Leash Talk

This is a topic that so many trainers disagree on. There is an old joke of the trade:

"What do two dog trainers agree on?

That the third one is wrong."

Sad but true! We all have our preferences and experiences that have led us to make certain decisions about what we dress our dogs and our students' dogs in. So this is an article that is solely my opinion and my preference.

I'd like to talk about leashes. I only allow one kind of leash for training, but first dishing the "do", I'd like to express my opionions on the forbidden "don'ts".

Do not us a chain leash. They are ridiculous. They are bulky, noisy, provide no shock absorption, and add unnecessary weight to both the dog and yourself. In most cases they are also too short.

Then there are retractable leashes. I have very strict rules on this leash. Never use this for daily walking! Use this leash in one of two ways:

1. Make it a rainy day leash so you can stay under the roof of your porch while your dog goes for a potty.

2. Use it as a reward leash bringing it with you to provide some roaming room when you reach a destination.

Using this as a daily leash is problematic in several ways. The dog is self rewarded for pulling. It pulls and gets more freedom and learns to pull more. Another problem is that it trains the dog that tension on the collar and line is the normal and often when you switch from one to a normal fixed leash, the dog goes straight to the end of the leash to get that tension. It starts everything out wrong.

Finally the "do". A six foot nylon or leather leash in an appropriate width for the size of the dog. 6 feet allows enough distance to practice commands like 'stay' while still maintaining control. Any shorter and you don't gain the distance needed to feel a sense of separation. You can go longer but for beginning obedience, 6 feet is perfect!