How to Select a Leash

Go into any pet store (or even retail store, for that matter), and you will be astonished at the variety of leashes available. Back in the day, you had a choice between either a nylon leash in primary colors or a leather leash. Today, you have endless choices – leashes made from eco-friendly hemp, leashes that resemble tattoo designs, leashes in nearly every color and pattern imaginable. If you are a new pet companion, how do you choose the right leash for you?

At minimum, you need a basic, 6-foot nylon leash. Most leashes come in 3 widths – 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. The wider the width, the bigger the dog. If you have a larger dog, the theory is a wider width gives you a bit of leverage. (Having owned two dogs who weighed 70 pounds each in their prime, I can say that it helps a little.) A 6-ft. leash is a good length for everyday use and essential for urban environments. In fact, I have seen signs at some dog-friendly beaches stating the leash can be no longer than 6 feet.

You will see longer lengths in leashes. You can find anything from 25 to 100 feet. Keep in mind that these leashes are intended for training purposes, not daily walks. In my experience, the farther your dog is from you, the harder it is to control him or her. Unless your dog is perfect little citizen, you want him or her close by. You would not want your friend to dart in front of a car.

What about retractable leashes? I do not like them. A lot of trainers agree. I tried one with Gracie. I did not feel as if I had control. Plus, the leash’s width is so small. I envisioned it snapping at the first hard tug.

Speaking of tugging, I just bought a special leash called a “Wacky Walkr.” The leash bit is a piece of latex that looks and feels like an exercise band. The idea is the leash will offer some resistance when the dog pulls. The leash does the work, not you. I have heard that this type of leash is a great training tool if you need to address pulling issues. I will update you after I have had a chance to fully test the leash.

These are just a few of the leash options. Remember, you do not need a fancy leash. Your dog is more interested in the walk than a $150 Gucci leash. Good luck!

Rescue Mommy