Best Smart Bones For Dogs

‍Wickedbone Smart Bone Overview

I recently came across Wickedbone Smart Bone, an automatic and interactive toy designed to entertain dogs and cats. In this section, I'll dive into its features and design elements, providing a concise overview of this intriguing pet gadget. Let's start by examining its features.

Features

Equipped with smart technology, Wickedbone can be easily controlled using a compatible smartphone app. It boasts two primary modes:

• Interactive mode: Lets you control Wickedbone's movements directly via the app, encouraging your pet to engage and play.
• Automatic mode: Allows Wickedbone to self-navigate and interact with your pet, which is perfect for those moments when you can't actively engage.

Wickedbone takes pet safety seriously. Designed with soft, strong, bite-resistant materials, it ensures both durability and pet-friendliness. However, it is worth mentioning that extremely aggressive chewers might leave bite marks on the toy.

Design

The Wickedbone Smart Bone sports an attractive bone shape, appealing to pets while remaining ergonomic and easy to handle. Its design incorporates a removable outer rubber shell that protects the bone during play and allows for easy cleaning. To charge Wickedbone, simply lift the rubber shell and access the charging port beneath – no additional connectors necessary.

Though the Wickedbone Smart Bone is an excellent interactive toy, it does have a few drawbacks. Some users found pairing with their smartphones to be a bit of a hassle. Regardless, as a tech-savvy pet owner, I find this innovation quite appealing, as it can provide hours of entertainment for our furry companions.

Wickedbone Interactive Playing Modes

Wickedbone Smart Bone offers two interactive playing modes to keep our furry friends entertained and engaged.

Drive Mode

In Drive Mode, I can control the Smart Bone using my smartphone. This mode allows me to actively participate in playtime with my pet and make the toy move in different directions, speeds, and patterns for a customized play experience.

Drive Mode offers long battery life, with a single charge lasting over 40 minutes.'

Smart Mode

When I switch to Smart Mode, Wickedbone Smart Bone automatically interacts with my pet. In this mode, the smart dog toy learns my pet's behavior and responds accordingly to keep them entertained.

Smart Mode provides more than 4 hours of playtime on a single charge, giving me peace of mind knowing that my the toy will keep my dog mentally stimulated even when I'm not around to play with them.

Benefits of Wickedbone Smart Bone

Keeps Dogs Entertained

The interactive Wicked Bone is designed to keep dogs entertained and engaged. It features nine preset motions that are designed to keep dogs focused and active.

The bone can be controlled through the virtual joystick in the app, allowing pet parents to play with their furry friends and keep them entertained for hours. Unlike traditional toys that leave your dog bored within minutes.

Helps with Training

The Wickedbone Smart Bone can also be used as a training puppy toy. The bone can be programmed to move in specific ways, which can help dogs learn new commands and tricks. This can be especially helpful for puppies who are still learning basic obedience commands.

Easy to Use

The Wickedbone Smart Bone is easy to use. All owners need to do is download the Wickedbone app and connect the bone to their phone via Bluetooth. Once connected, owners can start playing with their dogs right away.

Durable

The Wickedbone Smart Bone is made of food-grade materials and is designed to withstand rough play. The rubber tires of the bone can be removed and washed easily.

Safe for Dogs

The Wickedbone Smart Bone is safe for dogs to play with. The FDA food-grade polycarbonate coating on the device protects a dog's claws and teeth, making it safe for them to chew on and play with.

Provides Exercise

The Wickedbone Smart Bone provides dogs with much-needed exercise. The bone moves at a maximum speed of 11.5 feet per second or 3.5 metres per second, making it an excellent way for dogs to burn off excess energy during an exciting exercise routine.

Can Be Controlled from a Distance

The Wickedbone Smart Bone can be controlled from as far as 65.6 feet or 20 meters away. This makes it an excellent way for owners to play with their dogs even when they're not in the same room.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery Performance

As a Wickedbone Smart Bone owner, I found the battery life quite reasonable. The toy's built-in battery can last 40 minutes in app mode, as much as 4 hours in the interactive setting, and even 3 months in sleep mode when fully charged. However, I also learned that earlier versions had a slightly larger battery - 500mAh - which provided 40 minutes in drive mode and over 4 hours in interactive mode. The newer models seem to have reduced battery capacity, now lasting only 30 minutes in drive mode and 2 hours in interactive mode.

Charging

Charging the Wickedbone Smart Bone is quite convenient. With its USB charging capability, it takes about an hour to fully charge the battery. One minor issue I encountered was the removal of the USB cap; it was not very intuitive. I also found that the supplied USB cord wasn't functional. Thankfully, I had several other USB cords available.

Compatibility

By using the Wickedbone app available for both iOS and Android, I can easily keep an eye on the battery levels and charging times. This helps me ensure the toy is always ready for my furry friend to play with. In a nutshell, despite minor downsides and reduced battery life in newer models, the Wickedbone Smart Bone manages to meet my expectations when it comes to battery life and charging.

Safety and Durability

As I was browsing user reviews of the Wickedbone Smart Bone, one aspect that caught my attention was its durability.

Durability Concerns

It appears that the toy may be better suited for smaller dogs or those who aren't big chewers. For example, a user on Amazon mentioned that their young puppy damaged the toy just a few days after buying it.

Hygiene

On the other hand, when it comes to safety, the Wickedbone is designed with detachable "tires" and a cover for easy cleaning. This feature can be helpful in maintaining hygiene, as you can hand wash the parts or even buy replacement tires if needed. I found this information on Pup Junkies.

Not Waterproof

Moving on, it's important to note that the Wickedbone Smart Bone is not waterproof. So, avoid rinsing it off and instead clean only the detachable parts. I should also mention that replacement tire covers are available in different colors like lime green, light blue, pink, and teal, adding a bit of customization to the toy.

In conclusion, while the Wickedbone Smart Bone might not be the most durable option for bigger or aggressive chewers, its detachable parts and replaceable tire covers offer some benefits in terms of safety and cleanliness. Considering the feedback available, it can be a good option for certain dogs and their owners as an interactive toy.

Pricing and Availability

When it comes to purchasing the Wickedbone Smart Bone, the price may vary depending on the place of purchase. For instance, I found it on Amazon for $47.99, discounted from its original price of $59.99. This deal includes free returns, which is a nice bonus.

• Standard Wickedbone Smart Bone: $59.99 at Amazon
• Multicolored Combo Models: $59.99 at Amazon

Aside from the official website and Amazon, the Wickedbone Smart Bone may also be available through other online retailers, so it's a good idea to compare prices and check for promotions to get the best deal.

The good news for pet owners who foresee needing replacement parts is that the rubberized tires on the Wickedbone Smart Bone can be removed and washed. Additionally, according to a Rover review, the company sells replacement tires in various colors, which is especially useful if you have a chewer in your household.

Pros and Cons of Wickedbone Smart Bone

Pros

• Interactive play: The Wickedbone can respond to a dog's movements and provide interactive play, which can help keep dogs entertained and mentally stimulated.
• Smartphone control: The Wickedbone can be controlled via a smartphone app, which can be convenient for pet owners who want to monitor and control their dog's playtime remotely.
• Durable: The Wickedbone is designed to be durable and withstand heavy use, which can be important for pet owners who have dogs that are heavy chewers or play rough.
• Rechargeable: The Wickedbone is rechargeable, which can be more convenient and cost-effective than having to constantly replace batteries.
• Safe: The Wickedbone is designed to be safe for dogs, with no sharp edges or small parts that could be a choking hazard.

Cons

• Price: The Wickedbone can be relatively expensive compared to other dog toys on the market, which may make it less accessible for some pet owners.
• App dependency: The Wickedbone requires a smartphone app to control, which could be a barrier for pet owners who don't have smartphones or who prefer more traditional toys.
• Limited playtime: The Wickedbone has a limited battery life, which means that playtime may be limited to a certain amount of time before needing to be recharged.
• Not suitable for all dogs: The Wickedbone may not be suitable for all dogs, particularly those who are not interested in interactive toys or who have a more aggressive play style.
• Potential for malfunction: As with any electronic device, there is a potential for the Wickedbone to malfunction or break, which could be frustrating for pet owners and potentially dangerous for dogs if any small parts become loose.

Setting Up the Wickedbone

Setting up my Wickedbone Smart Bone was an exciting experience. I found it to be a smooth process and only needed to follow a few simple steps to get it up and running.

1. App Installation

First, I installed the Wickedbone app onto my smartphone. This app is necessary to control the toy and maximize its interactive features. Finding the app was easy, and it's available for both iOS and Android devices.

2. Connecting to Your Device

Once the app was installed, I proceeded to connect my smartphone to the Wickedbone. It was a straightforward process, which involved turning on the Bluetooth on my phone and searching for the Wickedbone

I was able to connect my device quickly, and any initial pairing issues, like mentioned by some users, were resolved as soon as I got the hang of it.

3. Choose Play Mode

After connecting the device, I was ready to play with my furry friend. The app interface was user-friendly, and I could easily control the toy and choose between various modes of interaction, including an auto play mode.

Whenever you want to simplify the play process, simply select one of the auto play modes for an easy and quick sessionWith the Wickedbone up and running, both my dog and I have been enjoying every play session since. This is the ultimate way to keep pets busy for hours on end!

Customer Reviews

Positive Reviews

Positive reviews of the Wickedbone often praise its ability to keep dogs entertained and mentally stimulated.

"My dog absolutely loves the Wickedbone! It's so much fun to watch her play with it and see how engaged she gets. I love that I can control it with my phone and keep her entertained even when I'm not home."

Customers appreciate the interactive play features and the fact that the Wickedbone can respond to a dog's movements, making playtime more engaging.

"The Wickedbone is definitely worth the investment. It's durable and well-designed, and my dog loves playing with it. I appreciate that it's rechargeable and doesn't require constant battery replacements."

Additionally, many customers appreciate the Wickedbone's durability, noting that it can withstand heavy use and rough play from dogs. The rechargeable battery is also a positive feature, as it can be more convenient and cost-effective than constantly replacing batteries.

Negative Reviews

However, negative reviews of the Wickedbone often focus on its limitations and potential drawbacks. Some customers have found the Wickedbone to be relatively expensive compared to other dog toys on the market, which may make it less accessible for some pet owners.

"I was disappointed with the Wickedbone. My dog didn't seem very interested in it, and I found the app controls to be a bit clunky and hard to use."

Additionally, the Wickedbone requires a smartphone app to control, which could be a barrier for pet owners who don't have smartphones or who prefer more traditional toys.

"The Wickedbone is a bit overpriced for what it is. While it's a fun toy, I'm not sure it's worth the investment when there are other interactive toys on the market for less." Some customers have also noted that the Wickedbone has a limited battery life, which means that playtime may be limited to a certain amount of time before needing to be recharged. Finally, not all dogs may be interested in or engaged by the Wickedbone, and some may prefer more traditional toys or have a more aggressive play style.

How Effective is the Wickedbone at Eliminating Boredom & Destructive Behavior in Dogs?

Research has shown that interactive toys can be effective in reducing boredom-related behaviors in dogs. A study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that dogs who were given access to interactive toys showed a significant reduction in destructive behavior compared to dogs who were not given access to such toys. The Wickedbone is designed to be particularly engaging for dogs, with its interactive features and ability to respond to a dog's movements.

To investigate the effectiveness of the Wickedbone in reducing boredom-related behaviors in dogs, a study could be conducted comparing the behavior of dogs who have access to the Wickedbone with those who do not. A study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that individual differences in play behavior could affect a dog's response to interactive toys. Therefore, it may be important for pet owners to consider their dog's individual preferences and play style when choosing toys like the Wickedbone.

In conclusion, the Wickedbone dog smart bone has the potential to be an effective tool for reducing boredom-related behaviors in dogs. While research has shown that interactive toys can be beneficial for dogs, individual differences in play behavior may affect a dog's response to such toys. Pet owners should consider their dog's individual preferences and play style when choosing toys like the Wickedbone.

Alternatives to the Wickedbone Smartbone

The Wickedbone smart bone is a popular interactive smart bone for dogs, but it may not be the right fit for every pet owner. Luckily, there are a variety of alternatives on the market that offer similar features and benefits.

GoBone

One alternative to the Wickedbone is the GoBone, which is a soft, chewable toy that can be controlled via a smartphone app. Like the Wickedbone, the GoBone offers interactive play and can respond to a dog's movements, but it also includes a spot in the wheels to hide treats. The soft design may be more appealing to some dogs than the hard plastic of the Wickedbone, and the ability to hide treats can add an extra level of engagement.

iFetch

Another alternative is the iFetch, which is an automatic ball launcher that can be used both indoors and outdoors.

The iFetch offers a different type of interactive play than the Wickedbone or GoBone, but it can still provide mental and physical stimulation for dogs.

iFetch is also designed to be safe and durable, with no sharp edges or small parts that could be a choking hazard.

KONG Classic Dog Toy

A third alternative is the KONG Classic Dog Toy, which is a durable chew toy that can also be filled with treats.

While the KONG doesn't offer the same level of interactive play as the Wickedbone or GoBone, it can still provide mental stimulation and help prevent boredom.

Additionally, the KONG is a more traditional toy that doesn't require a smartphone app or battery power, which may be more appealing to some pet owners.

Ultimately, the right toy for a dog will depend on their individual needs and preferences, as well as the preferences of their owner. Some dogs may prefer the interactive play of the Wickedbone or GoBone, while others may prefer the simplicity of a chew toy like the KONG. Regardless of the specific toy chosen, it's important to prioritize safety and durability to ensure that the toy will last and not pose a risk to the dog.