Holding a lead

[Jennifer]

I was just wondering how others hold their dog's lead. While I was "away" I continued to trawl the Internet looking for that magic cure all problems wand, I still haven't found it but don't worry when I do you'll be the first to know, and, obviously, I came across numerous trainer's websites and found a few different suggestions on the best way to hold a lead. I have a neck problem and I did alter the way I hold my leads which has improved the pain I get in my neck a lot. (No the pain in my neck is not my dogs although now I mention it ....) Having said that I'm still not sure if it's the best way to hold a lead so I thought I'd share a few of the suggestions I found and ask how you all take your dogs walkies.

http://www.simpawtico-training.com/loose-leash-walking-101/

The above is sort of the way I now hold my leads. I'm usually walking two dogs so I have a lead in each hand. Most of the time both dogs are on my left, occasionally Scout will walk on my right. I hold the lead handle slightly differently though in that a put it around my wrist, over the back of my thumb and then down across my palm rather than over the back of my index finger. There are some good training tips on this website and newer training posts have videos from his YouTube channel. He's quite cool too bit of a rocker/biker dog trainer.

If the above link has worked there are a lot of videos like this suggesting putting the loop of the lead around your thumb not your wrist. I can see how this might be safer but it doesn't feel secure enough for me. Not if like me you have dogs that have the potential to take flight if overwhelmed with fear. This video and the one below suggest keeping your arms bent and holding the lead centred into your body. That's the bit I'm not sure about. Should my arms be by my side or bent to help keep my centre of gravity ?

 

[Jacqui-S]

No help here. I have my lead in my right hand usually just hanging on one or two fingers, and walk Lilly on my right. Always have done the right for walking country lanes....she is usually on the grassy verge.
Lilly doesn't pull but I would worry about having a lead looped around a wrist or fingers if there is a risk of lunging. Or maybe I'm not quite clear in your grip.

 

[SwampDonkey]

I walk Rory on the left loose lead in a harness, my left arm is not fully functioning but I have to keep the right free so I can use the right arm. I use a grippy lead with a front attachment so that I don't get hurt if Rory does lunge. He good on his lead and we manage well despite my awkwardness. It would be hard for me to grip the lead so I use the loops . I also try to relax my shoulders and anticipate any thing like food on the floor that he might find attractive.

 

[Lisa]

Interesting! I hold my lead pretty much as pictured. Except:
1) Right hand holding lead is gripping the handle, and I hold it at the center of my body, pretty much touching my stomach.
2) I don’t hold the excess slack of the leash quite so close to Simba. Mind you, my leash is only four feet long so there’s not a lot of slack.

I find this very comfortable and with having your left hand holding the slack it helps to control the dog.

Simba never pulls (except when he lunges for a tasty treat on the ground ) so he’s a very easy dog to walk. Thankfully!

I learned this leash holding method way back when from a neighbour who was also a dog trainer. It works for me!

 

[Lisa]

Also meant to say that I would never wrap the leash around my wrist, hand or thumb. Too much risk of injury in my opinion.

 

[MaccieD]

Ok the technique I teach is that the lead is held in the right hand, preferably with the hand yhrough the loop and a firm grip on the lead. The hand is held over the tummy button and does not move from this position. The clicker, if used, is then held in the right hand with it positioned for easy access and clicking with the thumb - it sounds cumbersome but is quite easy once you've tried it a few times. The lead should provide a nice 'J' shape between you and dog and and slack held in the right hand with the clicker. The left hand should be held up and tucked into body so that it you don't start 'luring' the dog to walk nicely by your hand smelling of treats ?. Click and treat while dog is in positoon and reward from left hand. Once a dog is walking nicely without pulling I leave off to the individual. I usually hold Juno's lead in my right hand and it usually starts in position but will then relax down so the lead is slack and unless we are walking along the road I only have a light grasp of the lead (think a finger or two through the handle ?) as there is little risk.

 

[Emily]

Hmm, I think it depends on the situation and what we're doing.

If I'm walking with the pram, I'll grip the loop on the lead with my left hand while gripping the pram handle.

If I'm walking without the pram, I tend to grip the loop with my left hand and my arm swings relaxed by my side. If we get to an exciting/busy/narrow part then I'll often grip the loop with my right hand and grip the second loop at the end of the lead (by her collar) with my left hand. This gives me a little more control, if needed.

If I'm doing heel work, I'll hold the loop in my left hand, by my belly button.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Very interesting. Can I ask what the standard length for a leash should be? Or what everyone recommends? I have a rather short leash for Harls but mainly from when she was much younger and I needed as little chance for her to get to another person or dog. But I feel it is a bit short for walks to be honest.

 

[MaccieD]

Can I ask what the standard length for a leash should be? Or what everyone recommends?

I use a minimum of 2m which gives a nice smiley 'J' in the lead but also allows some length for 'go sniff'. My favourite length is 3m, but hard to find, as it allows more freedom which is particularly useful when on restricted exercise. I just have to loop up the slack - particularly when it's wet ?

 

[Emily]

@Harley Quinn I think my lead is 1.8-2m long. It has a loop at the end and a second one up near the clip in case I suddenly need a bit more control. I find it quite useful.

 

[Jennifer]

@MaccieD @Harley Quinn I have double ended leads for my two. I got them from here Mekuti Double-Ended Dog Leads made from Softex: to go with the harness or used as a normal lead. I originally had a 2 meter long double ended but found that too short for good sniffing purposes once doubled. I then tried the 3 meter but too long so I asked if they could make me a 1 inch wide 2 and a half metre as they only do this length in the narrow width. They very kindly did and it is perfect. Long enough to allow freedom to sniff but not too long if I need to take up the excess to keep them close. Why does Goldie locks and the three bears come to mind.

 

[MaccieD]

@Jennifer My 2m leads are all double ended as well and are from Wolter (with matching collars of course), so can reduce length to around 1.5m or 1m. The only time I reduce to 1m though is if I remember when we're walking in town or busy areas - most of the time I simply forget and keep to the loose 2m ??

 

[Atemas]

If I'm walking without the pram, I tend to grip the loop with my left hand and my arm swings relaxed by my side. If we get to an exciting/busy/narrow part then I'll often grip the loop with my right hand and grip the second loop at the end of the lead (by her collar) with my left hand. This gives me a little more control, if needed.

If I'm doing heel work, I'll hold the loop in my left hand, by my belly button.

This is what I do for both dogs

 

[Beanwood]

@Jennifer I notice they now offer the double ended 1" width 3m length as standard. Need a new lead for Casper so will order one, hmm...maybe a new harness to go with it!

 

[Jennifer]

@Beanwood Sounds like Casper might as well have the harness and lead set.

 

[Harley Quinn]

I also remembered after I posted that the lead material was really important to me. When we bought the lead Harley was a teen so she was still lunging and pulling and I didn't want a lead "burning" through my hand. I will measure my lead but I am almost sure it is about 1.2m and it is frustrating for Harley and myself. I don't often walk her on lead but when we have a quick walk around the local area I do have her on lead.

 

[Charlie]

I walk my dogs on my right with a 'J' loose lead, double it up if I need a shorter lead. Never wrap it round my wrist it's too dangerous.

I buy these leads, they are really useful, soft and comfortable to hold Love the colours too! xx

CUSHION PADDED Airweb Webbing 85"(210CM) Adjs Dog Training Police Lead 6 WAY | eBay

 

[Anne123]

When I walk Finn I have the lead pretty much the same as showed. When he has his gundoglead on I make sure there is a P around Finn’s neck and let him walk on the left side.

 

[Jennifer]

Walking two dogs I don't have a free hand to pick up the slack as is shown in the first link so while I don't wrap it around my hand as such I do loop it loosely. Unfortunately this does mean should S&S decide to take off (not often thankfully) it can tighten around my hand unless I'm quick. My reflexes have certainly improved thanks to my freaky dogs. Not sure how else to do it though.

 

[Harley Quinn]

Of course, I spent a fair amount of money on an elasticated lead that you use for jogging. I don't jog.