Looking for a fun toy dog that licks? Check out this guide to the top models.

Okay, here's my take on sharing my "toy dog that licks" project, blog-style!

My Adventures in Toy Dog Licking (and Engineering!)

Alright folks, let me tell you about this crazy idea I had – a toy dog that licks. Yeah, you read that right. It started with my own dog, Sparky, a hyper little Yorkie mix. He’s got some separation anxiety. So, I wanted to build something to keep him occupied when I wasn't home. Forget the boring chew toys; I wanted something interactive.

First, I sketched out a bunch of designs. I’m talking everything from complex robotics to simpler, mechanical solutions. The robotic stuff was way too complicated, and expensive, so I decided to go with something more along the lines of a modified rotating mechanism.

I started by scouring online stores. My main goal was to find a cheap, battery-powered toy motor. Scrapped some old RC cars and some cheapo fans. The fan motor seemed like the best bet.

Next, the licking part. I experimented with a bunch of materials. Silicone seemed like a good, safe option. I bought a sheet of food-grade silicone and cut out a tongue-shaped piece. Getting the right shape was tricky! I ended up using a 3D printer to create a mold.

Then came the fun part: attaching the tongue to the motor. I used a small, rotating arm that I fashioned from some scrap metal. The idea was that as the motor rotated the arm, the tongue would move in a licking motion. I spent hours adjusting the speed and angle to get it just right.

The first prototype was… well, let’s just say it wasn't pretty. The tongue moved way too fast, and it looked more like the dog was being attacked by a weird, floppy thing. Sparky was terrified!

Back to the drawing board. I slowed down the motor using a resistor. Much better! I also added a little bit of padding to the tongue to make it softer.

I then mounted the whole assembly inside a 3D-printed dog toy case I designed. It's basically a cute, bone-shaped thing with a hole for the tongue to poke out.

After some tweaking, I had something that actually resembled a licking toy. Sparky was still a bit hesitant at first, but curiosity got the better of him. He started sniffing it, then tentatively licking the silicone tongue. Success!

• Motor selection
• Tongue material testing
• 3D printing and assembly

I know it sounds crazy, but seeing Sparky actually enjoy the toy was incredibly rewarding. It’s not perfect – I still need to refine the design and make it more durable, but hey, it's a start!

Lessons Learned:

Don't be afraid to try crazy ideas.

Iteration is key – expect to fail a lot.

Dogs are surprisingly good at providing feedback.

Now, I’m off to find a way to make it dispense treats while it licks. Wish me luck!