Dog Training Leash

Most people seem to prefer a dog training leash that matches their dog’s collar. If you get a flat nylon collar for your dog there are usually dog training leashes available in the same color. Four feet long is a good length for most training.

Likewise, if you get a flat leather collar for your dog, or a rolled leather collar, there are good leather leashes made to match them. These leather collars and leashes don’t usually require any extra care but if you wish you can use a leather care product on them to prolong their useful life.

One very popular dog training leash recently is the kangaroo leather leash. These leashes are often braided and come in a wide variety of colors. They can be custom made and sometimes feature beading. They can be more expensive than regular cow leather but the kangaroo leather is very soft and supple. People who favor these leashes often swear by them. They can be used with kangaroo collars or with chain collars.

Some people prefer a combination collar and leash called a martingale. The collar meets behind the dog’s ears and turns into a leash. Martingales are very useful for small dogs but not usually effective for large dogs. They are typically made of nylon or cordo-hyde (a leather look-alike). Martingales are not usually used for training.

For larger dogs some people like a leash called a British slip lead. This is a slip lead made of very large, soft rope-like material. It‘s a combination collar and leash in one. It works very well for casual use with large dogs but it’s not useful for training.

Any of these leashes will work well for normal daily use. If you are working with your dog on particular dog training exercises, such as teaching the “Come” command or working in the field with your dog, you will probably need a longer training lead. Many people use a simple web training lead between 12-15 feet long. These web training leads are usually cotton with a bolt snap on the end. You can also use a nylon rope for this purpose, but it’s best if you use something that has a snap on the end to attach to your dog’s collar.

One kind of leash that should be used with care is the retractable lead or leash. These leashes attach to your dog’s collar and extend and retract into a hard plastic hand-held case. The leads may extend from 10 to 16 to 26 feet, depending on the model. They advertise that they may be used for dogs from toys to giant breeds, again, depending on the model. While these retractable leads are very convenient to use they do pose dangers. There is a breaking mechanism on the plastic case that operates with a small switch. Unless the owner is expert at using this switch and reeling in their dog, the owner may not be able to pull the dog back to him quickly in case of emergency. Dogs have been hit by cars or killed by other dogs because the owner was not able to operate the retractable lead well enough. If you are using the retractable lead to walk your dog in an isolated area where your dog is not in danger of being approached by other dogs and you will not be confronted with traffic, then these leads can usually be safely used. But please use caution if you plan to use them near other dogs or close to traffic. Keep your dog safely reeled in by your side with the safety switch in the break position. Or use a conventional leash.

There are many interesting choices with both collars and leashes. The dog training leash you choose will depend on many factors: the collar you use, how you will be using it, the kind of dog you have, and your own personal taste. It’s also fine to try different collars and leashes to see what you and your dog like. Your dog may have his own preferences. Try a few collars and leashes out and see what works for you.