Every now and then there comes a time in a dog owner’s life when it is time to go shopping…for a NEW LEASH!! Like everything else in our nation of plenty leashes come in a multitude of varieties. There are really long leashes and then there are very short leashes. There are leather leashes and nylon leashes and leashes that pretty much glow in the dark. So how do you decide?
PURPOSE: The primary purpose of a leash is to connect you and your dog. Remember you and your dog are a team. And just like any team—good or bad—you are connected.
What is your primary need for the leash? If it is to walk your dog in city traffic or busy neighborhoods and streets, consider a City Lead. City leads or leashes are generally 4’ in length although once in a while you can find a 3’ leash. They are ideal for keeping your dog close in tight quarters and give you more manageability. For people under 6’ tall or so I find this a preferable length. I am 5’7” and indeed I use a city lead with my dog. It is less apt to get tangled or caught underneath her and I just find it more comfortable. If on the other hand you are someone who is a bit taller then perhaps a standard 6 ‘lead is more to your liking. The additional height of the taller person makes the longer leash a bit easier to handle.
Another available option is the Hands- Free leash, also known as a 3- in- 1 leash. The hands- free leash is just that — it frees up your hands for carrying things or for other reasons where a hand-held leash may not be practical. 2 years ago, I injured both arms in a fall in a parking lot. I still had to walk my dog and so I used a hands-free leash. The leash has at least 2 rings and an extra carabiner clip that can be set up in different configurations depending on your need. It can be worn around your waist (which is what I did), it can be used as a regular standard leash or it can be worn cross-body style. Having a hands-free leash as a backup leash in your kit is probably a good idea. You may never think that you’ll need it-until you do.
MATERIAL: Leashes come in an assortment of materials. Nylon leashes can be easily chewed through by some dogs but they are relatively easy to clean and come in many colors. You can probably even find one to match your dog’s collar.
Leather leashes are hard to beat for flexibility and comfort. Like nylon leashes they come in different widths. Remember that putting your yorkie on a 6 ‘long leash with a 1” wide diameter is going to be a bit cumbersome and too much for the little dog. Find a length and width that works for both of you.
If you plan on walking more than one dog at a time you might look at leashes having a coupler function included. That allows you to attach 2 dogs to one leash without the dogs getting tangled.
What you haven’t heard me mention is the dreaded but oh so popular Flexi-leash or Extendable leash. There is a reason for that. The flexi leash, though popular with owners has its number of drawbacks. The primary function of the leash is to connect the handler and the dog. The flexi-lead is a thin cord that makes any sensation of connection difficult for the dog. The dog walks or runs ahead and learns what? That he can! That if he gets ahead of the handler he can go pretty much go where he wants. This can inadvertently teach a dog that getting ahead of the handler (pulling) is permitted. It is also difficult to manage a dog on this type of lead when you need to quickly change direction. Going around a corner in close quarters can lead to problems if there is another person or dog coming around the corner at the same time. But the major problem with the flexi-lead is that there is little consistency. The dog never understands exactly where he is supposed to be in relation to you, the handler. Fixed length leashes (standard and other non-flexible) make those things non-issues.
There are numerous other options out there regarding leashes but for the sake of brevity I will leave it as is.
So go out there and find a good leash!! And until then…
Have fun with your dog!