IDEA: Dog phone

I was reading an article in the messenger (local newspaper) about problems with barking dogs in the suburbs, it talked about complaint processes, monitoring their barking through recording devices, etc. Last line said they bark because they are bored or anxious.

And I had the sudden idea... Dog phone! The dogs are lonely, and worried that they are abandoned. You put a mobile on their collar, so the owner can call them and talk to them, and the owner can hear the little doggy noises.

The demographic is the yuppie singles or dinks who have a dog instead of kids, but work long hours. They buy gadgets, more money than sense. They can talk to the dog periodically! Sell it as the caring approach for dog owner as parent. Also think pink dollar...

Maybe camera too, lots of accessorising possible. Add a GPS, and you can show where the dog is, meaning the dog wont get lost.

Or if someone finds the dog, the collar might have a "call my owner" feature.

* you could have a zapping device attached, like an electric fence, that encouraged the dog not to veer too far from home. Or, you could send an sms to the owner if the dog strays from home.

It's all options, ey? Each option becomes an optional add on, think $$$

Maybe don't emphasise "dog". These are for people who think of the dogs as their children. Language used by these people needs research.