About the DRIVELINE
The driveline was created by 2 dog trainers from Kent, inspired by a design from Dr Melanie Uhde, who trains dogs in California. Back in 2024, we organised a seminar in East Sussex with Dr Melanie Uhde. The seminar was all around the neuroscience of behaviour and specifically looking at the benefits of play for behaviour modification in dogs... what she spoke about was inspiring.
Our toy started there.
We got to work making prototypes of a toy that could simulate a dogs predatory sequence and be highly rewarding... something people could use to help overcome anxiety, reactivity & stress in their dogs and build an incredible relationship with their canine companions.
We made so many prototypes, so many toys for our dogs, Arlo & Sunny to test!
Arlo, a Bulgarian street dog, very aloof, not interested in play, made sure the toys simulated a rabbit just enough to be engaging.
And Sunny, a Staffy X Whippet, made sure they couldn't be destroyed easily. Together they became the best testing team for our DRIVELINE.
Over the next 2 years, alongside our own careers as dog trainers and business owners, we have finally got a finished product, something we are so excited to share with you all and something we will be using with our clients and our own dogs!
The DRIVELINE is designed the simulate the predatory sequence for dogs and fulfil a key part of their nature.
ORIENT > EYE > STALK > CHASE > GRAB BITE > KILL BITE > DISSECT > CONSUME
Some dogs may have all of this sequence, but most dogs will enjoy certain aspect more than others. Our Staffordshire bull terrier enjoys Chase and Kill bite more than our herder who prefers to Stalk, Chase & Grab. Finding out what play style your dog enjoys is the key to gaining mutual play. We have videos talking about this very subject. These will be linked below.
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The toy is designed so that when your dog catches it, they're also able to fulfil the last part of that sequence, you can open up the toy (dissect) and allow them to eat tasty treats from within (consume), hence making this toy highly reinforcing.
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And for dogs that aren't very toy motivated but are food motivated, it can help build the drive for play through their love for food... "how do I gain the food? Ah I have to possess the toy!"
