Learn all about how to use a slip leash with your dog in order to stop leash pulling for good!
The slip leash is one of the most introductory dog training tools there is. A slip leash offers a low amount of pressure to help your dog what you're expecting of them.
In this post, we'll review how to use a slip leash and some of the most common mistakes made when using a slip leash.
How to Use a Slip Leash
Using a slip leash with your dog can increase your dog's ability to stay connected with you. If used correctly, this type of leash will teach one of your dog's most important life lessons: Give to pressure.
The reason your dog is pulling on any leash isn't because of the equipment you're using. Your dog is pulling because it's natural for dogs to pull or push against pressure.
Related: Dog Training Essentials | 17 Tools to Improve Your Dog's Behavior
It doesn't matter if the pressure or tension is used in a collar, slip leash, harness or gentle leader. Your dog is pulling because your dog has an oppositional pull reflex.
These means no matter what tool you use- it matters more how you teach your dog to respond to the tool. So, it's up to the user of the tool to utilize the tool consistently and correctly for the dog to respond correctly.
Best Slip Leash
The first step in training your dog not to pull with a slip leash is picking the right slip leash.
Not all slip leashes are created equal. Some of them don't have a quality stopper on them, which can increase the risk of the leash becoming too loose and slipping off the dog.
Other leashes may not be very flexible and feel more rigid. This will prevent you from "feeling" your dog's movement on the end of the leash. A rigid leash will get itself twisted and not offer the support and "feel" your dog needs.
If your dog weighs less than 30 pounds, using a 3/8" width, 6 foot leash is a great option.
If your dog is more than 30 pounds, a 1/2" width, 6 foot slip leash would be a little more appropriate. (When in doubt I personally like to use a smaller width)
Mendota Slip Leash
TONS of color options! This leash comes in a 4 or 6 foot length and in 3/8" and 1/2" diameters. Dogs under 30 pounds usually do well with the 3/8" diameter. For dogs over 30 pounds, the 1/2" works best.
How to Fit a Slip Leash
A slip leash should sit up high on the dog's neck, right behind their ears. This way you're much closer to their brain and redirect your dog to circle back towards you laterally, rather than allowing them to engage in oppositional pulling.
The further down on the neck a collar sits, the easier it is for the dog to pull and the more likely they are to cough or gag.
This is a 3/8" leash on a 15 pound dog. The leash could be sitting a few inches closer to her ears.
Since the leash is coming out towards the left ear, the handler should be on the left side of the dog.
In this photo, the leash could sit much higher on the neck, so that it's right behind their ears.
How To Use A Slip Lead to Stop Pulling
A slip leash is meant to help build your dog's connection to you, rather than to teach obedience. Although, a slip leash can really help shape obedience.
When you train your dog with a slip leash, you are targeting their focus more than you are targeting their obedience.
A dog can be obedient without being focused, but it's hard for a dog to offer focus and not be obedient.
Read that last sentence again.
So when teaching leash pressure, the reward comes when your dog gives to pressure and offers their focus.
Next we need to teach the dog what to do when they feel leash pressure. If you don't teach them this step, they will simply pull, which usually results in coughing, gagging or even reverse sneezing.
The most important part of training a slip leash is to be consistent.
Every time a dog puts pressure on the leash it is your job to show them how to relieve this pressure.
How to Use a Slip Leash on a Dog
When the dog puts pressure on the leash, the next step is to offer them a solution to take the pressure off. There are 3 methods to teach your dog how to do this:
1. Start walking forward, allow your dog to get out in front of you and when they do, start moving backwards. This might be one step backwards, this could be 15 steps backwards. Once they look at you, say the word "yes" and then offer a treat. You can throw the treat on the ground, or hand feed them. Begin moving forward and repeat the process.
Related: How to Get Your Dog to Focus on You Outside
2. Start walking forward, allow your dog to get slightly ahead of you. Then turn away from them 90-180 degrees with a gentle tug on the leash if your dog does not come with you. This prompts your dog to follow you. Repeat as necessary.
3. Keep your feet still and allow your dog to move around on a six foot leash. If they put pressure on the leash give consistent tugs on the leash until they take a step back towards you and relieve the pressure. If you offer tugs, they can't brace against a tug like they can with pressure. Move away from your dog to help draw them in.
This is a great game to play with any dog who is starting to use the slip leash!
The Focus Game : How to Get Your Dog to Focus in Less Than 5 Minutes
What Age to use a Slip Lead
You can use a slip leash on dogs as young as 8 weeks old. The earlier you start conditioning a dog to leash pressure, the quicker and more reliable they will be at not pulling on the leash.
If your dog has been practicing oppositional pulling for a few years, it's definitely still possible to teach them how to use a slip leash. You will just have to be very consistent with correcting them each and every time they pull on the leash.
How to Use a Slip Lead as a Head Collar
Transitioning a slip leash to a head collar or halter is pretty simple! Put the slip leash around your dog's neck with the leash coming out between the dog's ear. Then, give a lot of slack below your dog's neck. Take the slack, and twist it to create a loop to complete the figure 8 and bring the extra leash loop over your dog's nose.
This technique is great for dog's who are large and can over power the slip leash.
Some dog's do not like this method at first, but it is up to you to guide them through the transition. Use lots of treats and positive reinforcement.
The Sidekick Transition leash is also a great option for owners who reguarly use the figure 8 method. This transition leash offers a smoother, safe way to handle and walk your dog than a slip leash.
The Sidekick Transition Leash
Regular Price: $38.99
Discount: Use code "alex" for 10% off
The Side Kick Transition leash is a great option for dog's who pull, react or for owners who can't contend with their dog's strength. You can even customize the handle with the name of your dog!
How to Use a Slip Lead on a Puppy
The younger you start using a slip leash with a dog, the quicker they will learn to give to pressure. Younger dogs are much faster to learn, but they will also find loop holes very quickly! So be ready to be consistent!
Slip Lead for Dogs How to Use
If your dog is leaning on the leash when they're beside you, it's okay to give them a bump on the leash until they take the pressure off.
A bump, or tug on the leash, does not allow a dog to brace against the leash and can offer some sturdier pressure
Slip Leash Not Working
If your slip leash isn't working, the first thing to do is to check the position. Your slip leash should sit right up behind the ears. The lower it sits on your dog's neck, the more likely your dog is to pull, choke, gag or reverse sneeze.
If your slip leash was working, but now it's not- it's likely that you've allowed your dog to resist the pull without correcting them.
If your dog seems to ignore or blow you off with the slip leash completely, it's possible that your dog has a poor relationship with a tool. In these cases, sometimes it's best to utilize a different tool that you can create a better relationship with.
This is often common with shelter dogs who have been walked on slip leashes and allowed to pull the dog walkers around.
How to Use a Slip Leash to Stop Pulling
No matter what tool you use, the most important thing is consistency. Dogs are persistent. Your dog will check to make sure that you are still firm about your boundaries.
If your dog gets the idea that you won't always enforce correcting the oppositional pull reflex, then they will continue to test it.
Have questions about your dog? Send us an email! alex@alexliggett.com
