FREE DOG TRAINING GUIDE

Many dog owners have the tendency to neglect training their dogs on a leash. Why is this you ask? The most common answers given are that they either feel it is far too much hassle or that it is a waste of time. To me, that just means that they are too lazy to own up to the responsibility and therefore have no business having the animal in the first place. Unfortunately, the importance of training a dog on a leash has been grossly underestimated. Ironically, leash training is far simpler than what you might think and really does not consume a lot of time.

Consider the technique as an investment towards training your dog properly, especially if it is a larger breed that will grow to over 50 pounds. There are numerous questions that come to the forefront about leashes and leash training. What type is best? What type should be avoided? How long the dog should be walked at a time? What can be done so the dog doesn’t pull you when they are on a leash? And many more.

As a result of all the questions that we get bombarded with at times, I have decided to compile a list of the five most common ones although no one question is less important than any of the others. Additionally, there are no hard and fast rules about leash training or any other type other than being extremely positive in all aspects of it. Negativity with any type of dog obedience training is always discouraged. What follows is the list of those top 5 questions and the answers to them.

1) What is the best type of material for a leash to be constructed of? The most commonly used material today is nylon for three key reasons:

they are easy to wash and care for

they are extremely durable

they are manufactured in a wide array of colors

However, on the downside, if the dog bolts and you do not have a firm grip on that leash, it can burn your hand.

2) A six-foot leash constructed from leather has always been the recommended material and size in my opinion. Leather is very durable, will not burn your hand if pulled, and enables a firmer grip for the trainer.

3) Are chain leashes acceptable to use when training the dog? Chain leashes are still being used but just like the nylon types, they can injure your hands if the dog pulls away and you do not have a firm grip. Conversely, they are literally indestructible.

4) What is an acceptable distance for the leash to extend between you and the dog? Most dog trainers will tell you that 5 to 6 feet is an adequate distance to afford your puppy or adult dog with. There is a dual benefit here in that it gives the animal enough distance to sniff things out along their walk but you still have enough control of the situation at that length.

5) What is the recommended width for a leash? A ½’ to ¾’ wide leash is the most commonly recommended width by trainers, but once again, it is also a matter of what you will be the most comfortable with based on the size of your hand.

By: Jeff Nenadic