First, you’ll want to decide on the length of your slip lead. If you want to keep your dog very close, then a 4 foot length is ideal, otherwise a 6 foot lead gives your dog a little more freedom without sacrificing control in the process.
The thickness of the slip lead will vary based on the weight of your dog. A good rule is that a dog under 50 pounds will need a thickness of 3/8 of an inch on their lead, while dogs which are 50 to 250 pounds will need a more robust ½ inch thickness to theirs.
In this article, we’ve collected questions from around the web on the subject of slip leads. Read on to the sections below to get important answers about these leads that you need to know about!
Table of Contents
- How do I choose a slip lead?
- How do you measure a slip leash?
- Are slip leads cruel?
- Should I use a slip lead on my dog?
- Should I use a slip lead on my puppy?
- Are slip leads good?
- How do you stop a dog from pulling on a slip lead?
- Can I walk my dog on a slip lead?
- Do vets recommend slip leads?
- Are slip leads cruel according to the RSPCA?
How do I choose a slip lead?
When you are choosing your clip lead, you want to focus first on durability by considering the material and making sure that you go with a proper thickness. Usually for dogs up to 50 pound, it should be 3/8 of an inch thick, while 50 to 250 pound dogs will need a thickness of about half an inch.
Look for materials that are strong, but soft as well. Since the slip lead works by constricting at the throat, you want to make sure that it’s going to be as comfortable as possible.
How do you measure a slip leash?
A slip lead typically has a ring at the end, so that it tightens and loosens with a tug, so you can go with general measurements as far as the slip leash.
For dogs under 50 pounds, a 3/8 inch thickness along with a 4 to 6 foot length is good, while larger dogs of 50 to 250 pounds will need a ½ thickness and a 4 to 6 foot height.
Are slip leads cruel?
Slip leads, like choke chains, work by means of constriction to the throat. As such, prolonged pressure on the throat from dog that continue to keep pulling against them can actually harm you dog. Symptoms that this is occurring generally start with breathing issues, such as snoring or coughing.
If you notice this, bring your dog in to the vet to make sure that are okay and consider just using a lead and a harness, rather than a throat-focused slip lead. The harness will distribute force on the back or the chest and this is much more comfortable and safe for your dog.
Should I use a slip lead on my dog?
You could, but there are a number of other options that you could go with that won’t be a risk of harming your dog’s throat. Slip leads are best suited for when you don’t have a safer alternative.
Examples include moving your dog in and out of transport, controlling them at vet visits, or teaching a dog that already knows how to walk how to be uniformly better at it. As it uses distress and pain to control your dog, it’s definitely not a good ‘first walk’ type lead and you might even consider avoiding it altogether.
Should I use a slip lead on my puppy?
No, you shouldn’t use a slip lead on a puppy. At this age, your pup can learn quite quickly and safely just using a standard 4 to 6 foot lead clipped to the front of the back of a padded harness. While your dog can pull a little hard then they could with the collar, as a pup they won’t have a lot of strength to do so.
This makes it the perfect time to instruct them and get them into good walking habits before they get larger and harder to manage!
Are slip leads good?
Slip leads are quite useful for a number of very specific situations. Loading and unloading your dog from a vehicle, for instance, is a good use for a slip lead. Vets sometimes use them to control a dog more effectively so that they can administer medical care, as well.
Finally, a dog that knows how to walk already can be further trained to walk beside their owner with a slip lead, though you can still train them to do this without one – it just takes a little more time and patience.
How do you stop a dog from pulling on a slip lead?
The best way to start teaching your dog to stop pulling against the lead is a consistent reaction. When your dog pulls against the lead, immediately stop and adjust the lead, and if your dog is fixated on something then it’s time to distract them.
Get your dog to look away, tell them to sit, and give them a treat. Start walking again and when your dog pulls, stop and repeat. Your dog will slowly learn that pulling too hard means the fun stops and they will learn to walk more slowly where you want them to.
Can I walk my dog on a slip lead?
You can, but it’s better to use a simple nylon lead and a harness. A slip lead can he helpful sometimes, but if a dog keeps pulling against it, then it can hurt their throat over time. While it takes longer, it’s better to go with kinder methods for training.
Your dog will still learn and there won’t be a risk of neck sprains or cumulative damage to your dog’s trachea.
Do vets recommend slip leads?
For walking, no, but vets will sometimes use slip leads in their practices as a means of better controlling a frightened or hurt dog. This helps to ensure that the dog can be cared for, but it’s not recommended that you should use a slip lead as a primary walking tool.
Are slip leads cruel according to the RSPCA?
According to the RSPCA, slip leads are considered to be like choke, prong, and pinch collars and should not be used, as they cause distress and pain to animals as a means of restraining them. As such, this is definitely something that should be considered when you are selecting a lead for your dog.
You’ve got a lot of options out there that qualify as a much gentler approach!
My name is Ken and I’m one of the staff writers at Petloverguy.com. I’ve cared for pets most of my life starting with hamsters, turtles, and snakes. Then moving up to parakeets, guinea pigs, and even ducks.
I currently live with two yorkies and a chihuahua mix.
