The Best Dog Leashes

Find the best dog leash for your loyal companion. Walking your dog is a very enjoyable form of exercise and companionship. The best dog leash will be the right size and style for not only your dog, but your needs and way of walking your dog. Traffic leashes, retractable leashes, leather leashes, leashes with bling, bicycle leashes, training leashes, the list goes on. Choose the best leash for you and your dog..

Choosing the best leash for your dog is very important. There are several things to consider when choosing a leash:

Your dog's behavior If you have a well mannered dog, you will have a variety of leashes to choose from but a standard leash will work. If your dog is not well behaved you will need to consider slip collar leashes, short leashes or other corrective leashes such as Cesar Millan's illusion collar (listed below).

Your dog's size If you have a small dog you will only need a small lightweight leash. If you have a 140lb dog, you will need a leash with a strong hook, and a wide leash for comfort and control.

Your method of exercising your dog After considering your dog's behavior and size, then you will want to consider how you choose to exercise him. If a regular simple walk around the neighborhood is what you do, a simple 4 to 6 ft leash will do. If you walk through crowded areas you may want to consider a shorter traffic leash. Owners that prefer to ride their bicycles while exercising their dogs may want to consider bicycle leashes. If you are a jogger or have a stroller to push you might prefer a hands free leash.

These short traffic leashes, as some people call them, are handy when you are walking your dog in crowds or other areas where it is best to keep them right next to you. Often with only about 1 or two feet in length, you can keep your dog close without having to hold excess leash in your hand.

When you need to be able to walk your dog both leisurely and in tight spaces or among crowds, these double handle dog leashes will be perfect. Two loops or handles, one about a foot long and the second about 6 feet long allow you the convince of two leashes in one.

1. Walk in front of your dog - remember you are the pack leader
2. Use a short leash - you will have more control. The higher up on the neck the more control you will have.
3. Allow enough time for a good walk - 30 minutes or more is a good place to start, depending on your dogs needs.
4. Reward your dog during the walk - if your dog has been focused and under control allow them time to sniff and relieve themselves, but you decide when.
5. Be the pack leader even after the walk - you enter the house first, make your dog sit and wait while you take your shoes off and put the leash away.
6. Reward your dog after the walk - If you feed. Your dog after the walk, they are working for their food.

Whether you own multiple dogs or you are a dog walker these leashes should help make walking more than one dog easier and tangle free.

Train your dog to sit and wait at doors. Always allow yourself to go through the doorway first, then give your dog the ok to walk through. Not only will this help instill you as the leader of the pack, but it also helps to stop the dog from barreling through the door while you or a child is walking through, and possibly sending the human off balance. It also might help deter your dog from bolting out the door anytime he sees an open door.

Great leash for a well trained dog when you need your hands free for running, or pushing a stroller or anything else, these belt/waist style leashes will give you more freedom. As always, safety first: consider the size of your dog and the person walking the dog, as well as obedience level before hooking up to this leash. Never hook a child up to a belt leash.

How does your pooch walk with you?

These dog leashes will help get your dog jogging or running while you ride your bicycle. The kits will help to keep your dog safely away from the wheels and spokes. Of course, make sure that you know your dogs endurance level and respect that before heading out for a long ride. Also consider your dog's size and how easily they get distracted before heading out. A large dog that sets off to chase a squirrel could throw off your balance or knock you off your bike, so take those things into consideration before heading out. A vet recently told my friend not to ride their bike with their labrador retriever, because they are not meant for long distance endurance, but will always try to please you, so you may not know when they are tired.

When it is time to go for a walk, call your dog to you. As the leader you want your dog to come to you, do not chase your dog around the house to get him on the leash. Call him to you, have him sit, then attach the leash. Remember to let yourself out the door first. Happy walking!

Be safe with those long retractable leashes. We knew a cyclist that crashed when his bicycle tangled in a leash when a person was walking on one sidewalk while their dog was on an extended leash on the other side of the road!! The cyclist couldn't see the leash and he crashed, cracking his helmet breaking his shoulder bone and several ribs. It took him over a year to recover. Be a responsible dog owner/walker!

If you are headed out for a walk at a park, in the woods or anywhere else where you want to give your dog a nice long leash and a chance to really run and sniff, get them a retractable, or extendable leash. Look for easy to use buttons to lock the leash at a certain length and one to unlock it. Be sure to keep your dog and others safe by keeping your dog under control and on a shorter leash when near other people. Make sure that your extendable leash is the correct weight. A large, heavy dog can easy break the mechanism meant for a small dog if they take off or pull hard on the leash.

It is a good idea to train your dog to "stop" on the sidewalk (and sit) before crossing the street. Not only will it train your dog not to walk into the street, but if by chance your dog gets away from you (on leash or bolting out the front door), you might be able to yell the "stop" command to him from a distance if he tries to cross a road. My dog has become quite accustomed to this, and sometimes I allow him to almost walk out on the road, but then give a strong "stop" command and he usually stops right in his tracks. When it is safe, I give him the "ok" command to proceed.