Your dog's leash is one of its most essential accessories. Keeping your dog on a leash is the law when you're out and about in many public places, but it's about more than just keeping them close by during a walk. A proper fitting leash helps provide a safe way to handle our dogs and a way to communicate with them during training. It helps avoid any accidents that may cause harm to any pets or animals by providing enforcement and control.

How To Choose The Best Leash For Your Dog

Dog leashes come in many different types, styles, sizes, and materials. The best one for you and your dog depends on their size, temperament, and activity. A small dog that goes on walks around the neighborhood will require a different type of leash than a large dog who goes hiking and loves to chase squares.

At Petmate, we carry a wide variety of dog leashes, including standard leashes for all dogs, retractable leashes, slip leashes, heavy-duty leashes for large dogs, etc. Keep reading to learn more about the types of dog leashes we carry and find the best one that suits you and your pup!

1. Standard Leash

A standard leash, known as a traditional flat lead, is a staple item for your dog. These are usually made of nylon, cotton, or leather and are between 3 to 8 feet long. They generally attach to your dog's collar or harness with a clip and can provide maximum safety and control when appropriately fitted.

Standard flat leashes are suitable for most dogs during everyday walking and basic training. The shorter the leash your dog is on, the more control you can exercise over them.

2. Retractable Leash

Retractable leashes are great if you have a dog who loves to wander. Retractable leashes are long thin cords (up to 30 feet) that wind around a spring housed in a plastic handle with a button that controls how long the line is.

These leashes offer freedom to a small dog who loves to sniff. They are not recommended for large dogs who pull or require something more heavy-duty.

3. Chain Leash

Chain dog leashes are made out of metal links and are used to correct behavior. They should not be used when walking your dog.

During training, chain leashes are used to stop dogs from biting leashes and can sometimes be used to correct dogs who pull. It is recommended to switch back to a cotton or nylon leash as soon as the behavior is corrected.

4. Slip Leash

A slip leash is a leash that utilizes a ring on one end to create more of a lasso shape, allowing the leash to slip easily over the dog's head and rest comfortably on its neck. They are designed similarly to a chain leash but are made with nylon or rope. They are comfortable for your dog to wear every day and are used to correct behavior when walking. The slip will apply slight pressure to your dog's neck if they begin to pull, teaching them that the behavior is unacceptable.

5. Multi-Dog Leash

If you have more than one dog, consider getting a multi-dog leash. These are similar to a standard flat lead but allow you to keep control of both dogs while keeping at leash one hand free. These types of dog leashes are perfect for multi-dog households.

Conclusion

When picking the right leash for your dog, be sure to consider what you'll be using it for, the size of your dog, the strength of your dog, and how much control you'll need over your dog. Once you consider all of these factors, you're ready to pick the right leash for you and your dog!