VIRAL! This Weird Inflatable Doll Is Curing Dog Separation Anxiety—Meet Gerty!

It might look like a joke, but this smiling inflatable doll may be your anxious dog's new best friend

Words by Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP

Most folks' first reaction to Gerty is a laugh,' says founder Todd Schram. 'They figure it's a silly gimmick and aren't sure what to think. That view flips fast once they see how well it works.'

Schram would know; Gerty grew from pure need.

Schram, who comes from a business-and-tech background, adopted a small dog named Hamlet who battled separation anxiety. Any time he left, the dog would 'cry, bark, howl, and run around frantically,' Schram recalls. Hunting for fixes, he found a woman who eased her dog's anxiety by leaving a lifelike mannequin at home. 'Out of desperation, I tried it too—and to my shock, it worked.'

That's when I knew I had something that could truly change millions of canine and human lives.

Is An Inflatable Doll the Solution to Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

He set out to design a cheap, inflatable take on the idea, naming the first prototype Gerty. He set up a camera and left Hamlet alone with the doll. 'What I saw changed everything,' says Schram. 'Hamlet was calmly sleeping under Gerty. Right then, I knew I had something that could truly change millions of canine and human lives.'

On a whim, Schram hit an open casting call in early 2025 for Shark Tank in Las Vegas, figuring his odds of landing on the show were next to nil. Seven months later, Gerty stood before the Sharks.

Reduce Rough Play #1: Boost Daily Exercise

Kevin O'Leary, aka Mr. Wonderful, put $50,000 into the company for a 22.5% royalty and 7.5% equity. 'The experience was surreal, and the spot has changed everything for the company,' says Schram. 'The exposure brought credibility and opened doors that simply wouldn't have opened otherwise.'

'We're getting amazing feedback from dog owners who say Gerty truly changed their lives.'

Custom Gertys: Put Your Own Face On This Inflatable Doll for Dogs

Several thousand Gertys have sold in the first 16 months of business. One of the fastest-growing picks is the custom Gerty, letting customers print their own face on the product, says Schram.

'What I'm most proud of is simply that we're improving pets' lives every single day,' says Schram. 'Seeing the difference Gerty makes for dogs and their families is incredibly rewarding.'

Reduce Rough Play #2: Try Canine Massage

You can find Gerty at thegerty.com and on Amazon.

Reduce Rough Play #3: Use Tethering Techniques

Your dog may own your heart, but you can’t be the centre of his attention 24/7. You also need to teach him to calm down and amuse himself.

Loop a leash around a sturdy piece of furniture and clip it to his collar, tethering him safely. Only do this while you supervise, so he can’t tangle himself. Hand him hard chews and a long-lasting, food-stuffed toy. This works especially well when you want to watch TV or eat dinner.

If he whines or barks, just ignore him—no eye contact either. If he chews the leash, spray it with a deterrent or use a light chain leash. When he settles and picks up a toy, calmly tell him he’s a good dog. Some dogs find this hard and may take an hour to wind down. Be patient—he’ll learn to settle.

If Fido is on a roughhousing rampage and you feel you should step in before he harms something or someone, calmly get him and put him on the tether. Rather than just yelling, you’re giving his energy a proper outlet with the right toys.

Reduce Rough Play #4: Set Consistent Boundaries

It’s not fair to let your dog leap on the couch for cuddles, then yell when he lands on a dinner guest. If you don’t mind Fido on the couch, teach him to sit first and only jump up on a clear cue like “Up.” If he jumps without the cue, make him get down.

Everyone who deals with your dog must follow the same rules, or he’ll never be consistent. No teeth on skin, ever, even in play. No giggling when he paws your leg. You wouldn’t want Fido gnawing or pawing a toddler or your grandmother, so set clear rules and stick to them.

Photo courtesy of Image:rodimovpavel

Reduce Rough Play #5: Invest in Training

Sometimes events trigger the bounce. He’s fine until you grab his leash, then turns into a jumping maniac—and if you clip it then, you’re rewarding that behaviour. Instead, ask for a sit and only release with a cue like “Okay.” Cue sit, then attach the leash. If he pops up, don’t repeat yourself—just wait until he sits again and try once more. He’ll soon learn the leash never attaches until his rear stays on the ground. Training channels his exuberant energy into appropriate behaviour.