You must use common sense when using the rope lead. Surely if women can do it with puppies and adult dogs over 40kg I'm sure men can! It also helps to stop this off lead circus. We never allow our dogs to run into anyones spaces, they're friendly but the owners are not. We value our personal space and other peoples.
I also took the time to train our dogs from puppy, shouting 'not too far' when it's coming to the end of the line and they slow right down. They learn the boundaries but you must teach them, what works for you, take the time and bond with them. And holding it is perfectly fine if you have foresight and common sense and wrap the rope around your hand more than once helps, not just grip holding it. If you can see what sets your dog off, a dog approaching upsetting the training as a distraction or a rabbit run across the field then rein your dog in. If it's already bolted then that's why wrapping it around yourself is ideal, the rope is just there and wrap it around your hand more than once so it cannot burn! Pull just as you would if they were on short lead, it mimics. I teach my dogs to 'wait' fiercely if I spot something and they stop immediately. Some areas have 'knots' along the rope which we created as grab holders.
As a puppy, rope always on harness from from D ring front chest to back handles so they dont stand on it and also cannot hurt themselves as a collar would when suddenly jolted. I get them to wait after they've been to the toilet and I stand on it to reinforce boundaries. They're not allowed to wander off and be disrespectful with a poo bag situation! They stay by my side.
As adults in the PLODDY trained stage, they have it on collar and through the d ring on back of harness to keep the line running down their back to keep away from their feet.
All I have to do is gently hold the rope with a slight tug and command as they know what's what, even with dogs off lead walking by (I never allow other owners dogs to run up to my dog and cause boundary confusion I tell the owner to keep their dog away, if I want my dog to play it will be on mutual terms with the owner and I tell my dog "Ok")
..on training leads they are good as gold and dont ever try to pull me or disobey. They plod up front as I taught them the value of personal space and how its rude to cross into someones path uninvited (dogs or people).
Sometimes but rarely it tangles on a back foot but never harms them and you can simply train them to work with you "Lift your paw" and they want to because its uncomfortable for them too.
Between training, they will charge around, you will learn when you get your hand burnt how to hold it properly and lock loop it (I also lock loop 2 fingers inc hand in my case but complicated to explain, you will learn what works for you! We are all different)
You will learn to never get burnt, picking the rope up at the right time when your dog is about to bolt so you dont get jolted and prepare for a shorter line, you learn to be faster on your feet and it works out great fun especially when they calm down and enter adulthood. Hallelujah!
You will get to know you and your dog a fun journey without the worrying your dog EVER running off!! We treat our dogs as a member of our family.
If you can wrap a rope like a garden hose when people approach you're half way there. Learning in the summer you'll burn your legs if you dont jump and get out the way training your dog, that's common sense.. It's nothing to be afraid of.
You will make mistakes and some embarrassing ones but that's the journey.
We make our dogs all round trained, always used short leads, retractables with Halti connected to harness, and long training lead. They know how to behave which ever lead we get out as all environments are different and its great, you reap the rewards for being a good citizen.
Short of that, opt for extension retractable lead of 10m is also saviour with a halti/gentle leader attached to harness. It is better than dogs off lead harassing everyone :)