Slip Leashes > Clip Leashes (Why?)

Hi Friend,

Have you ever wondered why vets and animal shelters use those simple rope leashes that make a loop? There’s a good reason! 

Slip Leashes – The Safe Choice for Dogs

Here’s why they’re often better:

1. Dogs Don’t Escape Easily: Dogs stay safe because they can’t “slip” out of them.
2. Many Dogs Don’t Like Their Neck Touched: A lot of dogs get nervous when strangers touch their neck to clip on a leash. We see this all the time! Dogs are much more comfortable when we just gently loop a slip leash over their head.
3. Builds Trust: With a slip leash, we don’t have to get too close to a new dog right away. This shows respect for their space and helps them trust us faster.

Problems with Clip Leashes

Those regular leashes that clip to a collar can cause trouble. The metal clips can snap or stop working, especially after they get worn out. Dogs can easily back out of regular collars, especially if they get scared or spooked by something. The more pieces something has, the more things can go wrong, and clip leashes have several failure points.

When Should You Use Each Kind?

Think of it like this: use a slip leash when your dog is new to you or still in training. A slip leash is better if your dog doesn’t like strangers touching their neck or if you’re somewhere with lots of distractions like a park or busy street.

You can switch to a clip leash when your dog walks nicely without pulling, can walk past other dogs calmly, and listens to you even when excited about something. 

The Big Mistake

Most people start with the hardest thing first! They use a clip leash with a flat collar before their dog is ready.

It’s like trying to run before you can walk. Start safe, then work up to the regular leash once your dog has good manners.

How Do You Know When Your Dog Is Ready?

Can your dog:

• Walk past other dogs without pulling?
• Ignore squirrels and other fun stuff?
• Listen to you even when excited?

If not, stick with the slip leash or a training collar for now.

Safety first! A loose dog can get hurt. Better safe than sorry.

Your friend with treat-filled pockets,

Ryan