From Basement to Brand

In the early 2000s, Ken Goldman and his dog, Bauer, were searching for the perfect leash and collar for Bauer’s work as a therapy dog at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Bauer was outstanding at his job, but the gear they used to navigate the hospital hallways (and go on all their other adventures) didn’t live up to their expectations. They needed the right tools for the job, and that’s when Stunt Puppy was born.

Then, now, and in the future – Stunt Puppy gives back. We donate to Red Lake Rosie’s, Black Lives Matter, Save the Boundary Waters, LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, and more. We’ll continue to be thoughtful about how, why, and where we make gear, and intentionally not add more disposable things to the planet.

Our gear is made to last. If it doesn’t, we’ll repair it whenever possible. This means less stuff in landfills and more high-quality products you can use for a lifetime of adventures with your best friend.

Discover how Stunt Puppy has evolved over the years through our exciting partnerships with brands like D-fa and Fi, and learn where we are today

Through the Years

2005

  • Ken and Bauer realize that if they want the functional, reliable, high-quality gear they can’t find on the market, they’ll have to make it
  • Ken pulls out a sewing machine and creates the Stunt Runner™, a dog leash fitted with a flexible connector that enables him to work and run with Bauer by his side. Bauer eats treats and is a very good boy.

2006

  • Ken builds the Stunt Runner from the dog up, considering everything from the strength and stretch of the material to the ease of use for both dogs and humans. Bauer takes lots of naps and continues to be a very good boy.
  • Ken and Bauer ask neighborhood dogs to test the Stunt Runner. Then they ask the most active canines to give the gear a go — search-and-rescue dogs, law enforcement dogs, Iditarod dogs, dock-diving dogs. These dogs continue to test all Stunt Puppy products and inspire new gear.

2007

  • Stunt Puppy hires its first employee and manufacturing is done close to home in Ely, Minnesota.

2011

  • At the Outdoor Retailer Show, Ken forged a friendship with D-fa Dogs, a New Zealand-based canine outdoor brand. This connection quickly turned into a lasting partnership. Over the next decade, Stunt Puppy integrated D-fa's distinctive outerwear and lifejackets into its product lineup, beginning with the groundbreaking Float Doggy—the first of its kind

2012

  • But Ely isn’t close enough. Ken loves being a maker and knowing where all the materials come from. Manufacturing moves back to Minneapolis.

2013

  • After 3 years of iteration, Ken and the Stunt Puppy team introduce the Go Dog Glo™ Harness.

2018

  • Stunt PuppyID collars launch, and dog owners everywhere rejoice because it’s the end of being woken up in the middle of the night by clanging ID tags.

2022

  • Stunt Puppy forges a partnership with Fi and add Fi-Ready Collars to the product catalogue