Dog leashes have come a long way since the days of finding a metal chain with a red leather handle in the pet isle of the local grocery store. They now come in many prices, lengths, thicknesses and colors, from solids to designer patterns. While there are still some chain leashes around, most leads are now made of nylon, rope or leather. One dog can now have several leashes for various training purposes or traveling and every handler should experiment with many types to find what works best for them as a team.
Metal Chain Leads
Metal chain leashes are still found here and there and can help deter some dogs from mouthing the lead or when chains can help secure a dog that otherwise might chew through his leash. However, they are clumsy, heavy in the hand and on the dog, and can damage your hands or your dog's legs by accident. There are companies making metal leads in shorter lengths with easier clasps like those shown below.
Cotton Web Training Leads
Cotton web leads are inexpensive and come in many lengths and colors. They have a bit of texture to them which creates some resistance in the hand which helps when dogs pull a bit. They can be washed or replaced when they get too dirty.
Nylon Web Leads
Nylon leads have become increasingly popular over the past years and can be found in traditional lengths of 6-7 ft. People love the choices of colors, thicknesses, and patterns. They can also have reflective tape added for night walking. You can make a statement of your favorite sports team or fashion designer. However these leads do not offer any "give" when dogs pull, so many dogs and handlers are uncomfortable with them. Handlers suffer from severe burning and slicing of the skin when dogs pull too hard.
Rope Leads
Rope leads also come in a variety of colors and lengths. Some are great to keep onboard your boat or camper. Leave an extra one at family or friends or in the back of your car. Longer lengths are great when used as "drag lines" so puppies and adult dogs can experience an "off lead" feel while handlers can quickly grab the line when concerned that dogs will run off. They are also great when teaching dogs to swim. You can purchase them at pet supply stores in desired lengths usually up to 50 ft. or go to a hardware store and create your own custom lengths and add a clasp. Buying materials at a marine store is a great idea when dogs will be swimming and material and clasps are be exposed to salt water and corrosion.
Leather Leads
Leather leads are the 1st choice of professional trainers, military and police, competitors, as well as those who use service dogs. They are a classic lead and typically come in a few lengths in shades of brown. Some have more elaborate braiding and stitching; others come in colors like red, gold, black and green. They are quite versatile and handlers keep the same leads for years and years. Some have extra rings and clips for transforming a longer lead into a shorter one or creating a different attachment to the dog or allowing an attachment to a post or bench or instance. They are supple and get better and better with age, like a favorite leather bag or pair of shoes. They do have a lot of give and that it why leather is used as reins and halters for horses as well. The nylon just plain hurts and can be unsafe because it will never break when a horse gets stuck on a fence when in turnout for instance.
Short handled "traffic leads"
Traffic leads come in short lengths and are great for tall dogs. They making it simple to walk dogs close to your side, as well as a handy quick grab handle during dog sports, when you want to hold them "temporarily" and then send them off, leaving their shorter lead clipped to their collars. Leaving dangling long leads could hamper their movement, tangle in legs or bushes and create an injury while inhibiting the dogs mobility. You can choose a loopless style that won't get caught up in bushes or agility equipment.
Grab Tabs
Grab tabs are shorter than traffic leads and can be great for a quick grab particularly in agility.
Multiple Dog Connectors
Multiple dogs can be walked together with these leads which attach to your own lead. They come in a variety of colors and lengths. Some companies manufacture a style that can swivel as well to prevent dogs from tangling. Since you must multiply the power of adding more dogs to one leash, be very careful that you can safely manage them all at once.
Slip Leads
Slip leads are all in one "choke collars" and lead in one. They also come in various colors, lengths and material. They are great for transporting dogs quickly from one kennel to another.. in the vets office.. or to hang by the door for emergencies and to get quick control of a dog while people come and go through the door. It is a choke so it should be looped over the dogs head appropriately just as choke chains need to go on the dogs neck the correct way (to be covered next month when I discuss collars)
Show Leads
Show leads are used by exhibitors in the breed ring when the least amount of bulk or collar presence is important. The judge needs to see the dog move about freely and examine the dogs body structure without anything impeding that effort. Since the lead is like a slip lead, it can quickly be put on and taken off very quickly as well. Some include a martingale collar style as seen below. (I will discuss martingale collars next month)
Retractable Leads aka Flexi Leads
Retractable leads come in various lengths and colored handles designed for specific size dogs of various weights. This type of lead allows dogs to move here and there, away from the handler up to the stop point commonly at 12 - 17 ft. when fully extended. It's great to walk with a dog and not deal with getting tangled up in long lines or having to maintain a heel position when in the woods, fields or on the beach. This type of leash is best used when dogs are wearing body harnesses rather than neck collars since the sense of freedom could result in a dog jolting off quickly and snapping his neck. It's a great tool for walking young puppies so that they build confidence in their environments before trying to maintain a short lead heel position. They can be very dangerous when used in busy environments, near traffic and crowds, or in the hands of young children who cannot carefully manage the mechanisms or predict the presence of other people or dogs in time to prevent injuries. Some companies use a "ribbon like" material, while others use a 'string like" material. Many humans and dogs are injured by the "zipping speed" of a dog running around too quickly. These dogs have actually caused the string-likeline to cut into your legs or heels causing you to bleed and scar. I will make it a point use the ribbon style flex lead in the future when walking my son's dog who has already scarred me for life on both of my Achilles heels while flying around in a big field chasing other dogs!!!
Hands Free Jogging Lead
No doubt this type of equipment will make you all laugh! Just imagine what would happen to most folks when large dogs see a squirrel while attached this way!
Bungee Leads
These bungee style leads are meant to offer "give" when a dog/handler team moves together. Dogs and people might not always have an exactly matched gate or position so that these can act as shock absorbers particularly for large breed dogs.
The Invisible Leash
Electric or remote collars are often referred to as invisible leashes in their way of managing a dog as well or better than a leash can. The handler pushes a button to apply electric stimulation to the dog's neck, in order to influence the dog's behavior, position, attitude or whereabouts. There has been a tremendous change in its' applied use over the past few years, that have made it finely tuned to a particular dogs sensitivity and is considered far more humane than in the past, so be sure to employ a professional before attempting to use one yourself.
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