Long lines are growing in popularity and they certainly do have lots of advantages. As well as the pros there are also some cons to consider… like accidentally tripping yourself or someone else up with the line. So, are they worth it?

Freedom without the risk or spider web to get wrapped up in?!

Have you discovered how awesome long lines are yet? A long line is a long lead that you can use to give your dog some freedom without actually letting them off the lead. I’m not talking about a lead that retracts. I’m talking about a standard long line that is typically anywhere from 5 to 15 metres.

Once you get the hang of the mechanical skills of walking your dog using a long line, it can be a very relaxing stress-free way to walk your dog. Keeping your dog on a line more means you can go more places and still stay in control.

Benefits of a long line:

1. Facilitates recall practice, especially around distractions.
2. Allows an owner to stay in control of greetings.
3. Teaches your dog to walk with you ‘in your bubble’
4. Stops unwanted behaviour like jumping on people, rushing up to other dogs or chasing critters.
5. Can help a dog manage their frustration when on lead because they have more freedom.
6. Keeps a dog safe if they are not yet trained.
7. Way less stressful for the owner.
8. Facilities taking your dog on a “sniffari”

Currently, my favourite long line to recommend for dog owners is the track n train made by EZY dog. I like it because it is not too long, non slip and doesn’t absorb too much water from the grass/sea. You can buy online at pet direct here:

https://petdirect.co.nz/p/trackn-train-leash/

The Downside…

Although I personally love long lines and all the benefits they offer, I also accept that they have a downside and they should be used with caution.

Consider the following tips for success with long lines:

• Start with a shorter line (5 metres) and get practice with that length before attempting longer.
• You don’t need to give your dog the whole line all the time, use your best judgement.
• You don’t need to hold all the line, all the time. Feel free to let some of it drag behind you so it’s easier to manage and change length.
• Always pick up or be in control of excess line between you and your dog. Don’t leave heaps of line laying on the ground… If your dog starts to run and there is excess line on the ground they will ultimately hit the end of the line and this can hurt you both.
• Always have your dog wear a harness to protect their neck when you are using a long line.
• Be very careful using a long line if your dog wears a head harness to avoid neck injuries. I would completely avoid using a head harnesses and long line together for most dogs. It would be especially risky:
  • for excitable dogs likely to lunge around;
  • if you are an inexperienced dog handler; or
  • you are planning to let your dog drag the line.
• CAUTION: Be very careful if you are letting your dog “drag” a long line. If they get away from you they can easily get tangled up in something and get stuck… making it tricky for them to return to you.
• Avoid hand injuries! If in doubt, use your shoe to step on the line to stop a dog’s forward movement and then pick it up with your hands. TIP: Always wear sensible footwear when walking a dog using a long line.
• It’s worth getting a line designed for dogs. You can totally just use a piece of rope from Mitre10, but it’s more likely to burn your hands and get tangled on itself.

Don’t knock it ’til you try it

Many of my clients have told me that they love using long lines on their walks. They are not suitable for every walk, but when the time is right they offer dogs lots of freedom and owners piece of mind. Long lines give us an opportunity to stay in control and reinforce good manners. Certainly, like many things in life, long lines do take some getting used to. With a little practice the mechanical skills become second nature, like driving a car. For most people the downsides and occasional inconvenience are so worth the benefits of long lines.