Interview about Shake Off Dog Washing Station, winner of the A' Pet Care, Toys, Supplies and Products for Animals Design Award 2025
Shake Off is a dog washing station designed with a zoo anthropological approach, based on a deep understanding of the human-animal bond and its influence on product design. It integrates solutions that promote the psychological, emotional, and physical well-being of dogs. Made from r-PETG, a recycled polyester reinforced with 30% fiberglass, it offers strength, sustainability, and high durability thanks to its UV resistance. The manufacturing process utilizes LFAM 3D printing technology.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsOur starting point was to interpret the dog not only as a the product user but as a sentient partner in a shared experience. Drawing from zooanthropology and ethological design, we collaborated with behavioral veterinarians and certified dog trainers to observe dogs’ responses in contexts of physical interaction and hygiene. From these studies, we identified the importance of perceived control and environmental predictability.This led us to develop features such as the adjustable transparent walls, which offer containment without visual isolation, and the interactive water jets, which the dog can activate with paws creating a sense of autonomy. Additionally, the entry system with low steps allows the animal to access the washing space independently, avoiding the stress of forced lifting. These design choices foster trust and transform washing from a passive experience into a relational and communicative one. It’s a design that doesn’t merely contain behavior, but listens to it.
Our choice of r-PETG reinforced with 30% fiberglass was driven by both ethical and functional considerations. From an environmental perspective, r-PETG is made from post-consumer recycled plastic, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint. Fiberglass reinforcement improves mechanical strength, allowing us to create a structure that is lightweight yet resistant to high mechanical and chemical stress.This material also supports long-term durability, reducing the need for replacement and maintenance. From a design standpoint, the composite allows us to shape curved, soft geometries that align with the animal’s perception of space creating a welcoming and non-threatening environment. We believe sustainability must go beyond marketing: it is a structural criterion for creating products that respect the ecosystem and improve the daily lives of animals and humans alike.
The interactive jets were developed in response to a recurring challenge: most dogs perceive the onset of water as unpredictable and uncomfortable, especially when it involves sudden splashes or forceful sprays. We observed that allowing the dog to trigger the jets via paw contact transformed the experience into a form of controlled play.This required the design of a low-pressure hydropneumatics circuit, sensitive enough to respond to light touches while ensuring safety. The jets produce a gentle, fan-like spray, avoiding any high-pressure stimulation. Additionally, we included a gradual ramp-up in water intensity, guided by the operator but synchronized with the dog’s signals of readiness. The result is a system that not only cleans, but builds trust. It reduces resistance, improves hygiene results, and increases dog’s tolerance for future grooming.
This recognition validates an approach that prioritizes inter-species well-being and redefines the role of design in the pet care sector. We believe the A’ Design Award can serve as a catalyst for shifting the industry mindset from one centered on utility alone to one grounded in relational design.Our hope is that Shake Off inspires other designers and manufacturers to consider animals not as passive end users, but as active participants with specific cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs. This shift can lead to the development of new typologies products that are not just tools, but shared experiences that reinforce the human-animal bond.
The ergonomic features of Shake Off were developed based on a detailed analysis of dog behavior in stressful contexts. We observed how entry methods and enclosure perception directly influence anxiety levels.That’s why we designed modular steps with a maximum height of 15 cm, allowing the dog to access the wash bay autonomously. This active gesture reduces defensive behavior triggered by being lifted or dragged. The ability to choose whether to enter or not gives the dog a sense of control.Simultaneously, the adjustable transparent glass walls maintain constant visual contact with the handler. Their vertical adjustability lets the operator adapt the enclosure according to the dog’s comfort level. Together, these elements create a reassuring semi-open space where the animal feels protected, not trapped, and where visual and emotional communication remains uninterrupted. Here, ergonomics merges with emotional design.
The choice of LFAM (Large Format Additive Manufacturing) technology was crucial to achieving the design goals in terms of sustainability, modularity, and customization. This method allowed us to create Shake Off as a robust yet lightweight monoblock, eliminating the need for multiple structural components or complex assemblies. This simplifies both logistics and installation, making the product easily transportable and positionable even in temporary urban settings or public parks. From an environmental standpoint, 3D printing made it possible to minimize production waste, as material is deposited only where needed. Furthermore, additive manufacturing enables localized production, avoiding long-distance transport and reducing the carbon footprint. LFAM also offers us design flexibility: we can adapt the geometry of the washing station based on specific space or target requirements. This approach aligns with new scenarios of customized, sustainable, and on-demand design, making Shake Off a pioneering project in the smart production of structures for pet care.
According to our consultations with veterinarians, temperature fluctuation is one of the top causes of stress during washing. We therefore integrated a professional-grade thermostatic mixer, capable of maintaining constant water temperature throughout the session.We conducted user tests to determine the optimal comfort range dogs perceive as neutral and soothing. The system includes a scald-prevention safety valve that blocks water flow above 38°C, eliminating risk. The control interface is intuitive and responsive, allowing the operator to fine-tune the experience without losing focus on the animal.What might seem like a simple function actually plays a critical role: it guarantees physical comfort, reduces trauma risk, and helps build a positive memory of the activity ensuring smoother future sessions.
From the outset, we wanted to simplify not only the dog’s experience but also that of the operator. Practical needs often overlooked in similar products were a central design driver.The retractable front drawer was designed to store towels, gloves, grooming tools, and shampoo in an organized, immediately accessible space. This eliminates the need for auxiliary furniture, keeping the station clean and efficient. The drainage system includes a fine-mesh internal filter that prevents hair buildup in the piping, reducing blockages and lowering maintenance time and cost.We also incorporated a subtle slope in the floor to encourage fast water runoff, which improves hygiene and shortens drying time. These choices make Shake Off suitable not only for home use but for high-frequency environments like veterinary clinics, dog hotels, and urban pet stations.
The dimensions of Shake Off were defined through field testing and ergonomic simulations, calibrated to the needs of small- to medium-sized dog breeds, which make up over 70% of the domestic dog population in Europe.The 120 cm length and 100 cm width provide ample space for movement without causing disorientation. The 45 cm platform height optimizes operator posture, minimizing back strain during extended use. The 15 cm step was selected after testing different heights it’s accessible to most dogs without compromising structural compactness.The 80 cm walls (50 cm fixed, 30 cm adjustable) ensure containment while preserving visibility and communication. These measurements were all chosen to maximize safety, hygiene, and efficiency, while also fostering positive, low-stress interaction between animal and human. Even surrounding maneuver space was carefully studied for smooth operation in tight or public environments.
Our future vision is to expand Shake Off beyond a single product, into a modular platform of solutions dedicated to interspecies wellness. We aim to extend the zooanthropological approach into other aspects of care relaxation areas, educational tools, co-activity systems always prioritizing the emotional and behavioral dimensions of interaction.The interactive features of Shake Off, like paw-activated jets and autonomous access, will be enhanced with adaptive digital systems, personalized to the dog’s temperament and behavior. We’re also exploring smart integrations: behavioral tracking apps, biometric sensors, and tactile feedback for handlers.But most importantly, our mission is to design tools that are not only functional, but emotionally meaningful. We envision a future where pet care design helps deepen companionship, build trust, and elevate the quality of shared life between humans and animals. Shake Off is just the beginning.
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