Usually the phrase "As seen on TV" makes me flee in the opposite direction from whatever product it's advertising. It conjures up images of ThighMasters, Snuggies and HeadOn (apply directly to the forehead). Sometimes an as-seen-on-TV product transcends the genre, rising to a new, enlightened level of absurdity. The Woof Washer 360 is one of these.
The Woof Washer 360 consists of a large hoop with water sprayer holes poked into the inside, a built-in shampoo dispenser and an attachment to go onto a standard garden hose. You load up the soap, turn on the hose water and slide the hoop around and up and down your dog, like a canine power washer.
The obligatory TV commercial shows a dirty dog with a helpless owner chasing it around with a hose in frustration. It then shows a series of extremely calm and patient dogs getting cleaned with the device.
The Woof Washer 360 promises to let you wash your dog in under a minute and to make you "love washing your dog again," as if you ever really loved it to begin with. It's currently only available in the US, though the company behind it, R&H Direct, says it's working to release the product globally. The gadget comes in two sizes, small for $20 and large for $25.
The Woof Washer 360 is pretty high up in the pantheon of bizarre dog gadgets, but it has some good company in the form of dog translators, high chairs for pups and private pooch spas.
As with any as-seen-on-television product, a dose of skepticism is in order here. Anyone with a wiggly or excitable dog is bound to have more of a challenge when using a device like this. It's hard to determine how much water pressure comes out of the little holes and how well it would penetrate thick fur. Maybe it's brilliant. Maybe it will end up in your pile of regrettable purchases along with your PajamaJeans, Flowbee and Kush breast support.