Today we’re excited to be connecting with Karen Hopper again. We’re excited to feature one of their products in our gift guide – learn more below and we encourage you to use your gift budget to support small businesses & creatives whenever possible.

Karen, thanks for joining us again. We’re so excited to have a product focused conversation today. Can you bring our readers up to speed on the product side?
Our top-selling and most popular product is the Picket Protector + Classic Harness Bundle. This bundle includes a comfortable step-in harness, available in various colors and sizes, along with one of our patented Picket Protectors. The Picket Protector comes in 10 colors and 2 sizes and can be easily attached or removed from the harness as needed. In addition to the Classic Bundle, we also offer an Elite Bundle, which features a more advanced harness, as well as several cold weather bundles that include fleece and Sherpa vest options for optimal warmth and comfort.

The Picket Protector + Classic Harness Bundle was our original product offering, introduced in the summer of 2023. It’s creation was inspired by our little dachshund, Cashew, that we had recently rescued. She escaped through our fence the first day we had her and the Picket Protector was born!

Do you remember the moment you realized the world needed this product?
The idea for the Picket Protector came to life shortly after we brought our little dachshund, Cashew, into the family—actually, it was less than an hour after her adoption! Her first foray into the backyard quickly went from calm to chaos when she slipped through the fence pickets and took off on an impromptu adventure. She raced down the street, through the woods, and around the neighboring houses. Trust me, the security camera footage from our neighbor’s house is priceless!

We eventually caught up with her—only because she was completely exhausted and ready to give up. That wild afternoon marked the beginning of our mission to create the Picket Protector. If we were facing this problem, surely many other small dog owners were too! We started with a DIY prototype made from a shoestring harness, zip ties, duct tape, and a pipe that was way too long (imagine a small dog not just slipping through the gaps but launching herself right over the fence!).

After countless trial-and-error attempts and refinements, we’re excited to offer a solution that keeps those curious pups safely in the yard, transforming their backyard adventures into fun, worry-free playtime instead of frantic neighborhood chases.

How do most people hear about your product?
We started by selling our products at local vendor shows and reaching out to pet stores in the area, eventually getting it into a few of them. Within a month, we expanded to Etsy and later launched our own website. In addition to retail, we collaborate closely with local shelters and humane societies to raise awareness of our products. We also donate products to canine rescues across the country, who auction them online to help raise funds for their efforts. We also promote our products on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

What’s next on the product or brand roadmap?
The future of The Picket Protector is bright, as dogs will always be a beloved part of our lives. However, it’s crucial to keep them safe, as their curious nature often drives them to explore what’s beyond the fence. We need to ensure they stay safe INSIDE the fence!