How We Test

Our methodology is built to be repeatable at home and rigorous enough for shelters. We test toys in phases, record standardized metrics, and publish clear retire cues to keep play safe.

Phase 1: Intake and safety screening

• Verify materials and construction; note seams, glues, and small parts
• Size safety check relative to molar gap and canine spacing; flag edge-case breeds
• Baseline measures: weight, dimensions, buoyancy (for water toys)

Phase 2: Controlled benchmarks

• Chew resistance: timed sessions with calibrated chewers (light, moderate, power) and jaw-strength proxies; log time-to-first-mark and time-to-structural-failure
• Puzzle difficulty: average time-to-solve across novice/intermediate/expert dogs; measure engagement and frustration indicators
• Noise: decibel readings on hard floor vs. rugs during fetch/chew/tug
• Mess: crumb size, residue, shedding; post-play cleanup time

Phase 3: Real-world trials

• Apartments, houses, and yards; solo and multi-dog play
• Shelter/foster playgroups to stress-test seams and shapes
• Water tests in pools/ponds: float stability, visibility, waterlogging, mold risk
• Cleaning audits: dishwasher top-rack cycles, hand-wash, sanitation outcomes

Phase 4: Long-term and rotation

• 30/60/180-day check-ins for wear, odor, micro-cracking, and interest
• Rotation plans to sustain novelty and reduce destructive chewing
• Retire cues: exposed fill, seam bursts, chunking, changes in hardness/size

Scoring and the Playstyle Index

• Chew Grade: from light to power-jaw thresholds with time-to-failure ranges
• Puzzle Difficulty: novice to expert, with average solve times
• Noise: quiet, moderate, loud (decibel bands and surface notes)
• Mess: low, medium, high with cleanup expectations
• Material Transparency: what it’s made of and known safety notes
• Size Safety: recommended ranges and red-flag dimensions
• Supervision Level: unattended, supervised, or hands-on only

Independence and updates We purchase many products; when samples are provided, we disclose and test the same way. We retest if manufacturers change materials or design, and we time-stamp updates. If a safety issue emerges, we revise recommendations and add advisories.

Limitations No toy is indestructible. Dogs vary. Our data narrows the field, reduces risk, and helps you choose smarter—but supervision and appropriate sizing are always required.