Which Leash Do I Use and When?

In my opinion a dog needs to have two leashes in its life. You need to work with a short (4’ or 6’) leash as well as a flexi leash every day. When you are taking the dog out for potty, if you have to use a leash, use only the flexi leash. The reason for this is that if you are taking the dog out multiple times a day on a short leash the dog is learning to pull you all the time on the leash. This is the exact opposite of what you want eventually on a walk and you will have to break all of those habits. So, when you are going out to potty with the dog, if you have to use a leash, clip on a flexi leash appropriate for the dog’s size and weight. This will allow the dog more freedom and you will not be right on top of the dog AND the dog will not be learning to drag you all over the yard.

When you are going to start teaching your dog to go for a walk, I recommend starting on the flexi leash. The reason for that is that I want the dog to learn to go with you. To me, it is not as important to teach the dog to heel as it is to teach the dog to simply go with you. As a young dog, it is more important to me that you and your dog build your relationship based on trust and fun. There will be time to work on training the dog to heel soon enough.

Your work initially with the short leash will be only on your driveway or the sidewalk in front of your home. On the short leash you should be expecting perfection from the dog. The dog should sit by your side before starting to walk, remain on your side as you move and not be sniffing, peeing, pooping or picking things up from the ground and should sit when you stop. This level of perfection can and should only be expected for a short time and distance early on in this process. Otherwise, you and your dog will get frustrated and the wheels will fall off. After you have made one or two passes up and down the driveway or on the sidewalk, clip on your flexi leash and allow your dog to run and play, thereby decompressing and relaxing their mind. Go for quite a distance and then put the short leash on again and only expect perfection for a short distance again, then switch back once again to the fun leash.

By doing this you and your dog will have fun, you’ll both get exercise and you won’t be in a constant fight with each other. Happy walking!