slip lead...?

Hello all, I'm new here and I've joined because I am really conflicted and aware of my lack of experience! Any help gratefully received, thank you for sharing your experience with a newbie...

So, after years of wanting to get a staff we have a lovely pup who is seven months old. He's my pride and joy, totally spoiled with cuddles and kisses and until recently he slept in my bed. I'd chatted to a couple of puppy trainers who had suggested a lot of things which seemed to be backfiring (eg food rewards for every good behaviour meant he would only now come when called in the house for a treat, and when he was off the lead his recall had disappeared, plus being advised to let him stop and sniff whenever he wanted meant that he thought he was ruling walks, and being strong and stubborn he would stop whenever he wanted even if it wasn't safe- there's no pavement outside our house as a case in point). I went away for a week leaving him with my grown up son, and when I returned my darling pup was totally unmanageable and basically had stopped listening to a word I said. Despite my best efforts at positive reinforcement for every desirable behaviour, loads of time spent bonding with him and trying to train him as I'd been advised things were getting worse not better. He was out of control, and not looking to me for any permissions or instructions. Once he disappeared into the dunes with his puppy playmate and the other owner and I were extremely worried.

Cue a new trainer. She has loads of experience and her gun dogs are beautifully trained. She put a slip lead on my pup and he seemed really content after just a few second of pulling. He was sitting, making eye contact, putty in her hands. She advised I use it all the time with him, and he is walking really well, has started to look to me for commands, he is actually obedient around the house now and seems genuinely calmer now he's not trying to dominate everything.

My conflict is this: she advised that I use the slip lead all the time, to correct him- which grates on me. It seems odd to pull on something around my gorgeous boy's neck. And if he sees something which interests him he lurches towards it, slip lead or no, and he is strong. I am worried for his safety. A quick google seems to suggest that slip leads went out of vogue years ago, or at very best shouldn't be used to train pups who might lurch forwards.

He's a beautiful spirit with loads of spark and I love him to bits. He adores other dogs and also children (especially if they're waving sticks around etc), which is a problem if I can't control him around them, because they don't always want to play, and parents don't take too kindly to a staff running at their kids. If he gets playing with another dog I can't call him back, he just doesn't hear me.

I love my darling dog, I want him to grow up with love and trust, but I also need to know he is looking to me for commands, even when he's charging off down the beach. Should I use the slip lead to train in a controlled environment and get a harness for walking? Should I find yet another trainer...? I am unsure what it is reasonable to expect of a dog this age.

I'd love to hear any helpful suggestions, and thanks for reading my long post!

Hi & welcome.

Don't worry about the length of post - great information!

But a short answer - no. Staffords, despite their stubborn streak, are extremely sensitive and can quite quickly 'shut down' if the training is harsh. And even used 'properly' (which is rare) a slip lead is harsh.

What I usually recommend (and I'm sure others will have other ways) is as soon as your dog goes ahead, use your cue word (heel, close etc) and about turn. Don't wait for him, just turn & go the other way. When he catches up, repeat. This time, when he gets to your side, praise & treat. Do that every time he goes ahead of you - it'll take a long time to get anywhere, but eventually he'll watch to see what you're going to do.

Treats are great as a reward, but not as a bribe! There's a fine but distinct  difference. You can reward a dog for obeying a command, but don't entice them with it.

Above all be firm but quiet, calm & kind. If you give a command, don't accept failure! If he doesn't respond, go back a step & show him what you want. At the end of any training session (keep them short) finish with something you know he can do so that you always end on a good note.

Ah thank you @gillybrent, that is so helpful. Do you think if I can get him to understand I'm in charge just through a harness and lead as you describe, then other commands like the recall will eventually follow? I'm grateful that you haven't judged my ignorance, when it's all so new all you want is to get it right for your fur baby, but everyone has an opinion it seems!

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Hi from me & Katy I totally agree with Gilly slip leads aren't good with pulling staffies, they will ignore the discomfort & damage & continue to pull! Her advice with stopping & changing directions will certainly help. Slip leads are fine on perfectly trained dogs! What is his name? Pics would be great too

Hello and welcome.

Totally agree with gilly’s advice and yes, you can use usual collar or harness too. I have always used harnesses on my girls and the collar is only used in obedience canine classes where we usually work off lead anyways. I do always insist on a Y harness around the chest rather than those juliusz type harnesses though.

As to recall, why don’t you clip a longline on your boy ? That way he can take a bit of distance from you but you remain in control to call him back.

As to slip leads, choker collars and all of those types of accessories, I’m afraid I’m just not a fan. If your boy lurches forwards and has a certain strength, why not use a harness with a second lead attached to a front attachment ? It will restrict him in his forwards movement without causing neck trauma.

Jenc wrote:Hi from me & Katy I totally agree with Gilly slip leads aren't good with pulling staffies, they will ignore the discomfort & damage & continue to pull! Her advice with stopping & changing directions will certainly help. Slip leads are fine on perfectly trained dogs! What is his name? Pics would be great too

Here's my Vincent :-)

Vincent's a beauty!

You don't need to be 'in charge' - the training with rewards will bring you closer together & he will respect you. It'll be a partnership, not an owner & slave.

Awww ... he’s lovely

He's a handsome boy

Well, I'm happy to say that after reading recommendations on here somewhere (I can't find where so I can't thank the right person!), I bought a Ruffwear harness and the Knot-a-leash which worked really well for a bit of a wild walk today! He seems comfortable, and although it he was so excited by it all it wasn't the best time to train him in any way, I did manage to stop him eating s**t- most of the time! I'm much more comfortable knowing he isn't going to hurt himself when he pulls. Thank you for your help and advice x

A  

So glad you’re happy with the ruffwear harness, I might have several here for my girls

I don’t know where you are but by the magnificent view in the background of the photo and talk of walks in the dunes, you are spoilt for great walks ! *jealous*