Lengthy strains or coaching leashes are usually an extended leash of a minimum of 10ft or 3m in size with which you’ll be able to usually prepare a canine to work at a distance.
Also known as lengthy strains, lengthy leashes, or lengthy leads, the vital factor about them is that they’re longer than an everyday leash, and may run to very lengthy lengths – however it’s good to notice that the longer they’re, the tougher they’re to deal with.
There’s a variety of causes that canine trainers, like myself, use lengthy strains in lieu of quick leads in coaching, however the primary purpose is administration.
The Key Precept of Lengthy-Line Coaching
I’ll usually use it to assist my pet homeowners stop an undesired behaviour from taking place (and undoing coaching efforts), and set their canine as much as succeed by utilizing this straightforward device.
From educating a recall, to proofing a sit, to provide a reactive canine a bit of freedom for a decompression stroll while going by means of behaviour adjustment coaching. Generally these strains are additionally utilized in monitoring or mantrailing as a result of they permit your canine to transfer extra (when in comparison with a shorter leash) with out you being glued to them, primarily.
That freedom is the primary aim of a leash like this, and that freedom provides room for error, however error you possibly can comprise with out it going too far off the rails and shedding a variety of coaching alongside the best way.
It’s one thing all canine homeowners ought to personal, even when solely to keep away from the “It’s okay! He’s pleasant!” incidents and work on a dependable recall as an alternative!

When Ought to I Use A Lengthy Coaching Line With My Canine?
Lengthy strains are a surprisingly versatile device and also you’ll discover extra alternatives to make use of a protracted lead than simply this checklist, however listed here are some nice methods to make use of them and when to not use them too.
When To Use
- Recall Coaching
- Counter browsing coaching
- Open Areas
- Proofing behaviours
- Reactive canines
- Rescues
- Recovering canines
- Canines on relaxation
- Swimming
- Managing canine round guests
When Not To Use
- Beside roads
- Canines taking part in
- Individuals dense areas
- Tree dense areas
Why Would I Use A Lengthy Line As a substitute Of Retractable Leads?
Nice query. Retractable leashes are infamous within the trade for misuse and damage to folks, canines and even bystanders. Lengthy strains are a safer selection, they’re additionally usually approach stronger and provide extra coaching choices than a flexi-lead (which actually don’t work for bigger breeds like German shepherds or nice danes and many others. due to low weight limits!)
Execs
- Robust
- Sturdy
- Versatile
- Much less harmful than retractable
Cons
- Awkward to deal with
- Journey hazard
- Rope burn (relying)
What Lengthy Line Is Greatest?
That is all the time down to private desire. There’s usually a good selection of supplies, however I’ll all the time be an advocate of biothane – and particularly as opposed to nylon webbing.
Why? As a result of Biothane is simple to wash, tremendous straightforward to take care of, much less tangly and greatest? No rope burn! and on the subject of sturdy supplies? Biothane is the winner. It collects no dust, wipes down and is tremendous robust too.
I’ve handled so many lengthy strains the place if you need your canine to cease all of the sudden you’re clinging to a rope that rips your palms aside and leaves you feeling actually sorry for your self.
They are costlier than nylon canine coaching leashes, however they’re very a lot definitely worth the funding.
Listed below are my fave lengthy leads!
Word: giant canines would require wider straps of biothane.
Greatest In Class
TBT Biothane Lengthy Line
- Biothane (Straightforward care)
- Splendidly gentle
- Robust
- Further grippy deal with
- Size choices
- Color choices
- Extremely seen
- Width Choices
Subsequent Greatest
Viper K9 Biothane Coaching Leash
- Biothane (straightforward care)
- Robust
- Varied lengths
- Varied colors
- Brass {hardware}
How Lengthy Ought to I Go?
Nicely, I want I may say X Foot canine leash is the very best, however it solely relies on you, what you’re utilizing it for, what measurement canine you will have and on you.
For perception, I even have two lengthy strains.
One I exploit for common sniff about and decompression walks (notably with my hounds!) – this one is about 15 foot and far lighter and simple to deal with. The opposite one I exploit for recall coaching with purchasers that’s 60ft, and really heavy.
So, you probably have a small canine you is perhaps extra comfy utilizing a smaller, lighter line, like a 1/2 inch 15 ft line, however in case you’ve bought a much bigger canine? Go for a much bigger leash.
How Do I Use A Lengthy Coaching Line Safely?
1 – Use A Harness
That is before everything!! An extended line ought to all the time be used along with a harness.
It’s unsafe to permit your canine to lunge, dash, soar, run or chase when a protracted line is hooked up to a collar, prong collar or head collar, as a result of all of their pressure goes from their movement and into your canine’s neck no matter is containing them, so it just isn’t negotiable that they’re hooked up to your canine’s harness that may disperse this influence round their physique.
Should you want solutions for what harness to make use of? Take a look at 19 Greatest Canine Harnesses However right here’s a fast perception into my favourites.
Did You Know?
Some harnesses include a selected loop to connect a trailing lengthy line (also referred to as a drag line!) to? Yep! Tremendous intelligent stuff, to date I’ve solely seen it on the continuous line harness, however look out for it! That mentioned, clipping to the again clip harness is ideal too.
2 – Tangle Free
Top-of-the-line methods to remain freed from tangles is to not permit an excessive amount of slack on the ground in case you might help it. As a result of extra slack is the place your points come.
I are likely to maintain it with a bit of slack (by no means taught, or you could inadvertently be rewarding your canine for pulling after they get to the tip of the road). Should you maintain it coiled (or as near as doable) and provides your canine the slack they want as they want it? Then it really works actually, rather well. However as quickly as you let this begin gathering, winding, and many others? That’s when your snags begin taking place.

3 – Decide For Shiny Colours!
On the subject of security causes, this one is vital.
Should you’re intending on utilizing this outdoor, you’d be stunned how fast “Wise” colors like black or brown can disappear into the world round you, and in case you’re not paying consideration it may end up in you getting snagged and your ft whipped from underneath you. I go for issues like turquoise and hunter orange as a result of these are tremendous seen.
Additionally, it is a excellent alternative to do not forget that our canines have a very restricted color palette, so you possibly can assist them by choosing one thing nearer to orange or yellow to make it stand out properly.
4 – Pay Consideration
Watch the place the leash goes. These leashes – the longer they’re – the extra problematic they are often. So keep watch over them and the place they’re. An excessive amount of slack, a loop, and even standing within the incorrect place as your canine sprints? Can rapidly change into problematic.
5 – Stand on the Exterior
Should you’re strolling with a bunch of individuals, don’t stroll in the course of that group, since you’re inevitably going to start out taking part in cowboys and indians and tying your group collectively actual fast! So this does type of imply that this will not be greatest to make use of within the canine park.
6 – Don’t apply it to or beside a highway.
It’s not secure, it’s not an okay factor to do. Recoiling it, and holding your canine secure is hard to do which places your canine at pointless danger. To not point out that it’s not authorized in some international locations!! So it could be a good suggestion to maintain an ordinary size lead with you in case you want each.

7 – Don’t Seize – Step.
Aside from stopping rope burn, it’s a lot safer to step on this additional lengthy leash (notably in case you’re utilizing it as a trailing leash!) than it’s to seize for it. Your ft will likely be faster, and it’s even much less confrontational in your canine.
8 – You want two arms
Don’t be fooled into considering you possibly can handle this with one hand, it’s extremely onerous to do, and I can inform you that from first hand expertise. I are likely to maintain one with the majority of the leash, and the opposite to manage the size.
And that’s your intro to lengthy strains!
While in case you’re going climbing in wooded areas, you could wish to rethink this, this kind of leash is tremendous versatile, from giant breeds to smaller canines. They can provide your canine freedom. Freedom to get it incorrect – or proper – with out really placing something at added danger. Which is large.
Should you’re undecided about taking the next step into the world of lengthy strains, get in contact and I’m pleased to assist with some skilled on-line coaching!
Creator, Ali Smith
Ali Smith is the Optimistic Pet Skilled, canine coach and is the founding father of Rebarkable. She is obsessed with serving to pet dad and mom get issues proper, proper from the beginning. To assist create a pet able to being a assured and adaptable member of the family and maintain puppies out of shelters.
Ali has received a number of awards for her canine coaching, and has had her weblog (this weblog!) rated as 2021 & 2022 worlds’ greatest pet weblog!