The Lead Top Tips

28. The Lead: Your lead is the most vital piece of training equipment you can own, it has multiple uses, it is also an aerial to your dog. Tighten it at the wrong time and you can send messages that could spark aggression, fear, or anxiety, use it to drag your dog around and it could damage his neck and spine, especially if it connected to a choke chain which I abhor. Used correctly it can be a godsend almost the only training aid you will ever need.

All training including sit, stay, down, recall, sit stay, wait etc should initially be trained on a lead. Unfortunately most of the leads I see are far too short to be effective and are of a material that hurts and can burn and damage your hands.

The lead should be at least 5 foot long irrespective of the size of the dog, this will help all training and lead work in the future, it should be made of something like Cushion Web which is extremely strong yet soft, (sounds a bit like a advert for toilet paper) NOT Nylon which is harsh as can burn and damage your hands.

The problem is that most lead manufacturers haven’t a clue about dogs and what constitutes a good lead, they just produce what makes the most profit. Good quality leather leads are OK though I find them a bit hard on the hands at first.

Shop around till you find what you want, don’t be fobbed off with what the industry or pet shop wants you to buy. I have my own specialised Cushion Web leads made for me; Worth shopping around until you get exactly what you want.

Stan

hi stan
I use a horses lungeing rein has it long enouge to do the recall on and its made of a white webbing. Also it cost between £4.99 and £10 all depending were you buy it from.

i have your leads stan there brill