100 Nights of Testing: Lessons Learned from ProEdge

We put our ProEdge sofas to the test in a dog boarding facility. We want to know how they hold up.

A dog bed in a boarding room goes through a lot. It can be a lesson in learning the reality of how a product will be used when it is designed for that sort of environment. Where does it hold up? What parts should be reinforced? Which components should be considered for improvement?

A product’s journey shouldn’t stop simply because it has reached the market. Learning from its use provides necessary information to improve its performance and consider other elements. That is why we put 6 ProEdge Pet Sofas to the test within a high‑use boarding room for 100 nights. The purpose of the test was to observe the endurance of these beds within a dog boarding facility and determine opportunities for improvement.

How the ProEdge Pet Sofa was tested

• 6 ProEdge Pet Sofas were placed in a high-use boarding room for 100 nights
• These beds were available to dogs all day with the exception of the playtimes.
• The test focused on the everyday use a boardroom dog would endure.
  
  

To understand the endurance of commercial pet furniture, it must be tested on the conditions for which it is intended. A product used within a boarding business is subjected to a different set of circumstances than a pet bed used solely by a pet in their home. Dogs may hop on and off, nap, and shift throughout the day and night.

For this test, the ProEdge Pet Sofas were installed within the boarding rooms to be available to dogs around the clock with the exception of the playtimes. The 100-night test window allowed us to observe the wear and tear of these beds.

This is an important consideration because the endurance of a product should not be measured on the aesthetic appeal it holds when new, but the resiliency of its components as it becomes a part of a dog’s everyday life.

What Did the 100-Night Test Reveal?

• Each ProEdge Pet Sofa consists of 4 primary components.
• With 6 sofas and 100 nights, that makes a total of approximately 2,400 potential component interactions.
• Only 5 components needed replacement at the end of the test.
  
  

Each ProEdge Pet Sofa includes 4 primary components; base, back, and 2 arms. Throughout the course of 6 beds and 100 nights, that makes approximately 2,400 potential component interactions that could endure wear and tear of use. Only 5 components required replacement at the end of the test. With the total of approximately 2,400 potential component interactions, this resulted in a durability success rate of greater than 99%.

The test also proves that soft, comfortable bedding doesn’t have to sacrifice its endurance. Comfort and the performance of a product can be considered as a whole rather than at odds with one another.

How Does Testing Help Improve a Product?

• Real-world use can point to areas of additional consideration.
• The feedback of boarding businesses can build on the information learned from the testing.
• Improvements can be made to components relating to durability, maintenance, and replacement.
  
  

Even after a product has endured a durability test, there is always room for improvement.

The ProEdge test provided a better understanding of how its components held up under regular use. In addition to continued feedback from the boarding businesses who use the ProEdge every day, these findings have guided product improvements over the years. Alterations have been made to the base construction, connection system, protective components, and serviceable replacement parts. 

Each element addresses a certain aspect of the product with the intention of improving its durability and maintenance while still preserving its comfort. When a weakness becomes apparent, we seek to address it through product design rather than accepting it as part of normal use.

What Should Boarding Businesses Look for in Commercial Pet Furniture?

• A comfortable dog bed also needs to hold up to the demands of a busy boarding facility. 
• The furniture should be practical to maintain in a busy facility.
• Replaceable components can help address wear without full product replacement.
  
  

The choice of furniture for a boarding facility involves more than a simple purchase. Businesses also need to take into account how a product will hold up under normal use and what to do when certain components begin to wear out. Comfort, durability, and ease of maintenance are all considerations when choosing furniture for professional pet care. Replaceable parts can also allow for addressing the wear and tear of a specific component without having to replace an entire sofa.

We continue to refine the ProEdge based on what we learn from the testing of the product as well as feedback from boarding businesses. The intent is to provide comfortable furniture that still fulfills the practical needs of professional pet care.

What Does Continuous Improvement Mean at Pet Therapeutics?

• Test products in the conditions for which they are intended.
• Learn from test results and customer feedback.
• Apply these findings to refine product design.
  
  

The 100-night test provided a better understanding of the performance of the ProEdge in a busy boarding environment. In addition to the feedback of businesses who use this sofa, these findings aid in the determination of its design and components. For professional pet care facilities, comfort needs to go hand in hand with durability and practical maintenance. Continuing to learn from real-world use assists in making informed improvements while considering the practical needs of a professional pet care facility.

Interested in Our Commercial Pet Furniture?

Explore ProEdge Pet Sofas to learn more about furniture designed for professional pet care environments.