it for interactive playtime and training with you and your pet.
  
  

Save Money:

Play with your Paw Pet dog toy or cat toy and your pup and then take off the Paw Pet and set it down. If your pup goes for the Paw Pet or still plays with your hand, give him or her a correction. Use the same correction if your pup is going after other toys, shoes, couch cushons etc. at your home. This will train your pet to know that if you aren’t using a toy for play, your pup shouldn’t either (IT REALLY WORKS).  This will save you a ton of money replacing toys, pillows, shoes and anything else that looks like a treat or toy to your pup.

Training or Re-Socializing Shy or Abused Pets:

Certified safe for children 3 and up by the American Society for Testing and Materials or 12 and up with removable squeaker. It is proven to be healthier for you and your pet to play interactively together with Paw Pets dog toys or cat toys, but it’s important that you know your pet and play in healthy ways. Rough games of tug-of-war are not encouraged and Paw Pets aren’t designed to teach aggressive behavior, they’re designed for interactive fun with your best friend.

• Play provides good mental, physical and emotional health. Just like humans, dogs benefit from play: It’s a mental break, a good stress reliever, and important physical activity.
  
  
• Paw Pets dog toys and cat toys can bring you closer to your pet and help teach them when and how to play with people.
  
  
• Exercise is good for you and your dog. Studies show that we need 45 minutes of exercise each day to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, so skip the gym and give yourself and your best friend some love and exercise.
  
  
• When people and dogs do things together it is good news for all. Interactive play provides the structure that helps people learn to better communicate with their dogs and the dogs have a better opportunity to learn good manners
  
  
• We need to learn how to have fun with our dogs. Too many people just don't know how much fun their dog can be. Their relationship is one way; they haven't learned to communicate. They need help learning how to have fun with their dog. When they enjoy their dog they are motivated to work through problems and make a healthy companion of their dog.
  
  
• A 2004 UC Berkeley Wellness Letter sites work by Ericka Friedman of the Brooklyn College Department of Health and Nutrition Science. The study confirms that companion animals can offer unconditional love and have an impact on health by promoting positive emotions.  Spending quality time with our pets repays them for the unconditional love and entertainment they provide us.