12/12/2024
Great post about the use of slip leads. We do not use them to train dogs to loose lead, we only use them on dogs who can already walk to heel off lead and always use the ones with the additional stopper so if the dog does pull it won't tighten anymore than a normal collar. And really they should only be used when dogs are working and cannot wear a collar or harness.
If you come to reward based gundog training from another discipline such as pet dog training, obedience, or agility you may be shocked and surprised that we use slip leads. Reward Based trainers in other fields are, quite rightly, saying these are not safe for training dogs. So, if I agree, why are my dogs wearing them?
Firstly: Each dog sport has it's uniform. For gundogs they need to work with no collar or harness on. The handler must be able to quickly get their dog on a lead at any point during the shoot day when they need a 'safety net' (e.g. a deer running through the woods, or tonnes of pheasants ahead). In competition we must be able to get our dogs on a lead fast when the judge asks us to. Collars and harnesses simply don't work in these situations (though I do have some of my dogs on a harness between drives or runs, switching to the slip lead as we approach the start).
Secondly: I don't train my dogs to walk nicely using the slip lead. They learn heel and loose lead walking on a harness or flat collar as well as off lead. The slip lead is only introduced once they are pretty good. Does this mean my dogs never pull on the slip lead, heck no. In a high excitement environment they can pull and lunge, so...
Thirdly: I do not use traditional slip leads. A traditional slip lead tightens more and more as a dog (or handler) pulls. It should slacken off when the pressure is released, but some ropes stick, so even a dog trying to be good is half strangled. I won't even go into the super thin 'garotes' which are used high up the neck to choke a dog into obedience. Yuk. I use no-choke or anti-strangle slip leads. These have an extra stopper which you set at a comfortable collar size (so you can put two fingers under, but so the dog can't back out - for safety). If the dog is on a loose lead the rope falls away, if they do pull, it is only as bad as a collar (and more training is required as even pulling on a collar is damaging).
The slip in the image is a gorgeous top of the range design from Mystique, but my day to day leads were £5 from Amazon!
When training your puppy or beginner dog with me, please choose whatever collar or harness you are comfortable with. We can introduce slip leads at an appropriate time. Never bring your dog in an electric collar or prong though. I promise we don't need them.
