{"id":9970,"date":"2022-07-05T14:48:48","date_gmt":"2022-07-05T14:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/blog\/uncategorized\/long-dog-leads\/"},"modified":"2025-01-06T16:56:34","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T16:56:34","slug":"long-dog-leads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/new-puppy\/puppy-essentials\/long-dog-leads\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Dog Leashes: Why Do I Need One?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Long dog leashes are a useful tool you might have seen people use when walking with your puppy. Are you confused as to why they need to be exclusively long? Good that you\u2019ve landed here then. We\u2019ll help you understand.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll be explaining what a long dog leashes are, why you should get one, what to look for and what to avoid when buying a long line dog leash. Bet you didn’t think there was so much to know about dog leashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now that you\u2019re here, do you want to teach your puppy how to recall, sit, stay, walk nicely on a leash, and<\/em> be a well-adjusted confident dog? Download the Zigzag puppy training app. We\u2019ll teach you through a personalized program focusing on Life Skills, Socialization, and the emotional development of your puppy<\/a>. We also have a team of great puppy coaches<\/a> on hand to answer your questions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Andrew Wagner<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is a long dog leash?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A long dog leash<\/a> has quite a few different names you might have heard: long line, long dog leash, recall line, lunge line, and so on. But they all mean the same thing, which is essentially\u00a0an extra long dog leash. Don’t know why we make it so complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long dog leashes come in different lengths, the shortest long leash being 3m<\/a> which isn\u2019t that long at all – even training leashes<\/a> should be 2meters in length. But you can get them made to order to any length you like.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long dog leashes come in different materials; fabric or nylon webbing<\/a>, biothane<\/a>, leather<\/a> and rope style<\/a> are all commonly seen. Some long lines have a handle for you to hold, whereas some just have an unfinished end. Without a handle, they are less likely to get hooked on plants or trees while running along the ground, and they also give a dog more of a feeling of being off the leash. Having a handle means you can hold the long dog line more securely, and might be a better option if you\u2019re just starting out with training your puppy, or you\u2019re using the long dog leash in place of a regular length leash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All dog long lines attach with a trigger, or carabiner and should be used together with a harness<\/a>, never a collar.<\/a> You can also think of lines with a bungee cord<\/a> at the end of it. Yes, that\u2019s right. They\u2019re not for bungee jumping of course, but the spring will soften the jerk if your puppy runs to the end of the line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why should I get a long dog leash?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s plenty of good reasons. Getting a long dog leash for your puppy is a great way to prevent your dog from practicing behavior<\/a> you don\u2019t want them to.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A longdog leash will keep your puppy safe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In your puppy journey, you\u2019ll definitely want to teach them recall<\/a>, but we get that you\u2019re feeling nervous about letting them off the leash. But have no fear – this is where your trusty long line comes in handy. With a long dog leash, you can allow them to drag it along the floor which gives them some freedom, but you still have the safety of being able to take the lead if they decide not to come back when you call them. Best of both worlds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A long dog leash is great for distance handling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A long line can be great for teaching your puppy to send away, go down at a distance and any other kind of handling or training where they aren\u2019t right next to you. Long dog leashes are also useful when you want to do long distance training with your puppy, but you\u2019re worried about them not listening to you as they\u2019re so far away. Can\u2019t blame them, it\u2019s literally the only chance they have to get away from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A long line dog leash give your puppy space to sniff<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your puppy has a curious nature and an amazing sense of smell. Using a long line dog lead gives your puppy the exciting opportunity to take in the world and learn about it<\/a>, one sniff at a time, and safely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too often, our leashes are too short or we walk too fast, so our puppy doesn’t get a chance to stop and smell the flowers in peace. We think that they get to enjoy the world around them, one sniff at a time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long lines are great for reactive dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a puppy that tends to react a lot, then having a 5m long dog leash with a handle, will suit you both best. Your puppy will have space to sniff around without the leash being too tight, so you can also remain relaxed. It also means you can reel them in and still have them under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long lines are especially great when you\u2019re trying to make some improvements in desensitising your puppy if they\u2019re particularly reactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nervous dogs or rescue dogs do well on long lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you have a nervous dog? Or maybe a rescue dog<\/a>? A long dog leash will help out when you\u2019re getting them to practice recall. It will also help make them secure – they\u2019ll be reassured when there\u2019s a (literal) connection between the two of you and you\u2019re looking out for them.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long line dog leashes can be used with dogs who have a high prey drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a terrier who wants to chase every squirrel they see, using a long line on walks <\/a>can make things a lot less stressful. Of course, you will need to train them with lots of treats until a walk in the park actually<\/em> starts feeling like one, but it will come. No worries about that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long dog leashes are great to confirm to local leash laws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many places have leash laws, which means that dogs have to be on the leash, or else you might get fined. This can be on a hiking trail, beach or park. If your area has leash laws, then a long line dog leash will be your best friend after – it\u2019s the perfect loophole to still follow the rules while your dog has enough freedom to walk a bit further from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Xuan Nguyen<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Looking for the best long line dog leash<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When looking for the right long dog leash to use, choosing one will vary depending on what you want to use it for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n