BEHAVIOUR
The Ultimate Guide to Using Long Leashes for Dogs Safely!
Long leashes are a great way to ensure our dogs' safety while giving them off-leash freedom. Dog expert Shivani K discusses long leash handling, storage, and more
Shivani Kuthe
Dog Behaviourist
Table of contents
Have you ever wished to give your dog the freedom to roam around freely, to run and explore at their own pace, while still ensuring their safety? Then, the long leash could be the dog training tool you are looking for! Let’s delve deeper into the world of (almost!) unleashed adventures with long leashes for our dogs. In this article, we are going to understand what long leashes for dogs are used, how to handle and store them correctly!
What are long leashes for dogs and what are they used for?
Long leashes, also known as training lines or leads, are extended leashes that grant your dog the freedom to roam while keeping them under control. They come in various lengths, typically ranging from 15 to 50 feet, offering flexibility for different training scenarios and usability with your dog. Long leashes can be simple but powerful tools, offering a myriad of benefits, from reinforcing your obedience training to behaviour modification to providing outdoor enrichment opportunities for your dog.
- Obedience training: Long leashes are valuable for reinforcing your basic obedience commands in new environments.
- Recall practise: Recall is an essential life skill which teaches your dog to return to you when called, despite distractions in the environment.
- Behaviour modification: Long leashes are the preferred tool for dog trainers to help our dogs redirect undesirable behaviours and encourage flight response.
- Enrichment: Long leashes are the ideal tool to carry when you are travelling and exploring new terrains with your dogs. It gives them the freedom to explore while still maintaining their safety.
How do you choose the right long dog leash for you and your dog?
Here are four primary factors you should consider while choosing the perfect long leash for your dogs:
1. Length:
While there are several options for lengths available in the market, ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet and more, pick your long dog leash based on your specific training needs and the environment you plan to use it in. For instance, 10 ft leashes are ideal for regular walks in your neighbourhood or sniffaris in safe areas. 20 ft leashes can be used in terraces, parking lots, and dog parks for play as well as for reinforcing your commands. 30 ft leashes are recommended for hikes and other outdoor spaces, allowing more room for exploration.
2. Material:
Opt for a durable and lightweight material, such as nylon or biothane, to ensure both comfort for your dog and ease of handling for you.
3. Handle Comfort:
Look for a leash with a comfortable handle, as you may be holding onto it for extended periods. Padded or ergonomic handles are excellent choices to enhance your comfort during walks or training sessions.
4. Visibility:
If you plan on using the leash in low-light conditions, choose one with reflective elements to enhance visibility and ensure safety for both you and your dog.
1. Length:
While there are several options for lengths available in the market, ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet and more, pick your long dog leash based on your specific training needs and the environment you plan to use it in. For instance, 10 ft leashes are ideal for regular walks in your neighbourhood or sniffaris in safe areas. 20 ft leashes can be used in terraces, parking lots, and dog parks for play as well as for reinforcing your commands. 30 ft leashes are recommended for hikes and other outdoor spaces, allowing more room for exploration.
2. Material:
Opt for a durable and lightweight material, such as nylon or biothane, to ensure both comfort for your dog and ease of handling for you.
3. Handle Comfort:
Look for a leash with a comfortable handle, as you may be holding onto it for extended periods. Padded or ergonomic handles are excellent choices to enhance your comfort during walks or training sessions.
4. Visibility:
If you plan on using the leash in low-light conditions, choose one with reflective elements to enhance visibility and ensure safety for both you and your dog.
How to correctly use the long leash for dogs?
1. Clipping it on:
While introducing and using a long dog leash, we recommend clipping it on the back clip of a harness instead of a collar. This reduces the risk of neck injuries for your dog in case they run at full speed and reach the end of the leash. It also prevents the leash from getting tangled between their legs and gives you better control.
2. Holding the leash:
Handling a long leash properly is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure a positive experience for both you and your dog. Start by grabbing the handle of the leash in the palm of your hand and allowing it to loop around your elbow several times. This creates snug, manageable loops that you can drop to give more length as your dog moves ahead. Utilize two hands - one for the loops and the other to keep the remaining length in the air.
3. Working with the leash:
2. Holding the leash:
Handling a long leash properly is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure a positive experience for both you and your dog. Start by grabbing the handle of the leash in the palm of your hand and allowing it to loop around your elbow several times. This creates snug, manageable loops that you can drop to give more length as your dog moves ahead. Utilize two hands - one for the loops and the other to keep the remaining length in the air.
3. Working with the leash:
- Treat the leash as an active connection with your dog, unwinding it loop-by-loop as they move farther away and rolling it back as they come closer. Don’t let the leash drag on the ground to avoid entanglement.
- Apply pressure and direction when necessary, especially around people or other dogs, but provide ample space for exploration in open and clear areas that are fenced. In other open and clear areas that are fenced, you can drop the leash as long as it does not have a handle that can get caught on obstacles in the terrain.
- Ensure that you keep the leash in the air and don’t let it drag on the ground behind your dog. If the length of the leash is on the ground, keep an eye out for “C” “U” OR “O” forming around your legs and step out of it right away to prevent accidents.
Check out the Youtube tutorial for more handling and storage tips!
How do you maintain and store the long leash?
Proper maintenance and storage are important to improve the longevity of the tools we use.
1. Storage:
Create the loops as described above. Take the carabiner end of the leash, loop it around the middle of the loops and thread it through the centre.
2. Maintenance:
For cleaning, hand wash with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. Avoid harsh chemicals and inspect for any damage before storing it in a cool and dry environment.
1. Storage:
Create the loops as described above. Take the carabiner end of the leash, loop it around the middle of the loops and thread it through the centre.
2. Maintenance:
For cleaning, hand wash with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. Avoid harsh chemicals and inspect for any damage before storing it in a cool and dry environment.
In a nutshell, if used correctly, long leashes can become your dog’s passport to adventure! Here’s to hoping that this guide helps you use this tool to the best of its capabilities and encourages you and your pup to head outdoors and go exploring even more!
Happy trails!
Happy trails!
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About the author
Shivani Kuthe
Dog Behaviourist, 5 yrs exp
Shivani is a dog trainer & behaviourist based in Bengaluru. She helps parents live more enriching lives with their dogs and is passionate about the cause of community dogs. Post-grad in Literature, Shivani also leads all content efforts at thePack.in
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