Assessment of the DOGMATIC Headcollar for Halifax RSPCA Animal Home
I have used the Dogmatic in training Holly, a dog for whom I am fostering in an attempt to try and give her the chance of
being re-homed after 6 months in kennels. Initially she was a very demanding dog who pulled very strongly when on a
lead and was aggressive towards other dogs. To begin with I used a nylon halter on her which she still pulled against and
because of the design of this halter it would ride up under her eyes and dig into her muzzle. I have found this a problem
with all the other halter types I have used. Some dogs learn not to pull against a halter but others continue to pull against
it just as badly as pulling against a lead, the only difference being that the halter allows the owner to have the strength
to hold onto the dog in demanding situations. However ideally a halter should be used as an instrumental tool for use in
correcting any problems the dog may have but also, just as importantly, be comfortable for the dog to wear. If a dog feels
pain around the muzzle when in an excitable or aggressive situation it can become a self perpetuating cycle of associating
a particular situation with a painful experience, which would continue to cause anxiety in the dog rather than teaching it
to remain calm.
I have been very pleased with the results I have obtained from using the Dogmatic during this Test. I have found that the
Dogmatic does not ride up under the dogs eyes – as the strap used for connecting it to the lead is separate from the
muzzle strap and therefore pulls the muzzle strap tight but not back. The combination of straps which hold the neck
strap to the muzzle strap are very supportive which must give the dog a feeling of security and the neck has a normal
buckle and hole combination the same as used in normal leather collars. The strength of the leather helps in keeping
the shape of the headcollar which means it is much easier to put on and because of the feeling of firm support the dog
seems to accept the headcollar much more easily. The leather is very supple from day one and will improve rather than
deteriorate with age and if looked after should last for at least a dog’s lifetime. Aesthetically the headcollar is very pleasing to look at and there is a choice of shade (black/brown).
As I am a professional dog walker and behaviourist I know that many people I come into contact with are not satisfied
with the present cloth/webbing headcollar designs but have had no alternative choice to date. I think the Dogmatic is a
very well thought out design and I will certainly recommend it as my headcollar of preference to both clients and friends
and have every intention of purchasing one for my own use in the near future.
Kathy Townsend MIACE (I have a lifetime’s experience with dogs, have canine behaviour qualifications, am a professional
dog walker and have comprehensive experience of rehabilitation of special needs dogs from rescue kennels).
By Kathy Townsend MIACE
“ON THE SCENT“ by Sophia
Hello, my name is Sophia and I run my own dog training business
“On the Scent” in Great Ashfield, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. I am a KCAI Member working towards
accreditation and also an Associate Member of the PDTE (Pet dog trainers Europe).
We run classes for puppies as soon as they are fully vaccinated up to the veteran dogs. We also
hold beginners/fun agility, gun dog training workshops, home visits and private lessons. All training
is held outdoors at our 10 acre site all year round and I feel very blessed to have clients who travel from
Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, London as well as my home county Suffolk.
Before we go any further I have to say I am not a huge fan of gadgets, however, they do have their
place in dog training and none more than the “Dogmatic”Headcollar which was introduced to me via a
client who also happens to be a dog training instructor.
I suffer with back problems and although walking three or four dogs at a time is fine, when one
of the younger ones sees a friendly face and gets excited, then my back suffers. My client mentioned
during class one day that she had back problems and had invested in the Dogmatic Headcollar which she
wanted to use in class. I was hesitant to allow it at first but then after seeing it in action I was rather
impressed with it, the way it fitted and the instant result of no pulling from her dog, that I borrowed it
for mine!!! I have found that regardless of the breed or cross breed the Dogmatic Headcollar so far, fits
perfectly and doesn’t ride up like some of the other brands on the market. They also seem to have a calming
effect on the dogs, especially those who suffer from dog on dog aggression. They work alongside the
training programme NOT instead of the training programme.
Zoe’s Mother Susan designed the product due to not being able to help walk the dogs due to having
had four back operations and a neck operation. In the time we have been using them the service has been
fantastic and all the staff know the products and should one not fit correctly they are more than happy
to change it. All my clients who have invested in this product have all been delighted and I certainly have
no hesitation in recommending them. (With some strong willed dogs they may need to be introduced over
a period of a few days before setting out on a walk).
The Dogmatic Headcollar can be used permanently if wished. As many dogs are, unfortunately,
not trained to heel or their owners have disabilities, the Headcollar is ideal to have kind, gentle control of
your dog. It is also ideal for strong willed or aggressive dogs and using the Dogmatic gives control and
peace of mind. This is far kinder than using neck correction with check chains which can do so much
damage through being incorrectly fitted and incorrectly used.
Sophia
‘I arrived at the RSPCA in Birmingham armed with my latest piece of training equipment under arm, and upon entering reception was met with curious glances of my peers. What was this curious contraption? I handed it around for inspection, declaring proudly it’s purpose; to gain complete control of our black beauty, Cara.
In case you missed last month’s edition of DTN, Cara, while completely delightful in every other aspect, is a dogwalker’s nightmare charge. Her favoured past-times are causing back injuries in kennel staff, swallowing anything that can be shredded down to fit in her mouth and bouncing around like a hyperactive kangeroo. Seemingly oblivious to the path of destruction she leaves in her wake, kennel staff are concerned that when she leaves for her new home, Cara won’t get the exercise she needs simply because her family will be put off from taking her out!
‘That will stop her? I’ll believe it when I see it.’ I was told.
I set off to meet my fuzzy friend, stopping only to ask for some assistance in holding her still so that I could get the equipment on her. When we arrived at the run, Cara was jumping up the walls, obviously eager to come out and play; although I think she was less pleased about the whole thing when I produced the Dogmatic. Looking something like a horse’s headcollar, the Dogmatic is made to last. Made from thick leather, the muzzle piece slips over the dog’s nose and the neck strap is fastened by a buckle, adjustable to suit your dog’s face. You attach the lead to the ring that runs through a nylon * band connected beneath the nose piece; the nylon * applies pressure to the dog’s face any time the lead tightens, causing the dog to want to keep the lead slack and so nicely walk to heel.
Cara needed some gentle persuasion to get the Dogmatic on, but once there she spent a few moments pawing at it before following my lead through the gate. The change in her behaviour was instant and dramatic. She pulled the lead taut once and it slackened immediately, Cara walking meekly at my side as though we had been practising for years.
Once we were in the paddock, Cara continued to walk nicely with me, despite her obvious longing to be bounding in front. There was not a single tug, strain or accidental toppling of dog walker, which was certainly a huge step forward. We stopped once or twice as Cara attempted to remove the device with her paws, but considering this was the first time she had ever worn anything like this, her reaction was very mild.
The Dogmatic fitted very comfortably on Cara’s face and there was no soreness from rubbing or chafing. It is important, as with any training apparatus, that you get equipment the right size for your dog, Dogmatic have an excellent reputation for customer care and are happy to discuss your individual needs when you’re considering a purchase. From a purely cosmetic point of view, the Dogmatic is possibly one of the nicest and most expensive looking pieces of training gear you will find on the market, particularly when matched up with a quality leather lead. Even the most fashion conscious canine would be happy about wearing this one.
The Dogmatic eliminated Cara’s pulling completely, having almost a calming influence on the dog as she walked on a loose lead. While the angelic state lasted only as long as the headcollar was on, it served its purpose in making walking a pleasure rather than a chore, and when applied with appropriate training, I believe the dog could make a transition from walking properly on the headcollar to walking properly on the lead alone.
Defeated, Cara sat down and allowed me to fuss her, unsure whether to try and bounce up or remain with four paws down. If dogs could give dirty looks, I think Cara would have shot me one then.
We would like to thank Dogmatic for generously donating a headcollar to the RSPCA for use on Cara.
Since the piece was written, Cara has been rehomed with someone who has shown real willingness to put the time and effort into the training she desperately needs.’
*THIS REVIEW WAS COMPLETED PRIOR TO OUR NEW, IMPROVED ALL LEATHER STITCHED DOGMATIC BEING LAUNCHED DOGMATIC AROUND THE GLOBE
Karen Slavid, Senior Animal Welfare Assistant
“I am very grateful for your Dogmatic headcollar. As a dog trainer since 1958, I have not had a need for such a product. However, as I am now 60 years of age and suffering from severe arthritis and spinal injuries, I no longer have the ability to control my GSD’s as I once could. I find the Dogmatic a boon in my day to day activities. I can strongly endorse the use of the Dogmatic headcollar.’ Thank you.”
John Owens, Strother Training Kennels
Would just like to say how impressed I am with the Dogmatic product. My dogs have had their Dogmatics for over 6
months now and there is still no sign of wear and tear, no matter how dirty the dogs get the Dogmatics whilst we are
out. They have been through the washing machine many times and are still as good as when we first received the product.
My dog’s favourite past time was pulling me round the block before, they walked perfectly whilst out individually but take
all 4 of them out and whoosh – we were off! Now we can quite happily walk for miles and walks have become so much more
enjoyable. I have tried anti-pull harnesses, halti, gentle leaders, canny collars before and none have worked anywhere near
as well as the Dogmatic. Yes – the Dogmatic is more expensive but you get what you pay for.
I am also a dog walker and have recommended the Dogmatic to quite a few of my customers after they asked me to suggest something to stop their dogs pulling – they have all been very impressed too. When my family’s dogs come to stay with me I can take 5 or 6 of them out together on their Dogmatics, one of which weighs over 10 stone (my Dogue de Bordeaux) and it is so pleasurable. I really do hope the Dogmatic will be around for many years to come. The staff were more than helpful when my parcel went missing and when I needed help to measure up my French Mastiff to allow for his wrinkles!
Once again a great big thankyou.
Helen Asquith, Sheffield
Dogmatic (UK) Limited
Estover Lodge, Sleapford, Long Lane,
Telford, Shropshire, TF6 6HQ
United Kingdom
+44 (0)1952 245330
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