Proper Check Cord Usage

[Wiley]

My main question here is:

How do I properly use a check cord?

I am having trouble with Kingston listening to the come command when he is distracted. I tried my 50ft check cord out today and found it to be useful getting Kingston to come quicker when he was distracted. He knows the command, he just seems to either not hear me or chooses not to obey. We will be using the check cord out in our local fields as I find it easy to use while I walk in the snowmobile tracks letting Kingston do his thing.

Is there a special collar that I should be using with the check cord or is his flat collar ok to use?

[1st retriever]

A choke chain may help. The noise when you pop it would help to reinforce the come command.

[EricW]

Pinch Collar

[Keith Stroyan]

Be very careful with a choke chain if you use the check cord for breaking.

(A sharp snap with a flat collar is usually sufficient, anyway.)

[Fowl Play WA]

Speaking from experience, (and slightly off topic) do not use a nylon lead. Search out something soft and cotton.

Finally healing...

[Juli H]

and wear gloves....

Juli

[Fowl Play WA]

and wear gloves....

Juli

Yeah, forgot that.

[Wiley]

For people tuning into this thread, there is some great advice here. I want to add some things that I learned in the last two days.

Yesterday, I tied two knots at the end of the check cord. The first knot is at the very end of it, and the second knot is about 2ft up from that. I figure that this way I can reduce the chances of getting burned by the rope and also it will give me something that is easier to hold onto.

Today, I found it easier to switch up how I was using the check cord. Kingston didn't seem to notice a difference in the methods used. The first method was to let the cord drag on the ground while holding onto the end. The second method was to gather up all the slack in one hand, while maintaining control with the next. And finally, I also let go of the cord completely and only picked it up when I thought there was a distraction coming up.

I was thinking about wearing gloves because of the "burn" factor. I think that I may wear gloves because of what the check cord may come in contact with (doggie doo).