TL;DR
Brian Manni, founder of Pup O'Clock, shares how watching his son grow up alongside their family pug, through bullying, family stress, and the ordinary hardships of childhood, inspired him to build a monthly subscription box that turns dog ownership into a hands-on lesson in responsibility, empathy, and discipline for kids. He explains why dogs returned to shelters are usually under-stimulated rather than "bad," why the one skill a child needs before a dog will truly respond to them is consistency, and why raising a dog with your kids builds better humans, not just better-behaved pets.
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:
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.
Why do dogs end up back in shelters so often?
Most returned dogs aren't dangerous or badly behaved by nature, they're under-stimulated, and without enrichment or the right tools, normal behaviours like chewing or barking spiral into a returned adoption.
Why does my French Bulldog seem to get "picked on" by other dogs?
Because of how they've been bred, many French Bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds can't fully show their teeth or move their facial skin the way other dogs expect, so their attempts to communicate can be misread as aggression or confuse other dogs entirely.
What's the one skill a child needs before a dog will actually listen to them?
Discipline and consistency, a dog won't respond reliably to a child who engages only halfheartedly, but with consistent engagement over time, the relationship becomes natural and rewarding for both the child and the dog.
About the Author: Mariska Nell
Mariska is the founder of Tails and Tones, a design-led, sustainable dog product brand. She's also the host of the Tails and Tones podcast, where she explores dog health, product design, and intentional pet parenting with experts, veterinarians, and fellow dog parents.
Background: Mariska holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Design, a Bachelor's in Interior Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science. She's spent over 10 years working as a sustainability designer and strategist across the UAE, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and India. Her previous work includes collaborations with brands like Nespresso, Costa Coffee, and Dubai Airport, and she founded Design By Mariska, known for trash-to-treasure art exhibited at Dubai International Airport. She's also the host and founder of Mama Earth Talk, a sustainability podcast with 200+ episodes on zero waste and climate action, featuring guests including Dr. Sylvia Earle and the late Dr. Jane Goodall. She created the free Living Lighter course for practical sustainable living.
Piper: Mariska shares her life and work with Piper, her French Bulldog rescue dog. Piper joined the family in 2021 at 5 months old and has been the Chief Paw-duct Tester for everything Tails and Tones creates. Piper's journey, including cleft palate repair, luxating patella, arthritis risk, and recent mobility challenges, directly shaped the founding mission of Elevé (Tails and Tones' first product: a modular, height-adaptive feeding system).
Mission: We are on a mission to help modern dog parents simplify everyday care and elevate life with their pets, without sacrificing style or sustainability. Tails and Tones exists to build products that show up for dog parents, beautiful, sustainable, and robust enough to support you on the worst days. Not just the easy ones.
You can find Mariska at @tailsandtones on Instagram, or visit tailsandtones.com to learn more about Elevé and the Tails and Tones mission.
