Using a long line is a great step towards preparing your dog for off leash obedience training. Picking a good Long Line is something a lot of people don’t put a lot of time into. We broke down this simple article to explain the difference in long leashes ….
FOR THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS: Basic Nylon Long Line
Its hard to beat less than 20 bucks for a long line that will get the job done!! No fuss, no frills. There are several in this price point on amazon between for a decent 20 foot long line. While long lines can come in a variety of lengths, typically 15-20 feet is ideal for most pet dog obedience training.
FOR THE SMALL DOG OWNER: Narrow is better!!
If you are working with a small breed dog, you’ve noticed by now that its a big dog world when it comes to dog training products. For large dogs we typically recommend a 1/2 up to 1 inch wide long line but for smaller dogs you will want something closer to 1/4 of an inch wide. The one I typically use at the OC Dog Ranch for my small dog clients is this awesome biothane material which is super light weight and 3/8 inches wide.
FOR USE IN WET WEATHER: The Gripper Leash
While rain is not always a huge concern for us in Southern California, having your long leash dragging through dew soaked grass at the park you will start to see why material is important. The biothane leashes mentioned above are great because they don’t absorb water and get heavy like a traditional nylon long line. However they can get slippery which can be frustrating while you are trying to train your dog. The long leash we use at OC Dog Ranch for all of our large dog clients in all weather is called the Gripper Leash. Made from the same type of material as the biothane leash mentioned above, but its texturized making it easy to handle even soaking wet. It also is fairly lightweight and narrow so its easy to handle and equally suited for small breed dogs.
FOR THE CRAFTY DOG OWNER: DIY Long Leash
There are several good options for making your own long leash if you are a crafty owner. The most accessible option is getting lightweight rope and a clip from Home Depot. The rope can be cut to any length and tied or sewn on your clip. Home Depot will also have a decent selection of clips to choose from. Just be conscious of the weight limit for the rope you choose and make sure that the knot you tie is secure.
I also have several long lines that I love that is made from tubular webbing climbing rope from REI. REI sells this rope on spools and it can be cut to whatever size you’d like and they have several colors to choose from. My last trip there I got a 33 ft piece of tubular climbing rope for approximately $14. I also like to get 10 and 4 ft lengths as well so you have different leashes customized to whatever adventure you are taking your dog on. All the clips for these you can find in most hardware stores for $1-4 each depending on style.
We hope this article has helped you think about what long leash would be appropriate for your dog’s training needs. If you have any questions about our training programs, feel free to contact us at thepack@ocdogranch.com or 949-525-7362
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