After spotting Karen 's hunting lead in her training log, I got one - from Germany, but they are also available in the UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/MJH-Silent-Hunting-Natural-Approx/dp/B008EXV8VK They are a 'hands free' lead, there is a big loop that you wear like you would wear an across the body bag, and then another loop to go round the dog's neck. The one I have isn't a slip lead on the end, and it has a thick leather throat protector on it. I'm very pleased with it. Obviously, this isn't something to use with a dog that pulls, your dog needs to be pretty reliable before you try this - although I was pleasantly surprise that when Charlie did tug towards another dog, it didn't hurt my shoulder (I was wearing a coat, though, might be a bit different in summer....). Anyway, I really love it. All you can do is click and treat, or stop. You can't mess with the lead etc. Once we both get used to it, I want to use it in areas where Charlie struggles to maintain an off lead heel properly (that's quite a lot of areas ) and also to start doing much longer distances over rougher ground at heel. Here we are getting used to it today (we did get a bit better as we went on - I started walking faster, and Charlie stopped wandering off in front). [vid] hunting lead by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Oh, sorry, I meant to say that the one I got from Amazon.de looks better than the ones on Amazon.co.uk - although there may be more specialist suppliers in the UK doing different ones, of course. Mine is adjustable around the dog's neck with a slider - but this isn't a slip lead action, more just a sort of toggle you can use to make the loop a bit smaller. http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00PHS7UN0?ref_=pe_386171_37038021_TE_3p_dp_1
I'm thinking of getting Tuff Stuff to make me a version of this based on the limited slip leads I already have. I have a double ended lead that will go round my waist that I use on the boys harnesses but it's not adjustable and it's either too tight over all my coats and layers or I'm desperately trying to avoid doing a hula hoop impression as I walk down the road!!!
This lead is a perfect length for me - it is adjustable though, and ended up about 12inchs off the floor if Charlie is glued to my leg, but because the toggle round my shoulders is quite high, allows Charlie a fair bit of movement. I had an around the waist one, but this is much, much better. A lot less "in the way"....
That looks really great Julie, glad you like it. I must say I did think the lead that you got with the throat protector looks better than the one I have. I love the antler stop toggle! Now you need to start weaving in and out of the trees as the next part of your heel training...
Hee Hee - I saw some suitable trees today! Was tempted but Charlie was still wandering round towards the end of the lead, so I didn't - we'd have got tangled up. I don't want to use a verbal close cue with this lead. I want the lead itself to be the cue, so I was just clicking for a half decent position. I'll wait until I can do a full circuit of the nature trail, and he stays more or less in position, before heading into the trees, I think. But I will!
Obviously these leads were originally designed for hunters to be able to walk quietly through woods or similar with their dog at heel, leaving their hands free for guns and so on. But I keep thinking how fab they must be, if you have a dog that walks to heel reliably, for use in a town or pedestrian area, leaving your hands free for shopping bags, mobile phone, getting car keys out of handbag, etc etc.
Yes, exactly. Although you'd have to have the toggle quite tight, and a reliable dog, otherwise they could back out of the lead. Although probably no more so than a normal collar. I wouldn't use it on the street in London, but would in Cornwall, say walking to the pub in a very quiet town. For me, I have a dodgy knee, it means I'm going to use my thumb stick a lot more - I don't use it so much now as what with lead, clicker, treats AND lead it's too much. But with this lead I can have a stick in my right hand, and still click and treat with my left. Perfect.
We tried trees today. It is different from being on a normal lead because normally I'd cue Charlie to walk behind me through gaps by putting the hand holding the lead behind my back. I'd normally let him stop and pee on the trees too! "No peeing on the trees, mum? What's all that about....?" trees by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Interesting! I've never seen one of these before. Would be definitely nice to have a hands-free option. Simba is "pretty" good at not pulling but on the other hand he does do lunges towards tasty bits on the ground. And I'm not too bothered about that, as I figure sinc he mainly has to walk on-lead I can't keep him from having a little fun here and there But I could probably train him to walk at heel with one of these...he can actually walk at heel without too much bother when I need him to. Hmm...
I have enjoyed using it. For some reason, it has been much more fun than a normal lead. Maybe just the novelty of it, but I also think it's just easier - hands free for clicker and treats. Although it is less stressful if you have a bit of work to do with the dog, I think, because you just have such limited options of stopping or walking and treating. Mind, I put it on in the car park, didn't have the loop round his neck tight enough, and he just backed out of it without me realising. Luckily, he just then stood there waiting for the treat he gets once I've finished closing the car. And the car park isn't busy. We are getting better weaving through the 'forest' (it's not really a 'forest', it's a lightly planted bit of wood on Wimbledon Common but we pretend ) but I can't stop him peeing on the trees....
I like these and will probably get one but in the meantime I often put Riley's lead on a carabiner which I attach to something solid like the shoulder straps of my training vest or a belt. My double ended lead will also form a belt but I think I said earlier that doesn't work very well.
I've missed this and I love it.....although if I hadn't read your post and just watched the video I would think you had it round your neck...your back looks like a khaki waterproof jacket.....the carabiner idea is good too Barbara x
Ah bless you,thank you.....I usually manage it around trips back and visitors coming out but both options have dried up now until the New Year....I've got a ROK lead on order to Mum's so they can both come out together but that is so kind and I might take you up in the future.Dad's having a hip replacement when he gets his date so Mum will be tied up and won't want to give her something else ....mind you,I'll be back in the Uk for that so 'every cloud'!
That is definitely "a thing", yes. I can't walk all that fast, because of dodgy knee and inability not to fall over tree roots! Plus a bit think about click and treat and stuff..... I can improve it a bit, but not a lot. A TINY bit of me feels guilty that it would be easier for Charlie if I walked faster, and the rest of me thinks if that's the only thing Charlie has to complain about in life, it's not all that bad for him... So, I really need him not to pee while I'm not walking all that fast, because I'm never going to walk fast, really...
It's not exactly the same but it might be useful......doing my heelwork with Obi out in the road and I'm channeling my inner dressage rider and doing lots of figures of eight and serpentines. I'm always turning into him or away from him every step so he constantly has to readjust. If you did that with Charlie would that help? It's hard to tell from the angle of the video but it looks like your weaving is quite gentle and is straighter than I've described. Then you could start looping more gently or having a short straight from one tree to another, circle the tree with Charlie on the outside.....etc etc
