Woofz is a dog training app with more than 1 million downloads, which unlocks the secrets of what makes pets tick and helps create a more harmonious pet-person relationship. It includes a variety of training courses, pet tracker functionality, a puppy journal, and a handy pet clicker tool all in one comprehensive app. Our main mission is to build a strong bond between dogs and their owners for a happy lifetime friendship.
We developed Woofz in close collaboration with professional dog handlers who share their experience through various audio and video lessons and special programs.
How did you come up with the idea for the company?
Woofz is a Pet Tech sub-brand of Gismart, a global developer and publisher of mobile apps and games. It was officially launched in November 2020, which was majorly influenced by COVID-19 and the rising trend of pet ownership. In the UK alone, 3.2 million households acquired a pet within about a year of the onset of the pandemic, and Pet Tech was a vital solution for pet owners who could no longer take their dogs to in-person training classes.
Before Woofz, I personally had some experience in the Pet Tech niche and was surprised that so few developers were entering the field, especially as the market is estimated to be worth $20-30 billion a year. In my opinion, this was due to the fact there were practically no major players steering the Pet Tech industry, so we saw an opportunity, conducted thorough research, and decided to focus on dog training.
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How has the brand evolved over the last couple of years?
Since Woofz launched just over 18 months ago, it has gone from an app with three training courses to an all-in-one pet hub with more than 70 courses and commands. It is one of the top apps for dog training and is a major brand in the Gismart ecosystem and has already accrued more than 1 million downloads.
We are continuing to see rapid growth globally as the cost of living crisis bites, as Pet Tech apps can offer a very cost-effective alternative to many pet-related expenses.
What can we hope to see from Woofz in the future?
We have grand plans for Woofz. We will remain a “dog-centric” app and focus on dog training and well-being, striving to become a first choice product for dog owners when it comes to looking after their pets.
Our courses are constantly updated and expanded to reflect the realities and trends for dogs and dog owners. One of Woofz’s latest courses focuses on Coping With Stress & Transportation, which helps pets deal with stress while being forced to travel. This can support challenging situations such as having to move due to the conflict in Ukraine, although it is just as applicable for simply moving home or taking dogs on holiday, and includes special tips and recommendations which help owners recognise the signals that pets give in stressful situations.
One of the key things coming up is a brand new course on how to teach a dog to walk calmly on a leash, along with a special program for owners of adopted dogs. Also, we’ll be soon announcing a very special collaboration with Petcube, so stay tuned!
