Leashes

Any leash you choose to use with your dog should be a fixed length leash that is comfortable to hold. It can be helpful to have options for different purposes, but most dogs won’t need every kind of leash.

• Drag Line: This is a lightweight leash that a puppy or new dog can wear for behavior management. Like the name suggests, a dog drags this leash along while learning to be loose in the house or yard. You can make a drag line out of a bit of rope with a clip on the end or buy a cheap nylon leash from the grocery store, as drag lines see a lot of wear and tear. Typically, dogs don’t need drag lines for very long.
• Six-Foot Leash: These standard leashes are great for walks and training. Affordable options are typically cotton or nylon. Leather is an option that is soft and easy to hold. Biothane is a great option that is soft to hold like leather but is waterproof and extremely durable. Young puppies are known to chew through leashes, so a cheaper option may be best to start.
• Hands-Free Leash: These generally come in over-the-shoulder and waistband varieties, and often can double as standard 6-10’ leashes. It can be harder to find good hands-free leashes, but they are great for training. These leashes allow your dog to practice off-leash skills while tied to you for safety. Once your dog knows how to walk on a loose leash, hands-free leashes are great for busy walks with other dogs or kids since they allow the handler to do other things with their hands.
• Long Lines: These come in a variety of lengths typically from 10-50’ and can be used for training and exercising your dog. They are generally not chew proof and you should always monitor your dog while using a long line. These are a great safety net when working toward letting your dog off-leash. Long leash walks are great for training and also for wearing your dog out and giving them the chance to sniff around.

Collars:

Dogs wear their collars daily and they are essential for catching, securing, and adventuring with your dog. They should be comfortable to wear and fit snuggly around your dog’s neck with room for two fingers. New dogs or puppies may need a gentle introduction to wearing a collar using lots of positive reinforcement training.

• Flat Collar: These come in all kinds of materials including cotton, nylon, and leather. Biothane is a durable, waterproof option that can be a bit pricey, but tends to last longer. Some collars have reflective parts so that your dog is visible in the dark on walks or if they get lost. Most collars have a place for ID tags or plates.
• Breakaway Collars: These are a great option for dogs who regularly play with other dogs or tend to get themselves caught in tight places (under fences, dense shrubs, etc.). Breakaway collars will unsnap with just a bit of force in order to prevent asphyxiation. They have a special leash attachment so that your dog is still secure on leash with you.
• Martingale Collar: These collars are especially good for dogs who have learned how to back themselves out of a standard collar. They look like standard collars with an extra loop of fabric where the leash connects. When the leash is tight, the collar becomes smaller, preventing the dog from slipping out of it. Sighthounds and other dogs with narrow heads or thick necks often benefit from martingales.

Harnesses:

Walking an untrained dog on a flat collar is not ideal, because dogs will pull on the leash and choke themselves. Harnesses are a good alternative during a walk since they take the pressure from pulling off of dogs’ necks. Harnesses should fit comfortably and as the manufacturer intended. The joints on a harness should have padding to avoid chaffing.

• No-Pull Harnesses: These will typically have an attachment at the dog’s chest and may have multiple attachments. They limit the amount of pulling that a dog can do by using the momentum from pulling to turn the dog’s body. Ensure that the harness properly fits the dog in order to prevent chaffing, pulling at fur, or infringement of a dogs natural movements. Your dog will still need training to learn how to walk nicely on leash. No-pull harnesses keep the pressure off of the dog’s neck, preventing potential injuries.
• Head Collar: These often require some training and conditioning for the dog to feel comfortable wearing them, but they can to be more effective at stopping pulling than no-pull harnesses. Like no-pull harnesses, they use the dog’s momentum to turn the dog’s body and put an end to pulling. It is still important to train your dog how to walk nicely on a leash, but these can help the process go smoothly with the most determined pullers.

Hopefully this guide helps you find an option that works for you and your dog. Teaching your dog to walk nicely on leash takes time, but keeping your dog safe (and stylish) throughout the process is the first step to success. If you are interested in learning more about loose leash walking or just want tips on how you and your dog can have a better walk, comment below.