CHOOSING A DOG LEASH: WHAT TYPE AND WHY?
For everyday use, such as walks or exercise, almost any leash will work. However, if your puppy is struggling with a certain behavior or you're trying to teach him a specific skill, the leash you choose may exacerbate the problem or create communication issues in your training.
Leads come in a wide range of lengths, widths and styles. There is a lead for every breed and temperament, and to cover the multitude of applications we find in everyday life and in training.
All dog leashes serve essentially the same purpose: to keep our dogs safe and in control when they are in public, and to serve as a training tool (when used correctly).
This article looks at all the factors to consider when choosing a leash.
WHY DO WE NEED A DOG LEASH? WHAT IS THE POINT?
First of all, in many places, the law requires owners to keep their dogs on a leash when they are in public. It's a safety issue! A loose dog can cause an accident, and in the event of an attack, the leash helps control the dogs.
Other benefits of dog leash include:
✅ It is a safe and easy way to handle and communicate with our dogs during training.
✅ It prevents your puppy from running or bolting, which could scare other animals or people.
✅ Prevents your dog from wandering into inappropriate places.
✅ Prevents your dog from running into the road, hurting himself and others in the event of an accident.
✅ A way to temporarily tether your dog to safety if you can't give him your attention for a few minutes.
✅ The leash is an essential tool to use in the first days of a puppy's life to ensure their safety and help you educate them. It is also a practical tool for control and communication for the rest of their lives.
✅ What is the best dog leash? - How to choose
✅ When it comes to choosing a leash, there are several factors to consider:
✅ Use: what is the leash used for?
✅ The material it is made of
✅ The length and width best suited to your dog's needs.
✅ The style and type of leash closure to attach to your collar.
There are a lot of things to consider and that's why there are thousands of choices.
Let's go through each of these important points so that by the end of the article, you'll know exactly what style, type, and size of leash you need and why. Then you can buy the right leash with confidence.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOG LEASHES
Regardless of the different materials used, lengths, widths, colors, etc., dog leashes can be grouped into a few broad types described below.
THE STANDARD DOG LEASH
This is the most common type of leash , used for daily walks and basic training.
They are usually made of nylon or leather, although other materials are available, such as cotton and rubber, but they are not as durable and are therefore much less common.
The nylon and leather are strong enough to restrain an adult dog, but light enough to use with a puppy.
They measure between 1.20 meters and 2.50 meters in length, with 2 meters being the most common length. This length allows for great freedom of movement while being short enough to allow the owner to have full control of his dog if necessary.
We recommend each of our customers to use a 2 meter leather leash for daily use.
RETRACTABLE DOG LEASH
Retractable leashes allow you to vary the length of the leash you leave on your dog so he can move around freely.
They work a bit like a tape measure, with a nylon cord that can extend from 4 to 30 feet, and a locking mechanism in a plastic handle that allows you to lock the leash at varying degrees of length.
When you release the mechanism, the leash automatically retracts into the handle.
Although retractable dog leashes are very popular, there are some things to consider before opting for one:
✅ Rope burns
✅ Possibility of strangulation due to excess rope.
Aside from these dangers, using a retractable leash without a proper understanding of the tool can result in your dog learning to pull!
A retractable leash is almost always taut, unless our puppy is moving closer to us. When he moves away, he "pulls" to lengthen the leash to reach where he wants to go or reach. The behavior is then rewarded when the dog reaches his goal.
What's wrong with the dog?
The moment we decide to wrap our leash around our neck and ask our dogs to stay by our side, they start pulling to get what they want. In most cases, if they pull on the leash, they have the right to go wherever they want, but that is no longer the case. Confused, we know that our dogs will resort to the most rewarding solution… So, of course, they start pulling on our leash.
We do not recommend using retractable leashes until your puppy has learned leash etiquette. Only then will this leash serve as a useful support for controlling your dog and letting him run free.
ADJUSTABLE DOG LEASH
Adjustable leashes are a good alternative between standard leashes and retractable leashes. They allow us to adjust the length of the leash without creating a constant pulling sensation for our dogs, allowing us to control them firmly and give them the freedom they need.
Adjustments are usually possible between 1 and 2 metres by adding or removing extra loops or clips along the length. This allows you to use a shorter lead for training purposes, such as heel work, when you want your dog very close to you, while still giving you more freedom when walking.
CHAIN LEASH
This type of leash replaces the standard leash and is very useful for dogs that tend to chew and destroy their leash. They are available in different weights and thicknesses to suit all sizes of dogs.
It is important to keep an eye on your companion when using a chain leash. If your dog does not quickly learn that the leash is indestructible and does not stop chewing on it, he risks damaging his teeth.
THE MARTYNALE LEASH
This type of leash is a combination of a standard leash and a martingale collar.
It is used as a training aid to stop a dog from pulling. Like any collar, it tightens around the dog's neck when it pulls, without choking it, but putting just enough pressure on its neck to act as an aversive, making it uncomfortable if it pulls and thus discouraging this behavior.
MULTIPLE DOG LEASH (DOUBLE)
This type of leash is used for walking multiple dogs on one leash.
You get a handle and leash for your first dog, with a second leash (and maybe more) running from a coupler to allow you to attach another dog.
For well-trained dogs that walk nicely and don't jump or pull, these leashes are very effective and useful for multiple dog owners. I found it very difficult to use anything other than one leash for two dogs, but it is possible.
SEAT BELT LEASH
The seat belt leash is a short leash with a clip on one end to attach to your dog's collar, and a seat belt clip on the other end so you can secure your dog in the back seat of your car.
This will prevent him from climbing up and distracting you while you are driving. It also prevents him from wandering off in the event of an accident, since he is attached to the car.
It's always best to use a crate if possible, but if not, a seat belt leash is the next best option, and certainly better than not attaching him at all.
BICYCLE LEASH
Active dog owners may want to consider using a bike leash to take their pet for exercise with them.
This type of leash attaches to the frame of your bike and allows your dog to ride an adjustable distance away from the bike. With training, this means your dog will be able to work alongside you while you cycle without worrying about him running away.
Using this type of leash can be difficult, but once your dog gets used to it, it's a great way to get exercise for both you and your dog.
DOG LEASH MATERIALS
Dog leashes come in many different materials, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. I'll briefly describe them below.
NYLON
Nylon has the advantage of being a relatively cheap material, yet strong and durable. So for a very reasonable price, you get a good quality, durable leash .
Since nylon is an artificial fibre, it is available in a wide variety of colours and even multi-coloured patterns. Nylon leashes therefore offer the greatest scope for individualisation, if you fancy a leash with a slightly different look.
Nylon does not shrink when wet and dries fairly easily. It is also easy to clean, making it a versatile material.
The disadvantages of nylon leashes are as follows:
They are not very resistant to chewing.
They can be quite harsh on your hands and cause friction burns if your dog pulls and the leash rubs against your skin.
LEATHER
Leather leashes are more expensive than nylon leashes. But with that price comes a little more class and style (if you're into that sort of thing) and a very durable leash.
Nylon leashes tend to fray over time, while treated leather leashes can literally last a lifetime.
They are not impervious to nibbling, but they are very durable. But this solidity comes with a small advantage: they soften and change shape over time to adapt to the hands of the master who uses them. The grip is therefore much more comfortable. In addition, leather is not as abrasive to the skin as nylon.
CHAIN
Metal chain leashes are the least popular, but they are great for dogs that are constantly chewing on their leash. They can be quite heavy depending on their size.
Be sure to consider their weight if you're using them with a small puppy. Make sure the chain is as thin and light as possible. But you'll need to upgrade to heavier, stronger chains as your dog grows, so they don't break when he pulls on them once he's a strong adult.
REFLECTIVE
Like a standard leash (which they are), reflective leashes are typically made of leather or nylon, but with the addition of reflective material built into the leash.
These leads, combined with a reflective collar, are suitable for owners who walk their dog at night on country roads where the paths are not very wide, but where cars and cyclists pass nearby.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT WIDTH
For most people, the width of a leash doesn't seem important, but it can be. If your dog is a chewer, or is strong and pulls, the last thing you want is for him to slip through the leash. This can happen, especially with thinner leashes, so choose a leash that is wide enough to be strong enough for your dog.
On the other hand, if you have a small dog or a young puppy, you don't need a very wide leash, as it is often heavy and a bit restrictive for him.
CHOOSE THE STYLE OF THE CLAMP
The clip must be strong and reliable, because the best leash in the world is useless if it does not stay attached to your pet's collar.
It is therefore best to buy a leash with a good quality metal attachment. As the leash will be regularly wet, it should be made of stainless steel or brass to resist corrosion and prevent it from weakening over time.
The leash must be strong enough to withstand a significant force, as you and your dog may pull with all your might in opposite directions. In this case, when they try to hold on, the tether must never break!
The two most common types of pliers are the bolt pliers and the trigger pliers.
PUSH BUTTON CLAMP
This type of clip has a small spring inside a rod that slides to create a hole through which the collar ring is passed. It is a fairly reliable clip, hence its popularity, but over time the spring often weakens and the clip can start to come loose, allowing your dog to escape the leash.
A TRIGGER CLIP
These pliers are also spring-loaded, with a small trigger that you use to open the pliers. But these pliers are usually larger and sturdier, with a larger spring than a bolt plier, so they don't weaken as easily.
They also have another considerable advantage:
Because they open inward, when your dog pulls, the tension created keeps the clamp closed with more force. So there is much less chance of it opening and your dog escaping the leash.
So I would recommend a trigger clamp, but bolt clamps are very common and make a fantastic clamp. Check the strength of the spring every couple of weeks to make sure it is still strong and will stay closed.
WHAT IS THE BEST DOG LEASH TO BUY? -
TIPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
When choosing a leash, first think about where and how you will use it. Is it for everyday use? For indoor or outdoor leash training? Are you considering a leash to help you learn commands from a distance?
For training:
We recommend a 2.5 meter leather leash. Except for distance command training, for which you should get a leash 9 to 15 meters long. This leash will allow you to firmly control your dog, it is a good weight and easy to use.
For daily use:
The best dog leash is a traditional nylon or leather leash that is one and a half meters long. This length is enough to give your dog freedom of movement while keeping him close to you and under your control. Nylon or leather, the choice is yours. But avoid other materials such as fabric and rubber, as they are not as strong and durable.
Test it and give us your impression by joining our VIP list on sanedoggy.com.
Also benefit from a 10% discount on our sanedoggy.com store with the promo code LAISSE 10
