Dog owners have been using long leads all wrong – experts explain correct way

Pet experts have shared exactly how you should use a long-line lead with your dog when walking or training to ensure they, you, and the people around you can stay safe and happy. 

Long-line leads are a great way to help train and practice your dog’s recall before letting them off the lead completely. They allow you to give your dog more freedom while still having some control over them and come in various lengths from 3m to 30m, so you can choose which feels best for you and your dog.

Firstly, unravel the line so there are no kinks or knots, and then wrap the line loosely in your hand, creating a hoop to hold. 

advises dog owners to attach the long line to a harness and not a collar as this reduces the risk of your dog injuring themselves if they run when they reach the end of the line. 

The line should be held with two hands, ensuring the hand closest to the manages the slack—which means the dog can be slowed down as and when needed. The other hand should hold the rest of the line and the handle if there is one. 

“With your first hand, you can let the line slide through if you are giving your dog more freedom and with your second hand, you can pull the line in if you need to shorten the distance or bring your dog towards you,” the animal rescue charity advises. 

By using this method, you can ensure you don’t stop your dog too harshly and lower the chances of you dropping the line. 

When wanting your dog to stop, you should grip and release the long line using the hand closest to the dog – this will help slow them down to a gentle stop. This is why it is key when choosing a lead to make sure that if it pulls through your fingers it won’t hurt you. 

It is important to keep an eye on your dog’s line length —for example, if you are using a 5-metre lead, the dog does not need to have the whole 5-metre reeled out all the time. This is because “too much slack can cause you to get tangled up and lose control,” particularly in busy environments. 

If tangling does occur, try to stop your dog from moving. Battersea suggests throwing treats on the floor to divert their attention and keep them still while you untangle if they are food-motivated. 

Long-line leads are not all the same and come in various materials and weights to suit different breeds. A lightweight fabric is better for small dogs as it won’t weigh them down, but owners of bigger dogs could consider leads made from biomethane, grippy material, or heavy-duty webbing, as they are more robust.