Types of Dog Leash
Retractable/Extendable
Far and away one of the most popular dog leads, retractable leashes allow owners to extend and retract a lead’s length at the push of a button. This allows you to be able to quickly react to situations on walks and gives you that extra bit of control over your pup while still allowing them the freedom to roam.
Standard Leash
Doing exactly what they say on the tin, standard leashes feature no retractable movement or special abilities. However their simplicity probably offers the greatest amount of control as your pooch remains at the same distance at all times. This also allows them to be made out of stronger materials such as braided nylon.
Adjustable Leash
Often packaged as training leads, adjustable leads use multiple clips to extend and decrease the length of your cord, much like a belt. This is a good lead for puppies, as it allows you to slowly increase the length of the lead overtime as they become more used to walks.
Materials
Leads come in a lot of different materials and it can be confusing to understand what features each one can offer you. The three main materials are nylon, leather and chain. Chains offer the most durability and are great for chewers, however they are also very heavy, so not always the most comfortable. Nylon leads are probably the most popular and are surprisingly strong while also being weather resistant but are conversely very easily chewed. Leather leashes tend to be something of a fashion statement and are the most comfortable to hold, however they require more maintenance to keep them in good condition.
Considering Length and Width
Choosing the correct length of dog lead comes in handy when training your dog and it’s best to choose a lead which can adapt to different situations. Short length leads are important for obedience training and situations where you need more control such as traffic and busy public areas. Longer leads, on the other hand, are used for distance command training and are helpful for letting your pup explore without the owner losing control. It’s best to get a lead which can cater to both lengths, but try and take into account your type of dog. For example, a smaller breed is unlikely to need a 10m length leash, as it’s little legs can only get it so far!
The width of a leash can also be an important factor too, especially if your dog is prone to biting and chewing objects. Thicker, stronger width leads tend to be able to ease the impact of pulls and are also more durable when it comes to withstanding your dogs impromptu biting and tug of war session. Slimmer leads are mostly only suitable for puppies and smaller dog breeds who need their leashes to be slightly more gentle and less restricting.