There are times in training when it's necessary to give your dog more space and freedom, whilst retaining control. Both extendable leads and long lines can achieve this aim, but both have their pros and cons so choosing which to use can be tricky.
Retractable leads
Retractable, extendable, flexi, whatever name you use all of these leads extend when the line is pulled out of the casing, and they automatically reel themselves back in. There is also a button to temporarily stop the movement of the line.
These leads are excellent for muddy conditions where you don't want a line dragging along the ground. They allow you the ability to use them as a short lead when necessary, so you don't need to carry multiple leads to switch between giving your dog freedom and maintaining close control.
However, flexi leads can be dangerous in the wrong hands. The thin line needs careful supervision to avoid entangling people or dogs, and there is the potential for it to snap or the locking mechanism to fail. The plastic handle is cumbersome, not always ergonomic to hold, and if dropped will reel in towards your dog which can cause them to flee.
Because of these cons, we would recommend flexi leads for small dogs, puppies, or dogs with a good standard of training.
Long lines
A long line is just a very long dog lead, they come in a variety of lengths from 3m to over 20m and can be made of any material from rope to biothane, in many different widths.
These factors make long lines very flexible in their usage, as you can shorten the length of the line to phase out their use as your dog progresses in their training. You have the ability to drop the line to further proof your work.
The downsides of long lines is that they tend to drag along the floor and get dirty and wet, which can be a sensory nightmare or difficult to work with. If you do allow your line to drag, there is a risk of it getting tangled around objects in the environment, and any sudden jerks and jolts can cause rope burn on your hands. Using proper line handling techniques prevents these cons from happening, but they take a while to master and require constant management of the line.
A long line is our preferred tool for off lead work with your dog.
We teach proper line handling techniques to ensure that any cons and risks are minimised.
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