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How to Choose the Right
Dog Leash for your Puppy
Buying a dog leash doesn't sound complicated, but there is more to it than meets the eye.
You have long and short leashes, leather, nylon, and cotton leashes, retractable leashes, etc.
To buy the right leash for your puppy, try to understand how those differences affect you, the dog owner.
If you feel that with so many types of leashes it's easy to get lost, 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.
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Materials
Nylon
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.
Cotton
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.
Leather
More luxurious dog leashes are made out of leather. They are a little more expensive than nylon and cotton leashes, but they are stronger, last longer, and are easier to grip. They also look prettier.
These
Weaver Embellished Leather Dog Leashes 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.
Learn more about How to Leash Train your Dog
Retractable Dog Leashes
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.
I recommend using fixed length dog leashes when training your puppy, and a retractable leash aftrer 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.
Its easy-grip rubber handle resists slipping and reduces hand fatigue. Cord length expands from 2-16 feet on all sizes.
Here are more examples of retractable leashes...
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 what a traffic dog lead looks like...
A Drag Leash
A drag dog leash is 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 will be able to 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 the 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 teaching your puppy to walk on leash.
If your puppy is scared of his leash, likes to pull, or exhibits any other behavior you would like to correct, I recommend you read and follow this dog behavior training guide. It offers advice on all behavior problems, not just the ones associated with a dog leash.
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