March 21, 2025

Madison Rietz designed her small business to support other small businesses — and make sure dogs can live their best lives.

The Sioux Falls woman launched her online business, The Barket, on Feb. 1. It features products for dogs designed to offer physical and mental enrichment — from treats and chews to supplements, toys and slow feeders.

“People can confidently know that anything on the site is high quality,” Rietz said. “I like doing all the research and product testing. I wouldn’t carry something I wouldn’t give to my own dog.”

She asks questions to make sure that products such as rabbit ears and feet come from suppliers who raise animals humanely. Almost everything on her site comes from other small businesses. If a product doesn’t meet her standards, Rietz will take it from The Barket’s webpage.

“That’s something I’m also passionate about,” she said. “In my own life, I like to shop local as much as I can. People who are trying to share good products with the world, that’s very rewarding to me.”

Rietz also looked for unique products for her business, items that can’t be found elsewhere in Sioux Falls.

“Since I’ve been in the dog world for so long, I know what’s in the Sioux Falls market,” she said. “I’m really trying hard to bring things you can’t find (at other stores).”

Rietz’s first job in what she calls the “dog world” came about 12 years ago when she worked in retail at a local pet store. She also has offered doggie daycare and boarding, returned to retail and now is also a trainer at Nerdy K9 Academy.

Rietz has owned multiple dogs. Currently, a yellow Labrado named Hank resides with her. Hank follows Boone, who died of a rare cancer as a young dog. Rietz considered naming her new business after Boone but decided that since she has owned multiple dogs in the past and will own many more in the future, she wanted to honor every dog.

The Barket’s logo is, however, an outline of Boone’s head.

“That’s him on ever single order,” Rietz said. She chose the tagline “a natural market for dogs” in part because of her passion for farmers markets.

Rietz delivers orders every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. People with questions about their dogs may reach out at any time, she said.