Filed under: — Holiday Picks,Toys
Written by: Ashtyn at 11:53 AM
From the moment I saw this toy I knew that it was poised to be the biggest toy of the year. In one package, you receive something parents will love and something that will attract kids for many different reasons. Due to the fact that it’s a little bit on the expensive side, Puppy Grows and Knows your Name makes the perfect special gift. It’s perfect as a Christmas present or for a birthday. No matter when you buy this magical puppy, your child will adore the new addition to the family whether they are young or starting to get older.
Requirements
Puppy Grows & Knows Your Name needs to be hooked up to a computer for all of the personalization features to work correctly. While the puppy will work without a computer, by hooking the pup up, you have the luxury of the puppy knowing your child’s name and birthday and the puppy’s own name, which your child can give them. If you plan to hook the puppy up you will need a standard USB cord. If you do not have one you will want to pick one up because one is not included. Additionally, you will need four AA batteries to get things working.
Basics
The thing that makes this puppy great is the entire concept. Most kids want a dog. Most parents fight this procedure. Parents want to give their children extra ways to learn responsibility, but they usually do not want to include a live animal in that process. This is especially true when they are young. However, Puppy Grows & Knows Your Name is fabulous because there are no live puppy worries. The puppy is alive enough to please the child and toy enough to appease the parents. In the end, everyone wins.
In Depth Information
I received the Poodle for this review. Puppy Grows and Knows your name is also available in a Golden Retriever form. First, let me say, this toy is absolutely too cute for words. While I am normally not a big Poodle fan it is really cute. If they ever make a Shih Tzu, I will probably end up getting one of those, too. When you receive the puppy it is in puppy mode and that means it is at the smallest possible size. This is the point when you want to hook the puppy up to the computer and get things started.
The personalization phase occurs on the computer. This gives your child a chance to name their new best friend. There are plenty of available names so they shouldn’t have a problem finding one they like. They are also able to add their own name and birthday, and a few other things. The puppy will be able to identify your child by name.
While mechanical, the puppy has a lifelike appeal. Over the process of a few days the puppy will grow from its small size to a full grown height. Things begin with a good start. The puppy is pretty interactive from day one. I wasn’t sure what the voice would sound like, but it’s as adorable as the puppy. On the first day, the puppy wants to be stroked and petted. The puppy asks to be brushed and they like singing songs during this time, too. Your puppy will grow by the second day. They will have an expanding vocabulary and will know other songs. On the second day the puppy will want food and more scratching attention from their owner.
The puppy will continue to grow throughout the rest of the week. Each day, until the puppy is fully grown, they will understand and say more words and have more sayings. When the puppy has grown to its full height (usually around day four) they will want to be measured. Once they are fully grown your child can repeat the process or leave them at full height for as long as they would like. The puppy comes with a bone so your child can give the puppy a treat, a brush so they can brush the puppy and keep them neat and a measuring tape so that they can watch the progress as the puppy grows.
Children love the puppy and the way that the puppy seems to be made just for them. The fact that the puppy will add your child’s name into songs that they sing is enough reason to want to hook the puppy up for personalization purposes. However, if you do not have a USB cord at the time of purchase, the puppy will work without this option. It certainly adds a special touch to a wonderful toy though.
Puppy Grows & Knows Your Name is recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 7. Based on the toy I would agree with that assessment. I had a three year old playing with this puppy and he had a great time. He had been telling mom and dad that he wanted a dog, so naturally, they loved this toy, too because it got them out of dog duty. Your child will be able to take care of the puppy in every single way necessary and you won’t have to worry about any messes in the process.
Bottom Line
A lot of toys will be listed as a hot holiday item this year, but they won’t really fit the bill. This is not one of those toys. Puppy Grows & Knows Your Name is probably going to be the best toy of the season. It’s cute, non-offensive, fun, clean, and teaches responsibility. Children will be entranced and adults will love the safety in allowing their child a pet without all the possibly negative issues that might come from owning a real dog when you have a small child.
If you’re looking for something special this Christmas, you should consider this toy. Your children will love it and their smiles and laughter will be well worth the price you pay for this great addition to the family.
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Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
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you can check fisher price site for the instruction manual. I have pasted the link that takes you to it below
I keep getting a message saying It couldn’t find MSVCR80dll requid by C program 1/Micro s-4 office 12/Grove Util.Dll.
Very upset, my child is even more upset!
Please HELP!!!!!!
So do I.
What is necessay to correct this problem??????
I’m having the same problem. I was able to install the program by running the Set Up (cannot get the program to run otherwise), and we thought everything was good right to the end of the installation, but when trying to download it gives the same error, missing the MSVCR8.dll. I do have this on the computer as I easily found it. So how do we fix this???
If you get a MSVCR80.dll error message trying to load the CD with Puppy Grows and Knows your Name, you will need to uninstall or remove Windows Defender from the Add/Remove Programs on your Control Panel.
I am receiving this error as well, do not have a Windows Defender installed though. I was unable to install via the CD startup as well. Seems as thought this product was not test
m Jack – Microsoft often installs Windows Defender as a default on your computer. Most people don’t know it exists until it causes them problems!
I am having a problem when I start the installation. I insert the disc and click install. I then click next for the language. When I click that I agree with the terms and click next is says unable to finish task with the Error code 10.11.0 Can anyone tell me what is wrong?
I am getting the MSVCR80.dll error message as well. I have searched my drives and have not found Windows Defender anywhere on my system. I do however have many MSVCR80.dll files for other applications. Has anyone found a solution to this problem?
I’m seeing the same problem with msvcr80.dll. I uninstalled windows defender, and yet it still happens. I’m not sure how the two could possibly be related. I think it’s happening because the puppy software was written incorrectly. My guess is that they didn’t take into account that they have to redistribute msvcr80.dll (the C runtime) on their own, and not depend on it being on the system. Are there any other fixes?
hi i got this puppy for my lil girl last year but i accidently thru out the usb cable.. but not i got a cable but i lost the cd is there any way to get the program over the web or something thank u
if u can help….
The MSVCR80.dll error is a software error. The tech support guy said the new software “Should” be available on-line at service.fisher-price.com before Christmas. You can also call Customer Service at 888-926-1231, they will send you a new disc when available.
For MSVCR80.dll error, try uninstalling Microsoft’s Office Grove Monitor.
The app still has issues with Vista, should run fine on WinXP i guess.
Cant find the updated installer on the internet. No support download of drivers/installers from fisher-price online, surprises me.
I keep getting access denied everytime I try to load the Cd. What do I do?
I am having the same issue with my daughters toy that she got for Christmas. I talked to Fisher Price today and they claim the problem is not their software but windows and I need to contact Microsoft. Microsoft said that the problem is not theirs but Fisher Price’s faulty software and there is nothing that they can do. Fisher Price is sending me a new CD because they are now saying my CD must have a problem. So now I am waiting for a new disc. Honestly I have a feeling that I am going to end up contacting the Better Business Bereau to get anything accomplished. Mattel is having major problems with their toys, before it was lead in my daughters barbie toys and now this major software issue in a toy that promises kids that their dog can personally talk to them. They really need to clean up their act.
If anybody finds out anything else I would love to hear about it!
I am also getting the ‘access is denied’ issue – my daughter is heart broken. We are running Windows Vista FWIW.
Hi, I tried calling that phone number but it is disconnected. Do you have a better number? Did you ever get it fixed? I am still having that problem with my daughter’s puppy. Please help.
Hi, did you get anywhere? My daughter’s puppy still doesn’t work. Did your knew CD correct the problem?
Fisherprice are seriously dumb however i am now 
im only joking,
the problem is with the start up screen this can be bypassed luckily
insert your disk
open my computer and right click the icon for your dog
click open
double click setup
i hope this resolves all your issues, what a stupid company they are
Habtopia
This is a dumb mistake by fisherprice
I hope i can help some of you.
insert your disk and open my computer
right click your disk icon and click open
double click the setup icon
hopefully that will start the install program on your pc
Habtopia
Hello Yesika,
I have the same problem,I got a puppy from a friend without the CD and I would like to personalize the puppy for my kid. If you found already the SW CD can you help me out with an advice how to download it.
Thank you a lot. Best wishes. Alexis.
YOU CAN BUY A CD FOR PUPPY GROWS AND KNOWS YOUR NAME AT SERVICE MATTEL.COM IT’S ONLY $1.00 AND USB CABLE/CORD THING IS ONLY $1.00 AROUND THERE, WHEN YOU ENTER THE SITE IT SHOULD BE ON THE SIDE WHERE YOU CAN BUY EXTRA PARTS IF NOT IT’S SOMEWHERE ON THE SITE LOL I’M SO HAPPY THERE SHIPPING MY DISC IN NOW REMEMBER
http://WWW.SERVICE MATTEL.COM
I have installed the software ” eventually ” BUT when i click to run it i get a small box pop up saying access denied ? anyone got any ideas ?
I am having that same problem. I managed to get the software installed after the “access denied” message kept coming up, but now I am getting it again when I try to run the program! How annoying!
I’m having the same problem.
My system well & truely meets the requirments.
I’ve got the latest flash player.
Windows Defender is set to ‘DISABLED’
Tried going into My Computer and running the set up from there. No different.
Tried right clicking on the desktop icon, going to properties and changing the compatibility, I’ve tried ‘run as administrator’… I’ve tried everything. Nothing works.
I’m using Vista FWIW.
I contacted FP…. I gave them my computer specs and told them what version of flash etc. I have… they’re extremly helpful advice was to check my computer specs!!???? GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
SO many heart broken little children out there, NOT HAPPY with Fisher Price!
Got the ‘access denied’ message on Vista, even after installing the software.
Tried Windows XP – worked fine.
Hahah, they want you to buy a CD bc there product doesn’t work, thats hilarious!
MISSING CD DOWNLOAD + WORK AROUND FOR THE MSVCR80.DLL ERROR
Copy and paste the following address into your browsers address bar and you can dowload the installer at the bottom of that page: http://service.mattel.com/us/faq_results.asp?category=352&product_number=M9795&faqPage=1&faq_id=60937
NOW, THE MSVCR80.DLL ERROR WORKAROUND
1. Insert the CD and open “My Computer”, right-click the CD Drive icon and select “Open”. OR, open the installer folder if you downloaded the installer.
2. Run (double-click) the “setup.exe” located on the cd, or the “setup.exe” from the downloaded installer (linked above).
3. Attach the USB cable to your dog and your computer, then run the “Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name” program.
4. After you assign your childs name and the dogs name go to the next step where it is supposed to upload the data to your puppy… it will fail but do it anyway. Close out the program.
5. Now open “My Computer” and browse to the program’s installation folder which is at “C:\Program Files\Fisher-Price\Puppy Grows and Knows Your Name” and double-click the file called “orderusb.exe”. It will seem like nothing happened, but it works.
6. Disconnect your puppy and try it out.
I hope this helps. My daughters puppy is now saying her name. I think the MSVCR80.DLL issues are related to the interface of their program, but the info that tells the “orderusb.exe” to give your puppy its name and your childs name get written to a couple files before the interface crashes. Please add comments to this forum as to whether or not this helps since I have only tried it once.
I bought one of those dogs here in Spain for last Christmas. I had the MSVCR80.DLL error and contacted with the technical service but we didn`t get any solution.
I found this web page this morning and I tried the solution proposed by Wayne and, SUCESS!!! the puppy is now saying the name of the child!!!
Thanks Wayne for your help.
hello all, please help me..
my cousin bring this as a gift from USA, but unfortunatelt she lost the cd.. what should i do.. please please reply me, im from indonesia.. really dont understand with this kind of toys..
Thanks to Wayne ! His solution works on my XP.
Kids are happy now. I can’t believe it that lousy Fisher-Price website doesn’t have customer support with software updates. In 2010 it looks weird. They don’t have QA department for sure and will loose their business to their competitors.
i have figured out how to install the software for puppy grows and knows your name. nothing worked at all until i did the following:
1: insert the CD
2: browse the CD (do not let it self-install)
3: find the program “setup.exe” (do not run the flash program, this is where the problem is)
4: right click and install as administrator
5: after program installs, right click on the program itself in the start menu and select properties
6: choose run in compatability mode (windows XP service pack 3 works for me)
7: choose OK
now the program should run ok.
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Can you help me? Someone in the house threw out the box and the directions. I have the CD and a USB cable, but I can’t figure out how to personalize the puppy. I thought it would go on auto when I hooked it up to the computer and installed the CD, but nothing happens. All I keep getting is the install program for AIM and some other programs, and I can’t get past that step. Thanks for your help.