Choosing the Right Leash for You and Your Dog

When it comes to choosing a leash for your dog, it is important to select the type of leash that is appropriate for the activity you will be engaged in.

There are two basic types of leashes - one for walking and another type for dog training. The standard leash usually comes in leather or nylon and is generally six feet in length, the regulation length in most municipalities. This leash is the type that is used for walking your dog.

A training leash is usually twenty-five feet long and is used for teaching commands. If your dog or puppy is learning to respond to commands, then this leash is perfect for his training sessions. Most training sessions will take place in the house or in the yard until he has learned the basic commands - come, sit, stay. Sessions should be no longer than fifteen minutes at the most.

It is recommended that dog owners have both a standard leash and a training leash to begin with.

Another type of leash that has become quite popular is the retractable leash. These leashes are not designed for dog training but are fine for dogs that are already leash-trained. This leash provides freedom for the dog but keeps him close enough to his owner should anything unexpected happen. Many owners of small dogs use this type of leash when walking their dogs.

The martingale leash is a leash that is popular with dog handlers for showing their dogs. They are also a good choice for dog owners because they have an all-in-one collar and leash. The collar is specially designed so it won't choke your dog. This is a good choice for someone who likes to jog and exercise the dog at the some time.

Once the dog is able to walk beside you on the walk, then you may want to introduce him to new experiences. If you are a jogger or someone who enjoys roller-blading, then you both may enjoy using this new device. The hands-free Hip Hugger Waist Walker is a belt worn around the dog owner's waist which has a clip for attaching a leash to the belt. Now the dog can run alongside you and experience the joy of moving more quickly while expending more energy. The Hip Hugger is also available in a style that can accommodate two dogs at the same time.

Dogs enjoy running alongside a bicycle ridden by their owner. The bicycle leash has been specially designed for this purpose. To keep the dog safe and away from the moving parts of the bicycle, a special attachment must be fastened to the bicycle, either under the seat or on the axle of the back wheel of the bicycle. The instructions for the positioning of the device will probably come with the attachment. This attachment looks like a pipe and is hollow inside. Springs or a bungee cord are inside the metal pipe. The leash is fastened to this device and it allows the dog to run alongside the bike without getting tangled in the wheels or pedals of the bike. This is another great way to help your dog burn off excess energy and have lots of fun at the same time.

As we stated earlier, there are many types of leashes and, hopefully, this information has helped you decide which ones suit you and your dog. Always remember that you should be exercising your dog every day, the more active the dog the more exercise he needs. Why not make it fun for him while using one of these leashes.
Doris Hermon is owner of the web site "Shop for Your Dog". shopforyourdog.com is a source for dog harnesses, leashes, collars and other dog-related items.