Tristan Christianson

Squeeze Bones - Concept, Industrial Design & Project Management, 2010-2012. Squeeze Bones were the first developed project and a major private label product for Pet Smart's Toy Shoppe brand and later Toys r Us lineup in late 2012, as well as offered as an ANI Pet Toy brand to Target and other retailers. Initially developed as a SBS and natural rubber toy, increased durability and materials cost required a change to adding calcium as a plastic hardener to get the toy to a level like more like bone. The lineup was offered in up to four sizes making sure that all dog's needs were met. A hollow, transparent SBS plastic tube keeps treats visible and rattling, while screwed-on natural rubber ends allow for disassembly and washing out. A unique dental groove design adds to the product's features. With a certain learning curve in the category, second gen product was modified using SBS and natural hardening additives to improve the product’s longevity for tough chewers.

With solid success selling the initial Squeeze Bones project as a private brand under PetSmart's Toy Shoppe (2011), and in its second year (2012) under the Toys R Us brand dog toys, a combination rope and rubber version was developed to build out the offering lineup. Designed with similar principals, the rubber heads were both dental-grooved and hollow for kibble treats.