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- How AI is changing dog training & the nose print is the new ID tag
How AI is changing dog training & the nose print is the new ID tag
The Digital PawPrint
October 30, 2023
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📈 A bite-sized stat tastier than kibble
Dogs outnumber kids under 18 in the US
We’ve said before that dogs are family members, and the numbers show it. There are more dogs in the United States (77M) than children under the age of 18 (74M).
🐾 The purr-spective: Gen Z and Millennials are having children later in life, and this opens the world to pets as their first children (and spending equivalent to that of a child!). Translation: people are getting more dogs and spending a lot on them.
🎾 What we’re chasing: New advances in pet tech
Tech-infused training helps with behavior modification
AI is injecting itself into every aspect of life, including dog training. Dog owners often go to private trainers or group classes to solve behavioral or obedience issues, but there’s a shortage of trainers and professional training often costs thousands of dollars. With the body of knowledge online, AI can help be your virtual dog trainer. Traini, an interactive dog training app, aims to provide personalized recommendations for better at-home dog training.
Arvin Sun, CEO of Traini, talks about the need for contextual solutions when using AI: “Generative AI like ChatGPT can provide answers, but it doesn't always offer solutions. To bridge this gap, we've developed our own model, which we call 'Pet GPT.' It focuses on behavior and training questions and recommends solutions to users.”
Read the interview with Arvin for more insights.
AI-based apps answer your training questions at your fingertips
It should come as no surprise that other AI-based training apps are out there too. As dog parents treat their four-legged family members as some might treat their children, they’re pouring money and time into at-home training and behavior. Each app offers something unique, so check out these below:
🐾 The purr-spective: Some AI will allow training to reach millions of new pet owners, and provide on-demand, cost-effective training. However, will it be able to distinguish between effective and ineffective training? There’s a lot of negative information out there, and we don’t want AI training on this data. Bad inputs mean bad outputs. The human touch is key, and AI will only be able to supplement, not replace human training.
The nose print becomes the new ID tag
Dog tags can be easily lost, and in rural areas, dogs often don’t even wear a collar, let alone an identification tag. Once again, AI is changing the game from a traditional solution to nose prints as an ID mechanism.
Petnow is a dog biometric ID app that uses AI software to scan a dog’s nose print, the wrinkle patterns surrounding the nostrils. These patterns are unique to each dog, just as a human fingerprint is distinct, and can be used to recognize and identify a dog.
🐾 The purr-spective: The nose print could replace microchips if it can overcome the scale challenge. However, the adoption of the nose print technology could stall success. To get 70M+ to adopt it, will they need to partner with local governments, vets, or shelters? We thought a dog version of a fingerprint would be a digital pawprint, but maybe we’ll need to change the name of the newsletter!
Makes you wonder...
In the '70s, Joe Markham, an auto mechanic, created the Kong toy to save his dog Fritz from chewing rocks. Drawing from a VW bus part's quirky design, he crafted the iconic bulbous, hollow toy. Even more surprising? Pet stores initially rejected this innovative gem.
🐾 The purr-spective: The fascinating origins of the infamous Kong toy prompts curiosity about other dual-purpose products. What other items hide unexpected stories or uses?
A new treat of resources
⭐ Pet of the week
Meet Finchley, a 2 y/o lab mix.
In the words of her pet parent Becca, “Once a skittish little pup who was afraid of nearly anything new, Finchley is now an adventurous, playful and loving gal! She’s driven across the country twice with me, made lots of friends and expanded her dietary palate. Her favorite activity is playing fetch with the jet stream of a hose!”