Why We Love These:
It’s summer and even though summer in 2020 is not what we’re used to, we hope you’re getting outdoors for some fresh air. One of our favorite summer activities is taking our dogs on off-leash hikes. Having a dog that can be trusted to stay with you, respond to your cues, and watch for you to stop/change direction while off-leash is what most dog owners dream of. A long line is a must-have tool for getting you there. A long line creates an invisible boundary for your dog, sort of like training wheels for your pup while you work on distance recall (coming when called).
Get a 15, 20 or 30 foot leash and take it to a field with treats, a harness, your dog (and a clicker if you are using one). Let your dog wander about and then call them over - never letting them get more than the length of the line away from you. Every time they come back to you, reward them with treats and praise! This teaches your dog that they have 15/20/25 feet to move away from you but no further. You should also reward them when they come back on their own to reinforce their awareness of how far is too far from you, and a habit of “checking in.”
Another great use for a long line is to allow your dog some freedom if they want to join you for outside time in an unfenced yard. My backyard is fenced but my front yard is not, so when I want to lounge on the porch, a long line allows him to join me or lay in the grass (all about the sunbathing!). We just loop a long line around the porch railing and voila, he can roam the yard but not go into the street. I had a foster dog in the spring that really benefited from the long line as well. At first, she was straining at the line and wishing she could go further. But the more time she spent out on the line, the more she lounged and settled into the room she had. It even helped to curb her door dashing because she understood that there was a boundary in the front yard, preventing her from running off.
Important: We are suggesting long lines as a safety net when you are out together, not as a way to keep your dog out all day while you do other things. Never tether your dog outside unsupervised, in fact it’s illegal in many states. Long lines are meant to add to the things you can do safely with your dog, not without them.
We don’t have a specific brand of long line that we like in particular, and they come in a variety of price ranges and styles depending on what you’re looking for. For example, a simple nylon leash can go as low as $9 from Hi Kiss and will work great for most people. Some people prefer biothane over nylon because long lines do drag on the ground, and biothane is easily rinsed. Darker colored leashes are subtler, but if you’re planning on bringing the leash somewhere public like a park, a brightly colored leash is easy to see and can prevent people from tripping (you can see the difference in the leashes in the above photo from LeashBoss). And after color, there are different handle types. Sturdy handles are more comfortable but can be cumbersome, and if you plan on letting it drag during training a lighter loop might be more your style.
So, have at it! The world is your leash oyster.