This Is Why Gun Dogs Use Slip Leads

You are going on a hunt, and you want to bring your gun dog with you, but you cannot decide what leads to use for your gun dog. Are slip leads a good option for this? Why are slip leads recommended by so many gun dog owners?

Slip leads are used for gun dogs as they are easy and quick to use, and they keep the dog under control. They are escape-proof and keep the dogs and owners from getting hurt. They allow the dog to navigate dense vegetation without getting stuck on foliage.

Slip leads are an important part of your kit bag for your gun dog. These leads are not intended to be used on normal household dogs, but they help control high-energy gun dogs. Slip leads have many pros as to why they should be used for gun dogs, in particular.


Why Slip Leads Are Used

Many gun dog owners will tell you that it is essential to have a slip lead for your dog during a hunt. Slip leads are beneficial to keep your gun dog under control as well as keeping your dog safe and comfortable during the hunt.

For this reason, gun dog owners usually opt for a more expensive slip lead so as to not put them or their gun dogs in any danger. Many owners also get an anti-choke slip lead to make sure their gun dogs are comfortable and are not getting choked by thelead. This lead stops tightening at a certain point when the dog is pulling in order to not harm the dog but still allowing the owner to keep control.

The lead is easy to carry and relatively simple to use. The slip lead is comfortable to put on and take off your dog quickly, so you do not need to fiddle with leads and collars during the hunt.

With a slip lead, the gun dog owner does not have to worry about rope burn on their hands from the dogs forcefully pulling on the lead. Slip leads save the owner from any pain or possible infection they could get during the hunt.

The use of slip leads is also important when you are rushing through some heavily forested areas. The fact that there is no need for a collar allows your dog to navigate through this terrain quickly without getting stuck on trees or bushes. Slip leads are escape-proof, so your dog will not be able to pull free from the lead and potentially get hurt.


What Are Slip Leads?

Slip leads are quite a thick rope with a hoop on the end that goes over the dog’s head. The slip lead is a combination between a collar and a lead all rolled into one. The slip lead’s hoop tightens when the dog pulls away from the owner, ensuring the dog cannot break away.

The lead is designed to be loose most of the time and only tightens to ensure that the dog does not run into any dangerous situations.

This feature of the slip lead is important when controlling gun dogs so that the hunter can maintain good control over the dog at all times to prevent the dog running into the field of fire or going after dangerous or injured quarry.


Are Slip Leads Cruel?

Slip leads have a bit of controversy around them. Many people believe them to be useful and many consider them to be cruel. Why is this?

Some people say that the slip leads are cruel as they pull on the dog’s neck and may choke them when they pull away from the owner. The slip leads may cause the dog some pain and discomfort, especially when the slip lead is not secured correctly on the dog.

On the other side of this opinion, the gun dog owners believe that slip leads are the best leads to use as they control the dog better. This is important to them as they do not want the dog to break free and run around the hunting area and come across a predator that may harm or kill the dog.

They are also concerned about other hunters that may confuse an escaped dog as an animal they are hunting and accidentally shoot the dog.

Both sides have their merit, but both are concerned for the safety of the dogs. There are a few gun dog owners that are moving towards anti-choke slip leads more and more as these provide the same amount of control for the owners with less risk for the dogs to get hurt in any way.

Slip leads may seem cruel to some people. However, they are useful to gun dog owners to help keep the dog safe. There are a few options in the market for slip leads that rectify what some people see to be cruel about slip leads. These offer the gun dog owners the same amount of control with fewer potential risks to the dog.


How To Use A Slip Lead Correctly

If you are struggling to use a slip lead properly, it could be harmful to your dog. The following are the steps you should follow to secure the slip lead to your dog to keep your dog comfortable and safe.

  • Start by making a loop big enough to smoothly go over your dog’s head. Ensure that your dog knows what you are doing so you do not startle your dog.
  • If you are right-handed, then you need to make the letter P with the slip lead. Your dog should stand on your left-hand side as that will help you form the loop. Place your right hand on the leather stop and then use your left hand to pull the lead over the dog’s head.
  •  If you are left-handed, however, then you need to make the loop the number six. Your dog must be standing on your right-hand side. Hold the loop that goes over the dog’s head with your left hand, and hold the other end of the lead with your right hand. Put your left hand over the leather stop, then use your right hand to pull the loop over your dog’s head.
  • Take the lead over your dog’s head. With your hand holding the leather stop, slide the stop down until it is loose but not loose enough for your dog to pull out of.
  • Ensure the size of the loop is a comfortable size for your dog by adjusting the leather stop up or down the rope.

If you secure the slip lead to your dog correctly, this will lower your dog’s chance of escaping and getting hurt.

As a hunter and gun dog owner you need to be aware of how to use a slip lead correctly. This is so that you can control your gun dog without causing harm or injury to your favourite gun dog because of misuse of the lead.


Effective Slip Lead Alternatives

There are multiple alternative leads that you can use instead of slip leads. The following are a few options that you can choose from.

Martingale leashes

These leads are a good substitute for slip leads. They tighten when the dog pulls against the owner as well. However, they do not compress as much as slip leads. There is less potential risk to your dog, but they still provide the same amount of control for the gun dog owners.

If you want a more versatile lead, consider the martingale lead, as it is suitable for everyday use and training.

Anti-choke Slip Lead

These leads allow for all the benefits of a regular slip lead with the added advantage of not potentially choking your gun dog.

This lead allows the owner to resize the looped part of the lead to fit the dog’s neck nicely as not to choke the dog. If the dog pulls, then the lead will only slightly tighten on the dog’s neck to dissuade the dog from pulling. This lead works well for gun dogs as the owner will still have the control they need.


Conclusion

Although there are a few concerns surrounding slip leads, they do have their place in the would of gun dogs. They help protect the gun dog and owner from any potential harm, and they help control high-energy gun dogs.

If you are on the fence about slip leads, but you like the benefits, although you are not sure if you like the risks to your dog, then consider getting an anti-choke slip lead or the martingale lead

. This will ensure that you get what you want with barely any risk.

You may also want to do your own research to find the right alternative that is suitable for your and your beloved dog.

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