The Dog Behind the Brand: How Ollie Led Us Here
We’re the proud humans of two young and very energetic cocker spaniels, Ollie and Tiggy. Ollie, our eldest, has always been play-driven to the core. He’ll choose a ball over the tastiest treat, and nothing lights him up like a game of fetch. Local parks were his playground; he could chase a ball for hours!
But things changed.
Ollie began showing signs of resource guarding, not just around food and toys, but also around other objects, and sometimes people. It was unpredictable and stressful, for him and for us. Despite working with multiple behaviourists and doing everything we could to help him feel safe and supported, his behaviour worsened. Eventually, we had to make a decision we’d been dreading: Ollie began wearing a muzzle.
It wasn’t easy. Emotionally, it felt like we were taking something away. But in reality, we were giving him something far more important: safety, structure, and the chance to thrive.
To our relief, Ollie adjusted. He let us put the muzzle on without fuss. But something was missing. He stopped getting excited for walks. Sometimes, he refused to leave the house altogether. The muzzle hadn’t just changed his routine, it had dulled his spark.
Then one day, everything shifted.
While out walking, Ollie found a branch with offshoots that fit through his muzzle, letting him grip it. We threw it for him until it broke apart, and he loved every minute. His tail wagged. His eyes lit up. For the first time in ages, he was playing again.
That moment sparked something in us.
We searched online for toys shaped in a way that muzzled dogs could pick up and carry, but nothing provided Ollie with the kind of fun he was looking for. We found a few oddly shaped stuffed toys that worked indoors, but they weren’t durable enough for outdoor play, and Ollie, true to form, tore through them in no time!
So we got creative.
Armed with a hobbyist 3D printer and very little product design experience, we started experimenting. We tested shapes, textures, and materials. We watched Ollie interact, adapt, and learn. Every toy was built with his needs in mind, and every success felt like a breakthrough. Slowly, Ollie began to get excited for walks again.
That’s how our first muzzle-friendly toy was born! Not from a business plan, but from love, frustration, and a deep desire to bring the old Ollie back!
Ollie’s resource guarding hasn’t disappeared. He still wears a muzzle most of the time, especially during play, walks, and moments of high excitement. And that’s okay. His muzzle isn’t a punishment. It’s a tool. It allows him to explore safely, interact confidently, and enjoy life without fear. It gives us peace of mind and gives him freedom.
What started as a solution for Ollie has grown into something bigger: a brand built around muzzled dogs and the humans who love them. We believe muzzled dogs deserve enrichment. That safety and fun can coexist.
Our toys are more than products, they’re a promise. A promise that your dog, like Ollie, can play, learn, and thrive with the right tools and a whole lot of love.
Ollie’s journey isn’t perfect. But it’s real. And it’s the reason we do what we do.
If you’ve got a muzzled dog, we see you. We’re here for you. And we’re building a community where every wag, every win, and every toy matters.
From our family to yours, thank you for supporting us!
Lydia & Tom
