Dog Owners: Question for you..

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:27 am

I have a question for you:

I am currently judging a competition (for Junior Achievement) for High School students in their final year and have developed their own businesses as part of a project.

Here is one business idea I would like your feedback on as I am not a pet owner.

Keep in mind that the website is not fully developed, but as feedback for the students I would like my own little market survey.

Is a reflective dog color and leash a good idea?

And at $6.00 for the color and $10 for the lead would you purchase on if it was available?

This is not spam or anything, it just sounds like a good idea to me and I was wondering if it is something that you would buy if it was available?

Check out their web page:

Reflective dog collars - Web Store

Remember these are high school students.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 5:40 am

We have a reflective leash for our dog and we're very happy with it. I think its a great idea.

As for the marketing idea in general; its smart to focus narrowly with a market niche. Keeping it simple to start and then expanding slowly is the proper way to begin a business. What I would recommend is searching for a drop shipper rather than stocking the items so as to test the market and feel things out.

Good luck to you the students.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:25 am

Reflective dog collars are ten a penny. What is more useful is one with a flashing light.

here's just a quick sample of web sites selling them.

Doggiesolutions | Pet Blinkers - Keep Your Dog safe at night with one of our Pet Blinkers.

dog & cat collars flashing reflective lead & dog walkers pet toys dogtopia pet shop

Lighted safetywear for dogs dog walkers and horse riders- pet blinkers glow collars glo harnesses polybrite flashing collars and leads flashing armbands flashing safety vests flashing safety belts mini spot tag pet strobes bicycle safety

There are dozens of them on the market and all the pet shops have them. However they tend not to be very bright or last long-the LED's fail or something. I use a flashing bike LED attached to the collar which is more effective, in fact I started a minor trend locally. I walk my dog at night in a park off the lead so I like to know exactly where he is since he does run around through the trees. Reflective collars only work where there is a light to reflect in the first place-near traffic I would have him on a lead anyway.

I would suggest you ask the dog owners where you are. Not everybody will use the internet to buy things and it depends if there is a shop in the area supplying them. To be brutal it's a good idea but not exactly original and while there might be a local demand for it there's nothing special about a reflective lead.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:39 am

I have to agree with gmc Mike.

Pet stores are full of these sort of collars for dogs and cats also. My personal theory Is that they are not enough to stop a car coming towards them should they be In that position. The Flashing lights collars are far more effective but more expensive.

TBH, I find them futile as I rarely walk my dogs In the Dark and If I do, I never let them off the leash.

Good Luck Mike.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:47 am

mikeinie;1295216 wrote: I have a question for you:

I am currently judging a competition (for Junior Achievement) for High School students in their final year and have developed their own businesses as part of a project.

Here is one business idea I would like your feedback on as I am not a pet owner.

Keep in mind that the website is not fully developed, but as feedback for the students I would like my own little market survey.

Is a reflective dog color and leash a good idea?

And at $6.00 for the color and $10 for the lead would you purchase on if it was available?

This is not spam or anything, it just sounds like a good idea to me and I was wondering if it is something that you would buy if it was available?

Check out their web page:

Reflective dog collars - Web Store

Remember these are high school students.

not a dog owner Mike but I love the idea, haven't seen any here as we have sidewalks, but if they are in pet stores everywhere, they may be harder to sell.

good luck!:-6

Jazzy · Post by **Jazzy** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 6:52 am

mikeinie;1295216 wrote: I have a question for you:

I am currently judging a competition (for Junior Achievement) for High School students in their final year and have developed their own businesses as part of a project.

Here is one business idea I would like your feedback on as I am not a pet owner.

Keep in mind that the website is not fully developed, but as feedback for the students I would like my own little market survey.

Is a reflective dog color and leash a good idea?

And at $6.00 for the color and $10 for the lead would you purchase on if it was available?

This is not spam or anything, it just sounds like a good idea to me and I was wondering if it is something that you would buy if it was available?

Check out their web page:

Reflective dog collars - Web Store

Remember these are high school students.

I have reflective dog collars and leashes for my dogs and think they are a great idea.

Feedback about the site:

Not sure why they have a dog facing sheep in their banner

The home page mentions only reflective collars and should include the leash as well since they are selling two matching products (collars & leashes)

When I get to the order page, it would be helpful if I knew two things:

1. The size of the medium collar and the size it adjusts to. In other words, what is the width and length of that collar.

2. What is the length of that leash? (Mine are 4 foot leashes)

In closing I would like to say that I admire these students and wish them the best of luck. :-6

Jazzy · Post by **Jazzy** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:18 am

Thank you GMC as I never knew flashing collars and leads were available. I'm going to order some as we don't have them here.

Getting back to the thread topic: Mike maybe the students could market flashing and reflective dog vests? This way if the collar or lead somehow came off the dog, the vest would be highly visable. Just a thought.....

mikeinie · Post by **mikeinie** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 7:27 am

Thanks for your feedback, it has provided me with a few questions I can ask them tomorrow.

:-6

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:03 am

Jazzy;1295236 wrote: Thank you GMC as I never knew flashing collars and leads were available. I'm going to order some as we don't have them here.

Getting back to the thread topic: Mike maybe the students could market flashing and reflective dog vests? This way if the collar or lead somehow came off the dog, the vest would be highly visable. Just a thought.....

Try one of these flashing LED's you get for cycles, they tend to be brighter.

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 11:55 am

I'd buy the collar but probably not the lead.

Our dog likes to wander in the garden at night and a reflective collar would help see where she's getting to.

When I'm our walking her she's on a short lead for all of the situations I can imagine where it would be useful for others to see where the lead is.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 12:00 pm

Bryn Mawr;1295297 wrote:

Our dog likes to wander in the garden at night and a reflective collar would help see where she's getting to.

.
Not needed with my three. You can hear them !!!!:wah:

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 1:14 pm

I wouldn't buy the collar as my dog is long haired but would definately buy the lead.

I've only ever seen reflective leads on dogs for the blind.

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 2:39 pm

abbey;1295305 wrote: I wouldn't buy the collar as my dog is long haired but would definately buy the lead.

I've only ever seen reflective leads on dogs for the blind.

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Sorry. no offence, I just find that funny for some reason.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:14 pm

gmc;1295313 wrote: :yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Sorry. no offence, I just find that funny for some reason.
I very nearly said some-thing very Un-politically correct to Abbey's Post also but I also find It highly amusing.

Odie · Post by **Odie** » Mon Mar 08, 2010 3:38 pm

me three!:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:04 am

Want to share the joke?

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:27 am

abbey;1295403 wrote:

Want to share the joke?

Why would a blind man buy a reflective lead for his dog?

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:49 am

:-3 The same reason a man with sight would.

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:24 pm

Not very intelligent gmc ! You seem to laugh at the most peculiar things ! It must be the air over the border. :rolleyes:

G#Gill · Post by **G#Gill** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:31 pm

Never mind, Abbey, I dare say they'll climb back into their little holes soon ! It's a shame they have tunnel vision, and can't see the wider picture.

Just to explain, as if we're at primary school - a dog lead usually measures to a length of about 3 feet, and it is not a very wide strip for people to see it, therefore, children, it is quite a good idea to have the lead with a reflective cover, or LED lights to draw attention to the hazard. Is that a little clearer, or do you want me to draw pictures ?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:55 pm

G#Gill;1295538 wrote: Never mind, Abbey, I dare say they'll climb back into their little holes soon ! It's a shame they have tunnel vision, and can't see the wider picture.

Just to explain, as if we're at primary school - a dog lead usually measures to a length of about 3 feet, and it is not a very wide strip for people to see it, therefore, children, it is quite a good idea to have the lead with a reflective cover, or LED lights to draw attention to the hazard. Is that a little clearer, or do you want me to draw pictures ?
The reaon I found It funny Gill was that you do not need a reflective collar or lead with the Blind Dogs as they almost always wear reflective coats which are like shining beacon. A thin lead would add no more to It.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:59 pm

Ahem

Attached files

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:38 am

G#Gill;1295538 wrote: Never mind, Abbey, I dare say they'll climb back into their little holes soon ! It's a shame they have tunnel vision, and can't see the wider picture.

Just to explain, as if we're at primary school - a dog lead usually measures to a length of about 3 feet, and it is not a very wide strip for people to see it, therefore, children, it is quite a good idea to have the lead with a reflective cover, or LED lights to draw attention to the hazard. Is that a little clearer, or do you want me to draw pictures ?

You and abbey need to lighten up, not take things so seriously and stop looking for offence where none was intended. If you don't see the humour I am certainly not going to try and explain it to you.

One of my neighbours has a former guide dog for the blind, apparently it is not unknown for blind owners to abuse their dogs. This particular one is no longer a guide dog because it led his owner into roadworks and he fell in breaking an arm. I must admit when I heard that story I laughed as well. so do most people-then they realise that maybe laughing is in bad taste. But who says dogs don't have a sense of humour.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:43 pm

gmc;1295714 wrote: You and abbey need to lighten up, not take things so seriously and stop looking for offence where none was intended. If you don't see the humour I am certainly not going to try and explain it to you.

One of my neighbours has a former guide dog for the blind, apparently it is not unknown for blind owners to abuse their dogs. This particular one is no longer a guide dog because it led his owner into roadworks and he fell in breaking an arm. I must admit when I heard that story I laughed as well. so do most people-then they realise that maybe laughing is in bad taste. But who says dogs don't have a sense of humour.
Guide Dogs are not unlike any other dog In my experience.

I once hired a blind guy In sales In the tele-sales department. Now your going to ask how... Every evening his wife read out phone numbers Into a dictaphone that he brought to work each day and then he used that to phone the customers.

He had a beautiful Golden Labrador Guide Dog called Biddy. Until she walked In that door of the office, she knew she was working but the moment that harness came off, she knew she had 4 hours of 'Freedom'. For one, she was a complete Gannet and dispite the guy having guidelines laid down as to her diet, she would rummage In bags for staff packed lunches the moment the Harness came off. She would leap on tables, run round the car park at a rate of knots and slobber any-one coming through the door. He's regually call out to me 'Julie.. Is Biddy OK?' ... 'Umm Yeah, she lying down'... When she was really on a table munching through a pack of sausage rolls.

The office was next to a 'Somerfield' Supermarket and one day he was late back from his break. This was due to Biddy leading him Into a barrier that fell over and knocked some old woman tit over arsse. Sorry... But you just have to laugh.