When South Harting/West Sussex businesswoman Sally Pattie took her invention for a combined dog collar and lead to Dragons’Den, she had no idea that her dog Bertie would steal the show.
After working on the project for over the last three years, Sally finally had a production prototype ready to present with the intention of getting Dragon backing to fulfil higher production targets. She had analysed all her figures, honed a viable business plan and rehearsed her pitch. Feeling coolly confident, Sally held Bertie the Westie in her arms and waited for the lift doors to open.
On entering the Den Sally noticed Deborah Meaden smiling at Bertie – at least one Dragon wasn’t breathing fire! Sally placed Bertie down beside her but, instead of standing still for her presentation, Bertie started to wander over to the Dragons. Quickly, Sally reached forward, grasped the Doddle and held Bertie back.
“Ooops! That’s the product revealed sooner than planned.”Sally’s intention was to explain how her invention ‘Doddle for Dogs’eliminates all the hassle of clipping and unclipping a dog lead. The lead sits in a pouch on the collar and unwinds as it is pulled. Because the lead is always on the dog, you don’t spend time looking for a lost lead. Dogs can wear the Doddle all the time, even sleep in it….anyway, Bertie decided to just do a demo!
Unfortunately, none of the Dragons appreciated that ‘walkies is a Doddle’. But most dog owners who see the product in action think it’s brilliant. With over 8.0 million dogs in the UK, Sally is confident that there are plenty of owners who will become ‘Doddlers’ over the next few years. Doddle for Dogs will be available to purchase via Sally’s website, www.doddlefordogs.com, and through a growing number of pet shops around the UK. And, once you have one, ‘walkies is a Doddle’.
This is obviously a very innovative idea, but I would be concerned about the weight / size of this around the dogs neck (particularly a small dog). What weight and size is the “pod” that holds the lead?
Amanda
Hi Amanda, thanks for getting in touch. We have lots of info about this on the web site so you can see some pictures that show the Doddle pouch in relation to a Jaffa cake (on the blog or click on the link at the bottom of the home page, on the last bullet point). The pouch weighs 39 gms or 1.38 ounces and weighs slightly less than 2 dishwasher tablets. It is slightly taller than 2 jaffa cakes and slightly under the height of 3 jaffa cakes but a jaffa cake is actually bigger in circumference than the pouch. It took 3 and a half years to develop to ensure that it was lightweight but robust. If you can look on the Doddle for Dogs Facebook page you will see lots of Doddle Moddles there. A Spaniel should be fine if it weighs less than 27 kilos. We have a wonderful video on our Doddle TV section with Ric and Bessie, a beautiful spaniel who goes swimming wearing her Doddle. I hope that helps but feel free to reply if you have any more questions. Best Wishes, Sally
Yes apologies – I did see some later articiles regarding the weight and size 🙂 It is an interesting idea – I will read more about it!
If you have any press packs about it, I would be interested to read them – you can get in touch with me on info@spanielstail.co.uk. I am always fascinated to learn about innovative products 🙂
Amanda