Are long lines good for dogs?
Isadore Smith
2025-07-07 17:40:36
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Using a long line keeps your dog safe from harm and your heart rate at a steady level, while your dog masters the skill of coming back when called. The idea behind a long line is that it enables your dog to have the freedom to move around and explore, but it stops them from actually running off and not listening to you when you call them back. A long line is a lead that is between 5m and 25m long. You want a long line lead which is strong, has a good grip and doesn’t tangle easily. Try to keep your line as slack as possible so your dog doesn’t feel tension through it. You can do this by allowing the dog more line. A tight line means your dog doesn’t have to look for you as they know where you are by the tension on the line, which doesn’t help you achieve a good recall once the long line is removed. Always use a harness with your dog when using a long line. Do not attach the line to their collar, as sudden jolts can cause neck injuries.
Emelie Boyer
2025-07-02 21:00:53
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Long-lines are great for giving your dog more freedom whilst still having some control of what they are doing. They’re a safe and effective way to practice recall training before letting your dog off lead completely as they give them more freedom and the feeling of being off lead. Long-line leads are great in big open spaces, but it’s important to be aware of your surroundings as they can be a trip hazard for others and can get caught up in the environment around you. Long-line leads are great for teaching your dog behaviours like a recall in a safe, controlled way. Whatever you choose, it’s important to make sure you can hold it comfortably in your hand and that if it pulls through your fingers it’s not going to hurt you. We always recommend you attach the long-line to a harness and not a collar so that if your dog runs when they’re at the very end of the line they’re less likely to hurt themselves. They usually have a handle at the end, but you can buy ones without. Long-line leads are a fixed length and are more robust than the retractable long leads you can also buy.
Salvador Shanahan
2025-06-19 05:33:06
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They don't teach loose lead walking. Trainers usually recommend a long line instead as it means the owner is having to pay attention to where the dog is as they need to manage the letting out and reeling in of the lead themselves, although it does take some skills to get used to it. Generally an owner using a long line is spending more time engaging with their dog on a walk, which can only be a good thing. As your dog improves you can start to just drop the line and let it trail. If you need to, you can just stand on the lead to stop the dog, it can be useful to tie a few knots in it too. This is also a helpful tool if you have a dog who comes back but not close enough to grab. You will still need to watch out for a trailing lead as it can be a tripping hazard. I also use a bungee attachment between the harness and the lead so it absorbs some of the shock if the dog does get to the end of the lead. That’s not to say that I’m totally against them, we use one for EB when we’re on holiday somewhere we don’t know or near cliffs. As long as you’re paying attention and bring the dog close if anyone else is around they can be useful.
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