Long Line versus Extendable leads?

When a good friend of mine was out walking their dog on one of my Long Lines that I call My Line, I was upset to learn that a complete stranger decided to chastise him.

 

Claiming that Long Lines cause horrific accidents by getting tangled between your legs and shredding your hands, and that long lines, have no handles making them rather pointless!

 

In retort to this incident, I would like to draw your attention to a piece written way before the pandemic on why we're walking our dogs the wrong way 

 

So, could a walk in the park turn into a trip to A&E? Experts at the British Society for Surgery of the Hand say they are regularly treating patients who have hurt themselves while walking their dogs.

 

A single hospital - Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust - treated 30 serious injuries as a result of "dog lead or collar misuse" in just one year, according to the society. Lacerations, fractures, dislocated fingers, tissue loss, friction burns and scarring, the gruesome list of dog walking-related injuries is enough to turn you into a cat person!

 

There’s lots to consider, namely pulling on the lead, wrapping the lead around your wrist to shorten it, can cause huge pressure to the hands and shoulders. If the lead is nylon, it can burn and even shave off a layer of skin.

 

In the case of my friend the irony lies in that the chastiser was walking their dog on an extendable lead. In my over 23 years of working with dogs, neither myself, or one fellow dog trainer colleagues ever recommends these leads. And for good reason!

 

The lead is your connection to your dog. It transfers energy from you and vice versa. The aim is to train your dog to walk nicely on a relaxed loose lead- it’s called loose lead walking. Its where teamwork, comes into its own.

 

This may have taken months to perfect, but in doing so it’s a joy to walk your dog, and you’ll have strengthened your relationship in the process.

 

The training at this point will have also focussed on the recall, arguably the one cue that could save your dog’s life. It’s another cue / life skill that takes time, patience, repetition and consistency to master.

 

The key aspect is that you have to be more interesting to your dog than anything else and I mean anything: squirrels, pigeons, fox poop, leftover takeaway, chicken bones, footballs and other dogs!

 

This is where a Long Line comes into its own. The point is that it is simply what it is – a long line. My Line is made from Biothane rubber, so it’s not only super hygienic, but soft on the hands and legs – it does not shred a layer of skin!

 

A long line (ideally 5 x metres long) is to give your pooch freedom to explore, go sniffing, go play fetch, with the ability to interrupt any unwanted behaviour quickly, simply by standing on the long line and offering your dog an alternative cue.

 

Reinforce a recall, move into a sit, or go pick up a toy, guiding the dog back to you quickly becomes a game of fetch!

 We’re living in a world where over 54% of dogs do not have a reliable recall, yet these dogs are running around our open spaces. In order to balance against what could be a rude bombardment by a strange dog on our walks, My Line gives me the chance to pre-empt an annoying situation where another dog has no recall, and will not leave my dog alone. I can quickly guide us away to resume our one-on-one walk, which is the highlight of our day.

 

It’s also great to train a recall, again allowing for the cue to be followed through quickly, kindly and reinforce the recall with high praise and tasty treats. It’s also great for perfecting the game of fetch.

 

Plus, My Line helps with puppy training too. It’s so lightweight and comes handmade in London with a safety clip, it’s perfect to begin training your puppy in the home, in the garden before your venture to the park.

 

In contrast the so-called extendable leads, or nylon-wrapped wire leads that retract in and out at the push of a button - catching hands and clothes, burning fingers and generally tying you up in knots. In principle they're a fantastic idea but in practice they can be dangerous. Not least if the lead is dropped accidentally and the bulbous handle smashes into your dog's shoulder at speed! 

 

I had one wrapped around my legs recently, leaving me with a terrible ankle burn. Ouch, the pain. I've even known dogs die from being on extendable leads when the mechanism broke or jammed.

 

One friend's phone rang when she was walking her dog and she took the call assuming she'd depressed the button and her pet was under control. It didn't work and a black cab pulled up to the curb and ran over her poor pet.

 

So, the argument as to whether to choose a Long Line or Extendable lead? For me you have a long line for when your dog is running free in the park, or in your garden and for indoor ‘boundary’ training.

 

For pavement walking, I opt for a ’training lead’ that offers 1.5 metres in length and can be altered to the context ie being on a pavement, on a train, at a bus stop with its multi-functional clip attachments, making easy length adjustment  to suit the walking environment.

 

Walking the dog is synonymous with owning your dog. It provides exercise and enrichment. It’s a daily task that should be enjoyed both ways. Its part and parcel of being a responsible dog owner adhering to their dog’s duty of care, under the Animal Welfare Act.