Let me share the benefits of using a long line leash (typically 15–50 feet long) with your dog. This versatile and simple training tool offers several key advantages (and is one of my favorites to teach and practice!):
Training Benefits:
The long line allows you to safely practice recall training while giving your dog freedom to explore. When they respond to your call, they learn that coming back doesn’t mean the fun ends immediately. And if they don’t come back right away, you are still attached to them and have a safety tether.
Build an even stronger bond as your dog learns that you’re their safe harbor — the person who gives them both freedom and security
It’s excellent for teaching “leave it/ignore it” and impulse control from a distance — you can prevent your dog from chasing wildlife or approaching other dogs and people, while still giving them space and freedome to make appropriate choices.
You can work on distance stays and building duration in a controlled way, gradually increasing the challenge and distance as your dog succeeds.
You can play fun games together to boost engagement, focus, attention, cooperation, and connection (like chase and be chased).
It can be helpful and a game changer for leash reactive dogs (6 foot leashes can trigger the fight or flight response and dogs may feel trapped because they can’t get away from the situation).
You can work towards a “voluntary heel” (yes this IS a thing-it is where your dog decides to walk next to you because they want to, not because the shorter leash is forcing them to do so and this is fantastic for relationship building!)
Walking Benefits:
Dogs can engage in more natural behaviors like sniffing, exploring, and following scent trails, which is mentally enriching (and sniffing is how they gather and process information to make sense of the world).
They can run and play more freely than on a standard 6-foot leash, getting better physical exercise and feeling less restricted.
The extra length allows them to make more choices about where to investigate, which can help to build their confidence and trust in you because you are giving them choice.
You can let them swim safely in appropriate areas while maintaining control since you are still connected to them.
They can play and exercise in areas you don’t want to be in (like the snow, water, wet grass, leaves, etc.)
You both can travel at a more comfortable pace-dogs naturally walk faster than most humans, so even a few extra feet can help them (and you!) move at a more natural pace.
Safety Advantages:
Provides a safety backup when working toward off-leash reliability.
Gives reactive or anxious dogs more space to observe triggers from a safe distance during when working through reactivity and building confidence and safety in the world.
Doesn’t accidently trigger the fight or flight response, which traditional, 6 foot leash can make dogs feel that they are trapped
Tips for Success:
Start in low-distraction areas while you both learn to manage the line (house and back yard are great, because who cares if you drop the leash!)
Work on intervals and speed changes (don’t let your dog just run out to the end of it and clothes line themselves-ouchie and not a positive interaction with the leash).
If you have a dog who likes to run, teach them to run in circles instead of straight lines (yes-this is totally doable as horses are taught to move in a circle around a person-so dogs can learn how to do this too).
Consider wearing gloves to prevent rope burn if your dog pulls.
Try to keep the line free of knots and tangles (good luck as this can be never ending at times).
Be mindful of others — reel your dog in when people or other dogs are nearby.
Be mindful of where you are walking and how much leash your dog has (in residential areas where line of sight is less = less leash available, in open areas where line of sight is more = more leash available).
Always maintain awareness of your surroundings and maintain an appropriate length to prevent the line from catching on obstacles.
Help your dog when they get tangled up and stuck (remember this is new for them too!)
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