Episode Description
What do birthing cows, treat-dispensing trolls, and character development have in common? They’re all part of the wonderfully weird world of BARK, where making great dog toys requires a surprising mix of creativity, engineering, behavioral science, and best of all, unhinged creativity. Recorded live from the SUPERZOO 2026 show floor, this special episode goes behind the scenes at BARK to explore the creativity, science, and obsession behind some of the brand’s most memorable and joy-inducing products.
Show Notes
Learn more at https://bark.co/.
Check out BARK’s new Licksters enrichment system: https://bark.co/products/licksters-toy
Searching for more? https://bark.co/pages/barkbox-changed-my-life
Read more about what went down at SUPERZOO 2026! https://www.petfoodprocessing.net/keywords/429-superzoo
(And stay tuned for more episodes from the show floor coming soon!)
Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to SUPERZOO 2026 & Meet BARK
01:34 – Bertha the Birthing Cow & BARK’s Weirdest Toys
03:36 – Designing Dog Toys for Two Audiences
07:30 – How BARK Turns Weird Ideas Into Play
10:20 – Licksters, Enrichment & the Future of Dog Toys
14:02 – Where Enrichment and Play Collide
15:28 – Why Dogs Actually Want to Destroy Their Toys
18:01 – The Surprising Science Behind How Dogs Play
22:21 – Inside BARK’s Massive Toy Design Machine
25:35 – Blood, Sweat & Treats: Bringing a New Toy to Life
29:21 – Meet the Weird and Wonderful Characters of BARK
31:50 – Putting Dogs First—and Loving Every Minute of It
32:56 – Pet Parenting Around the World