As our best friends, dogs deserve proper care and lots of love. Providing them with the right food, playing with them every day and visiting the vet regularly are some of the most important things to ensure your doggo is living a happy and healthy life by your side. That being said, you’ll need dog supplies as well, to meet your dog’s basic needs.
Some of the first things you’ll need are food and dog bowls, dog toys and a leash. Using the dog bowls and toys is simple, easy and fun, but when it comes to the dog leads things might get a bit challenging. To begin with, let’s clarify the difference between dog leashes and dog leads Australia pet experts want you to know.
What Is the Difference Between a Dog Leash and a Dog Lead?
The main difference between these two main terms used for dog walking gear is very simple. With a lead, you lead your dog, while with a leash your dog leads you. The leash only connects your dog to you, but your pooch is in control. For proper training, a lead is a preferable choice. You can find a wide selection of dog leads Australia owners choose and pick the one that’s most suitable for your furry pal.
Choose the Right Lead for Your Pooch
Leads are some of the essential dog supplies and an important part of your dog’s training. They are used together with collars or harnesses for training purposes and regular walks. It may take some time for your dog to get used to it, that’s why it’s important to be patient, especially if you’re a first-time dog parent.
Your dog needs to understand that the lead connects the two of you, so they will associate it with happy and enjoyable moments, like walk time. You can have several dog leads for different purposes, so one may be for daily walks, another one for dog training, or hiking or bike riding with your dog. There are many different dogs leads styles and designs and choosing what you need can be an overwhelming task. To help you narrow down your choices, here are the most common options on the market.
Classic
This type of dog leads is intended for basic training and you can use it every day. Classic leads have a loop handle at one end and a metal clip at the other end, so you can attach it to your dog’s collar. Most commonly, these leads are flat and available in various widths, getting wider and thicker for large dogs. Rope leads, on the other hand, are round and durable and a great choice for very strong dogs.
Adjustable
Adjustable dog leads are similar to classic leads, but they have a few loops on the lead that allow a clasp to shorten it or lengthen it. This can be very helpful for accomplishing good results during certain kinds of dog training.
If you enjoy running, you can use the adjustable dog lead and wrap it around your waist or body, so you and your pooch can spend some quality time together. However, keep in mind that this can be done only if your dog is properly trained. Also, you can use an adjustable lead to briefly tether your dog to a pole or similar object, but make sure your dog is not left unattended while tethered.
Retractable
Retractable leads can be very useful if you want to let your dog wander away from you without letting them off the lead. Your dog must be trained to walk on a classic lead first, so they will learn that is not permissible to pull on the lead.
To prevent any unwanted scenarios, don’t let your dog out of your sight when on a retractable lead as it could become tangled or your pooch could get into dangerous situations. Always check along the entire length of the lead for worn, frayed, or any damaged areas.
What’s the Appropriate Length for a Dog Lead?
Dog leads should give you control when you’re out with your dog and help you train them not to pull when on a walk. You could train your dog in different environments, so the length of the lead will mostly depend on how you want to work with your dog.
Usually, the leads range from 1.5 metres to 15 metres, but if you’re walking around busy areas, you may prefer a length of 1.2 to 1.5 metres. This way your dog will have some space to explore, but there will not be enough lead to get tangled in.
What’s the Right Way to Use a Dog Lead for Training Purposes?
Dog lead can stop your dog from pulling and most of the times it depends on how determined you are with the training discipline. Most often, if your dog pulls it means they’re keen and want to see what’s going on around them, but you’re slowing them down. To make your dog understand that it’s not the way you walk, you need to stop them immediately and stand still until the lead goes slack. Most likely, you’ll have to repeat this for some time until your dog realises your expectations when walking on the lead.
