Leashes for dogs: what are there and how to choose?

When a puppy appears in the house, the owner must already prepare the apartment for the arrival of a new family member and purchase a bed, bowls, toys and, of course, a leash and a collar. However, it is the choice of the leash that often becomes a problem. Pet shops offer a wide range of models, among which it can be difficult to choose the most suitable option.

Only careless and irresponsible owners let their animals go for a walk. Even under the master's supervision, a dog left without a leash will face many dangers. And even if the owner considers his pet to be smart and obedient, then there is no guarantee that one day this dog, keen on running after birds, will not jump out onto the roadway and fall under a car. In addition to cars, ill-wishers, flocks of stray dogs, poison scattered by dog ​​hunters pose a danger on the street. These are all unconditional reasons for buying a dog leash.

In addition, not all passers-by are happy with an animal walking in freedom. Someone is afraid of dogs, and someone is annoyed by the barking uncontrollable by the owner, so the owner of the dog should not think only about himself, it is important to think about the neighbors.

Without a leash, it is impossible to imagine a family hike or a trip to nature. Even if the dog is obedient and runs without any problems next to the owners, then where is the guarantee that at night he will not go looking for adventure and will not get lost in a new place? Another purpose of the leash is discipline training. It is impossible to train, educate and train an animal without using this attribute, since the owner holding the pet by the leash is able to control its actions and show that the person is in charge here.

Even if the dog is kept in a summer cottage in a booth or in an aviary, or is allowed to run freely around a fenced-in area, then a leash will definitely come in handy. If your pet gets sick or you suddenly need to move, then how else can you put the dog in the car, except with the use of a leash? Thus, this thing has a variety of meanings, and every dog ​​owner must have it in his arsenal.

The most common are the following varieties.

This option is suitable for walking around the city with your pet. Usually the length of such an object is 3-10 meters. Roulettes are presented in different variations depending on the weight of the animal. They are also tape and cable. The cable one is a more economical specimen, but it is intended for walking only small dogs, while the ribbon specimen, although more expensive, is more reliable.

The advantages of a tape measure include the low probability that the tape will get tangled on the dog's legs, since the tape itself fixes the length. In addition, the tape does not get dirty. On such a leash, the pet feels more free, and the owner does not need to constantly cut or release the leash. Ease of use is also achieved with a special button that blocks the tape. According to customer reviews, the tape measure is comfortable to hold in the palm of your hand and takes up little space.

But not without drawbacks. First of all, the disadvantages include the high price. In addition, this variety is not suitable for hyperactive animals. This kind of dog disciplines little, she gets used to pulling the leash.

They are a standard tape with a carabiner at one end and a loop at the other. This variety is 2-5 meters long, although 15-meter specimens are also found. These classic leashes are distinguished by an affordable price, reliability, durability, they are comfortable to hold in the hand, they are an effective help during training with a dog. Stores offer a wide variety of thicknesses and materials, among which each owner can easily select the option that is most suitable for a particular dog.

Of the shortcomings, it is noted that it is necessary to manually lengthen and shorten the tape all the time so that it does not get dirty., in addition, when using a long leash, the pet can get entangled in it. In the case of a walk with a pulling dog, the owner experiences discomfort on the skin of the palms, calluses may form in this place.

This variety provides the ability to keep the dog close at all times. It is a loop with a carabiner. The option allows you to lead the animal through crowded places and makes it possible to always control the actions of the dog. It is often used for training, but it is not suitable for daily walking and running, as it limits the actions of the animal too much.

Not the best option for both the owner and the dog, especially the long-haired one. The fact is that the hairs can get stuck in the links of the chain, which gives the animal discomfort. For the owner, this is a rather heavy specimen, which is very inconvenient to hold in the hand, and in winter it is also cold, which again causes inconvenience. In addition, stores often sell substandard chains. Of the advantages, the aesthetic appearance of the metal product and its reliability can be noted: unlike rag leashes, this option is beyond the power of canine teeth.

This copy has several carabiners and is intended for walking several dogs. Most often it is used during the exhibition. The bundle allows you to walk several individuals at the same time and control their actions, which would be difficult if there were several leashes.

The disadvantages include the long adaptation of dogs to this option. During the first walks, the animal may react poorly to a neighbor walking nearby and provoke aggressive behavior. Therefore, the owner should be very careful and observe the reaction and habituation of the pets to the new leash.

This leash has carabiners on both sides, and 3-4 rings are located along the entire length. One end clings to the collar, and the second carabiner adjusts the leash length. The overstitch can be used for walking two dogs or as a double leash when training with a prong collar. Of the shortcomings, the need to wind the leash on the arm stands out, since these are usually rather long specimens.

Most often, standard leashes are made from leather, nylon, or tarp. Of these, many owners prefer leather because of the aesthetic appearance of this material, but in practice this option turns out to be the most useless. Leather is a very heavy raw material, and therefore the product from it turns out to be rather massive and uncomfortable. In addition, such leashes quickly deform, cracks and other damage form on them.

In this regard, nylon is more comfortable, but also not very stable. A nylon leash, even a rubberized one, can be used for small dogs and puppies, and tarpaulin versions are recommended for larger breeds. The tarpaulin is characterized by strength, it is difficult for a dog to gnaw it with his teeth, this material does not slip in the hand and is easily erased.

Before buying a leash see the following guidelines.

• Consider the size of the animal. The larger and more powerful the dog is, the more sturdy the product will suit him.
• Before purchasing, make sure that the carabiner and the bolt are of sufficient strength and high quality.
• If the choice fell on a leather leash, then buy such a product, the edges of which are processed, otherwise the material will quickly get wet.
• If a leash is needed for a representative of a large breed, then you should choose a welded ring for a carabiner, and the latch itself should be of a cylindrical shape so that the dog does not unbutton it.
• For short educational measures, a stranglehold leash is suitable. For small dogs, a noose can be constructed in a couple of seconds from a classic leash with a loop.
• To hold a medium to large dog, choose a leash with a width of 2-4 cm. Give preference to braided or flat products, and flat products should have a two-layer stitched structure. For miniature dogs, cute thin braided laces or rings are suitable, emphasizing the elegance and sophistication of representatives of elite breeds.
• For a daily walk, a lead 2-3 m long is suitable, longer options are inconvenient, since the animal can get entangled in them. If you need an accessory to practice teams, then give preference to products that are at least 6-8 m in length.

Of the leashes, a harness is the ideal option for a puppy. This specimen is suitable for individuals aged 6-10 months. The fact is that at this age, puppies are often prone to injuries due to excessive activity, and the harness is a product designed for walking injured dogs. It reduces stress on the hind legs and spine, thereby preventing the puppy from injuries such as twisting elbows.

According to most users, a roulette leash will not work for a puppy. Usually, the first time dogs go out into the street at the age of 2-3 months. This period is very important in the life of a puppy, and from this age the pet needs to be brought up and taught to the rules of walking. Roulette gives too much freedom to the puppy and it becomes very difficult to control his actions.

Sometimes a puppy, on which a leash with a collar was first put on, does not even notice the innovations, while another puppy may get anxious, frightened, and try to get rid of an unfamiliar thing. In order not to scare the baby, you should introduce him to the leash in advance. Let your pet smell it, you can put it next to a bed or a bowl for the first time so that the dog's child knows that this item is not dangerous.

When the leash is first put on and the puppy is trying to take it off, do not help him out of pity., otherwise the animal will understand that in this struggle he is the winner, and the next day the same will continue again. Leave him alone with a leash, or rather distract attention with games or a treat. Some dog handlers recommend in advance to accustom the dog to innovations and periodically tie light ribbons around his neck, and only then switch to a collar with a leash.

When your pet gets a little used to the new thing on its neck, try taking a walk around the apartment with it. Do not hesitate to pull him back in case of disobedience, let the baby know from childhood that the owner can control his actions.

Some dog handlers, for reliability, advise you to make your own leashes. To do this, sweep the cotton tape (3 cm) and decorative tape (1.5 cm), wrap the tape to fix the carabiner from the edge, sew the joint, and on the other side measure the desired distance and attach the tip in the form of a loop for the hand.

A few more tips for teaching your puppy to walk on a leash:

• teach the dog the command "Near" - this position must be to the left of the owner;
• if the exercise is successful, use a treat and praise;
• gradually wean the puppy off the treat so that the dog develops a reflex and does not resist the control with the leash.

See below for an overview of all dog leashes.