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PETS+ published a survey of pet retailers’ desired improvements to collars, harnesses, leashes and tags. Respondents called for products including a dog headlamp, less bulky trackers, better-fitting harnesses, more flexible order quantities and easier-to-merchandise displays. The survey records retailer feedback; it does not establish how common each request is among stores or customers.
PETS+ published a survey on October 6 detailing pet retailers’ requests for changes to collars, harnesses, leashes and tags, including a dog headlamp that stays in place during outdoor activities. The responses also call for better-fitting harnesses, simpler trackers, more flexible wholesale orders and improved merchandising support, offering a snapshot of product and business needs reported by participating U.S. retailers.
The survey, published as part of PETS+’s Little Survey Brain Squad coverage, asked retailers what they wished existed in the categories. Adina Silberstein of Queenie’s Pets in Philadelphia said a headlamp made for dogs could be useful for hikes and boating because, in her view, a light mounted on a dog’s head would not shift like one attached to a collar. The report does not describe a product currently being developed or a planned launch.
Several respondents focused on fit and function. Lisa Kirschner of Sit, Stay, ‘N Play requested a back-clip harness with full coverage for barrel- and deep-chested dogs, adjustable nonplastic buckles and a design that works for those body shapes. Joanna Shaw of All Pet & Equine Supply asked for harnesses that do not restrict movement over a dog’s shoulder blades. Katherine Ostiguy of Crossbones suggested modular harness components that could accommodate different body shapes, rather than relying only on size changes.
Retailers also described gaps in tracking, design and purchasing. Shawn Firek of Desert Whiskers Cat Sitting wanted lightweight GPS trackers for cats with longer battery life and less bulky collars; Ann Weber of Fancy Paws similarly requested trackers that are easier to use and less cumbersome. Other suggestions included mid-priced seasonal designs, more cat collar options, comfortable leash grips, interchangeable tag clips and modular leash parts. Kristen Hawkins of Pup said high minimum order quantities had led the store to stop carrying harnesses because it could not justify ordering more than it expected to sell.
Retailers Cite Fit and Stocking Gaps
The responses describe product and retail-operation concerns raised by participating retailers. Requests for harnesses suited to specific body shapes and designs that allow shoulder movement address fit and mobility. Requests for smaller order quantities and clearer displays concern retailers’ ability to stock and present products. The survey reports retailer views and does not establish consumer demand or product performance.
Some suggestions concern merchandising and retail programs. Robert L. Critselous of Drooly’s Dog Bakery said brands should account for the work involved in identifying, sizing and displaying collars in stores. Another respondent, Molly Lewis of Dog River Pet Supplies, proposed a trade-in program exchanging shock or prong collars for harnesses. The survey records that proposal; it does not say a brand or retailer has adopted it.
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How the Brain Squad Survey Works
PETS+ describes the Brain Squad as a group for owners or top managers of U.S. pet businesses serving the public. The publication says members are invited to complete a five-minute quiz each month and may be featured in the magazine. The October report presents responses from named retailers across several U.S. locations and business types.
The article is a collection of respondents’ wishes rather than a market study with reported sales data, a published sample size or a comparison with earlier surveys. Its value is in documenting specific requests from participating retailers, ranging from wider collars and center-ring designs to more attractive training harnesses and clearer in-store displays. The published material does not provide evidence that these requests represent all pet retailers or pet owners.
““I have stopped carrying harnesses because I can’t justify the MOQ when I only sell a handful a year.””
— Kristen Hawkins, Pup
Survey Scope and Product Plans
The report does not state the number of survey respondents, how participants were selected, or whether the responses are representative of the wider pet retail sector. It also provides no sales figures or customer research to show how widely shoppers share these preferences. Each suggestion should be read as an individual retailer’s request, not as an industry-wide consensus.
There is no indication that manufacturers have committed to producing a dog headlamp, a new tracker, redesigned harnesses or other requested products. The report gives no timetable, pricing, technical specifications or confirmation of product development. Whether brands will act on the feedback remains unknown.
Retailers Await Brand Responses
The survey report itself does not announce a manufacturer response or a next product launch. The immediate next step for readers is to watch for brands or retailers to address the requests through product announcements, changes to order terms or expanded merchandising materials. PETS+ says Brain Squad members take part in monthly quizzes, so further retailer feedback may appear in later coverage, but the publication did not specify when it would revisit this wish list.
For now, the dog headlamp is a retailer suggestion, not a confirmed product. The same distinction applies to proposals such as modular harnesses and smaller minimum orders: the survey identifies possible areas for change, while any commercial response remains to be seen.
Key Questions
What did the PETS+ survey report?
It published pet retailers’ requests for improvements to collars, harnesses, leashes and tags, along with comments on product ordering and store displays.
Is a dog headlamp being launched?
The report does not announce a launch or name a company developing one. A retailer proposed the idea for dogs that hike or boat with their owners.
What harness changes did retailers request?
Respondents asked for harnesses that better accommodate different body shapes, offer more adjustability and avoid restricting shoulder movement. These are survey suggestions, not confirmed product specifications.
What did retailers say about GPS trackers?
Some respondents wanted less bulky, easier-to-use trackers; one specifically requested a lightweight cat GPS tracker with longer battery life.
Does the survey show these views represent the whole industry?
No. The published report does not give a respondent total or sampling method, so it cannot establish how widely these requests are shared across retailers or customers.
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