Are long leads better than retractable?

[SmirkoffOnTheRocks]

I have a retractable lead for my small dog but I want to work on his recall. Long leads are supposed to be better for this but I can’t quite get my head around how they work .

The ones I’ve seen have no handle. If your dog won’t come back, do you just have to reel them in like a fishing line? What about rope burn?

Won’t it take longer to reel them back in on a long line if they won’t recall as you’ll have to ‘gather’ the lead up?

[JensonsAcolyte]

Retractable leads are awful.

The ‘snap’ when they reach the length can break necks.

The lines are thin and invisible to passers by.

Long lines are really long and wide enough to be seen (mine is bright red). It’s gives them plenty of room to run around with the illusion of being off lead but ultimately you can grab or stand on the line and stop them.

[SmirkoffOnTheRocks]

I really don’t like our retractable; although I only ever use it on his harness so it attaches to his back. It’s also bright green and wide tape so it’s easily seen but I agree, they are not ideal.

That’s exactly what I want for him to feel like he’s free but also I want control over him. Is there a risk of rope burns grabbing the lead?
Also, once you’ve stood on or grabbed the line, do you just gather them in?

[JensonsAcolyte]

If he really won’t come back when called then yes, gather him in. But I’d work on recall on a much shorter lead first if you’re at that stage.

[SmirkoffOnTheRocks]

Thanks for the tips . He does have quite good recall unless he’s distracted so not quite ready for full off lead walking yet .

[imnotprincessbubblegum]

We were advised against Retractable leads by trainers as they can cause injury's so have only ever used long leads (which can also cause injury if like me your clumsy and get it wrapped around you or trip over it or like you say rope burn). You can tie knots in the lead so it's easier to grab and/or tie a handle in the end to stop hurting your hands but yes you do have to reel them in if they don't listen

[butterry]

It also depends on how big your dog is. Mine is a toy breed and the long lead was just too heavy and cumbersome for him to get on with. Yes, you just have to gather up the line when you are done training. Lots of treats for recall training.

[tabulahrasa]

“The ‘snap’ when they reach the length can break necks.”

You know long lines also do that though?

Anyway...


Long lines are definitely better for recall training, retractables I use more for dogs where they’ve got a bigger issue that’d impact on recall or dogs on limited exercise.

And yep you just gather them up once you’ve stood on it, though unless a dog has really bad recall usually it’s more of a start to pull it and the dog goes, oh aye, I’m not actually loose and comes back anyway.

[JensonsAcolyte]

My lab never gets to the end of his long line so we never get the snap but yes I suppose it would be the same.

He’s only ever on it if there’s other dogs around as he’s got great recall otherwise. I just have to tug it to remind him if he doesn’t come when called.

[Sitdowncupoftea]

Depending on the size of your dog I lasso mine in. Always wear gloves though incase of a rope burn plus they train in water etc.

[SmirkoffOnTheRocks]

Would it work in the same way if I used a caribiner to attach the long line to a waist belt?

He’s only a bichon frise not a Tibetan mastiff so it might be a bit overkill

[DinosaurDiana]

My little dig doesn’t like retractable leads. There is a constant tension that she doesn’t seem to like.

[DinosaurDiana]

*dog

[Ylvamoon]

My little dig doesn’t like retractable leads. There is a constant tension that she doesn’t seem to like

This ^ in some dogs it actually encourages the pulling.

I'd practice recall religiously by giving a treat EVERY time you call your dog and he comes to you.
In the house, in the garden and of course on walks even on a shorter lead - as soon as you have doggy attention give a treat!
Also mix your treats up so it's cheese one minute and dog treat next followed by a different dog treat and then a bit of hot dog... you will be irresistible to your dog😉

[Floralnomad]

For teaching/ practicing recall you need a long line . I have a retractable that I use on my dog if we are going somewhere where he can’t go off lead but can roam a little for example the promenade at the local beach during the summer months . My dog never gets to the end of his retractable as he’s just wandering back and forth really .

[UhtredRagnarson]

The ‘snap’ when they reach the length can break necks.

You know long lines also do that though?

Top tip for either long line or retractable lead (I don’t use a retractable for reasons outlined above) is to teach your dog a “stop” command. So that when they start to run you stop them before they get to the limit of the lead. This eliminates the “snap” element of either lead. Long lines allow the dog more freedom but a lot of people think it also allows the owner freedom from paying attention to their dog. Not true. You have to be watching them and ready to order a stop, down, recall so they aren’t a risk to themselves or other animals.

[Floralnomad]

Neither should be used on a collar so how is anyone’s neck getting broken , both types should only ever be used with a harness .

[pigsDOfly]

You can't use a retractable lead for recall training OP, it's not suitable. You need a proper long lead.

Retractable leads are very unpopular on here but I've used a retractable leads for years with my dog and never ever had and problems with them.

However, there are reasons for that.

I use a tape kind not the type with a metal lead, which tend to snap quite easily and can cause painful cuts if you accidentally grab the metal.

My dog is small and well trained so never pulls on the lead.

I use it in areas where I want her on the lead but she can have a certain amount of freedom and I never allow the lead to be extended other than when we're out in the open where people aren't going to trip over it - I live semi-rurally so it's not a problem and I very often don't meet anyone on walks.

Most importantly. The 'snap' cannot break her neck because under no circumstances should a retractable lead ever be used attached to a collar. It should only ever be attached to a harness, and the same with a long lead, harness only, otherwise, yes, you are putting a dog in danger of having its neck broken.

[Dobbyafreeelf]

Long lines are definitely better but must be used on a harness. Rather than holding it I would stand on it if I needed to get the dog to stop.

With my rescue pup (who is now off lead) I started by having the handle attached to a bungee which was attached to my bumbag. I'd then loop the rope and hold it loosely so it would pull out but I wouldn't get rope burn. There was also another bungee between the longline and her harness. So neither of us had a really harsh jolt.
Then when she was a bit more reliable I would simply leave the longline on the floor and let her run. It was there if I really needed it and it would slow her down a little. I then figures that the line was more for my benefit than hers and she now is great off the lead.

Bungee I used

Yangbaga Dogs Shock Absorber, Elastic Buffer Extension leash with Bungee Shock for Pet, Prevent Injury on Arm and Shoulder & Absorb the Pull by Dogs, Great for Bicycle, Running, Walking etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RM1NJHL/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttfabcQCWQ2HNZFXH7QZT7Z10Y??encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Longline I used

Kaka mall Heavy Duty Strong Long... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0773HV1MW?ref=ppx%5D%5D%5B%5Bhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fdp%2FB0773HV1MW%3Fref%3Dppx_pop_mob_ap_share&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21 poppmobappshare

[Newfluff]

Retractable are out of favour but for many dogs they are great, agree about the stop command so they don't get to the end, and wearing a properly fitting harness.
Long leads are great for recall training.
Retractable (used with care, they are not something you can use whilst on the phone for example, you have to actively use them to prevent injury) are great if for whatever reason they will never be loose.

[UhtredRagnarson]

Yes long lines should be used on harness only. They can still cause a snap effect if dog bolts though which isn’t pleasant for the dog to be yanked so teaching stop before reaching the end of the line is important.

[sunflowersandbuttercups]

Retractables are very unpopular on MN but I'm a dog walker and walk a small terrier mix on one and I've never once had a problem. As long as you pay attention and use them properly (with a harness, and using a tape-type lead instead of the metal type) they seem fine to me.

I also have a larger retractable for my own dog (beagle) for going up the woods. We tried a longline and he just gets caught and tangled and I spend 90% of my walk untying him from random branches - the retractable is easier to control, doesn't get caught, and allows him to sniff off in the bushes without me worrying about losing him.

I DO use a longline for certain dogs in certain situations (mainly on flat open spaces like the beach so they can run but where there's nothing the line can get caught on) but I don't think they work in all environments OR for all dogs and owners.

[longtompot]

@SmirkoffOnTheRocks

Would it work in the same way if I used a caribiner to attach the long line to a waist belt?

He’s only a bichon frise not a Tibetan mastiff so it might be a bit overkill

I do that with my cocker spaniel when I use the long line when walking in the woods. Keeps your hands free.

[minniemomo]

The tape (rather than cord) are ok but better still get them trained (eg use an enclosed field) so they can be off lead

[AlwaysLatte]

I only use the retractable one when I let her out for a wee in the garden at night as she runs off and it takes ages to find her. On walks I prefer a normal lead then let her off once we're in the fields.

[sunflowersandbuttercups]

@minniemomo

The tape (rather than cord) are ok but better still get them trained (eg use an enclosed field) so they can be off lead

Off-lead is a great goal, but it's simply not realistic or possible for everyone.