What is Alltails?
Alltails is a dog training app aimed to create enjoyable training habits for dog owners.
With Alltails, users can take part in customised training programmes, set up training reminders and track progress over time.
The challenge
Young dog owners struggle to build consistent training habits. Without proper training, behavioural issues develop, leading to frustration, damaged bonds and, in worst cases, dogs being surrendered to shelters.
How might we help busy dog owners build rewarding training habits that fit their lifestyle?
My design process
I followed the Double Diamond process to make sure design decisions were grounded in research.
Discover
- Problem space
- Research
- User interviews
- Affinity mapping
Define
- Persona
- Experience mapping
- User stories
- Task flows
Develop
- Wireframes
- User testing
- Brand development
- UI library
Deliver
- Hi-fi prototype
- Marketing site
- Multi-platform
Understanding the problem space
3M
pandemic puppies
UK households 2020-2021
27%
of UK adults own a dog
Highest rate in a decade
Key demographic
Millennials
Largest group of new dog owners
What the data told me
Expectation mismatch
Dog ownership often doesn't match millennial expectations. Many lack awareness of the patience required to train their dogs.
Training barriers
Most dog owners don't properly train their dogs due to insufficient time, motivation and knowledge.
Real consequences
Behavioural problems are one of the top reasons people give their dogs to rescues.
Find a rewarding and simple way to help owners train their dogs.
What users told me
I interviewed 3 dog owners to understand their challenges and motivations.
"I usually train in short bursts when I remember, but it's not consistent."
"I tried a few apps but found them overwhelming or too generic."
"I want my dog to be well behaved and socialise with other dogs."
"I want to build a strong bond with my dog through training."
"I don't have enough time for consistent training sessions."
"I'm not sure if I'm using the right techniques for my dog's breed."
The patterns that emerged
Personalisation
People struggle to find information specifically for their types of dogs. They want training tailored to their situation.
Motivation
People struggle to keep their motivation over time. Once progress drops, so does the motivation.
Time
Time and patience are common barriers. Shorter, more regular bursts of training tend to be more appealing.
Turning insights into direction
With a clear understanding of the problem, I created a persona and mapped the experience to find opportunities.
Meet Katie, 32 years old
Mapping the current experience
Task flows
I mapped out three task flows to cover the core user journeys. Here's an example of the main flow.
Context
Katie is logged in and presented with personalised recommendations. She decides to take part in a training programme, set up reminders and complete a class.
From wireframes to prototype
I moved from paper sketches to digital wireframes, testing with users along the way.
Paper sketches
Quick sketches to explore layouts and flows before committing to digital.
Testing and iterating
I ran usability tests with the lo-fi prototype to validate assumptions. Each round of feedback shaped the next iteration.
1Iteration 1
Before
After
Changes: Added clearer progress indicators and improved navigation patterns.
2Iteration 2
Before
After
Changes: Simplified home screen layout and improved onboarding flow.
Brand development
I settled on 'Alltails' because it captures the themes of personalisation, motivation and patience.
Moodboard
UI library
Brand colours
Wordmark and app icon
The results
100%
Task completion
Users completed core flows successfully
3/3
Users validated
Found the app intuitive and engaging
Key feedback
"I'd actually use this. The reminders would keep me accountable."
— Test participant
What worked
Hypothesis validated
Young dog owners are motivated to train, but need a solution that fits their lifestyle.
Alltails addresses this by making training feel achievable, trackable and rewarding.
Reflections
What I learned
This project reinforced the importance of validating assumptions early. The nuances I discovered through user interviews shaped the final product significantly.
Motivation isn't the barrier for most users. It's finding a method that respects their time and shows tangible progress.
Next steps
Thanks for reading
Sanna Forbes | UX research, UX design and UI design
