FIDA at SUPERZOO 2025 — Show Recap and Key Takeaways

We recently returned from SUPERZOO 2025 in Las Vegas and wanted to share a quick recap of what we saw, what people asked about, and the ideas that stuck with our team. SUPERZOO is one of the industry’s major pet-retail gatherings—packed with retailers, trainers, shelter professionals, and product makers—so it was a great place to test product thinking against real, practical needs.

When & where: SUPERZOO 2025 took place in mid-August at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

What we brought to the floor

At our booth we focused on three practical themes that match everyday needs for dog owners, trainers, and shelter staff:

• Injury prevention & ergonomics. We demonstrated how thoughtful force distribution and soft, padded contact points reduce jarring on a dog’s neck and shoulders—especially useful for dogs that tend to lunge.

• Training-friendly design. Short demos showed how front-clip control and clear reward cues speed up loose-leash work without stress.

• Durability for heavy use. Buyers and volunteers asked a lot of questions about materials and hardware that hold up over long, repeated use.

What people asked—and what mattered to them

A few recurring conversation threads stood out:

• “How does this protect the dog?” Attendees wanted to understand the biomechanics—how force is redirected away from the throat and spread across larger muscle groups.

• “Can this survive shelter life?” Shelter staff and rescue volunteers pressed on stitching, buckles, and replaceable parts. They valued gear that’s easy to clean and quick to fit.

• “How does it help training?” Trainers were interested in tools that facilitate teaching (front-clip short sessions, predictable leash feedback) rather than substituting for consistent technique.

These questions confirmed our view: practical safety, clear training function, and real-world durability are the features people prioritize when choosing gear.

Live demos & feedback highlights

• Our hands-on demos drew steady interest—showing how a gentle braking mechanism reacts differently from a hard stop, and why that matters for both dog and handler comfort.

• Multiple retail buyers said they valued product demos more than spec sheets—seeing how a device behaves during an unexpected lunge was the deciding factor.

• Shelter pros appreciated compact, quick-fit designs and asked about bulk/partner programs for staff training and procurement.

What we learned and what’s next

• Education still wins. Short, practical clinics at the booth landed better than long pitches. People want to learn how to use gear correctly—then they’ll buy.

• Small design details matter. Little things—padding at a specific pressure point, a leather stopper, or an easy top handle—often became the reason someone decided a product was worth testing.

• Field feedback will shape product updates. We collected use-case suggestions from trainers and shelter staff and will prioritize fixes that improve fit, longevity, and cleaning.

Thanks for reading. SUPERZOO was a productive few days—lots of good conversations and practical ideas to bring back to the product table. We’ll keep sharing what we learn, and we appreciate everyone who stopped by to test gear and trade insights