Another Amazon Best Seller: Meet Gerty, the Unusual Product That’s Helping Some Dogs Stay Calm When Home Alone
If someone had told me an inflatable person could help dogs with separation anxiety, I probably would have laughed.
Then I learned the story behind Gerty.
I’ve shared my life with dogs for as long as I can remember. As an award-winning writer and someone who has worked as a therapy dog team member since 2000, I’ve learned there is rarely a one-size-fits-all solution for behavior challenges. Separation anxiety, in particular, can be heartbreaking. Dogs may bark, howl, pace, drool, destroy furniture, or panic the moment their favorite person walks out the door.
That’s exactly what happened to Todd Schram’s dog, Hamlet.
An Idea Born Out of Desperation
Schram, whose background is in business and technology, adopted Hamlet knowing the little dog struggled with being left alone. Every departure turned into a stressful event filled with barking, crying, and frantic behavior.
Searching for answers, Schram came across the story of a woman who helped her dog by placing a lifelike mannequin in her home. With nothing to lose, he decided to try it himself.
To his surprise, it worked.
Instead of panicking, Hamlet curled up and calmly slept beside the mannequin.
That experience inspired Schram to create Gerty, an inflatable human-shaped companion designed to provide some dogs with a comforting presence while their families are away.
From Living Room Experiment to Shark Tank
What started as a homemade solution soon became a business.
Schram developed a lightweight, affordable inflatable version of the original concept and, on a whim, auditioned for Shark Tank. Although he didn’t expect to make it on the show, seven months later he found himself pitching Gerty to the Sharks.
The unusual product caught the attention of Kevin O’Leary, better known as “Mr. Wonderful,” who invested $50,000 in exchange for a royalty and equity stake in the company. The appearance gave Gerty national exposure and helped introduce the product to thousands of dog owners looking for additional ways to help ease separation anxiety.
One of the company’s fastest-growing products is the Custom Gerty, which allows customers to print their own face on the inflatable companion.
Why Scent May Matter
One of the first things Schram recommends is dressing Gerty in clothing you’ve already worn.
That makes sense to me.
Dogs experience the world through their noses. Your scent is comforting and familiar, which is why many trainers suggest leaving behind a worn T-shirt or blanket when dogs struggle with being home alone. Combining a familiar scent with the appearance of a human figure may help some dogs feel more secure.
It’s also important to introduce Gerty gradually, just as you would introduce your dog to any new object in your home.
Is Gerty Right for Every Dog?
Probably not.
Every dog is different, and separation anxiety exists on a spectrum. Some dogs experience mild stress, while others have severe panic that requires treatment from a veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional.
No product is a magic cure.
Behavior modification, gradual desensitization, environmental management, and in some cases medication remain important parts of treating true separation anxiety. Gerty isn’t intended to replace those approaches, but it may become another helpful tool for some families.
I also love that Schram is testing Gerty in animal shelters to see whether it can provide comfort for frightened dogs waiting for adoption. Shelter life is stressful, and any safe innovation that could reduce fear deserves thoughtful exploration.
My Take
One of the things dogs have taught me is to stay curious. The best ideas aren’t always the ones we expect.
If a safe, affordable product can help even a percentage of anxious dogs feel calmer while their families are away, I think it’s worth learning about. Every dog is an individual, and what works beautifully for one may not work for another. That’s true of training methods, enrichment activities, calming aids—and perhaps Gerty as well.
A quick note: Seven, Paige Turner, and I have not personally tried Gerty. We learned about it through its fascinating origin story and the research behind separation anxiety, and we thought it was worth sharing with the BlissDog community. As always, every dog is different, and I encourage readers to do their own research and consult their veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional if their dog struggles with separation anxiety.
If you’ve tried Gerty with your own dog, I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.
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