When it comes to walking your dog, choosing the right equipment is crucial for both effective training and your dog’s comfort. While harnesses have become increasingly popular, especially with their fashionable designs, many trainers and experienced dog owners argue that slip & clip leads are often the better choice.
Carry on reading to explore why these particular leads can make your walks more effective and enjoyable.
Slip & Clip Leads provide numerous benefits, especially for training and managing your dog during walks.
1. Improved Communication
Slip & Clip Leads allow for direct communication between you and your dog. The gentle pressure on the neck provides clear feedback that dogs can easily understand, making it simpler to guide their behaviour.
2. Discourages Pulling
One of the biggest challenges for dog owners is leash pulling. Slip leads discourage this behaviour by making the dog more aware of the leash. The gentle pressure around the neck creates a natural deterrent to pulling, while a harness often encourages it.
3. Better Control and Focus
Slip & clip leads give owners more control over their dog’s movements. This is especially important in busy environments or when working with excitable or reactive dogs. With a slip or clip lead, it’s easier to redirect your dog’s attention back to you, promoting calm and focused behaviour during walks.
4. Simplicity and Convenience
Slip & clip leads are incredibly easy to use. They combine the leash and collar into one simple tool, making them perfect for quick walks, vet visits, or training sessions. There’s no need to adjust straps worrying about whether it fits correctly, saving time and hassle.
5. Encourages Proper Training
For dogs in training, slip & clip leads provide immediate feedback, helping them learn proper leash manners faster. They are excellent tools for teaching dogs to walk calmly beside you, rather than pulling ahead or lagging behind.
Harnesses; often seen as a more comfortable alternative to collars and can be a great choice in many situations.
It is always important to understand that there are some factors to consider when it comes to training and walking.
1. Encourages Pulling in Some Dogs
Harnesses distribute pressure across the dog’s chest and shoulders, which can offer more comfort, however for dogs with a strong pulling instinct, the design can provide more leverage for pulling. While this isn’t the case for every dog, those that are prone to pulling will find it easier to continue this behaviour with a harness.
2. Less Effective for Training
Harnesses tend to distribute pressure evenly, which can make it harder for a dog to feel the subtle cues from their owner during training. Tools like slip leads or clip leads apply gentle but a more targeted pressure, which can be useful for teaching specific behaviours.
3. The Opposition Reflex
Some dogs are more sensitive to pressure on their chest or back, which can trigger the opposition reflex-where the dog pulls against the pressure rather than responding to it. This can sometimes make harnesses less effective for dogs that are learning loose-leash walking.
4. Can Promote Excitability
Harnesses allow dogs to move their bodies more freely, which can encourage behaviours like jumping, lunging, or spinning. This makes it harder to maintain control, especially in high-stress or stimulating situations.
5. Fit and Comfort
Harnesses when fitted correctly can be extremely comfortable and safe for a dog, but it’s essential to find the right one. If not adjusted properly a harness can cause discomfort, restrict movement or even slip off in some cases.
Choosing the Right Equipment
The decision between a slip lead, clip lead, or harness, depends on your dog’s needs, behavior, and health. However, for most everyday walks and training scenarios, slip & clip leads offer superior control, communication, and effectiveness. They help discourage pulling, improve leash manners, and make walks more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
If you’re considering switching your dog from a harness to a slip lead or clip lead, it’s important to do so correctly and safely. For example, transitioning a pulling dog directly to a slip or clip lead won’t solve the problem instantly. Loose-leash walking requires proper techniques and consistent training to achieve effective results, especially when using a slip or clip lead.
Slip Leads & Clip Leads will be available in nearly any pet store you go to, however if you’re looking for that luxury and fashionable look, I love the Ruff and Tumble leads, they’re available in two thicknesses and they have some stunning colours. 10% off when you sign up to their mailing list.