Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Using a slip leash on a dog that pulls

41 replies

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 06:37

Has anyone used a slip leash on a dog that pulls as a method of correction and training?

OP posts:
ILoveASpreadsheet · 20/02/2023 06:49

We loop it over their nose like a halti which works well.

HickoryStump · 20/02/2023 06:51

Will make the pulling worse leading to over correction and probably damage the dogs trachea.
Slip leads are for trained or working dogs who have been taught not to pull. You could try a halti in the short term but the dog won't learn anything about not pulling, ultimately you'll need a professional trainer if you want to fight the core behaviour.

Whu · 20/02/2023 06:51

No because the neck is an extremely sensitive part of the dog and should not have pressure applied to it.
Training over aversive tools for me. I hate slip leads/choke chains and have seen the damage they can do.

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 06:52

Can they still open their mouth / breath properly with the leash over nose?

OP posts:
sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 06:57

If it hurts them- why do they continue to pull?

It seem obvious but our dogs are not humans and do not behave the same way as us. Its commonsense as a human to stop doing something that hurts- like choking and although our anatomy is similar physically, however our brains are very different. We are not able to make assumptions based on our behaviour on how a dog should react and we can't ask them- this would be great if we could!

OP posts:
sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 06:58

This was my initial thinking about this type of lead. How come they still pull?

OP posts:
Whu · 20/02/2023 06:59

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 06:58

This was my initial thinking about this type of lead. How come they still pull?

Read the article I have linked you it is covered in there.

benten54 · 20/02/2023 07:03

I have used and have recommended the Gentle Leader/Halti.

My pully dog needed it for less than two weeks until she was reformed. We don't even know where it is now.

Friend with a very pully big dog said the same.

The slip lead felt horrible and she didn't respond half as well as she did the gentle leader.

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 07:05

benten54 · 20/02/2023 07:03

I have used and have recommended the Gentle Leader/Halti.

My pully dog needed it for less than two weeks until she was reformed. We don't even know where it is now.

Friend with a very pully big dog said the same.

The slip lead felt horrible and she didn't respond half as well as she did the gentle leader.

Is the gentle leader and halti two different things?

OP posts:
ILoveASpreadsheet · 20/02/2023 07:05

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 06:52

Can they still open their mouth / breath properly with the leash over nose?

Completely, we have used this method with three different dogs and they all walk nicely without it now but when they were young if we were out and about it was very useful. We haven’t experienced any of the issues mentioned in other comments. Here’s a picture of one of our girls.

Using a slip leash on a dog that pulls
sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 07:07

With the nose lead / slip leash - where does it pull or how does it stop them pulling?

OP posts:
Newuser82 · 20/02/2023 07:07

No, I wouldn't use a slip lead. Dogs pull against pressure and it effectively chokes them causing damage to their necks. Try a headcollar or an anti pull harness while you do the training.

Runningonempty01 · 20/02/2023 07:07

I think slip leads are only really suitable for dogs that don't pull. I use one as they are so easy to take on and off , especially useful for agility classes etc.

ILoveASpreadsheet · 20/02/2023 07:13

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 07:07

With the nose lead / slip leash - where does it pull or how does it stop them pulling?

There’s no pressure on their throat and it leads them by their head. If the lead was around their neck and they were pulling then I can see a problem but by looping the lead a having it across their nose there is absolutely no pressure on their throat.

picklemewalnuts · 20/02/2023 07:34

The nose halter type turns their face away from where they are going. So they don't get the satisfaction of heading to whatever they are looking at. It's not a heavy pull, just a redirection of their face and focus.

My dog disliked it, but he's a short nosed type. Some dogs brush it off. Most do seem to redirect really well with it.

CupidCantAimStraight · 20/02/2023 09:36

I hate to break it to you but there's no quick fix for pulling on the lead, and it's all about training not equipment.

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 11:26

CupidCantAimStraight · 20/02/2023 09:36

I hate to break it to you but there's no quick fix for pulling on the lead, and it's all about training not equipment.

Would that involve just stopping whenever they pull or actually turning to go back in the direction you came from?

OP posts:
Asdf12345 · 20/02/2023 11:40

We use slip leads, and very rarely would need to nose loop (it generally means the dog has been put in a position where they have become overwhelmed as the circumstances have exceeded the training or the in-laws have taught them to pull but sometimes needs must).

To train the dog give it your heel command and once it’s in the place you want (for us just behind and outside the right knee) give a treat/praise/both. Walk at varying speeds with lots of direction changes, rewarding the dog in your chosen manners for staying in position.

If it tries to pull away change direction sharply. As soon as it is back in position praise and reward.

If someone has been tolerating it pulling and has effectively trained it that pulling is acceptable you will need to break that association. You may need to nose loop and or add a big yank and negative statement when it goes to pull at the same time as the change in direction if you want quick progress. If you have the time for slower results you can keep going with just the changes of direction depending how well ingrained the pulling has become.

I don’t like using a stick infront of the nose as they know when you don’t carry a stick the rules have possibly changed. If you always walk with a stick that’s less of a problem.

Its a controversial subject with a huge variety of views and approaches. The above works for us, but if you don’t have consistency between all the people
handling the dog you will struggle whatever approach you use.

EdithStourton · 20/02/2023 12:47

I use slip leads and my dogs find it less aversive than putting a loop over their nose or using a halti.

They get taught where heel is, what the cue word is, and rewarded for being in the heel position. Once they know this, I am prepared to correct them - and still use a lot of praise when they're in the right spot. However, IME you need to do a lot of practice to really nail heel (changes of direction etc per the post by@Asdf12345)- and even then, a major distraction can overwhelm the training. You also have to be very consistent. I don't let the dogs pull, so they know that when I walk them if the lead starts to tighten I will either stop walking and wait for a return to heel, or correct them.

I was told years ago that if you correct a dog on a slip lead it will be terrified of the lead. This isn't true at all: my older dog will put her head through the loop on command, even at the end of a walk and without a treat. The younger dog is learning this too.

tabulahrasa · 20/02/2023 16:46

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 07:05

Is the gentle leader and halti two different things?

Yes.

They’re brands of head collar and both work differently.

A halti tightens when they pull to cause pain, gentle leaders don’t (intentionally anyway, I find they’re not the best made so accidentally do) , they supposed to work more like a head collar on a horse, not causing discomfort but giving you control over their head to lessen the ability to pull.

CupidCantAimStraight · 20/02/2023 16:57

sixthreesix · 20/02/2023 11:26

Would that involve just stopping whenever they pull or actually turning to go back in the direction you came from?

We just stopped whenever he started pulling.

Took a while (months) to crack it but he was an untrained rescue so the habit was very much ingrained.

I did see a slight improvement when I switched from flat coat to a perfect fit harness. It didn't cure it by any stretch of the imagination, but the idea that harnesses cause pulling is a massive myth IME

Pantah630 · 20/02/2023 17:31

Figure of eight with a slip lead over the nose is like a miracle lead. Used on our last two Collies with a pull habit and it's like a switch. My DB uses on his GSDs too. No harm to throats/neck and very easy to use. Try it OP, if fitted correctly, it'll revolutionise your dog walking.

HappiestSleeping · 21/02/2023 21:11

tabulahrasa · 20/02/2023 16:46

Yes.

They’re brands of head collar and both work differently.

A halti tightens when they pull to cause pain, gentle leaders don’t (intentionally anyway, I find they’re not the best made so accidentally do) , they supposed to work more like a head collar on a horse, not causing discomfort but giving you control over their head to lessen the ability to pull.

That's not quite true. The halti doesn't cause pain, just closes the dog's mouth a bit and allows you to turn its head. No pain involved.

HappiestSleeping · 21/02/2023 21:14

I've been using a slip lead on my labrador with good results and don't use more than 2 fingers on it, so no hard pressure. Lots of direction changes, and stopping / starting. And rewards obviously. Much improved but when dog distracted or overexcited everything goes to pot. Working up to the Halti now as the next step.