I get the occasional message from someone because their dog backed out of their brand-spanking new slip leash at a trial, and it makes me groan!

There’s a lot less I can do to help at that point, and you know the saying “the best treatment is prevention”, right? Let’s make sure those neck measurements are on point so there are no surprises!

There’s a tendency we have as humans to want to add an inch or two to or measurements “just for a little space.” But unfortunately, a little extra space (1 to 2″) can go a long way towards giving your dog just what they need to back out of their slip leash. And I can’t really think of a worse scenario for that to happen than at a trial!

Here’s the deets, straight up. Get the neck measurement. Order that EXACT collar size- no ifs, ands or buts! When in doubt, size down rather than size up. If you have a sighthound or similar proportioned dog, be extra careful (is that possible?) to measure around the smallest part of their neck.