Every pet owner should be required to own a dependable dog leash. Leashes are crucial equipment for keeping people and pets safe when enjoying the great outdoors.
But it’s almost always a good idea to have a long — and we mean really long — leash on hand in addition to a standard, 6-foot leash. A long leash will allow Rover to have a bit more freedom and will allow you to maintain control of your dog when he is a little further away than usual.
We’ll discuss some of the advantages of long dog leashes, how to use one with your dog, and some of our favorite long leash options below.
Are retractable leashes bad? Are long leads better?
Manfred Bogdahn invented the Flexi leash in 1972. He was trying to figure out a way to give dogs more freedom while still having some control over them. Thousands of people around the world used it happily for decades, but in the last five or so years, there has been a lot of pushback in online communities that claims it is not a responsible way to walk the dog.
Let’s look into both sides a little more!
So, should we ditch retractable leashes?
If you glance at the pros and cons list above, it’s obvious that we spent a lot of time talking about the drawbacks, giving the impression that retractable leashes are not a good idea overall.
We frequently seek out (at least) two-in-one solutions because we want to be able to fully control the dog while also allowing them some freedom. The retractable leash appears to provide that, but using a multipurpose tool always comes with trade-offs. The issue is that it cannot offer the same level of security and control as a typical flat leash. A Flexi leash in a crowded area is likely to cause more issues than it fixes. Retractable leash walks will make things much more chaotic and dangerous for everyone involved with an untrained dog that lacks control, so it is not worth it to give the dog a little more space to run and explore.
On the other hand, a retractable leash can be an excellent tool to use if you have a well-trained dog. It is also excellent for training and taking walks in open spaces with no other people around so that you can see if another dog or person is approaching. Additionally, I’ve noticed that more people are willing to abide by the leash laws if they believe their dog still has some freedom on a long leash as opposed to when they have to stick to a short leash.
We frequently use our Flexi because most of the nearby green spaces require leashed dogs. Off-leash, Mia would still follow me around, but we follow the rules and leash her up. I never use the Flexi to walk to the park or back home, despite the fact that it is uncomfortable; instead, I always have two leashes with me. When we are traveling from point A to point B, I attach a shorter flat leash to Mia’s collar to let her know it is a planned walk. Since the constructions around us make a lot of sudden and loud noises, I find that the regular flat leash is easier to handle and safer to hold onto if Mia gets frightened of something. I fasten the Flexi to her harness when we get to the off-leash area where I want to give her some downtime so she knows it’s her time to explore, play, etc.
Since every person’s situation is different, I am not advocating that everyone follow this advice. I only brought it up as an illustration of how two leashes have very different use cases and that you don’t have to choose just one. It isn’t as painful as one might imagine to carry two leashes, and it can be worthwhile. When we were farther from cities, I used the Flexi more frequently because there was typically no one around, and we went for quiet walks in a lot more green spaces. When compared to a busy city environment, switching to a retractable leash with a trained dog in this situation doesn’t really have trade-offs. To add to this discussion, many Flexi leashes feature a tiny handle that can be used as a short leash. I frequently use this to keep Mia close to me as we pass someone. The fact that I can hold on to the leash itself and use the button on the handle as a backup gives me a little bit more security.
What are long dog training leads used for?
There are many uses for long dog leads (long-lines). Here are some examples.
The long line’s main benefit is that it greatly increases the effectiveness of your training efforts; we’ll go into more detail about these below. It accomplishes this by preventing the dog from using all kinds of rewarding behaviors on its own (like ignoring your whistle and pursuing butterflies instead).
FAQ
Is a long leash good for a dog?
Long lead leashes enable you to control the situation while teaching your dog more challenging behaviors. And in the beginning, you need control. You run the risk of making training your dog unsuccessful if you lose composure.
How long should a dog lead be?
The most popular length for dog leashes is six feet, which is ideal for walking in neighborhoods or less busy areas. A 6 foot leash gives your dog enough space to explore without dragging on the ground or becoming tangled around your own or your dog’s legs.
Are extended leashes bad for dogs?
Retractable leashes can damage your pet’s neck and throat. When your pet reaches the end of the leash, it may snap their neck back, harming their trachea and neck vertebrae in the process. Numerous animals that we treat have neck and back injuries, which can be excruciatingly painful and have lasting effects.
What is the best length for a dog training leash?
A standard training leash should be six feet long to keep the dog close to the owner during training and when walking on sidewalks. The best leashes for recall training or letting them run while still feeling secure are longer leashes, up to 30 feet long.