How to Use a Slip Lead Correctly | Complete Guide for Dog Owners
The Slip Lead is a classic tool in the dog training world. You’ll see it everywhere: dog schools, shelters, working-dog training fields, and professional trainers’ classes. It looks simple, but when used correctly, it’s an incredibly efficient way to communicate with your dog: you don’t need force, you don’t need constant pressure—just light signals that your dog can clearly understand.
Many people’s first reaction to a slip lead is: “Won’t it choke the dog?”. In fact, the reason professionals love it is precisely because it’s gentler, clearer, and more efficient than most other leash setups.
The key condition is: you have to use it correctly.
What a Slip Lead Actually Does？
A Slip Lead (P Lead) is an immediate-feedback communication tool. It’s not for force, not for choking—it’s for clarity.
Used correctly, it helps your dog:
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understand your guidance faster
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stay calmer and more focused
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walk without pulling
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follow your rhythm instead of dragging you
A Slip Lead works only when used gently.Think of it as a language, not a control device.
Wearing Direction: p or q?
Correct direction ensures the lead tightens when needed and releases instantly.
🐶 Dog on your left → "p" Shape
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Loop opening on the right
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Releases naturally
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No jamming
🐶 Dog on your right → "q" Shape
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Loop opening on the left
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Slides smoothly
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No accidental tightening
If the direction is wrong, the rope won’t loosen, and your dog may feel constant pressure.
How to Wear a Slip Lead?
Step 1: Leave Some Space
Once the P lead is on, you should be able to fit 1–2 fingers between the rope and your dog’s neck. This is to:
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Prevent rubbing and discomfort
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Allow the rope to tighten and release smoothly
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Give your dog enough freedom of movement
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Let your dog breathe and move comfortably while walking
“Just right” is harder than “too tight or too loose,” but this step is crucial.
Step 2: Lock the Stopper
The stopper’s job is to make sure the loop doesn’t open so much that it falls off. Correct use:
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Slide it toward the base of the loop
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But not so close that the loop can’t rotate or slide
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Keep the P lead free to move, without slipping down to the chest
Trainers often say:
“The stopper is a safety feature, not a fixed position marker.” Its only job is to make sure the lead doesn’t fall off when the leash is loose.
Step 3: Wear It High — The Higher, the Gentler
The P lead must sit high on the neck, right under the ears. All professionals insist on this because:
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The higher part of the neck feels signals more precisely
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You need much less force (finger pressure is enough)
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It’s less likely to pull on soft tissues
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It’s less likely to put the dog into a “fight back” mode
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The dog responds more naturally to light cues
Low placement causes:
❌ The dog to start pulling into the leash
❌ The need for more force
❌ More pressure on bones and cervical spine
❌ A dog that gets more and more hyped up
High placement is the gentlest position.
Step 4: Tighten & Release
This is the soul of the P lead. Tighten → Release → Praise
The release is the reward. Most of the walk should be loose lead, J-shaped, relaxed. If you keep holding the leash tight, your dog has no idea what you’re asking for.
How to Walk With It?
✔ Keep the leash loose
A soft J-shape means your dog is following, not pulling
✔ Use your wrist, not your whole arm
Light, quick signals are all you need.
✔ Your movement is the real guidance
Your steps, your turns, your pace — the Slip Lead just supports that communication.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Wearing direction reversed
❌ Loop sitting too low
❌ Constant tension on the leash
❌ Stopper pressed too tight
❌ Using too much force
❌ Treating the Slip Lead as punishment
Who Is the Slip Lead Good For?
✔ Dogs that pull
✔ Dogs that get excited outdoors
✔ Dogs learning to follow
✔ Dogs needing clearer direction
✔ Young dogs still learning manners
When You Should Avoid It?
❌ Tracheal or neck issues
❌ Panic-prone or highly fearful dogs
❌ Very young puppies that chew everything
❌ Short-nose breeds (Pugs, Frenchies, etc.)
If unsure, consult a trainer.
FAQ
1. Will a P Lead Hurt My Dog?
No. Harm comes from incorrect use, wrong direction, or holding constant tension on the leash.
2. Why Is High Placement Gentler?
A high position allows you to communicate with minimal pressure, and it’s less likely to affect soft tissue. It’s also much clearer to the dog.
3. Will My Dog Hate the P Lead?
When used correctly, many dogs actually relax more—because the communication is clearer, and unlike some harnesses, it doesn’t constantly push them into forward drive.
4. Is a P Lead Too Heavy for Small Dogs?
Choose a lighter rope diameter (like 8mm) and it works very well for small dogs too.
5. Can a P Lead Really Improve Pulling?
Yes. But what truly makes the difference is how you handle it and your timing, not the tool alone.
6. Will It Keep Getting Tighter?
As long as the direction is correct and the stopper is properly set, releasing your wrist will always allow the rope to loosen by itself.
7. Can My Dog Wear a P Lead at Home?
Not recommended. It’s a walking tool, not a day-to-day collar. At home, use a flat collar or a safe house collar.
8. Which Slip Lead works best for beginners?
Any Slip Lead that slides smoothly, releases instantly, and stays stable in a high position will work well for new handlers. That’s the design approach we follow with the bump up Loop Slip Lead—simple, responsive, and easy for beginners to use correctly.
Use It Right, Walk Better.
Once you learn how to use a P lead, your walks feel completely different:
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You’re no longer dragged down the street
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You’re no longer tense the whole time
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Your hands aren’t going numb
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Your dog is no longer chaotic, lunging, or zig-zagging everywhere
You turn into a team that’s doing the same thing together.
That’s what “Lead, not pull” really means.
It’s also one of the gentlest, purest ways for humans and dogs to communicate.
