Jan 10, 2008

Planet Dog Introduces Tiny Tug

Portland, Maine – For energetic and compact tug-loving dogs, Planet Dog has created Tiny TUG, a smaller version of its award-winning Orbee-Tuff TUG. Just after its introduction to the market in 2006, TUG received a “Retailer Select” Award for Product Excellence at the H.H. Backer Pet Industry Trade Show. The award, determined by votes cast by pet product buyers at the show, reflects the buyers’ responses to potential sales performance, packaging and design, quality and price, and what they deem to be the next new “must-have” product.

Just like its sibling TUG, Tiny TUG can take any torque, yank or power-jaw pull a dog can dish out. The sleek and modern design has just enough flexibility and give to have a rousing game of tug-o-woof. Its unique “flip-grip” technology allows contests of strength and tenacity to be had two ways: person vs. dog or dog vs. dog. Made in the USA from Planet Dog’s signature Orbee-Tuff material, Tiny TUG is doggie-durable, buoyant, bouncy, minty, recyclable and non-toxic. Whereas this toy is very strong and backed by a 100% guarantee, it was built for tugging, not chewing. Both TUG and Tiny TUG are now available in two colors: original blue/orange and new pink/green.

Tiny TUG is offered in one size (7.75″ long) and although it was designed with smaller dogs in mind, larger dogs are enjoying it, too. Chauncy and Fletcher, two of Planet Dog’s many in-house product testers, love the new size and they both weigh at least 60 pounds.The wholesale price for Tiny TUG is $7.50 (the suggested retail is $14.95). Retailers can order online at planetdogretailer.com or by calling Planet Dog at 800-381-1516 (toll-free).

Whether creating great products, providing financial resources or helping to educate consumers about canine-related issues, Planet Dog is proud to be a pet industry leader with proven socially responsible initiatives that bring people and dogs together for fun and mutual support. “As a small company doing big things, our goal has been and will always be to improve the world around us by giving back to our community, our workforce and the environment,” says Alex Fisher, Planet Dog’s co-founder and Chief Creative Officer. “Our internal mantra is ‘think globally, act doggedly’. When running a business, it’s easy to get absorbed in just the dollars and cents. The mantra helps keep us focused on the higher cause for which we entered this industry.”

Planet Dog’s flagship initiative is the Planet Dog Foundation. The Foundation, whose philanthropic mission is to promote and celebrate programs that enable dogs to serve and support their best friends, receives a percentage of every Planet Dog purchase. In turn, it is donated back to non-profit canine service programs nationwide.

“We’re doing what no other pet product company is doing,” says Catherine Frost, Planet Dog’s Director of Marketing and New Product Development. “We offer unique, top-quality products that dogs love, while creating awareness of how much service dogs give back to people in our society. “Our goal is for our actions to speak louder than woofs,” adds Frost.

In 2007, PDF doubled its cash and in-kind donations from the previous year giving more than $200,000 to several worthy organizations. For more information and a full list of programs and grantees, please visit planetdogfoundation.org.