Puppy Bumpers are stuffed pillow collars that keep little dogs from being able to fit out between fence or balcony rails. Puppy Bumpers are made of washable cotton fabric, stuffed with fiberfill so they are light and comfortable for the little dog or puppy. The dog’s collar (not included) slips easily through ribbon loops to keep the Puppy Bumper secure. What a wonderful solution to keeping little dogs in without the expense of extra fencing or chicken wire! Cute colors and holiday designs keep Puppy Bumpers fun for the owners too!
My little Maltese Therapy Dog could get out of any regular fence. I tried taping Styrofoam up with duct tape and every other way to block her in and keep her safe. Finally one day she had on a doggy swim vest and she couldn’t fit through my friend’s wrought iron fence. I realized she didn’t need a whole vest… something around her neck would be enough.
Once I started sewing, through trial and error and consultations with people who were trying the prototypes for me, I developed the design of Puppy Bumpers. We got a website going and we were off to the races. I use internet blogs about dogs to spread the word. Now we have two factories making them (one employs people with disabilities) and have even been picked up by two catalogs. We were awarded a design patent in April and give a portion of our profits to ASK, an organization that gives support to families of kids with cancer. It’s been quite a year but we’re still trying to get the word out.
Inventor: Ann Weiler Price
Ann Weiler Price grew up in St. Louis, Mo. She graduated from Georgetown University in 1974 and settled in Richmond, VA. Most of her experience has come from her career in Real Estate. Several years ago, Price and her three small dogs started working as Therapy Dog Teams, working with Pediatric Oncology patients. Now Price is an evaluator and instructor for Delta Society, a national Therapy Animal Certification Organization, teaching others to work with their own therapy dogs
The process of educating people about Puppy Bumpers has been funny all along. Whenever I explain what Puppy Bumpers do, people laugh. They look like they might be life preservers… and in a way they really are!
Joe says:
Nov 21, 2009 at 11:56 am
And that dog looks so cute in it!
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Sandi Fields says:
Nov 20, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Being in the pet industry I have seen a lot of products. The bumpers go on my list of unique safety items. It's not only stylish but saves puppy's lives. Brilliant product!!! Sandi
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nancy weiler says:
Nov 20, 2009 at 11:39 am
Very clever thinking, to come up with such a great idea!Many pups will live a lot longer, and better more free lives because of it.
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Barb says:
Nov 20, 2009 at 10:01 am
Terrific idea. It's functional and very cute at the same time.
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Andrea Weiler says:
Nov 19, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Why didn't I think of that!
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