If you have small children or grandchildren, you know it’s only a matter of time before they’ll be begging for a puppy. However, the reality might be that you’re not ready for one, or perhaps you live in a place that really isn’t conducive to animals. Either way, you don’t have the heart to tell your little one no. So what do you do?
One solution is to give them the opportunity to practice and learn how to take care of a puppy by getting them a robot dog. The benefit of a robot dog is that it behaves in a similar manner as a real puppy would. It barks, interacts with your child, sits, and jumps. It will also respond to specific commands, much in the way you can train a puppy to behave.
Robot dogs offer an experience that closely imitates having a real dog, but without the messes and expenses of food and upkeep. Owning a robot dog can be a fulfilling and fun experience for your child and will keep them entertained for hours on end.
Things to Consider
Of course, you don’t want to run out and buy the first robot dog you find on a shelf. Not all robot dogs are going to be what you or your little one need, so it’s important to consider a few things before making your purchase. Here are a few items to keep in mind while you’re looking.
Technology
While robot dogs are entertaining and fun, they are also innovative pieces of technology. They may look similar to one another, but they are all very different. Try to keep this in the back of your mind as you look for the robot that best fits your needs. You probably want one that is interactive. Make sure it can move around, sits, jumps, and reacts to specific commands.
Type
When you think about what type of robot dog you want, consider that these toys come in various sizes and options. Make sure you find a robot dog that your child will enjoy. You’ll want it to be easy to use if you have a younger kid. Let the older children have, the bigger and bulkier ones.
Additionally, you may want to take some time to check out the design. Is it well made and appealing? Is it something you think your child will like playing with? Be sure to choose a robot dog with a design and colors that your little one will enjoy.
Durable
Let’s face it; kids are hard on toys. They get thrown around, beaten, stepped on, and just generally abused. To ensure that you’re getting good value for your money, make sure that the model you purchase is durable. Is the material high-quality and safe for your children? Are the moveable parts sturdy and snap-proof? Make sure the robot dog you’re taking home is tough enough to withstand the rough and tumble lifestyle of your child.
Safety
Keep in mind as you look for the ideal robot dog that while they are fun to play with, they are advanced pieces of technology and can be a source of inherent safety risks. Make sure the robot dog you choose is made of quality materials and that it doesn’t include irritants like BPA. Lastly, be sure to validate the safety of the batteries and that they aren’t in a place that’s easily accessible by children.
Now that we’ve discussed some of the criteria you might want to take into account before you purchase your robot dog, let’s get into which ones are among the best available right now.
PLRB IR Smart Remote Control Robot Dog
It’s common knowledge that children who spend more time playing develop faster and at a better rate than those who do not. That doesn’t mean you should let your kids sit in front of video games all day. You want to provide them with a fun, interactive toy like the PLRB IR robot dog.
This robot dog is great for small children. It speaks, performs tricks, and responds to specific commands. You’ll be pleased to learn that you’re getting a robot dog with natural yet random behaviors that comes in a durable plastic shell.
The PLRB IR robot dog is high-quality and offers plenty of entertainment. With this robot dog, you’ll get some fun behaviors like jumping, dancing, singing, and many other tricks your little one will enjoy.
If you’re concerned with durability, the PLBR IR robot dog consists of 100% safe plastic and is tough enough to withstand even the roughest of children. Its simple yet charming design will appeal to children of various ages. The PLBR IR robot dog is roughly the same size as a smaller puppy. It moves and behaves in much the same way that a real puppy would.
The PLRB IR is rechargeable and comes with a battery that will last for hours on end. It can be programmed to do tricks and will give your little one lots of entertainment as it scoots around your home. It talks and barks, and like a real puppy can quickly learn new tricks.
While the PLRB IR doesn’t have the same draw and appeal as some of the other robot dogs on the market, it is a good value for the money. Its interactive technology makes it a joy for anyone who uses it, and its durable plastic shell means you’ll get plenty of use out of it. The PLRB IR is a great option if you’re in the market for a smart robot dog.
Pros
- Long lasting battery.
- Very responsive and interactive.
- Made of durable, high-quality plastic.
- Educational and entertaining.
- Rechargeable Li-Po battery.
- Can be controlled from 30 feet.
- Walks, dances, farts, jumps, and crawls.
- Includes one smart robot dog, one transmitter, one manual, and one USB charging cable.
Cons
- Design could use improving.
- Transmitter batteries need to be purchased separately.
SainSmart Jr. Robot Dog
The SainSmart Jr. robot dog is an innovative and fun looking device that is great for your children. It mimics the behaviors of a real puppy and will keep your little ones entertained and engaged. One of the nice things about the SainSmart robot dog is that it comes pre-programmed. That means it’s ready to use right out of the box. The only thing you have to do is charge it up, and you’re good to go.
You or your child can play with the SainSmart Jr. robot dog up to 50 feet away. If you’re looking for a good robot dog for your little one, the SainSmart Jr. just might be what you need. This reputable company makes owning a robot dog fun and enjoyable. It is interactive, can perform many tricks, and provides an educational aspect as well.
Once you have your SainSmart Jr all set, you’ll soon discover it can wag its tail, walk, shake its head, dance, sing, and bark. When compared to other smart robot dogs, the Sainsmart Jr. offers a better range, at the aforementioned 50 feet. The 2.4GHz system does a great job of responding within this range and includes a durable remote that is kid friendly.
With its rechargeable battery, SainSmart’s smart robot dog becomes a very convenient device. The powerful battery provides plenty of hours for your child to play with and enjoy their newfound friend. Additionally, since the battery is built-in, your little one has less of a chance of actually accessing it. The SainSmart Jr. battery is fast charge, so you won’t have to wait for hours on end for it to charge so your child can get back to playing with it.
The SainSmart Jr. is great for the entire family. Since this robot dog is made of high-quality material, it will last longer and get more use than other models. It is easy to use, works right out of the box and is pre-programmed, so you don’t have to mess with any complicated setup steps. Its voice commands are straightforward, and if there is any confusion, a user manual is included.
This highly intelligent robot dog includes great tricks and actions to keep your child entertained. It can roll over, dance, sit, crouch, beg, and much, much more. One other neat feature is its free mode. In this mode, the puppy will roam throughout your home when no one is playing with it. Just like with a real dog, it might find ways to get itself into trouble.
With your robot dog, you’ll also receive a remote that has controls to have the device perform tricks and move left, right, forward, and backward. The SainSmart Jr. moves around on wheels that can maneuver on nearly any surface. Keep in mind though, that if you have thicker carpet, this robot dog may have a little more trouble getting around.
Pros
- Includes built-in rechargeable battery.
- Made of BPA materials.
- Safe for your child.
- Pre-programmed out of the box.
- 50-foot range of control.
- Natural behaviors.
- Interactive and educational.
- High-powered 2.4 GHz system.
Cons
- Struggles when used on thicker carpet.
- Design could use some improving.
Paw Patrol Pup and Badge Robo Dog
While children love traditional toys like dolls and cars, new technology means newer and fancier toys. Among these toys are robot dogs, which leads us to the Paw Patrol Pup and Badge Robo Dog. This Paw Patrol Pup is one of the best robot dogs available today due to its kid-safe design, durable body, and various features.
Among its few drawbacks is the small size of the Paw Patrol Pup when compared with other robot dogs, however, if your kids have outgrown their dolls and cars, this robot dog might be just the toy for them.
The Paw Patrol Pup is made of high-quality material, comes with durable accessories, and has a simple yet eye-catching design that will appeal to both girls and boys. This robot dog provides a great experience your children will enjoy.
When you receive your Paw Patrol Pup, the first thing you’ll need to do is charge it up. Once that’s done, your children can enjoy one of the best robot dogs available. This robot dog can jump, play, walk, and bark. You don’t have to worry about letting your kids play with it, as it lacks choking hazards and consists of child-safe materials.
The Paw Patrol Pup is a great toy. It is fun to play with, has the ability to transform into many different shapes, and appeals to kids of all ages. With this robot dog, you’ll get a high-quality, reliable, durable toy that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
You don’t have to worry about programming the Paw Patrol Pup as it comes ready to go right out of the box. It rolls around on its omnidirectional wheels and runs without issue on most surfaces. It does, however, have some trouble getting around on thick carpet.
Pros
- BPA-free materials make it safe for children.
- Transforms into various shapes.
- Ideal for children over three.
- Versatile and fun.
- Cost-effective.
- Doesn’t need batteries.
- Behaves just like a real puppy.
Cons
- Not suitable for children under three.
- Has trouble navigating on thick carpet.
CHiP Robot Toy Dog
The CHiP robot toy dog is made by WowWee, which is one of the more respected manufacturers in the industry. With its high-quality CHiP robot dog, WowWee is keeping its customers satisfied. Although the CHiP robot dog is a bit more expensive than other devices in the same market, it is an excellent toy for your children, and they’ll get plenty of value and use from it.
The premium design of the CHiP robot dog will appeal to kids of all ages, and its powerful technology will respond almost immediately to the commands and touches of your children. You can quickly and easily train and program your CHiP robot dog via the mobile application and SmartBand that comes with the toy.
No products found.This robot dog is versatile and boasts a superior design. With your SmartBand technology easily available, you can quickly and easily teach your CHiP robot dog tricks. The CHiP is battery powered and has enough power to last nearly a day of playing with your child.
While there are models on the market that take quite a while to recharge, the CHiP is not one of them, as it makes use of its fast charging capabilities so your little one doesn’t have to wait half the day for it. One really cool feature about the CHiP robot dog is that when it notices that its battery is low, it returns to its charging station on its own, so neither you or your child have to worry about it.
The CHiP robot dog comes ready to go, so you don’t have to worry about assembly or additional customization. It does include the option to upgrade its processor chip which includes more features, movements, and tricks that may have been programmed after the device was released.
No products found.You can hear some mechanical sounds when the CHiP robot dog moves about, but it is made of a highly-durable plastic material, so you’ll be hard pressed to find better quality. Unfortunately its range is only five feet; however, the CHiP robot dog does a great job of providing a safety device with which your child can play for hours on end.
Pros
- SmartBand technology.
- Advanced CHiP technology.
- Preprogrammed and ready to use out of the box.
- Interactive and educational.
- Various unique features.
- Sleek and attractive design.
- Performs natural dog-like behaviors.
- Durable and long-lasting.
- Rechargeable battery.
- Kid safe.
- Returns to charging station automatically.
Cons
- Fairly small when compared with other robot dogs.
- More expensive than other models.
- A little noisy when moving.
Joy For All Companion Pet Golden Pup
While most of these robots have focused on robot dogs for children, this devices takes a different approach. The Joy for All Companion Pet Golden Pup addresses the needs of those that are older and have lost some of the things those of us take for granted on a daily basis.
Things like reading without glasses, moving around easily, or bending over without pain. These reasons and more are why seniors have difficulty in taking care of pets, which is unfortunate because many people in this age group could use the satisfaction found in companionship.
This is where the Joy for All Companion comes in to play. It offers seniors all the benefits of having a real pet without the additional responsibilities. Since Hasbro manufactures the Joy for All Companion, you know you’re getting a quality device.
At first sight, the Joy for All Companion looks like a nice stuffed animal, however upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that the device responds very well to your touch. With its four built-in sensors, this robot dog signifies to its owner that it’s still awake by blinking its eyes or moving its ears. Sensors are located on the dog’s head, back, belly, and cheek.
So when you stroke the Joy for All Companion on the cheek, it will nuzzle your hand. If you decide to pet the dog on its back, it will give off a heartbeat sound as well as the sensation that closely resembles how a dog might receive affection.
The Joy for All Companion looks similar to a Golden Retriever puppy and comes with a fun red bandana that goes well with its plush yellow fur. The dog will also react if you speak to it. When you call its name the Joy for All Companion will turn toward you and bark just like an excited puppy might. Hasbro’s goal is to make the device behave and act just like a real dog would.
You’ll never need a litter box or have the need to take your puppy outside. There’s also no need to take the Joy for All Companion to the vet or make sure it is fed on a regular basis. If you want some company, just wake the dog up, and when you need to focus on other things, your robot dog will return to sleep.
The Joy for All Companion dog includes batteries pre-installed into the device. They are replaceable; however, that means you’ll have to keep an eye on your robot dog and change them out when the time comes. You’ll also receive a care pamphlet with your dog which will help you locate the battery compartment.
Next to the battery compartment, you’ll find an on/off/mute button. If you want to use the Joy for All Companion dog without sound, just flip the button to mute. When you want to put your pet away, turn the switch to off, so you’re not wasting your batteries. The nice thing about this companion pet is that it requires minimal care, so you don’t feel like you’re taking care of a small animal.
Pros
- Includes batteries and a care pamphlet.
- Responds to sounds.
- Puppy-like movements and sounds when you pet it.
- Authentic sounds, realistic coat, and accelerated heartbeat.
Cons
- More expensive than other models.
Conclusion
Giving your loved one a robot dog is a great way to offer them a different form of entertainment than the toys they typically play with. These dogs are interactive, safe, and have highly developed systems of intelligence.
As you can see, there is no shortage of robot dogs available on the market today. Whether you’re looking for a toy for your little ones or a companion for the senior in your life, there are plenty of options from which you can choose. These handy robot dogs provide hours of entertainment, education, and companionship.
My 95-year-old mother, who suffers from extreme dementia, is in a nursing home. When I first heard about this puppy, I knew I had to give it a shot because my wife is a dog lover. She has a lot of fun with this dog. It appeals to her. It was also well received by the other residents.