What I Use on My Dogs – Vet Tested Woopf Gear 2025 🐕❤️

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

I’m Dr. Duncan Houston—vet, founder of Woopf, and the guy who lives with two very different Golden Retrievers: Bridie and Kiko.

Bridie is calm, loyal, and composed. Kiko is… not. She’s wild, sweet, energetic, and occasionally unhinged. Together, they’re the reason Woopf exists—and the ultimate testers of every product we’ve created.

In this article, I’ll walk you through what I actually use on my own dogs. No sponsorships. No fluff. Just the gear I trust daily as both a dog dad and a veterinarian.

🐶 Meet the Test Dogs

Bridie – The Golden Matriarch

• Age: 4 years
  
• Temperament: Gentle, obedient, confident
  
• Gear Needs: Comfort, control during vet visits, low-profile for all-day wear

Kiko – The Chaos Puppy

• Age: 1.5 years 
• Temperament: Playful, reactive, pulls when excited 
• Gear Needs: Secure fit, escape resistance, shock absorption, training tools

🎽 Harness: Woopf Explorer Harness

This is the only harness I use on both dogs, every day. Here’s why: 

• ✅ Y-front design doesn’t restrict shoulders or rub underarms 
• ✅ Soft padding for comfort, even on long walks or hikes 
• ✅ Four points of adjustment = no sliding or shifting (even when Kiko launches herself sideways) 
• ✅ Front + back clips: I use the front clip for Kiko, the back clip for Bridie 
• ✅ Handle: great for vet visits or guiding past distractions

🔗 Leash: Bungee Lead

Kiko pulls hard. Or, she used to. Now we walk with less tension thanks to this:

• ✔️ Built-in bungee softens sudden lunges and protects joints 
• ✔️ Prevents leash burn or jarring stops 
• ✔️ Close-grip control handle is a lifesaver when we pass other dogs or traffic

Bridie doesn’t need it as much—but I use it anyway because it’s simply more comfortable on my wrist and shoulder.

💼 Walking Essential: Dual Pocket Dispenser

Every pocket walk, every training session, every time I step outside with a dog—I use this pouch.

• 🎁 Front pocket for high-reward treats (Bridie loves boiled chicken, Kiko will eat rocks) 
• 💩 Back pocket for poop bags, easily dispensed with one hand 
• 🔒 Clips securely to my lead or belt loop

It’s compact, washable, and helps me train without juggling everything in my hands.

🌊 Everyday Collar: Sealskin Waterproof Collar

Both dogs wear Sealskin collars daily, especially for beach walks or muddy adventures:

• ✔️ Waterproof and odor-proof (doesn’t absorb stink from the sea or creek) 
• ✔️ Dries quickly after rain or swimming 
• ✔️ Doesn’t chafe when worn 24/7

Collars are for ID tags only—we never walk using collars. But they still need to be safe, lightweight, and skin-friendly. These are.

🧼 Poop Bags: Compostable + 50% Recycled

I use the compostable ones for clean city walks and the recycled ones for rougher hikes or longer outdoor adventures. Both are strong, reliable, and eco-conscious.

🩺 The Real Reason I Use This Gear

I built Woopf to solve the exact problems I saw in vet clinics every day: 

• ⚠️ Escaped dogs after a flimsy harness failed 
• ⚠️ Rashes from tight straps and poor ventilation 
• ⚠️ Tracheal injuries from leash jerks on collars 
• ⚠️ Dogs are terrified of walks because of uncomfortable gear

Everything we sell has been tested on my own dogs, over months—not minutes. And if it doesn’t work for Bridie or Kiko, we don’t release it.

💬 What Other Owners Say

“I bought it because a vet made it. I kept using it because my dog finally walks without stress.” – Sean L.

“We trust it because he trusts it enough for his own dogs. That means everything.” – Alicia R.

🎁 Want the Same Setup I Use? 

• Explorer Harness 
• Bungee Lead 
• Sealskin Waterproof Collar 
• Dual Pocket Dispenser 
• Compostable or Recycled Poop Bags

Final Thoughts

If it’s good enough for my own dogs, it’s good enough for yours. Every product I use on Bridie and Kiko is designed, tested, and trusted by a veterinarian who’s been in the trenches of dog care.