Cheap Pet Insurance

March 2nd, 2009 by Todd Martin

Which is the right dog leash for your puppy or dog? With so many to choose from, picking a leash for your new puppy or dog can be confusing. There are really only a few things you need to know, and when you know them, selecting a leash for your puppy or dog is really quite simple!

The best general purpose leash is about 4′ to 6′ long and well made. Look for quality stitching, and a material that will not burn or chafe your hands. Leather is excellent quality and very long lasting if cared for properly. I prefer cotton/synthetic webbing, the softer the better. A 4′ leash will not encourage bad habits. If you follow a pulling dog, that dog will learn to pull. There is no need for a ‘training’ collar or reprimands. Any flat collar or harness is fine so long as you are consistent and do not follow a pulling dog. Your dog should ideally walk by your side and not stray too far from that position; a longer leash allows your dog too much freedom.

The fixtures on the end of the leash require being really fine quality. A tough snap-style fixture is finest, as it is effortless to use and normally uncomplicated. If you and your dog spend a lot of time at the beach, they will rust out and get blocked with sand unluckily. I had a leash made with a brass diver’s snap. Sand does not get trapped in the spring and it does not oxidize, though it does not have a well-built spring and has come undone by mishap. I feel it’s most likely better to simply wash out a fine quality snap with fresh water and apply a little water dispersant subsequent to a visit to the beach.

Cotton or synthetic leashes will be required to be washed now and then, which will significantly increase their life. By the same gesture, don’t store them in direct sunlight. The same is right of leather leashes. A periodic rub down with leather preservative is all that a leather leash need.

If you have a dog who enjoys biting at the leash then training can be employed to bring this behavior under control. I favor deliberately teaching a dog to play tug with the leash like Speedway Designer Dog Leash and putting the behavior on cue, that way I develop control over the behavior and can use it as a reward for other behavior.