Collar/Lead connection safety

Hi, my son has just come back home in tears after being thoroughly frightened. He was walking Kuchar along the road on leather collar and short leather lead, when suddenly the connection broke and Kuchar dashed across the road in front of cars. Fortunately, no -one was injured.

I have experienced the collar/lead connection coming adrift previously and put it down to Kuch jumping around and it just being "one of those things", however, I bought a new lead just in case. This was with the new lead.

Collar is from PAH and has the normal D-ring for attaching the lead. Both leads were from PAH and have the normal click to open attachment. This time, my son wonders whether Kuchar shaking himself (it is raining) might have loosened the connection. So far - touch wood - neither of us have experienced this when using the extending lead (from PAH) with the same sort of attachment on the same collar, even when Kuch has run full pelt at birds and nearly pulled us off our legs.

Has anyone else experienced this, and more importantly can anyone recommend a collar and lead that will not part company under any circumstances?

I have moved this post from Introductions to Chat, hope you dont mind.

Do you still have the receipt for the collar and lead to return for a refund due to faulty workmanship?

I have not come across a perfect collar or lead so hard to recommend either, however maybe try a wider collar with a secure D ring to attach the lead to.

If you replace either or both please check the quality of the stitching on both collar and lead. I got Rocky a 3 Peaks lead from Pets At Home last year sometime, took him out for a walk and it didn't last the entire walk, luckily I always carry a spare with me. It was kind of elasticated, Rocky just pulled once on it and I felt the elastic go. I took it straight back and got a refund and would never trust one of those leads again. I now just use a plain leather collar and nylon lead which is attached to the harness.

I am so pleased everything turned out ok, I would complain myself, might not go far but you may get a few freebies.

Never happened to me, so far, so I can't really help. Xx

Thanks Janey - I just want a lead that won't come adrift from the collar, and this is the second lead it's happened to.

Does he pull a lot?

Yes he does. But as I said, when walking over the fields in daylight we use an extendable lead so he can run as free as possible. And sometimes he sets off at a gallop towards some birds (for example) and when he gets to the end of the lead (26ft) the jerk is awful, I worry about his neck never mind me running at my advanced age to try to lessen "shock". And THIS lead, despite its cabin hook connection, has not come adrift - SO FAR.

Having had similar experience in the past I will only ever use a collar from here ;
http://www.elperro.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=36_48

And use softex leads from eBay : http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=270749444111

Won't use anything else. My girl can pull like s truck when she wants to but at least I know the collar n lead can take it !

Those do look like very good collars Jackie, now I know where Rockys next one will be coming from

personally i woul dnever use/trust the cheaper commercial leads. I would get a metal one with a normal hook on the end

Checking the country of manufacture is a must these days of cheap 2nd rate imports

buy local....not cheap but not cheap....if you get my drift.

http://www.aecollars.co.uk/

Thank you everyone. I will check the links you (jackie) and ergo have sent me, when my internet connection which is VERY intermittent allows (awaiting - and waiting - and waiting - a new modem and splitter from Talktalk).

Do I take it that PAH supply only 2nd rate leads? I'll pay anything that's needed, just want my boy to be safe.

new Staffy owner wrote:

Do I take it that PAH supply only 2nd rate leads? I'll pay anything that's needed, just want my boy to be safe.

I wouldn't trust the 3 Peaks range again

PAH are ok for pups, but once ur dog get to 5/6mths plus u need to invest in proper hardware for ur dog, u need something substantial that will put up with pulling etc u can't be too careful with a dog that's potentially stronger/faster than u !
www.elperro.co.uk

can't go wrong , I know a lot of ppl with staffs n bull terriers that use elperro.

X

Gosh what a terrible shock for your son, but pleased that all was ok.

I had two experiences of this happening with an ezydog collar and lead. It was a strange one has happened both times when Betsy wasn't pulling- the lead just came off. I always check it a few times and the clasp was in. Fortunately no harm done.
There didn't seem to be anything wrong with the lead. I sent it back and they cdn't find anything either. They did refund me but suggested I go elsewhere.

I brought this as an emergency stand in from pets at home

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/red-nylon-medium-padded-dog-lead-by-pets-at-home-88765?cm_re=barilliance-_-up sell-_-product details

I don't usually rate their leads, but I'm really happy with it and it's comfy to hold. It bears up to Betsy who can be as strong as an ox when a squirrel is in sight

I've used the softex ones too as mentioned above and very happy with them

As suggested above I would defo contact the seller. It's important that they know what happened. If they advise you to send it back they can check whether there was a fault.

I only get collars made for the boys and certainly wouldn't trust p@h

The collars i walk the boys on i can't mention the make but they are 2inch wide and are load safe collars.

I also use a police style lead so i can have one end on a collar and harness at once if needs be

new Staffy owner wrote:Yes he does. But as I said, when walking over the fields in daylight we use an extendable lead so he can run as free as possible. And sometimes he sets off at a gallop towards some birds (for example) and when he gets to the end of the lead (26ft) the jerk is awful, I worry about his neck never mind me running at my advanced age to try to lessen "shock". And THIS lead, despite its cabin hook connection, has not come adrift - SO FAR.

it's a personal thing, but i deplore those extendable leads. just fractionally more control than no lead at all i.m.o.

ergo wrote:

it's a personal thing, but i deplore those extendable leads. just fractionally more control than no lead at all i.m.o.

I agree that it comes down to personal preference. The handles are harder to grip than normal leads, as well. I like the freedom of the extendable lead, but would much prefer it if it was easier to hold on to.

The softex leads http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=270749444111

Extend to a few feet, I used to
Join two together in the early days.

Thank you all again.

Ella, please can you tell me where you get your police style leads from? I appreciate if you don't want to mention where you get your collars from - I would like a wider collar personally but at the moment I don't think the collar is to balme - it's lead or more specifically, the cabin hook connection.

And thank you ergo for your input, but I find the extendable lead much preferable to no lead. At least it has not let me down yet and although I hate the check it gives to my pup, at least he HAS a check and doesn't disappear into the wild blue yonder as he did before.

I'll check out the links you kind people have given me as soon as my stupid internet connection (PLEASE Talktalk send me my new modem and splitter PDQ) lets me.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your help I knew I could rely on you ><

Just like to add my own opinion - Dempsey can pull like a train if he sees a cat. I use a Softex lead, about 7' long. It's similar to the leads the police use other than the fact that it doesn't have a quick release fixing, just a normal (but strong) one. I also use a Softex half - check collar, but you can also get a Softex buckle collar. The softex is very strong (never let me down) and I've had the collar & lead for about 2 years - hardly any wear on it at all.

new Staffy owner wrote:Thank you all again.

Ella, please can you tell me where you get your police style leads from? I appreciate if you don't want to mention where you get your collars from - I would like a wider collar personally but at the moment I don't think the collar is to balme - it's lead or more specifically, the cabin hook connection.

And thank you ergo for your input, but I find the extendable lead much preferable to no lead. At least it has not let me down yet and although I hate the check it gives to my pup, at least he HAS a check and doesn't disappear into the wild blue yonder as he did before.

I'll check out the links you kind people have given me as soon as my stupid internet connection (PLEASE Talktalk send me my new modem and splitter PDQ) lets me.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your help I knew I could rely on you ><

The collars have been mentioned before but we've been asked not to 'advertise' his website.

The police style one i got are these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280692122187?var=580033819063&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

amazing leads baring in mind chance has broke a few including snapping the clip clean in half.

I prefer the softex, to be honest.

Caryll wrote:I prefer the softex, to be honest.

Yep same http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=270749444111

I don't i certainly don't like the clips used on them.

Also it doesn't have the double traffic handle in mine has

What's a double traffic handle?

that should have been double traffic handles. Look at the link it's a handle at each end at the clip. These are traffic handles

So does the softex.

where i can see you can make one by clipping the clip on to the ring but that's not what i mean

Lots for me to look at - thank you everyone. I was going to go to PAH tomorrow to ask their advice - I wasn't expecting a lot as I have looked at their range and couldn't see anything different from what I've already got.

I just want armour plating protection for my very strong, exuberant, wilful, excitable +++, mad as a hatter puppy. Never known anything like him, and to be let down (almost disastrously) by normally available leads has shaken me.

You are a GREAT lot, thank you so much, I knew I could rely on you for good advice.

I don't understand what you mean, then. The pic on the link you gave for your one looks exactly the same as the softex.

The part between the clip and the ring is actually double the handle is already there. It means when i have a clip on his collar and his harness, i have a handle still AT the collar and harness end. There is also 3 O rings along it so you can use it many ways

My mum (she had her a lot when I first got her) preferred to walk Moo on an harness, it was a p@h one, she just felt she had more control. I know people disagree but might be worth a thought. It was only for road walking and thats how she learnt to walk nicely.

I see. The sorted has the rings, but yes, you have to clip for the handle. Is your lead as soft as the softex? If it is, I might give it a try.

Sorry was a bit hard to explain!

Yes i find it soft, it's certainly not really rough like a lot of nylon leads

Trouble is, I've had a couple of so-called soft webbing leads that really weren't all that soft. That's why I like the softex.

Once again, thank you all. I have now managed to look at all the links. But they all have the same kind of cabin hook/click release connection that I just can't trust anymore.

I'm going to try to find an old-fashioned leather worker/saddler who will provide me with a strongly stitched (of course) lead that has a handle at one end for me and most importantly a fastening to the collar end which is NOT that wretched cabin hook device which has let me down and so very nearly killed my puppy. My preference would be a strongly stitched buckle.

Wish me luck!

Happy hunting!

Moo has a £3.99 lead from ebay, its pink/purple and matches her collar lol, and my socks tee hee! Can't wait to walk her again!

Thanks Janey - pink is not Kuchar's colour of choice, he's definitely a "bloke"!

I may just have found a gap in the market - a lead that will NOT detach from the collar no matter what.

I just need to find a leather worker/saddler to provide me with what is needed.

And you WILL be walking Moo on her pink lead matching your socks soon!

Caryll wrote:Trouble is, I've had a couple of so-called soft webbing leads that really weren't all that soft. That's why I like the softex.

Well it's soft enough for me but depends how soft you want it

new Staffy owner wrote:Thanks Janey - pink is not Kuchar's colour of choice, he's definitely a "bloke"!

I may just have found a gap in the market - a lead that will NOT detach from the collar no matter what.

I just need to find a leather worker/saddler to provide me with what is needed.

And you WILL be walking Moo on her pink lead matching your socks soon!

I don't think you will find anything that is 100% never going to come off, you just need a better quality lead

don't care how soft they are on my hands (is that what we're talking about here?) We can wear gloves.

If we're talking about soft on the dog's neck, great I'm all for it.

I just want a lead I can trust NOT to detach from my dog's collar, no matter what.

ella wrote:

Caryll wrote:Trouble is, I've had a couple of so-called soft webbing leads that really weren't all that soft. That's why I like the softex.

Well it's soft enough for me but depends how soft you want it

why is a soft lead important?
Soft collar is self explanitory, but why the lead?

The best ''traffic'' leads are those with two hand loops.
One at the end (naturally) & one close to the clip.
it is just a matter of moving ones hand from one to the other.

With a dog that's likely to pull the lead through my hands I want a lead that's softer than the normal webbing ones - trust me, a burn from those leads going rapidly through your hands is very painful!

I think I'll just stick with the softex!

ergo wrote:Checking the country of manufacture is a must these days of cheap 2nd rate imports

buy local....not cheap but not cheap....if you get my drift.

http://www.aecollars.co.uk/

these are well worth the money memphis has got a 1 1/2" collar and 1"leash and all fitings are working as good as the day i bought them

Thank you wazza - looked at this link and the leads have the same cabin hook/quick release fastenings. Just can't trust them any more - twice bitten, three times shy.

Still looking for the fool-proof answer...

new Staffy owner wrote:Thank you wazza - looked at this link and the leads have the same cabin hook/quick release fastenings. Just can't trust them any more - twice bitten, three times shy.

Still looking for the fool-proof answer...

its all down to the quality of the fastener some cheaper ones the spring weak and the slide bar wobbles if you wiggle it but on these the fasteners are good quality with good spring and minimal play

ergo wrote:

ella wrote:

Caryll wrote:Trouble is, I've had a couple of so-called soft webbing leads that really weren't all that soft. That's why I like the softex.

Well it's soft enough for me but depends how soft you want it

why is a soft lead important?
Soft collar is self explanitory, but why the lead?

The best ''traffic'' leads are those with two hand loops.
One at the end (naturally) & one close to the clip.
it is just a matter of moving ones hand from one to the other.

You talking to the wrong person it's caryll who wants the soft lead.

Mine has two hand loops that why I use it

ella wrote:

ergo wrote:

ella wrote:

Caryll wrote:Trouble is, I've had a couple of so-called soft webbing leads that really weren't all that soft. That's why I like the softex.

Well it's soft enough for me but depends how soft you want it

why is a soft lead important?
Soft collar is self explanitory, but why the lead?

The best ''traffic'' leads are those with two hand loops.
One at the end (naturally) & one close to the clip.
it is just a matter of moving ones hand from one to the other.

You talking to the wrong person it's caryll who wants the soft lead.

Mine has two hand loops that why I use it

i was just curious.
I didn't particularly need a confrontation.

She did answer but I don't know anyone who holds the lead when walking a powerful dog so that it could slip through the hands as soon as the dog lunges, while some may hold the handle loop, most, me included, thread the hand through to loop & than hold the lead.

I walk 4 at a time like this using brace leads.

Personally I hold the loop but my son puts his hand through the loop and holds the lead as ergo suggests.

Whatever way, and whatever fabric the lead is composed of, I still maintain that any manufacturer of a dog lead should not allow in any circumstances that the lead become detached from the collar.

I'm getting quite passionate about this now - my pup could have been killed last night. I don't care whether the lead is soft or hard to my hands, all I want is that it remains attached to my dog's collar.

new Staffy owner wrote:Personally I hold the loop but my son puts his hand through the loop and holds the lead as ergo suggests.

Whatever way, and whatever fabric the lead is composed of, I still maintain that any manufacturer of a dog lead should not allow in any circumstances that the lead become detached from the collar.

I'm getting quite passionate about this now - my pup could have been killed last night. I don't care whether the lead is soft or hard to my hands, all I want is that it remains attached to my dog's collar.

just keep in mind that if the dog pulls the lead out of your hand it wont matter how strong the clip is.