Having your dog on a long lead will give him a bit of freedom while ensuring he can’t run away (or get away with ignoring you). My preferred length for a long lead is 5 metres. This is a training lead and not appropriate for walking in busy areas!
Handling the long lead
The hand closest to your dog will be your control hand to brake (hold the lead in place), release (to give your dog freedom to move) or guide (reeling the in lead when your dog approaches you).
Tip: If your long lead isn’t easy to grip, I suggest adding a few knots spaced about a meter apart to stop your dog from moving too far away.
Have your control hand about a meter from your dog. The remainder of the lead should be looped (two big loops is fine) and held in your other hand. This will allow you to easily give the dog slack when required. Avoid bunching the excess lead in one hand.
When acceptable, release the tension on the control hand to give your dog the freedom to sniff, etc. Don’t let it drop to the ground as you may need to “brake” quickly. As you move closer to your dog, or your dog moves toward you, reel in the lead and transfer the excess to your other hand.
Tip: Avoid the leading dragging on the ground between you and your dog to avoid getting tangled in your dog’s legs.
Using a long lead can be awkward at first, but it just takes some practice. This is a toss away technique to avoid a tangled mess: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNbGCIXdNhg
Training “Let’s Go” on the Long Lead
Call your dog’s name, say “Let’s go’ and start to walk away. Remember that “Let’s go” means your dog should follow you. When you start to move away let the lead slide from your hand so there is no pressure on the lead. The goal is for your dog to move with you without the lead going tight. Praise your dog the moment he starts to move towards you.
Sometimes your dog will be highly distracted and the lead is already tight from him pulling. When that happens, you will need to get closer to him to get his attention. Keep the tension on the lead as you move closer. Without that tension your dog will just move further away. Once you are close to him, call his name and say Let’s go! Repeat the process of letting the lead slide from your as you walk away. If your dog still hasn’t responded when you get to the end of the lead, keep moving away gradually with a little pressure on the lead (no yanking).
Ignoring the Let’s Go cue is not what we want!
Testing your dog’s response
Building trust that your dog will respond in any given situation takes time along with gradually increasing challenges!
- Start with “let’s go” by holding the long lead in secure area of your property. Did your dog respond? If so, then make it more challenging. If not, keep practicing at this level.
- Now try the cue with the long lead being dragged on the ground. Your dog now has complete freedom to ignore you! If he responds – well done!
- Next try the “let’s go” cue by holding on to the long lead in an unsecure area of your property. All going well?
- Then try letting the long lead drag on the ground and try your “let’s go” cue. The risks are greater now. Make sure you and your dog are ready for this challenge. Be prepared with lots of praise and great treats.
- Go to a new area and hold the long lead. Does your dog respond?