Gentle leader or Dogmatic?

Oddjob

The rescue dog I have just taken on is 6 years old and has not been socialised. I'm getting her better with people but she goes mad when seeing other dogs. Not in a nasty way, she wants to play but lunges at them. I can't let her off the lead yet as she just shoots off after any dog she sees. She is a nightmare to take for a walk as she pulls to get at dogs. I tried a Halti but got size 3 and it was too big, she got it off within seconds by lunging at a dog and spinning round. I know I could try a smaller size but not really happy with the Halti as having seen them on other dogs, they tend to ride up over the eyes.
Has anyone tried the Dogmatic or the Gentle Leader type. A lady in Pets at Home recommended the Gentle Leader rather than a Halti but I've also read good reviews about the Dogmatic but they are a lot more expensive.
Any recommendations please?

lisawood78

I use a dogmatic with both my great Danes to brilliant results, they could drag me down the street if they put their minds to it but they can't/don't with the dogmatics on.
Expensive yes, but last a dogs lifetime and beyond if cared for.

Feral_Moon

I use a Gentle leader. I tried a Dogmatic but the 3L was too big for my male GSD so I returned it to exchange for a 3 but that is too small having already paid out 3 lots of postage I'm now stuck with the damn thing otherwise I'll be out of pocket by almost the cost of the item with nothing to show for it

GBNI

I use a Dogmatic for one of mine and I love it! They have a good measuring guide on their website to help you pick a size. To be honest, my girl is slightly in between sizes but it still works perfectly.

Oddjob

Feral_Moon wrote: »

I use a Gentle leader. I tried a Dogmatic but the 3L was too big for my male GSD so I returned it to exchange for a 3 but that is too small having already paid out 3 lots of postage I'm now stuck with the damn thing otherwise I'll be out of pocket by almost the cost of the item with nothing to show for it

That's what bothers me to be honest, knowing my luck I would get the wrong size and they are quite a lot more than the gentle leader. I wouldn't have to pay postage on the GL as I would be getting it from Amazon and making it up to over £10 with a new lead too.

pawsies

Tbh I would really focus on getting a good quality fleece harness and double ended lead. I recommend Dog games harnesses and Halti Training Leads (not headcollar).

Then follow this guide:

http://careforreactivedogs.com/

sheramber

I would agree that a harness would gove more control.

I would recommend one with a D-ring on the back and one on the front with a double ended lead clipped to each ring.

krlyr

Mekuti harness is a good one to look at, too. You thread a lead through the front loop and clip to the opposite shoulder - so it brings a lunging dog around to face you instead of giving them forward momentum

hmc

I use dogmatic too. If you ring they will tell you where there might be a supplier so you can try? My spaniel is in between sizes but the larger works fine

Oddjob

krlyr wrote: »

Mekuti harness is a good one to look at, too. You thread a lead through the front loop and clip to the opposite shoulder - so it brings a lunging dog around to face you instead of giving them forward momentum

Thanks, Have you tried one of these?
I tried a friend's gentle leader today but that seemed to make her even worse when she saw a dog. I wondered if it was because of the strap that went over the nose, perhaps she felt more defenceless. She walked better, didn't pull, although she's not too bad at pulling when there is no one around, its just mainly when she sees dogs. She tries to lunge at them. She went absolutely crackers with the gentle leader on, first of all flattening herself to the floor then lunging and spinning, trying to get out of it and trying to bite the lead. I've got a Halti double ended lead, one end was attached to the GL and the bigger end to her half choke collar.


I don't know if the Mekuti harness would work with her as when she lunges, if I pull her back, she turns to face me anyway then tries to bite the lead to get away, then lunges again.

Oddjob

pawsies wrote: »

Tbh I would really focus on getting a good quality fleece harness and double ended lead. I recommend Dog games harnesses and Halti Training Leads (not headcollar).

Then follow this guide:

http://careforreactivedogs.com/

Thanks, I will have a look at that link.