UPX Archives - Unleashed Potential

In this article, I want to show you how to properly fit a dominant dog collar, or what I simply call a slip lead. This type of collar is highly effective for calming reactive dogs, especially those who are leash reactive or tend to freak out around other dogs. It’s a great tool to help your dog relax without immediately resorting to more corrective tools like pinch collars.

Why Choose a Dominant Dog Collar?

The slip lead is designed to help calm your dog. It’s not about correcting behavior through sharp jerks,or activating but rather about providing gentle control and reducing reactivity. If you have a dog that overreacts to other dogs or becomes highly excited on the leash, starting with a slip lead or a dominant dog collar can be very beneficial. A slip lead is different than a dominant dog collar but my PEI language – Island slang, often calls all the collars “slip leads. IT is good to note that Slip, leads, slip collars, as well as dominant dog collars are all different tools by nature but can be used similar.

NOTE: Dominant dog collar is the collar in the video and size requirements are needed, not as much for slip leads. Size and measurements differ depending on where you get the collar.

Fitting the Dominant Dog Collar

Getting the right fit is crucial for the collar to work effectively. Here’s how to measure and fit the collar properly:

Measure the Neck: Use a measuring tape or a piece of string to measure around the dog’s neck, just behind the ears. You want this measurement to be snug, as a loose collar will not stay in place.
Choose the Right Size: Once you have the neck measurement, select a slip lead that matches. If the measurement is between sizes, it’s generally better to choose the smaller size to ensure a snug fit.
Positioning: The collar should sit high on the dog’s neck, right behind the ears. This is critical because a collar that sits too low will not provide the control you need and can slide down.
Fitting: When you put the collar on, the clip should be in your left hand with the dog facing you. This allows for easier and more effective handling. The collar should be snug enough that you can fit your fingers underneath but not so loose that you can fit your whole hand.

Checking the Fit

To ensure the collar is fitted correctly, attach the leash and pull gently. You should only see a small amount of slack, ideally just the length of your finger. If there’s more slack, the collar may be too loose and will not stay in the correct position.

Using the Dominant Dog Collar or any Slip Lead

When using the slip lead, keep in mind that it’s a tool to help your dog stay calm. It is important to teach your dog how to responded to the collar first in a few training sessions so the dog understands how to get its advantage. Teach your dog to be in control of it and learn how to remove it and avoid it. Just before your dog starts to react or pull, add gentle pressure and known command and reinforce a sit or a different behaviour it knows and likes. Then removing the discomfort encouraging your dog to relax and focus. It’s not meant to jerk over and over and or cause pain, but to guide and help then keep calm.

Benefits of a Proper Fit

A well-fitted slip lead:

Helps calm leash-reactive dogs by applying gentle pressure they want to avoid.
Keeps the collar in place high on the neck, where it’s most effective.
Prevents the collar from sliding down becoming un effective. ensuring consistent communication between you and your dog and having motivation is important.

Final Thoughts

For reactive dogs, starting with a slip lead can make a significant difference in their behavior on walks or outings while they learn to walk. Add food for positive reinforcement in training after the release of pressure of the lead to 10X the power! It provides enough consistent control and helps to calm your dog without the need for harsh corrections. If you’re looking for more training tips and personalized guidance, consider joining me in UPX our Unleashed Potential Experience community. We offer bi-weekly live training and coching sessions, access to our comprehensive online courses, and a supportive community to help you achieve your dog training goals. Jon a challenge, learn about breathwork and more.

Consider UPX Personal Development and training for YOU and YOUR dog.

For more information and to join us in UPX, visit https://www.dukeferguson.com/upx/membership and take the next step towards unleashing you and your dogs full potential.

Have you ever set a goal, dream, or challenge for yourself and either didn’t start it or gave up somewhere along the way? If you said yes, you’re not alone. Many of us face this struggle, and it’s often due to a few key factors that can predict our success or failure. Let me walk you through these factors, using some insights and analogies that have profoundly impacted me.

Ignition: The Spark to Get Started

One of the most important elements of success is ignition, or that initial spark that gets you started. I learned about ignition through an analogy involving cooking. Initially taught to me by Bart and Michael Bellen using spaghetti and boiling water. In the video,I’ve adapted it to lobsters, given my location on Prince Edward Island.

Imagine you’re trying to boil lobsters. You can’t cook them with cold water; you need to heat the water until it boils. Similarly, you need ignition—a spark of motivation and energy—to start working toward your goals. The more motivation the better.

Resource Availability: Tools and Support

Another predictor of success is resource availability. This includes having the right tools, finances, coaching, and support to pursue your dreams.

Tools: Whether it’s equipment for dog training or software for a business project, having the right tools is essential.
Finances: Sometimes, financial resources are necessary to move forward.
Support: Training, Coaching and mentorship can provide the guidance needed to stay on track. UPX community supports you. .

When resources are scarce, we tend to make excuses and either don’t start or give up.

Intrinsic Value: Internal Motivation

Intrinsic value refers to the internal satisfaction and fulfillment you get from pursuing a goal, beyond external rewards like money or recognition. It’s about asking yourself why your goal is important and what you’ll gain from it on a deeper, more personal level.

Delay Time: Patience and Persistence

Delay time is the period between starting a goal and seeing the rewards. Many people give up because the wait seems too long. This is where patience and persistence come into play.

Bandwidth Belief: Making Time for What Matters

Bandwidth belief is the misconception that you don’t have enough time to pursue your dreams.

“You have more time than you actually think. This bandwidth is a false belief unless you don’t have a schedule or you’re jammed full.”

To manage your time effectively, consider these tips:

Inventory Your Time: Assess where you’re spending your time each day.
Block Time: Use a calendar to block out time for your priorities.
Eliminate Distractions: Reduce time spent on non-essential activities like social media or TV.

Social Support: Building a Supportive Network

Lastly, social support is crucial for success. Whether it’s friends, family, or a professional community, having a support network can significantly boost your motivation and ability to achieve your goals.

“If you don’t feel that you have the support from your team, friends, family, or spouse, it’s going to be really hard to push the goal forward to get success and momentum.”

I created the Unleashed Potential Experience Community (UPX) for this very reason. It’s a safe, growth-minded environment where members support each other through wins and struggles.

“Join me and others like you, in UPX. It’s exactly why I started the Unleashed Potential Experience Community. We support each other, we share, we celebrate wins, we go through the struggles.”

Practical Steps to Apply These Factors

To make these factors work for you, here are some practical steps you can take:

Find Your Ignition: Identify what motivates you and use it to kickstart your journey. Dream more!
Gather Resources: List out the tools, finances, and support you need and start gathering them bit by bit.
Connect with Your Why: Reflect on why your goal matters to you and how it fulfills you on a personal level.
Be Patient: Recognize that success takes time and look for small wins along the way.
Manage Your Time: Take control of your schedule and prioritize your goals.
Build Your Network: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your growth and inspire you.

Remember, success isn’t just about the end result; it’s about the journey and the growth you experience along the way. By understanding and applying these five factors, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving your goals.