TL;DR

Brian Manni didn't set out to change how kids relate to dogs. But after watching his son bond with their family pug through bullying, family stress, and the quiet struggles of childhood, and then seeing the COVID pet adoption wave followed by mass shelter returns, he knew there was a missing tool. Pup O'Clock is a monthly themed subscription box that turns everyday dog ownership into a hands-on lesson in responsibility, empathy, and discipline for kids. Spoiler: the kids aren't the only ones who grow.

Guest Bio:

Brian Manni is the founder of Pup O'Clock, a monthly themed subscription box (with a nonprofit arm) designed to help families build deeper bonds between children and their dogs. Fuelled by his personal journey in sobriety and watching his son navigate childhood with a pug by his side, Brian built Pup O'Clock around the belief that the right tools — not good intentions — are what keep dogs in homes and out of shelters. His mission: reach one million families.

Takeaways:

• Dogs that end up back in shelters aren't bad dogs — they're under-stimulated. Enrichment (mental stimulation) is the most commonly missing piece in family dog ownership.
• The one skill a child needs before a dog will respond to them is discipline and consistency — and those exact same skills build better humans.
• When a child takes responsibility for a living being, something shifts: they're no longer the centre of the universe. The humility and introspection that follows is powerful.
• Themed, monthly boxes keep kids engaged longer than one-off purchases — variety without the parents having to do the research.
• Every Pup O'Clock box includes a built-in contribution back to a shelter, trainer, or organisation supporting the human-dog bond — because behaviour change, not just money, is what stops dogs being returned.

Relevant links mentioned in the episode:

• Use code PIPER10 for 10% off your Pup O'Clock subscription at check out.
• Enrichment Episode with Torri Mistick
• Pup O Clock: Instagram / Facebook / Website
• Review the podcast on Podchaser
• Sign up to our Tails and Tones newsletter here
• Sign up to our Tails and Tones waiting list for our first product (Elevated Food System) here
• Find Tails and Tones on our socials: Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / LinkedIn / Website

Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:

[00:00] Intro

[02:19] Brian introduces himself and the Pup O'Clock origin story

[04:33] The specific moment that sparked it all — Brian's son and their family pug

[08:15] Building the product: market research, the expert team (Dr. Daisy + Torri Mistick), and the response from shelters

[12:03] What's inside the box? Trading cards, vet guides, enrichment activities, chore chart, and more

[16:31] Getting kids off screens, the pendulum swung too far

[18:50] The one skill a child needs for their dog to respond to them

[20:36] Why variety matters, and how monthly themes keep kids engaged

[25:46] The nonprofit side: why money alone doesn't solve the shelter return problem

[27:34] Brian's big dream: 1 million families and a full entertainment company

[29:18] The enrichment pivot, what changed everything

[31:53] What this journey has taught Brian: sobriety, accountability, and building with his son

[32:37] Where to find Pup O'Clock

FAQ

Is Pup O'Clock available outside the US?

Not yet, Pup O'Clock currently ships to all 50 US states.

What age is Pup O'Clock designed for?

The boxes are designed to engage kids of all ages through themed activities, trading cards, and enrichment materials, with content that grows with them.

How do I get a discount?

Use code PIPER10 for 10% off, or check with your local shelter as Pup O'Clock regularly partners with shelters for promo codes. 6- and 12-month plans also include a built-in discount.

What's inside the flagship box?

Trading cards, a vet guide, an enrichment activity guide (Dog Detective), a responsibility contract, a gotcha certificate, a fridge chore chart (with marker), bandanas, stickers, and enrichment products from SodaPup.

Is Pup O'Clock a nonprofit?

Pup O'Clock has a nonprofit arm for those who want to donate. Every box also includes a built-in contribution back to a shelter, trainer, or organisation supporting the human-dog bond.