The ultimate dog walking jacket

An interview with Marg Shadid, creator of the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket – the first jacket made specifically for dog walkers.

How did you come up with the idea?

After walking family dogs for over 45 years, I just got tired of the everyday hassle of stuffing my jacket with all the needed supplies for an enjoyable dog walk. I observed and chatted with many dog owners who were also having the same hassles, and like most, always forgetting one thing or another, from pick-up bags, the home key, sunglasses, tissues…whatever. So in 2008 I finally decided, enough is enough. The jacket was designed to allow myself, and other dog walkers the convenience of keeping only one jacket supplied, and one jacket that could be used for all seasons and all weather conditions, from the bitter cold of winter, (full jacket), to the hot sunny days of summer, (vest version). The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket gave me back the precious minutes lost in finding and stuffing a coat, to an enjoyable dog walk with confidence of being prepared.

How long did it take to bring your idea to market?

The full process of development has been about 11 months. In order to assure the highest quality it was a series of detailing the jacket’s design, testing the finest fabric, adding superior seam sealing, and having in-use walk testing by various avid dog walkers during different seasons and in different climates.

What makes your product unique?

The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket is a one-of-a-kind product. So often pet products are designed for the pets rather than for the pet owner. Every dog owner knows that it can be just the little things one forgets before the walk begins that can disrupt a fun dog walk, i.e. forgetting the pick-up bags, being locked out of the house, it starts to rain without warning, the leash breaks…on and on. The K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket eliminates those frustrations –which our dogs do pick up on — and allows the owner to simply enjoy having that special walking time with their best friend.

Are you planning any enhancements/improvements to the product?

Yes. Let’s Go Design will be introducing the men’s Dog Walking Utility Jacket this Fall.

What is your professional background? Did that line of work or education help you in developing this product?

I am an ex-broadcast marketing executive, (television), for 30 plus years, during which time I have always had family dog members. My professional background only lent education toward developing the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket in that I was like every other dog owner office executive; rushing in the morning, running home at lunch, making it home at a good time so that I could walk my dogs…and always having to run around the house finding all the dog walking supplies. I believe as an ex-executive, the K-Rosco Dog Walking Utility Jacket is an example of good time management.

Throughout the entire inventive/manufacturing process what was the hardest obstacle you faced? And how did you overcome it?

I had a ton to research and learn; everything from understanding all legalities in product development, different materials, production facilities, shipping, latest forms of advertising…and I am still learning. This truly is the epitome of teaching an old dog a new trick. It has been and continues to be a wonderful experience and totally stimulates my mind in shaking up the creative juices.

What type of pets do you own? And what are their names?

At present we have three family dogs, Rosco, (for 12 years – the jacket is named after him), Duke, (for 10 years – he will be the name for the men’s line), Bueller, (for 3 years). All are shelter dogs. Unfortunately, this past summer our family cat of 18 years, named Dits, passed away.