CanineQuest
BGDgliderApril 13, 2025
Description
Dog Training as an Audio Adventure – a CanineQuest
Three puzzle levels to challenge your dog. Dog barking, doorbells, bicycle bells or cat meows are played to break their concentration.
In addition to three classic dog puzzles, CanineQuest offers the ability to play audio files in a continuous loop – either immediately or with a delay. This is designed to challenge your dog and help desensitize them to triggering sounds. The delayed reward should capture their attention – not the distracting noise.
Functions
- Dog puzzle slide button
- Dog puzzle bayonet lock
- Dog puzzle locked drawer
- Delayed audio playback Sounds
- Status LED
- Rechargeable battery operation
Hardware and Software Used
Mechanical | |
Name | Quantity |
| M3 threaded insert | 34 |
| M3 x 12mm pan-head screw | 8 |
| M3 x 6mm pan-head screw | 20 |
| M3 x 25mm cylinder head screws | 4 |
| M3 x 35mm cylinder head screws | 4 |
| 20mm felt glides | 8 optional |
| cotton cord 5mm | >6m |
Electrical | |
| Arduino Nano | 1 |
| DFPlayer | 1 |
| 1kOhm resistor | 1 |
| Speaker - 3W 8Ω | 1 |
| Lithium battery shield for 2x 18650 | 1 |
| 18650 lithium-ion battery 2900mAh | 2 |
| 10k Ohm rotary potentiometer | 2 |
| Pushbutton IP67 stainless steel 16mm 2P | 2 |
| Pushbutton with RGB illumination 5V - stainless steel | 4 |
| KW1-103-7 Micro roller switch | 1 optional |
| WAGO 221-413 | 1 |
| WAGO 221-415 | 1 |
| Various strands of wire | |
| Solder | |
| Cable ties |
Tools | |
Name | |
| 3D printer with minimum 200mmx200mm buildplate | |
| Soldering iron | |
| Knife for cleaning edges | |
| Allen key set | |
| Side cutter | |
| Wire stripper | |
Software | |
Name | Version |
| Arduino IDE | 1.8.19 was used for the development |
| PrusaSlicer | 2.8.1 was used for the development |
Wiring Diagram, Code and other Instructions
All necessary files can be found in the “Files” tab: Parts list, assembly instructions, Arduino sketch, circuit diagram and print files.
Assembly
All information on assembly can be found in the “CanineQuest Manual” in the “Files” tab.
Printing Instructions
Ready-made print job files are available. Alternatively, all printing instructions are listed in the manual.
Demo and Usage Instructions
Before the dog can solve the puzzles, the trainer must use the Play, Stop, Next, Previous buttons to select the sound that is to distract the dog. In addition, an appropriate volume should be set using the volume control. Then set the delay between 0-60 seconds with the Delay control. If the puzzle has been prepared with food, it is now ready to be presented to the dog.
While the dog is trying to solve the three puzzle levels, the sound can be changed and the delay and volume can be adjusted.
Repeat until the desired training result has been achieved :).
Idea
Our dog was disturbed by a very specific bird call. The goal of this project was to desensitize him to that sound in a naturally playful way.
Prototype
I used the following PLA in my prototype:
- Buddy3D PLA White
- 3djake ecoPLA Wood Dark Brown
- 3djake ecoPLA Black
- 3djake ecoPLA light blue
