At what age do people start using slip leads on their Labradors? we are trying to decide if to try our little guy on his to assist in loose lead training.
I start with a slip lead as soon as I take out my puppy, but many wait until they are older. Its really up to you. Some people never use a slip lead. You could try using one in the garden and see if you like it. I am sure more members will tell you what they do.
Yea in the garden he's brilliant but he just pulls a lot when he sees people and new things he's only 12 weeks old. If used properly are slip leads really more harmful than a normal flat collar?
Hi there ,for me it's not about their age ,it would be when they would reliable to walk to walk without pulling.I could never have trained Dexter to loose lead walk on a slip lead...he would have garrotted himself x
I used a limited slip lead in the garden, toilet breaks etc from day one but a flat collar for walks. I still use a limited slip lead for bed time toileting until the garden has been secured
I wouldn't use a slip lead until he was rock solid on loose lead, not to train loose lead - too much risk for me.
Slip leads act exactly the same as choke collars but they are made of rope. My answer is "never" on a dog that can't walk to heel - they are not appropriate tools to use to help you train loose lead walking.
I was introduced to the Volhard collar in my first obedience class with Jet. It was a competitive club and they gave all of us a collar and leash but would not take puppies in the class till they were 6 months old. I now have a custom made one, of chain link, for Oban. I wouldn't be without it because, when I take the collar off with the leash for off leash walks I can wrap the leash around me and do it up securely using the collar. I don't actually use it for or because of the dog, LOL.
I bought one for Willow on the recommendation of her breeder. Then I learnt about positive training (before she was ready to go on walks) and put it away in my doggy box. It has never seen the light of day since, and never will. In my mind, slip leads should never be used for training LLW - because to do so means you're inflicting pain on your dog. That's not for me. I use a limited slip lead on both of my two on occasion (training) but they cannot tighten around their throats any more than a regular collar, and are broad like a collar, rather than thin rope.
I do use a slip lead on Charlie - around the house and gardens. I have a few standard slip leads kicking around, and if we are going to the post box, or across the road to a bit of garden I own slightly remote from the house he might go just on a standard slip lead. That's it though, otherwise he is on a flat collar, although I sometimes use a thick rope limited slip lead.
I use a harness, but Saba does walk better on a limited slip lead. In fact,he walks beautifully to heel on the slip lead, no pulling or lunging at all! This is a recent development; Saba is now eight months old, and it was at the behest of his breeder that we kept him on a harness. However, his 29kgs of thrust is too much for me to hold on the harness and lead. Somehow, the slip lead casts a spell over him!
Ours are rarely on leads for long, but if I am using one, the choice depends on what the walk entails . If its a familiar walk, then I use a slip lead for Sam , but otherwise he has a flat collar and lead if I think he may be excited in new surroundings , Millie has a harness, which she hates with a passion but it slows her up a treat
