Walk notes
How to use a slip lead without choking the conversation
A slip lead is the simplest leash there is: one rope, one loop, one stopper. That simplicity is exactly why people misuse it. Used well, it's a clear, quick line of communication. Used carelessly, it's a rope around a neck.
We make ours from 1/4-inch nylon with an oil-tanned leather stopper, and everything below is how we'd teach a friend to use one.
Make the loop into a 'P'
Hold the loop so it forms a letter P facing the dog. Slide it over the head so the rope running to your hand comes over the top of the neck — that way it releases on its own when you ease off.
Sit it high
The loop belongs high on the neck, just behind the ears and under the jaw. Low on the neck, near the chest, a slip lead gives you no steering and invites pulling.
Set the stopper
Slide the leather stopper down until the loop is snug but two fingers still fit underneath. The stopper keeps the loop from opening wide or closing tight.
Communicate, then release
A slip lead works through a short tightening followed by an immediate release. Constant pressure teaches nothing and is uncomfortable. If you're holding tension for more than a second, stop walking and reset.
Know when not to use it
Dogs with tracheal issues, brachycephalic breeds and dogs who hit the end of the leash at a sprint are better off in a harness. A slip lead is a training and transfer tool, not a tie-out.
Our 5-foot slip leads suit small and extra-small dogs; the 7-foot lead gives medium dogs room to settle into a heel.
