Noose style lead for small puppy

I'm not keen on slip leads because a persistent puller can damage their trachea. The one time they are helpful, in my view, is for dogs that are a real flight risk, for example being handed over at rescue. They tighten so the dog cannot get away.

I much prefer a harness, get a cheap one while the puppy is young as he will outgrow it.

The monks got slated for a while as some of their methods were quite aversive and old fashioned but I think I heard their book has been re-published with some of their advice being changed.

The book that is currently getting good reviews is Easy Peasy Puppy Squeezy, and @JudyN recommends another one too.

 

The thing about the slip leads is that it's the dog that will put pressure on it, and the injury could happen before he or you realise.

A harness won't teach him to pull - your training will teach him not to; without injury.

All restrained creatures have an instinct to pull, if you like to read the science behind these things it is called Oppositional Reflex. We need to teach him that when he feels the pressure in the lead, he eases back - whether on a harness or collar but at least he doesn't damage himself while he is learning.

Have a look at this - Kikopup on YouTube has lots of excellent videos.



And I'm afraid that with Cesar Milan, while there might be some material that is ok, I could point you to videos that show an appalling level of abuse.

 

Dear doG! The Monks of Skete Throw it in the bin.
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Pippa Mattinson
The Happy Puppy Handbook - Pippa Mattinson

 

In fairness, I do think I heard their most recent edition had been revised.

But - I have been fretting a little over the reference to a well behaved dog. So, to perhaps illustrate the difference between a well behaved dog and a shut down dog, @JudyN please would you post that video clip you have?

 

That's the one!

 

Thanks @JudyN

 

Be aware that a terrier pup is going to be way different from a GSD. Terriers are very outward bound, whereas GSDs like to be with you. So work with the dog you have, and don't worry when s/he reminds you about terrierism and gives you the finger.

Having said that, terriers are very intelligent and I've never had any trouble teaching loose lead walking, not because I am utterly brilliant but because I am utterly CONsistent and PERsistent. My dogs learn that nobody goes anywhere unless the lead is slack. As soon as that happens, off we go. As soon as the lead tightens, we stop. Thus it's the dog that chooses, and the dog that learns how to walk nicely. Rewards can be treat, toy or a mixture, but there are several ways to get good results, and for any dog I train, the reward is that we step smartly forward and get on with our walk.

One thing to learn is how to hold the lead. Most people naturally hold it the wrong way! The right way is the same way horse riders hold the reins. Have the back of your hand on top, your thumb towards you, little finger towards the dog. If you have small or weak fingers, take the lead between your little finger and third finger, but if it's comfortable to you, use the whole width of your hand. This way you are very strong if the dog launches suddenly.

All the best with your pup - wonderful times to come!

 

Yes: good point. It also helps to have a specific word/phrase to tell the dog it can now range out.

 

Hiya, I use slip leads, my trainer showed me the correct way to use one without causing damage or harm. But I definitely would learn how to use it properly otherwise harm could definitely be caused, but that is with any tool: harness, flat collar and lead. I find the slip lead is easiest to teach a loose lead and it is able to sit right under the dogs chin which helps with guidance when teaching him/her to follow you.

 

I wouldn't particularly use a slip lead on a very young puppy, I think any sensible trainer would say the same, I think from around 16 weeks you could start, but I do feel they were more effective in teaching loose lead with, like you said to Judy, just small gentle flicks. The stop start method on teaching them to walk loosely could work well, but another way that I personally used was to do a complete 180 degree turn whenever the pup starts to walk in front, so it teaches them to follow you and maintain focus on what way your going and what YOUR doing. So practising in the garden on a flat collar and lead would help a lot, just having him walk at your side and then 180 turn when he starts to go ahead and so on. I'm not a fan of harnesses as they are mainly used to encourage your dog to pull, such as search and rescue dogs and police dogs etc. Good luck! Let us know how you get on