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Choose the Right Dog Leash
for your Puppy
A wide variety of leashes is available on the market. To buy the right dog leash for your puppy, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
But with so many types of leashes, it's easy to get lost… long leashes, short leashes, leather, nylon, etc.
Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it looks!
First, decide what you need a puppy leash for – is it for training or everyday use? I'll talk about the differences a little later, but now let's review the most common materials dog leashes are made from.
Materials
The most common leashes on the market are made of nylon. They come in many colors and styles, are cheap and well suited for everyday use. You can also use them for training.
These Nylon Lead in Graduated Colors by Top Paw® are cheap, durable and pretty.
(Matching collars are available)
If your dog likes to pull, consider a cotton puppy leash. It's not only lighter than a nylon leash, but it's also easier on your hands.
Nothing beats these Cotton Web Leads for training.
More luxurious dog leashes are made out of leather. They are a little more expensive than nylon and cotton leashes, but they are stronger and easier to grip. They also look prettier.
These Premium Latigo Leads are made from top quality leather and will last for years. Many professional trainers use them.
What I like the most about them is that they are cheap!
How to Choose the Right Dog Leash
Most leashes come in four, six and eight foot lengths.
My personal preference is a four-foot leash. I find it the most comfortable. Others prefer six-foot leashes.
Get one of the longer leashes when the training requires you to be further away from your puppy. Some cotton leashes can extend up to thirty feet.
Try experimenting and chose the one that provides the best comfort for you and the most control over your puppy.
Retractable leashes can extend and retract, allowing your dog a greater moving area. A lot of trainers don't recommend them for training because they encourage your puppy to pull.
So, the recommendation is, use fixed length dog leashes when training your puppy, and get a retractable leash when your puppy learns to obey your commands.
The Walkabout Retractable Leash is designed to offer maximum comfort for both, a dog and a dog-walker.
It's easy-grip rubber handle resists slipping and reduces hand fatigue. Cord length expands from 2-16 feet on all sizes.
Matching Walkabout Nylon Collars also available.
There are also specialized training leashes that are not suited for everyday use. Use them for training only. Some examples of training leashes are…
A Traffic Leash
These dog leashes are between fifteen and eighteen inches in length.
Use them when training your puppy to cross the street or walking on a busy street. Actually, you can use this leash in any situation when you need to keep your dog close to you.
Here is a 12" Latigo Traffic Lead.
It's made of strong leather with bolt snaps.
A Drag Leash
It's a lightweight leash that does not have a loop handle at the end. Use it in the beginning stages of leash training to accustom your puppy to a leash.
Leave this leash on your dog when he is indoors. Your puppy can safely wander around the house without you worrying that he may get caught in the surroundings.
You can use any old dog leash as a "drag leash". Just cut off a handle, and you are in business. No need to waste money buying a new leash! A cotton leash, because it's lightweight, is perfect for this.
When you purchase a dog leash, make sure it's appropriate for your dog. Get a lightweight leash for a small dog and a stronger and heavier leash for larger bread.
Check leash training your dog for tips and suggestions on leash training.
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