Dog Leash: tips from dog handlers
Why do I need a leash
The dog should always be kept on a leash, of course, in walking conditions. Otherwise, the animal will be in danger, and others will be wary. Some owners completely trust their pets, others hope for a lucky chance.
Meanwhile, it is mandatory to use a leash, experienced specialists assure. The dog on the street needs to be kept under control.
With the help of a leash, the dog is trained to discipline. Therefore, the pet should find out what it is already at the puppy age. Even when the dog is kept in an aviary, a leash will be needed for trips to the vet or to nature.
What are dog leashes?
- Standard, has a length of about 1.5 – 2 meters, are used most often. It is made of nylon, leather or braided rope. It has a convenient handle, thanks to which it is convenient for them to keep the dog under control.
- Short – has a length of up to 1.5 meters. Designed for traveling by transport or walking around the city among a large crowd of people. It is often used to control and retain service dogs.
- A sliding leash or garrote combines the collar and leash into a single part, forming a sliding loop instead of a collar. It is used for dog training.
- Long leashes, have a length of up to 10 meters, are made of nylon. They are used mainly for training, it is not convenient to walk with them, since they are constantly confused. As a convenient alternative, retractable tape measure leashes are used.
Leash – roulette
Leashes are tape measures, teach the dog to constantly pull the owner forward or to the side, and do not allow him to control his behavior. They pose a danger to both the dog and the owner and others.
A dog can jerk into the roadway or rush at a pedestrian, and the mechanism that should block this jerk will not stand or will not work, as a result, the animal may get hit by a car or knock down a person and cause injuries to him and himself.
A thin cord can easily wind up on an animal or a person and cause various cut wounds, and with a strong jerk, a plastic mechanism can simply pull out and injure the animal and the owner.
Long leashes
They give the dog a sense of freedom, she can walk and explore the territory at a considerable distance from the owner, while keeping herself and others safe.
Before use, it is necessary to train the animal to obey the commands “To me”, “Sit”, “Fu”, “Not allowed” and others, otherwise it will be difficult to control its behavior.
The leash requires constant attention, it needs to be monitored so that it does not cling to various obstacles and does not drag on the ground.
Short leash
Gives full control over the behavior of the animal, compared to a standard and long leash.
It is necessary if your dog is constantly pulling you and is aggressive towards other animals and people around you. It should be used when walking in an urban environment and in crowded places.
Leash – garrote
Used for dog training. Use it if your dog is constantly pulling you on the street or when it is necessary to control her attention. It should not be on the dog’s throat, it must be positioned behind the ears and chin, it should not be pulled or pulled hard, otherwise it can cause injury to the animal. Not intended for walking.
The noose does not have a rigid fixation and the dog can easily slip out of it, run away or get lost, so do not remove the collar with the owner’s contact information on it.
Standard Leash
A standard leash from one and a half to two meters long is suitable for everyday walks with most dog breeds. It gives freedom to the animal and allows the owner to control it. For daily walks, choose it.
To get used to it or to accustom it naturally
There are several answers to the question of how to train a dog to a leash. It all depends on how the animal reacts to the collar and close proximity to its owner. Some puppies get scared, start to worry, whine, break out. Others react to everything calmly, adequately. However, this is rare.
- In order to avoid problems, the baby gradually needs to be introduced to different types of leashes. Start with the simplest. For example, first you should make a leash for a dog with your own hands to make sure which type of controller he needs.
- No need to attach a leash with a collar instantly. First, the puppy should be given a good sniff of the new object. At first, it is advisable to store this thing next to the sleeping place of the dog. When the baby gets used to the neighborhood with an already familiar and not at all dangerous object, you can try to put on a collar and attach a leash.
- If the puppy protests against the control over him, you should not follow his lead. A quick gift of freedom will be appreciated as a great victory, which means that next time the dog will behave aggressively as well.
If possible, it is recommended to leave the puppy alone with a new “friend”, just for a few minutes. By the way, experienced dog handlers advise not to hang a collar with a leash until the puppy is accustomed to wearing thin ribbons and bows around his neck. Get used to the leash in an apartment, you can go for walks.
How to teach a puppy to walk on a leash
To accustom a puppy to a leash, a thin ribbon is tied around his neck at a young age. When he gets used to it, a light, smooth collar is put on his neck.
When the animal reaches 2 months, a light leash is fastened to the collar daily for half an hour. Further, after vaccination at 3 months, the puppy is allowed to be taken outside. Walks should be frequent, but short for 10-15 minutes. In order for a small individual to get used to the leash faster, he needs to be encouraged with treats and praise.
To be called a full-fledged and kind owner of your pet, you need to provide him with daily care and pick up all the necessary accessories. Then the pet will definitely thank you with his devotion and affection.
Varieties of leashes
There are many types. They differ not only in structure, purpose, but also in the types of materials from which they are made, size (length, width).
Type of roulette
Cable – does not twist, but is not reliable enough. Suitable for small and calm animals.
Tape – withstands serious loads, but is twisted. This leash is used for medium breeds and active dogs.
Important: the cable version of the tape measure leash requires careful handling. If the product is jammed, then do not try to pull the dog with your hands: a jerk of the animal will lead to a burn of the hand. In this regard, a ribbon leash is safer.
Roulette
The roulette leash for dogs has proven itself well in urban conditions. The bigger the dog, the stronger the tape measure should be and the stronger the force of fixing the jerk. The length should not exceed 10 meters. The optimal value is 3 meters.
Roulette is produced in the form of cables and ribbons. The first one is good only for small breeds. The second one is for large dogs, it is safer, but more expensive. Among the advantages:
- Excellent fixation, which can protect a pet that has rushed towards the roadway in the hope of catching a couple of birds.
- The possibility of optimal regulation of the distance between the dog and the owner during walks.
- Compactness.
- Convenient location in the palm of your hand.
If the dog weighs a little, it is enough to take a tape measure with a strength regime of up to 20 kg. It is advisable to buy this thing with the maximum margin of reliability.
Ringovka
This is a leash controller for dogs. It is necessary during exhibitions.
A thin rope with loops does not allow the dog to make sharp jerks, otherwise the loop will begin to squeeze the neck. The tension force can be adjusted.
There is a clip on the leash. Such strict control over the pet is acceptable only in a veterinary clinic or at an exhibition, but not in walking conditions.
For training
This is a ribbon up to 15 meters long with a carabiner at the end. It is made of leather or other equally durable material.
- Such a leash is inexpensive and quite durable.
- It is convenient when walking and training a pet.
This thing is inconvenient because the length has to be reduced or increased manually, which takes a lot of time. In long leashes, the dog’s paws are trying to get confused.
Why are they then issued, short leashes?
It’s simple: a short leash exists in order to make it convenient for you to take the dog where on business: to the vet clinic, to the place of walking, to the car, etc. Its manufacturers do not at all imply that the dog will spend his entire walk walking with such restrictions.
For walking, it is for walking a dog that you cannot let go of the leash for one reason or another, longer leashes are designed: 3-5 m.
They allow the dog to run, go to the toilet away from the track, and just stretch his legs after sitting in the apartment. Yes, the owner is much more uncomfortable with them than with short leashes: they have to be reeled in, then unwound, otherwise the dog will get his feet in it, he will get dirty on the ground.
But, believe me, if desired, this inconvenience is quickly overcome, with the application of a certain amount of effort, you quickly get used to these simple movements.
In addition, you can save yourself from this inconvenience by using not an ordinary leash, but a tape measure. Thanks to its device, this leash is unwound and unwound by itself, saving you from inconvenience.
Drivers
A short leash that allows you to keep the dog in close proximity to the owner. Moreover, such controllers are already used for adult dogs accustomed to a leash, calmly relating to the world around them, where there are running children, birds, cats. The driver is convenient to use if you happen to get into a crowded place with a dog.
In addition, such a leash is compact, moreover, it restricts the dog’s movements well. It is advisable to use it only in large dogs, but not for an ordinary walk, but in special cases.
When to use a short leash
Short leashes give you better control over your dog than standard or long leashes.
They are perfect for dogs who are always pulling, or those who can be unpredictable with other dogs or people. Short leashes are also useful when you walk your dog in an urban environment where there are always a lot of cars and the sidewalks are crowded.
How to choose the right leash
It all depends on the weight and size of the dog, as well as the purpose of the controller. If there are several goals, it is worth buying a leash for each case. It is important to choose a durable, reliable product that your pet will like, or at least he will be able to walk patiently with him.
Dog handlers recommend taking into account the temperament and character of the dog, his habits and mobility when choosing a leash.
A strict collar and a loop leash are unlikely to be needed when walking and working with a calm pet. But for a more aggressive animal, just such are suitable.
The size range is ranked according to the designations accepted in the world. For dwarf breeds, these are the XS parameters. And then in ascending order. Accordingly, it is desirable to purchase a leash XL for a giant konikorso or a large shepherd dog.
When to use a standard leash
A standard dog leash, regardless of whether it is made of flat nylon, rope or leather, is an ideal means of transportation for most dog owners. It gives a lot of control and also gives your dog a little space to walk around. It is reasonable to have several leashes at hand, including a leash made of reflective material to walk the dog in low light or at night.
The length of the leash can be different: whether you choose a long or short leash depends on the temperament and needs of your pet.
Types of leashes
Often a novice dog breeder gets lost near the counter with various leashes displayed on it — the variety is great, the price range is huge. It’s easy to get confused, confused and buy the wrong thing that you really need. It is better to understand in advance what leash designs are and their purpose.
Leashes can be designed for walking, for training or for exhibitions. Exhibition leashes-ringovki do not need to be purchased immediately. When the time comes to go to the exhibition, you will choose according to the actual height and weight of the dog, or you will want to make a ring for the dog with your own hands. Perhaps you decide not to go to the exhibition with your pet at all, or he belongs to the pet class and is spared the need to take part in the exhibition fuss. And in ordinary life, a dog ring is not needed.
We take the dog on a leash
The purpose of the leash is quite obvious even for someone who does not have a dog. But the attentive owner approaches the choice carefully and does not risk making a choice, focusing only on appearance and cost. It would be nice if, before buying, you get to an intelligent seller in a pet store or consult with a dog handler. Then surely the choice of accessory will be very accurate. But if you decide to figure it out on your own, this review will be very useful.
Types of leashes
For walking
For walking a pet, leashes are made of a classic material: tarpaulin or leather, because thanks to the fabric composition, the accessory is quite strong and elastic. With his conservative appearance, he can attract the attention of other dog lovers.
When buying a leather accessory, it is worth taking into account the fact that if it accidentally gets wet, the product will lose flexibility and may crack, therefore, in order to avoid trouble, it is necessary to treat it with special liquids. It is ideal for small dogs who will not be able to deform it if, for example, they break away.
Large dogs are suitable for devices made of tarpaulin, because the composition of the fabric is more elastic and lends itself to heavy loads. It doesn’t look so attractive, but it can last quite a long time. Among other things, it can be easily folded and put in a bag.
Ringovka
A pet dressed in such an ornament looks very attractive. It is very convenient to operate and consists of a carabiner that connects two loops, one of which is thrown on the dog’s neck, and the other on the owner’s wrist. It is very convenient to wear it.
The driver
The leash got such a funny name due to its short length. It is used for a short time and is well suited for medium and large animals. A carrier is an elongated loop that is put on a person’s wrist.
Chain
This device is quite popular, because the owner will prefer to choose rather an elegant and beautiful chain that will distinguish the pet from others than an ordinary walking accessory.
Spark
Choosing a leash should be guided by the purpose and size of the animal. How to choose a leash for a dog and how to dress it, you can learn from the video from the channel All about cats and dogs.
How to choose a leash
Roulette leashes are divided into two types:
– Cable
Rope tape measures are suitable for small breeds of dogs. It does not twist during length adjustment, so there is practically no discomfort from using it.
The main disadvantage is its strength, since the cable will not be able to hold medium-sized dogs, or very active decorative ones.
– Ribbon
This type of leash is more durable, therefore, it can be used for active small breeds of dogs and for medium-sized dogs.
The ribbon leash can twist in the process of walking the dog, therefore, it will have to be corrected manually.
The durability of this type of leashes depends on the quality of the tape measure you bought, as well as on the accuracy of use and activity of the dog.
Using a tape measure leash for large dogs is pointless – it will not hold the dog and will simply break.
Leash for walking and training
This type of leash is just the same used for large breeds of dogs. It is much stronger than a roulette leash and looks like a braided ribbon.
A carabiner is attached at one end, which hooks the dog’s collar, at the other – a loop with which the owner holds the leash and additionally fixes it so that the dog does not escape.
A leash for walking and training in the form of a ribbon can be made of tarpaulin, leather, or nylon. In any case, the material for the leash must be strong and withstand the force of the animal’s jerk.
Tarpaulin leash for dogs is the most popular in this category, as it is characterized by special strength and quality, thanks to which it is durable. This type of leash can be washed if necessary. The price of canvas leashes is an order of magnitude lower than, for example, leather ones.
A leather leash for dogs has a major disadvantage – in the cold or from moisture, it turns brown and cracks, therefore, for training, for example, in the forest, it is not very suitable. You can use a leather leash on a walk.
Nylon leashes can be chewed by a dog, but despite this they have sufficient strength.
Leash Length:
For walking – from two meters;
For training – from five meters.
If you teach the dog the commands under which it should move, then use leashes of sufficient length (for example, the command to bring a stick).
Choosing a leash for a large dog, it is necessary to check not only the strength of the leash itself, but also the quality of the fasteners.
Chain
Also, chains are not very suitable for long-haired dogs, since their wool can get tangled in the chain links.
The daily use of this type of leash is not recommended even for large breeds of dogs, since a strong jerk of the animal can simply break the links, and there is also nothing to be overweight.
Chain leashes look quite beautiful and impressive, so it is recommended to use them for special occasions, for example, for an exhibition.
Ringovka
In another way, this type of leash is called a garrote.
It is a garrote that tightens the animal when moving in the wrong direction.
The ring is used to train the dog in racks and other commands, and it is also worn at exhibitions when it is necessary to fix the animal.
During the movement, the leash should not attract the attention of the dog and the judges, therefore, it is necessary to accustom the animal to this type of leash in advance.
Spark
A spark leash is a single leash that allows you to walk two or even three dogs at the same time.
Unlike three separate leashes, spark is less confused, which makes the process of walking several dogs much easier.
Long walks with a leash of this type are not recommended, so for long movements each dog will need to take a separate leash suitable for her.
Ringovki, garrote
