Finding the Right Type of Leash for Your Dog

As a dog owner, you know that at some point you will need to by a leash. What many dog owners don't realize is that not all leashes perform the purpose, and that purchasing both types of leashes is important.

Leashes for Walking Your Dog

The leash a dog owner uses to walk their dog should not be the same leash that is used to socialize the dog. When buying a leash to walk your dog, you want to make sure you purchase a long leash. Having a longer leash allows you to train your dog to come when he is called, as well as gain control in an emergency or if your dog tries to run away from you. With a longer leash, your dog can walk in front of you without traction on the leash. If you need to gain control of your dog, you can easily pull on the leash or wrap it around your hand to make it shorter for more traction.

It's a matter of preference when it comes to choosing between a retractable leash and a non-retractable leash. Although both types of leashes are perfectly suitable, some experts have expressed concern that retractable leashes can cause injury to the owner's hand, the dog's leg, or cause nearby pedestrians to trip and fall, as these types of leashes are hard to control in an instant.

Leashes for Socializing Your Dog

For socializing your dog, it's best to purchase a short leash. This type of leash allows you to keep your dog at your side and maintain maximum control while he interacts with other dogs and people. These types of leashes should be between four to six feet in length.

Leash Size

It's important to remember that that not all dogs require the same size leash in terms of width. Putting a leash that is too small and narrow on a large dog can cut into the dog's skin, while a leash that is too wide for a small dog could fall off or make it difficult to control the dog. For small dogs you should buy a leash that is around a half an inch or less, for medium dogs a three-quarter inch is good, while leashes for large dogs should be no less than 1-inch wide.