It is a requirement of the municipal to put on a leash on your canine while strolling down the neighborhood, walking on the street, running in the park, browsing in the pet friendly stores, and everywhere you go. It is a hassle, but it is also necessary to avoid any unforeseen problems even though you know you may have the best behaved dog.
However, there are so many different types of leashes on the shelves and I often stand in the aisle for a long time just to decide which is good for what? It cannot be one size fits all, otherwise, there would not be so many choices. So, in this blog, I would like to highlight some features of the leashes so that, you can have a better understanding for its purpose.
Basically, there are types of dog leashes designed for training and walking. Out of these two practical selections, there are endless options to choose from. So, do we buy one of each? Which length is the best for what you intend to do?
From my experience, longer does not mean better. The best dog training leash is a 25 foot long nylon leash. It is the perfect length for teaching your dog the basic commands like “come”. This length is suitable to put your dog in a right visual distance and giving a short tug on the leash and pulling your dog towards you when saying the command “come”. Repeat this in the next 10-15 minutes with a treat and praise. The smart pooch will understand the command within the next 3-5 days. Consistency is the key and so, do it every day until your pet understands your command.
The nylon leash is more practical and versatile in my opinion. They offer different style of designs, colors and decorations to dress up the nylon and some even glued on some diamond studs. Some of them also have a reflective strip which is very useful if you walk your dog at night or early morning. If you are just looking for a standard easy handling leash, get a six-foot long leash which is also the minimum requirement by the municipal and you do not need to mess with extending or shortening the leash as you walk.
Single or double leashes are also available in the store. But, stay with just a single leash when your dog is in training and just train ONE dog at a time to avoid confusion.
Placement of the collar is also very important. It should be just below the ears and not half way down the dog’s neck which may cause choking or damage to their throat.
Then, there is a specialty aluminum tube with plastic coated cable leash designed for a bicycle dog leash. One end of the leash is connected to the bike while the other to your dog’s collar keeping them away from the bike itself. Before embarking to this type of exercise, the dog needs to be trained properly or it will put danger not just to the dog itself but you.
My all time favorite is the retractable dog leash and it has become very popular over the last decade. They are very wonderful for those dogs that are already trained with the leash. Otherwise, it could end up with a mess entangling yourself with a free-spirited dog running wild.
The leather leash is more expensive and yet stylish and classy. But, it is not practical even though, it is more durable. They are high maintenance and always need some care and cleaning if the dog is very active. Unless you also have a high maintenance dog who stays indoor most of the time and sleeps on the bed with you every night, I would give this a pass.
So, what is martingale leash? It is a “show-leash” as it is the so-called choice of leash by the show dog handlers while they are in the ring. It is an all-in-one collar and leash. The placement of the choke collar portion lead rides high on your dog’s neck, behind the ears connected with a small chain that pulls tight when you pull on the leash but stops short before choking. In fact, this is the highly recommended choice of collar for the jogger who likes to run along with their dog.
Below are my summary and Happy shopping.
- Nylon Dog Leash: They are light weight and durable. It comes with many widths, colors and patterns. They are sometimes sold in sets coordinated with matching dog collars but most of the time you can buy them individually and mix and match with your own preference. Commonly, this nylon leash is good for a walk. Round rope leashes made of nylon is also very useful for training in your home.
- Leather Dog Leash: It is expensive and durable but usually needs maintenance to keep the leather soft and pliable. They are available in 4-6 foot lengths typically. Leather dog leash also comes with leather dog collar if you are looking for matching set. The leather needs to be wipe off and clean with a mild soap and let it air dry and oiled to protect condition.
- Retractable Dog Leash: It works like a measuring tape. It comes with either a nylon web or cord which retracts into a case with a handle. The longest I have seen is up to 26 feet, they are perfect for walking your leash trained dog. You don’t need to keep tucking while walking as the dog is free to pause smelling roses along the way. One set back of this long retractable leash is that if you leave your dog unattended, it may be dangerous to the dogs and the object around it. It also encourages a dog to pull because of less restriction. So, please make sure your dog knows proper leash etiquette before using this long leash.
- Adjustable Dog Leash: This is great to tie your pet for a short while you step away for a moment. They have loops along the leash with a clasp allows you shorten or lengthen the tie. It come with either nylon usually, but other materials are also available.
- Martingale Show Leads: The Show Collar that combine the collar and leash into one. The collar slips over the head and is tightened by a plastic tube when the leash is pulled. Best choice for jogger with a running dog.
- Bicycle or Multiple Walking Leashes: It comes with a leash extender for walking multiple dogs. The leash extender is good for balancing the two size and height of different dogs. Multiple dog walking leash is also available. This can also be used to ride your bike with your dog. It has a short bar that attaches to the back wheel of your bike and has a short leash attached.
With these options, dog owners are advisable to choose wisely depending on the purpose but not for the style and personal preference. Put your dog’s safety and comfort before planning a decision.