Learn how to choose dog leash material, length and more in our blog. Pick the perfect leash for your pet on bringerpet.com
The use of the leash is, unfortunately, compulsory for dogs classified as "dangerous". And in some cities, all dogs are required to be leased regardless of the breed to minimize the risk of traffic accidents.
Whether we agree or disagree with these laws, whether your dog is dangerous or not, whether it is a Yorkie or a Great Dane, it is your duty to obey them at the risk of being fined. Above all, you risk stigmatizing dogs with a population that is already cautious towards these pets.
First of all, it is necessary to choose a leash that works for your dog, its character and your environment.
Types of dog leashes
Retractable leashes
These leashes are compact, practical and very popular in cities. They allow the dog to have lots of autonomy and freedom of movement during walks.
Nevertheless, in our opinion, these leashes are not the best choice. When using a retractable leash, the dog controls the distance that separates it from you, as well as its speed and direction. In short, it is the dog who walks you and not the other way around. In addition, there are many accidents related to this type of leash. They are not always very strong and can easily be broken or gnawed. Not to mention the risks associated with elevators, doors and cars.
Metal dog leashes
While extremely strong, these leashes are nevertheless impractical. They hurt the dog owner’s hands (an owner who has taken dog training courses will hold the leash in both hands), their noise sometimes scares the most feverish dogs and their visual effect contributes to the fear that dogs trigger in many people.
The only advantage of metal leashes is to calm the dogs who constantly bite their leash. But in this case, the use of a metal leash should be limited to about 2 or 3 weeks until this behavior stops.
Leather leashes
While leather leashes were widely regarded twenty years ago, leather is on the way to disappear from pet stores. Moisture and possible chewing can easily weaken this type of leash, allowing the dog to break free.
If you want to buy a leather leash, you should opt for a solid buffalo leather leash to ensure quality. The downside of these leashes is their high price - they often cost more than 50 dollars. Alternatively, you can buy a faux leather leash or one made from low-quality leather but these leashes might break and cause your pet to get lost or injured.
Lasso leashes
These leashes are made to avoid using a collar. The leash is passed directly around the dog's neck, also acting as a "choke" collar.
However, this is not at all the intended function of this leash. They are made to be used in dog parades and shows so as not to risk breaking the dog's hair by using a collar. Therefore, these leashes should not be used to walk or chain your dog. The use of these leashes as choke collars violates the ethical rules.
Nylon dog leashes
These leashes are perfect for your dog. They are lightweight, compact and extremely strong. In addition, they come in lots of colors and with all types of patterns. They are, therefore, particularly suitable for our dogs. Their length can sometimes be adjusted between 4 and 6.5 feet due to rings placed along the leash.
If your dog is strong and not well-behaved, a nylon leash can sometimes shear your hand. In this case, use a round or foam padded leash to prevent this. Additionally, pay attention to the quality of the carabiner which can sometimes become deformed on low-quality leashes.