This Interactive Toy Plays With Your Dog When You're Busy Folding Laundry or Watching Your Favorite Show

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Let’s be honest: Energetic dogs are wonderful, but they can also be exhausting. Some pups never seem to grow tired of running around, and it often takes a little extra effort (and exertion, on the owner’s part) to keep them entertained. If you’re looking for a way to help your dog beat boredom without wearing yourself out, the Wickedbone might be a good one to keep in your toy bin.

Available on Amazon, this robotic, interactive toy spotted by Designboom is ideal for busy pet owners as well as dogs that could use a little extra exercise or stimulation. The bone-shaped smart toy spins, jumps, and rolls around autonomously on both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

One of the advantages of this toy is that users can be as hands-on or hands-off as they'd like. They can either set it to interactive mode and step away to take care of other business, or take control of the toy’s movements through a smartphone app that pairs with the toy via Bluetooth. In drive mode, the app’s virtual joystick lets users control the direction and choose between nine different motions, including “quick jump,” “front flip,” “shake body,” and “quick spin.” Other settings can also be customized, like the surface (hard or soft), area (small or wide), speed, acceleration, and swerve speed.

The toy’s battery lasts the longest in interactive mode—about four hours—while the app mode can be used for about 40 minutes. In the event that the Wickedbone hits a patch of mud or dog poo, the tires can be popped off and cleaned under running water.

The product has a nearly four-star overall rating on Amazon, and many of them are rave reviews. One reviewer called it a “lifesaver,” while another said the toy is great for “tough chewers.” (Small bite marks won’t affect the product, the company notes.) At $140, the Wickedbone is a bit steeper than most dog toys—but for the price of having a happier, healthier pooch (and a saner owner), it might just be worthwhile.

Buy it on Amazon or at these other retailers:

[h/t Designboom]

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