Slip leads

[Sarah.H]

Unfortunately millies previous owners didn't know that 

[piph]

Weighing up the risks I know that Millie is more at risk of getting lost and needing an ID tag rather than getting caught on anything so she wears a collar (hope I haven't jinxed her now!). But if I had a dog that was being worked I would probably go for the slip lead in those situations.

Hence the importance of recall.

Priceless

Yes, a good recall is priceless (at least I hope that's what you meant by 'Priceless', and that it wasn't a sarcastic remark aimed at the previous poster  ), but even those dogs with an extremely reliable recall can, on occasions, become distracted and ignore it. There can't be many members on here that haven't had a dog ignore the recall at some point or another, however good their training is.  And if it's never happened to you, jonnytrabant, then I'd say you are extremely lucky! 

[Honormum]

Weighing up the risks I know that Millie is more at risk of getting lost and needing an ID tag rather than getting caught on anything so she wears a collar (hope I haven't jinxed her now!). But if I had a dog that was being worked I would probably go for the slip lead in those situations.

Hence the importance of recall.

Priceless

Yes, a good recall is priceless (at least I hope that's what you meant by 'Priceless', and that it wasn't a sarcastic remark aimed at the previous poster  ), but even those dogs with an extremely reliable recall can, on occasions, become distracted and ignore it. There can't be many members on here that haven't had a dog ignore the recall at some point or another, however good their training is.  And if it's never happened to you, jonnytrabant, then I'd say you are extremely lucky! 

I was wondering what the "priceless" comment meant. 

Dogs are living creatures and while they have a brain, you can never say 100% that they won't do something unpredictable.

[piph]

Weighing up the risks I know that Millie is more at risk of getting lost and needing an ID tag rather than getting caught on anything so she wears a collar (hope I haven't jinxed her now!). But if I had a dog that was being worked I would probably go for the slip lead in those situations.

Hence the importance of recall.

Priceless

Yes, a good recall is priceless (at least I hope that's what you meant by 'Priceless', and that it wasn't a sarcastic remark aimed at the previous poster  ), but even those dogs with an extremely reliable recall can, on occasions, become distracted and ignore it. There can't be many members on here that haven't had a dog ignore the recall at some point or another, however good their training is.  And if it's never happened to you, jonnytrabant, then I'd say you are extremely lucky! 

I was wondering what the "priceless" comment meant. 

Dogs are living creatures and while they have a brain, you can never say 100% that they won't do something unpredictable.

Agree 100%

[Jonnydog]

It's actually something that worries me a lot. My last cocker, Jess, got caught by her collar in thick forest (we have lots round here) but luckily, she was near enough the path for me to see her and free her. If it had happened much further away I wouldn't have known what happened because she didn't bark or whine. I continued with the collar, although there was always that little 'what if' niggle, because It was before the days of microchipping. Penny loves to run through the forest and she's a chaser, so although her recall is very good, if she's in full chase mode I may as well whistle for my supper! I'm afraid I've taken the path of caution and only let her off in certain places where I can tell where she is, even if I can't see her.

By the way, it's not just in thick cover dogs can get caught be their collar. A friend's dog's collar became entangled with that of another dog while they were playing in the park in full view. By the time the owners realised what was happening and went to free them, my friend's dog was unconscious and had stopped breathing. By great good fortune, one of the dog-walkers was a veterinary nurse and revived her with massage.

[jonnytrabant]

Weighing up the risks I know that Millie is more at risk of getting lost and needing an ID tag rather than getting caught on anything so she wears a collar (hope I haven't jinxed her now!). But if I had a dog that was being worked I would probably go for the slip lead in those situations.

Hence the importance of recall.

Priceless

 And if it's never happened to you, jonnytrabant, then I'd say you are extremely lucky! 

Good lord no Pip. I posted numerous posts about Harry's poor recall, but it's getting better, much better. I also believe that it's the most important skill a dog can have. Check out the posts on puppy classes recently, where I emphasise the importance of recall say rather than give a paw which I still believe is a load of conkers, but hey, each to their own, it would be a boring world if everyone agreed with each other.

As for the 'priceless' remark, i would say it was a bit tongue in cheek on my behalf rather than any sarcasm.

[JeffD]

I always use slip leads, no place for a collar on a working dog or a non working dog that likes to thrash the rough stuff. But only if the dog is heel trained, I would never put one on a dog that pulls.
Teal has a normal collar and lead for walks to the park with the other half and for when I heel train.

[piph]

Weighing up the risks I know that Millie is more at risk of getting lost and needing an ID tag rather than getting caught on anything so she wears a collar (hope I haven't jinxed her now!). But if I had a dog that was being worked I would probably go for the slip lead in those situations.

Hence the importance of recall.

Priceless

 And if it's never happened to you, jonnytrabant, then I'd say you are extremely lucky! 

Good lord no Pip. I posted numerous posts about Harry's poor recall, but it's getting better, much better. I also believe that it's the most important skill a dog can have. Check out the posts on puppy classes recently, where I emphasise the importance of recall say rather than give a paw which I still believe is a load of conkers, but hey, each to their own, it would be a boring world if everyone agreed with each other.

As for the 'priceless' remark, i would say it was a bit tongue in cheek on my behalf rather than any sarcasm.

If that's the case, then I'm not sure what point you are trying to make - we've already established that some dogs are more likely to run off than others, the importance in that case of wearing a collar and tag, and the importance also of your dog NOT wearing a collar and tag if working or running about in heavy undergrowth, so why the 'tongue in cheek' remark about recall??

Incidentally, I'm one of the worst - Ozzy wears a collar but has no tag as he's lost his and we haven't replaced it yet, he also isn't microchipped as yet  (next week) so goodness knows how we'd find him if he ran off!  Not that he has much opportunity and hasn't shown any inclination to as we walk in a little park with only one entrance.  We use a harness sometimes, a flat collar and lead rarely, a slip lead with loop or a normal lead and Halti often, all for different situations.

Everyone does what is right for their circumstances and their dog, if no collar and tag and a slip lead is right for you then go for it.  But also, there are some who wouldn't dream of allowing their dog to be out without a collar and tag whatever the circumstances, and that's fine too. Each to his own I say.

[jobartlett]

Sorry - I have a question for those that use slip leads.  We will be using one for Enzo when he starts training - however I'm told that by law he has to wear an ID tag.  Is it OK to keep him in a collar and use a slip lead? 

He's not caught himself in any undergrowth yet......but he's never far from us when we're walking.

He's been cooped up for 2 weeks now after getting kennel cough from a irresponsible dog owner (not happy!!) and an upset tummy but should be let out for walks again next week (fingers crossed)

Thank you in advance for your advise and help

[piph]

I use a slip lead and leave Ozzy's collar on -I just make sure that the slip lead is below (nearer the shoulders) than the collar, then it doesn't foul the smooth running of the slip lead.

[jobartlett]

Thank you piph.  It's good to know.

We can't wait to get back out with him.  We are so worried about him and just want him to be back to normal