Leash length; the long and short of it.
Something I never thought I’d talk about as often as I do as a certified dog trainer is leash length. I guess I never realized how much of an impact a few feet of leash could make at the end of the day.
Dog equipment can be overwhelming at the best of times. With countless styles, brands, colors, and fits, who really knows what the best option is? This choice is often highly individual based on your dog, and your needs for the equipment you are using; and leashes are no different.
I personally walk my dog on a 10-15 foot leash for all of our routine outings and residential walks. Switching my a standard 6-foot leash to one with more room was a game changer for both me and my dog. The extra 4-9 feet of room allows my dog more opportunity to sniff and explore without pulling on the leash - he gets what he needs, and so do I!
A piece of equipment I don’t think is talked about enough is the long line.
A long line is a leash that is usually between 15-30 feet of length (or longer!) Long lines are a fantastic tool for granting your dog freedom while maintaining control over where they are going. A long line further grants your dog the space to explore the world around them without sacrificing safety for them or others in the environment. Long lines are an excellent management tool during recall training to ensure your dog is successful, and is unable to ignore your recall cue or wander off into a potentially dangerous situation.
Prior to utilizing a long line, there are a few things that are helpful to consider:
Where you are walking - a dog who is on a 30-foot leash can still end up in harm’s way if you are walking near a busy road, or a public space full of people or other dogs. A long line may not be appropriate in all environments (city, busy residential neighborhood, vet clinic, pet store, etc.) or, you may not want to give your dog the entire length of the lead in these locations.
Leash material - this one boils down to personal preference, but if you’re like me, who can’t be bothered to gather up the excess line and prefers to let it drag on the ground behind the dog, pick a leash material that is not going to absorb water, is easy to clean, and is durable! I cannot say enough good things about biothane leashes for their convenience, comfort, and durability!
Leash weight - of course, the longer the leash, the more it will weigh. While this likely isn’t a problem for you, it can be for our tiny dogs! Ensure that your leash is the appropriate width/heaviness for your dog so that it’s not uncomfortable for them.
Leash length - again, this one is personal preference. My dog does well on a 30-foot long line, which I also find quite manageable to handle, whereas others might prefer a longer leash (if your dog is adventurous and likes to explore.)
Prior to going out on your first long line walk, I would recommend getting a feel for the mechanics of the leash. 30-feet of leash is a lot to manage if you’re only familiar with a standard leash length, and can feel overwhelming initially. Good leash handling skills will make long ling usage much more enjoyable for you.
Here are a few leash handling pointers:
*This is how I handle my long line, but this is by no means the only way to do it!
Hold the handle/excess leash in your hand opposite the dog. As I mentioned, I let my excess leash drag, so I am left with just the leash handle in the hand furthest away from my dog. If you want a more “hands free” approach to your walks, consider a waist belt to clip your leash onto.
The hand closest to your dog guides/gathers. I like to keep two hands on my long line so I can easily and quickly gather up the leash if needed. The hand closest to my dog is facing palm up, but is not gripping the leash. The leash is able to slide through my hand easily throughout the walk. Should I need to shorten the leash, I will then gather a few feet with this hand, and feed it into my “holding” hand (the one with the handle). Gather with my left, feed to my right, gather with my left, feed to my right.
When I am ready to let the leash out again, I simply loosen my grip and let the leash slide through my hands (usually guided by the dog’s movements.)Gather as you go (or don’t.) This is my partner’s preference when walking. As slack becomes available in the leash, you can gather and feed into your “holding” hand, and then release your grip as the dog moves further away from you; continuing throughout the walk. This technique will likely yield a cleaner leash at the end of your walk.
Long lines can be a fabulous investment for dog guardians if you are looking to provide your dog with more freedom (without sacrificing safety), to reduce leash pulling, for dogs still in training, for dogs who are unreliable off-leash, or in spaces where leash laws are in place.
Stay awesome,
Vanessa
Vanessa Charbonneau, is the author of Dog Care for Puppies: A guide to Feeding, Playing, Grooming and Behavior. She owns Sit Pretty Behavior & Training, employing force-free training techniques to work with companion dogs and their guardians. Charbonneau lives in Prince George, BC with her husband, two daughters, and one dog.
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