Leashes/Leads
Choosing a leash can be tricky - there are so many options! Let's look at some of the things to consider so that you can make an informed decision as to which leash would be best for your dog(s).
Barney walks with a 5 metre coated polyester webbing leash
Length
The minimum length that we recommend is 3 m, but you can also find other lengths in the market (4 m, 5 m, 10 m). If you are walking in crowded urban areas, you can always roll up the leash a little - but still keep it smiling. 😉 When your dog is on leash in open spaces like fields and forests, try to use the entire length of the leash as much as possible. Make sure to keep it smiling and avoid dragging on the floor, which may be uncomfortable to the dog.
Length and the dog
The length of the leash impacts the freedom to explore the environment. Giving dogs an opportunity to choose where to sniff and investigate is very important for their wellbeing. Longer leashes give your dog more space to make decisions, avoid or approach things. This makes for a more relaxing walk with less pulling!
Materials
There are many materials used to make leashes: leather, coated polyester webbing, plastic, rubber, neoprene, nylon ...
They all have advantages and disadvantages. For example, a rubber studded leash might be good for grip when walking in wet and cold weather, but can burn the dog's skin if it gets caught under her body. A polyester webbing leash is light and easy to clean. A fabric one might be even lighter but will get dirty more frequently …
The most important thing to look for is that the leash glides and slides seamlessly, allowing the dog to move freely without noticing the tension from our end. Leash handling skills are important to achieve this freedom of movement. Think of it as the closest we can give the dog to walking off leash whilst she is still under our control.
Coated polyester webbing leash with one clasp
When choosing leashes it is best to go for a simple strap without additional metal inserts or hoops - these would just interfere with your fabulous seamless leashwork.
Clasps
There are many materials that can be used for clasps, the bit that attaches the leash to the harness. But they are usually made of metal.
This bit is so important but usually not considered when making the purchase decision. We should always consider the size of the dog and the size, shape and weight of the clasp, so it is not uncomfortable or even painful if it is in contact with the dog constantly or if it collides with the dog's body while she moves.
Small dogs vs. big dogs
Always consider the weight and size of the dog when choosing the material and the clasp. The smaller the dog, the lighter the leash and the smaller the clasp.
For puppies we would choose something very light. Consider the clasp here very carefully.
We hope these guidelines are of help and that they help you consider different options in the future. Thanks for reading them all.
P.S.: You might have noticed that we are only talking about classical leashes - no retractable leashes in sight. There is a number of reasons for that. Some have to do with a higher likelihood of injury and escape. Besides, retractable leashes cannot smile - they are always taut and are essentially teaching your dog how to pull on leash.
We always recommend a classical - smiling - leash over a retractable one. If you would like to know more, please let us know and we will prepare a post about this topic.
Rubber studded leash
