Assignment 7A Testing the Hypothesis

Monitoring your pet with a Smart Collar

Opportunity:
Pet owners often think or worry about what their pet does every time they have to leave them alone.

• The who: Pet owners of a dog or cat.
• The what: They are unable to know what the pet is doing or does when left alone.
• The why: Pet owners can't see what their pet is doing when they're not physically with them.

Testing the who: Everyone in my 'who' has this need, also people who are considering getting a pet would be included.

Testing the what: Not knowing what a pet is might be doing while the owner is away is a concern for all pet owners. It's a challenge for pet owners not to worry about their pet when they're away from them.

Testing the why: People who own a pet consider the pet as part of the family. They are emotionally attached to their pet and care deeply about them. There is a need for pet owners to have the ability to check up on their pet when they're away which would lessen any anxiety the owners may feel when leaving the pet alone. This 'why' will hold for all current and future pet owners.

Interviews

1) Male in mid-twenties.
This person is a dog owner who expressed to me that many times he has felt uneasy about leaving his dog alone. He stated that he has even come home early at times because he was worried about what the dog may be doing. He also told me that he considers his dog as part of the family and wished he didn't have to leave his dog alone at times. He cares deeply about his dog, and if a Smart Collar were available, he would not hesitate to purchase one. 

2) Male in early twenties.
This person was also walking his dog when I ran into him. He stated that he feels confident and has no doubts about leaving his dog alone. He told me the reason why is because he puts his dog in a dog crate every time he needs to leave the dog alone. He also expressed that he feels that by putting his dog in the crate its safer for the dog than just letting the dog have the run of the house. He made it clear to me that his dog is his pride and joy and I could see they were attached to each other. The idea of a Smart Collar sounded interesting but would not change his mind of putting his dog in the crate when he is away.

3) Female in early twenties.
This person was jogging on the same path that I was walking my dog on and stopped to say hello to my dog. She stated she was not a dog owner but did have a cat. She has no worries about leaving the cat alone when she has things to do. She told me she has thought about getting a dog but doesn't know how her cat would react with the dog. She did say she would not feel comfortable about leaving the pets alone if she did get a dog because she would have no way to see what they were doing while she was gone. A Smart Collar sounded like something she may be interested in for her cat, but she wouldn't need one unless the cat started to get into trouble in the house which hasn't happened yet.

4) Female in mid-fifties.
I met this person outside of PetSmart. She is an owner of two dogs. She stated that she often experiences anxiety when she leaves the two dogs alone. On the weekends she rarely leaves the house because she feels that leaving the dogs alone during the week causes her enough concern and she doesn't need the additional stress. She doesn't use a crate for either dog and stated she now uses a baby monitoring device to help her keep an eye on the dogs when she's away. She did state that there is a disadvantage to using the baby monitoring device because if the dogs aren't in the same room as the monitor, she can't see or hear the dogs. The idea of a Smart Collar is something she would use and have a need for if it was available.

5) Female in mid-thirties.
I met this person while walking my dog in the neighborhood. She stated she wants a dog but doesn't think it's fair to the dog to have to always be in a crate when she's away. She also said she would be worried about leaving the dog inside the house alone because of all the pictures she's seen which show a dog tearing up the couch. The reason she doesn't have a pet is that she wouldn't know what to expect when coming home after leaving a pet alone. The idea of a Smart Collar is definitely something she would need before she would take the plunge and become a pet owner.

Summary

After interviewing these people, I have come to the conclusion that to avoid having to worry about leaving a pet alone putting the pet in a crate is one option. A baby monitoring device or even a security camera is another option, but this option has limitations. I have found that the idea of a Smart Collar is something a large percentage of pet owners would have the need for and use. This Smart Collar would include a microphone, video chip, and GPS all accessible from a mobile app. This would have an advantage over a fixed video monitor because it would be around the neck of the pet and wherever the pet goes the collar goes. Keeping an eye on the pet would be as easy as pushing a button. The Smart Collar is something every pet owner could use in different situations. I have included some interesting facts that I found that show over half of all Americans have a dog or cat in their home. After reading this, it reaffirms my belief that this opportunity exists.
https://www.petsecure.com.au/pet-care/a-guide-to-worldwide-pet-ownership/