Owning the right dog leash for your dog is almost as important as choosing the right diet for your dog. Why? Well, because if you are a dog owner who would like training and having regular interactions with your dog, you would need something that will ensure you have total control over your dog at all times.
A dog leash is also very important when you want to walk your dog and perhaps hold it down temporarily for a time. Yes, choosing the right dog leash could make a difference in how much control you have over your canine. So, what are some things to consider when choosing a dog leash for your dog?
Five things to consider when choosing a dog leash include
- Leash safety.
- Leash quality.
- Purpose of leash.
- Dog breed.
- Dog leash brand.
Why is it important to consider these five specific things before purchasing a dog leash? This post will cover this. We will also leave you with five leash brands great for dogs.
Table of Contents
Why Consider These Five Things When Choosing Dog Leash?
There are a lot of reasons why we recommend thinking about each of these reasons before hopping into a pet store and getting your dog a leash. To help you understand just how important considering these six issues are we are going to explore each of the topics for consideration.
Your dog’s Leash Safety
The most important thing to consider when choosing a leash is safety. This includes not just your dog’s safety, but yours as well. You want to ensure that whatever leash or harness chosen is made of the right materials and will not cause any harm to you or the dog.
The leash must have a good and well-padded gripping area which will help protect your hands from saws when using it. It’s also important to put your strength and that of your dog into consideration in order to be as safe as possible.
If you have a dog that’s bigger and stronger than you, the handler, we recommend getting a shorter leash of about three feet which will provide you with enough balance when handling your dog. And if you are a lot stronger, well, a longer leash of about six feet should suffice.
The Quality Of Leash
Well, cheap dog leashes may seem the same as more expensive ones, but the fact remains that they are less resistant to harsh weather conditions and are more likely to wear and tear over time. Not to mention the fact that the materials used most of the time can harm the dog.
Here at Caninevile, we will always recommend going for stronger, more quality dog leashes that are sure to be durable last a lot longer, and cause no harm to your dog. Regardless of the type of leash you decide to buy, it is important it has a nice and comfortable gripping place.
The Purpose Of Getting The Leash
Another very important thing to consider when choosing a leash for your dog is the purpose of the leash. Are you getting a leash for training, walking, or restraining your dog? Asking yourself this question is very important because different types of dog leash fit for each of these different activities.
Purchasing the wrong leash for an activity will lead to you not getting the best control over your dog in each of these situations. Some types of dog leashes include Retractable leashes, Bike leashes, Adjustable leashes, and standard dog leashes just to list a few. More about these types of leashes will be explored in our next post.
Your Dog Breed
It is very important to consider the type of dog breed you own when deciding what Leash to purchase. If you have or are planning to purchase a strong powerful dog we recommend getting a Leash that is closer to your body and will give you more control over your dog. For a much smaller dog breed with less power, getting a dog Leash with a longer length is fine. In both cases though, it is very important to ensure the dog is as comfortable as possible and will not cause any kind of discomfort to your dog.
It is also very important to note that to have more control of your dog in any situation it is important to get a leash for walking and one for restraining. The latter helps when you just want to hold your dog down for a little bit. We do not recommend using it for long hours as it can cause your dog anxiety and depression.
Dog Leash Brand
The truth is that the quality of the dog leash you purchase will determine just how effective it is on your dog. What are some features that make a good-quality dog leash stand out? Well, among other things, a dog leash must be comfortable for both you and your dog. Other very important things to consider are safety, and how customizable it is. Durability and price point are also very important things to consider when considering purchasing a new leash. More information about this will be released in a subsequent post.
Final Thoughts
Getting a new leash for your dog might seem to be a very simple task, and it can be if you know just what to look out for in a good leash. The most important thing to look out for is the safety and comfort the potential leash provides to you and your dog.
The major focus though should be focused on your dog and little on you. Why? Because the effect of the leash will be felt more by your dog than you. Socializing and training a dog can be a chore some say, if you feel this way, maybe our article on raising the perfect German Shepherd puppy could be just what you need. Though the article focuses on the German Shepherd breed, most of the information there could be applied to your very own dog breed.
