Leaving a dog alone at home can be heartbreaking. Many dogs suffer from separation anxiety, pacing, howling, scratching, or distress when their human leaves. Todd Schramm saw this problem with his own rescue dog and decided it shouldn’t just be a dog’s burden to endure.
On Shark Tank, Todd pitched a novel idea: an inflatable “human-shaped” companion called Gerty that gives dogs a comforting presence when they’re home alone. He asked for $50,000 in exchange for 20% equity.
In this article, we examine the pitch, the questions asked, how each Shark responded, the final deal, what might have gone wrong (or what risks remain), the product’s availability today and, what has happened since the show.
Gerty Pets’ Best Friend Net Worth Shark Tank Update
Todd Schramm went on Shark Tank asking for $50,000 for 20% of his company. This meant he thought his business was worth $250,000. He made a deal with Kevin O’Leary for $50,000 in exchange for 30% of the company. That deal lowered the value of the company to about $166,667. After the show, Gerty got more attention online, with sales through its website and Amazon. If the business kept growing at about 10% each year, its current net worth in 2025 would be between $200,000 and $300,000.
What Happened To Gerty After Shark Tank?
After the Shark Tank episode aired, Gerty continued to be sold via its official website and Amazon listings. Their site markets free U.S. shipping promotions, customer reviews, and a custom face option.
Gerty is available in two versions: standard (about $39.99) and custom face (about $64.99). Reviews show that dogs relax when Gerty is left with them. The public update also notes that Gerty was invented after Todd saw his dog find comfort in his laundry scent, and that he built a brand around that intuition.
Did Gerty Get a Deal On Shark Tank?
Yes, the entrepreneur Todd accepted an offer from Kevin O’Leary. All the other Sharks declined.
| Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Accepted? |
| Michael Strahan | Out | N/A |
| Lori Greiner | Out | N/A |
| Kevin O’Leary | $50,000 for 30% equity | Yes |
| Robert Herjavec | Out | N/A |
| Barbara Corcoran | Out | N/A |
Gerty Pets’ Best Friend Shark Tank Pitch
Todd Schramm Backstory
Todd Schramm is the sole founder (from what is publicly known). He had a rescue dog with severe separation anxiety and tried many existing remedies (calming chews, music, toys, behavior training) with limited success. In a moment of desperation, he left a pile of his laundry on the dog’s bed, and to his surprise, the dog curled next to it. That insight, that scent, and presence comforted the dog, inspired the concept for Gertie (later marketed as Gerty).
He designed a human silhouette in vinyl, optimized with three air chambers and a friendly face. He spent time refining how dogs would accept it, how you should dress it in worn clothes, introduce it like a person, deflate its legs to sit, and inflate its legs to stand. He secured a patent pending on the triple-valve system. During the pitch, he cited retail cost of $39.99, manufacturing landed cost of $7.50, and described early sales of ~200 units in nine months (~$6,000–7,000 in revenue).
Early challenges included overcoming consumer skepticism (this sounds creepy), proving efficacy beyond anecdotal reviews, building trust in a pet wellness market, designing durable and safe vinyl that pets won’t chew destructively, and scaling logistics, especially handling returns or defects.
Initial Pitch
Todd entered the Tank confidently. He introduced the problem: millions of dogs suffer when left alone. He framed Gertie as a solution: a friendly inflatable presence that dogs can lean on, with emotional warmth and the smell of their owner. He made the pitch humorous and vivid: Gertie is “96% vinyl and 4% magic,” with big eyes, a smile, and “terrifying burglars.”
He demonstrated it: Gertie has three air valves so legs can be deflated to sit or inflated to stand. The founders explained that users should dress Gertie in worn clothes so that the dogs smell their owner. Over a 24–48 hour introduction period, owners are to talk to Gertie, treat it as a person, and help the dog associate it with comfort.
He revealed pricing: $39.99 per unit, cost to make (landed) ~$7.50. He said about 200 units had been sold so far. He stated that 50% of sales occurred in the last three months. He claimed that about 40% of dogs suffer separation anxiety, especially rescue dogs. He discussed offering a custom face option via vinyl stickers, and how the business needed funding to scale marketing, inventory, and reduce unit cost.
When he asked for $50,000 for 20% equity, some Sharks pushed back on valuation and creepiness. But Kevin made a persuasive counteroffer, which Todd accepted.
Queries About the Product
Robert asked how Todd tested Gertie. Todd replied that they filmed before/after test videos: dogs howling before, then calm under Gertie.
Kevin asked the price. Todd said $39.99 retail.
Michael asked about the cost to make. Todd said the landed cost is ~$7.50.
Lori asked whether Gertie is just a generic blow-up doll. Todd said no, it’s custom-designed with triple-chamber valve control.
Lori then asked what the three valves do. Todd explained torso and legs inflate separately, enabling a sit or stand position.
Lori asked whether scent or perfume attachments help. Todd responded that you must carefully dress Gertie in your old clothes so the dog associates the familiar smell immediately.
Robert asked whether the dog thinks Gertie is you or another human. Todd said the dog treats it like another human figure; you must “introduce” Gertie by hugging it, talking to it, and giving it high-fives so the dog believes it’s a real presence.
Lori asked whether the dog just needs another presence, not a perfect human. Todd agreed, saying what matters is physical presence.
Robert asked whether the results were only Todd’s own dog’s experience. Todd read reviews such as “I hate that it worked… now I have a blow-up doll I must explain.” He conceded it seems creepy to humans, but some users say it genuinely helps.
Michael asked how long it’s been on the market. Todd said about nine months.
Lori asked how many dogs have separation anxiety. Todd estimated ~40%, especially high for rescue dogs.
Michael asked what the revenue had been so far. Todd repeated ~$6,000–7,000. Michael asked if a custom face would increase the price. Todd said yes slightly, using sticker overlays rather than full remold.
Robert commented on creepiness. Todd acknowledged the oddness but emphasized the potential in a novel niche.
Kevin asked how he would recoup $50,000. Todd said he was open to negotiation on pricing, inventory, and marketing arrangements.
Shark’s Responses and Final Deal
Robert quickly passed. He said, “I wish you the best.”
Michael called it too early for him. He thought Gertie might work, but it did not match his interests.
Lori admired the concept but declined, saying it needed refinement and wasn’t a fit for her.
Barbara expressed conflicted interest: she thought it was smart, quirky, and possibly viral, but still passed, saying it was too early.
Kevin was undeterred. He saw viral potential in the strange but evocative idea. He proposed $50,000 for 30% equity, saying, “You get 70 cents, I get 30, and we just blow it up on social.” He referenced his experience backing odd ideas like Potato Parcel, ideas so silly that they go viral.
Todd accepted Kevin’s offer. Final deal: $50,000 investment in exchange for 30% equity in Gerty.
Product Availability
Gerty is sold via its official site, thegerty.com. Its “Shark Tank Special” page shows free U.S. shipping and a price of $39.99. A custom face version is offered for $64.99.
The site describes product features: three inflation chambers, the ability to sit or stand, U-shaped arms to let the dog curl up, and instructions to dress Gerty with your worn clothes and introduce it gradually. Gerty’s Amazon listing also exists, labeled “as seen on Shark Tank,” with descriptions of the triple-chamber design.
Customer reviews are highlighted, including quotes like “Toffee LOVES his Gerty” and “I never thought I’d have an inflatable woman sitting on my couch… but it helps my dog.”
Because Gerty requires no electronics or complicated parts, its logistical demands are lighter (folded shipping, inflation). But its shelf viability in physical pet stores or big box retailers remains unclear and likely limited by the “creepy doll” perception.
Conclusion
Gertie’s journey on Shark Tank was riveting: a weird, quirky product with emotional heart and a bold pitch. Todd took a deeply personal problem, his dog’s anxiety, and offered a provocative but simple solution: make a human-shaped inflatable companion. He asked for $50,000 for 20%. Sharks investigated cost, creepiness, sales, and logistics. While Robert, Michael, Lori, and Barbara all bowed out, Kevin O’Leary embraced the risk, offering $50,000 for 30%. Todd accepted.
The product is now in the hands of dog owners: sold online via its website and Amazon, with custom face options, and featured as a novel tool for separation anxiety relief. Early sales are modest; the majority of growth lies ahead. The risks are many: consumer perception, scale, scientific validation, durability, and margin compression, but the upside is viral, emotional, and novel.
Gertie is proof that innovation often lives at the edge of weird. Whether it becomes a staple in pet care or remains a quirky niche product will depend on execution, partnerships, branding, and scaling wisely.
Hey, I’m Amna Habib an undergraduate student of Bachelors in Business Administration. Shark Tank is one of my favorite TV shows of all time. The show provides a fascinating insight into the world of entrepreneurship by presenting creative solutions to common problems, which strongly connects to my academic interests. I’m interested in learning more about the strategic thinking and creativity that lead these companies as each pitch provides insightful information. I’ve found that watching Shark Tank has inspired my enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship and has been a very enlightening and motivating experience. Apart from business and writing, I love food, shopping, and hanging out with friends and family. Read more About me.
