Let's start with one of my favorite pieces of gear: the check cord. A check cord is typically a long rope with a snap on it. Check cords we sell are made from either braided rope, nylon webbing, or biothane which is a PVC coated polyester material.
Check cords allow you to keep your hands on your dog while letting them work. A check cord is crucial for doing yard work training, such as teaching commands like "here," "whoa,” and working on quartering.
For younger dogs, they'll drag the check cord while running. Sometimes I'll remove the knot at the end so it doesn’t get snagged on brush.
I generally prefer a twenty-foot check cord, though occasionally I'll use a thirty-foot one. The problem with even longer check cords is they can become unmanageable, but some folks want to have a really long line on their dog.
I'm very particular about the check cords I use for training. This is a braided nylon rope check cord that we make right here in Mathiston, Mississippi, from American rope with some imported parts. The rope is made exclusively for us, and designed to our preferences, while the hardware is made in Italy.
This snap is made from Italian bronze, which is super tough, handles all sorts of weather conditions, and holds up year after year. Many of the cheaper check cords out there (including some we sell) use Chinese brass snaps that are not as high quality, and just don't hold up.
Another important aspect is how the snap is attached. We hand-tie a hondo knot, which is super tight and won't come undone. After tying the hondo, we soak the knot in water, and then stretch the wet rope with an electronic hoist machine to make the knot even tighter. When it dries, it’s almost impossible to untie.
I also like a knot at the end of the check cord to catch my hand if needed.
The stiffness of rope is important because it allows you to guide your dog almost instantly. I want a check cord with enough body to stand up on its own. Some cords are too stiff and can burn my hands, so I look for a balance between stiffness and softness.
The unique thing about this rope is that it's stiff but still soft to the touch, so I can often work with it without wearing gloves. I want a check cord stiff enough to hold its shape, but not so stiff that it burns my hands. As you can see, this cord holds its shape when I hold it up.
Braided rope check cords hold up well over time and, in my experience, get better with age. I like it when they get a bit dirty, which makes them a bit stiffer. You'll get some rope fraying over time, but you can use a cigarette lighter to remove it if you want.
Overall, a check cord is a must-have piece of gear for your training tool kit. I usually carry two or three check cords with me.
