Free Leash

[navillusc]

Originally Posted by Lil Sis

...On the retractable ones if I drop it usually hits them and they lay down... they see me freaking out and stop!!!

lol... I should add... I walk four (yes 4!!!) dogs

I have dropped retractables, too, and it freaks THEM out when it comes shooting at their butts! It freaks me out, too, of course, and I have the lightweight strength, but tall grass and small sticks freak them out when they are touched by them unexpectedly.

I guess when dogs are being allowed to 'drag the leash' there are not many human feet around that might accidentally step on that same leash...true?

I think this way possibly because I have cats with long tails, and I have occasionally stepped accidentally on a few 'leashes' (tails) dragged across my path...and the sudden stop by the cat is nothing compared to the murderous scream they make, the scratches you get, and the guilt...the awful guilt...from the best 'stink eyes' ever!

I do understand how hard it is to catch a running Yorkie, though, so I can see how having the leash where you can at least hope to hop on it might come in handy.

Very interesting question...very interesting discussion...thank you.

[Britster]

I drop his leash sometimes -- he's very well behaved, and sometimes on hikes, etc, I take pictures so I drop the leash to snap some shots of him, etc.

Also, I live on 3 acres unfenced and I have a 50 foot leash that I let him drag when we play fetch with the Chuck-It. I trust him for the most part, but there's that small part of me that worries if he darts, and with 50ft of leash behind him, it's much easier to catch him quick and step on it if needed.

Also, as far as people letting the leash drag, it can be so that they're 'following the leash law' lol. Ok, may not be what they mean, but the dog IS on a leash. Technically speaking.

Depending on the area, I don't see the big deal. Obviously near a busy road, this is stupid. My aunt has a secluded beach near her house that no one ever goes to. It's a small little area and the woods and brush block it off pretty well but I still get nervous letting him off leash so I often let him drag a small leash. It just makes ME feel better, like I know I'll be able to catch him better if something were to come up. Even though he's been off leash there before and is fine, I just feel it gives me extra security.

I really like the long line (30-50 feet) for situations like that, in big open fields, and beaches, etc.

[DBlain]

I can't believe some of you think this is odd or worried about the leash getting dirty. To me if you don't have a small fenced in yard this makes lot of sense when playing with your dog. I have a long thin nylon tie-out just for this purpose. My DH and I put it on her when playing fetch in our back yard. Our yard is large and not completely fenced in, we sort of surround her and keep several toys on hand to make sure she stays engaged and does not run towards the street, but still you never know, so we can step on or grab the leash a heck of a lot easier than catching a moving dog. I would not use a fancy or expensive leash for this purpose, but there are so many cheap washable leashes available, that I can't really see that as a concern.

But LOL this does not work with a retractable leash, I to like a few others mentioned have dropped it, and boy does that freak Lola out as well.

Also this is a good to do in your home when training a dog, a trailing leash will make it a lot easier to catch an untrained dog that is barking, chewing, eating something he should not be, etc.

[barneysmommmy]

I had never thought of the "trailing leash" idea. But that is a great idea. I took Barney on a play date last night at a friend's house. She has a Yorkie also. But hers is very well trained to come to her when she blows a whistle. Barney is not so well trained and he loves a good game of chase. It would be so much easier to get him if he had a leash trailing him. By the way, we started working on the "come to whistle" trick last night. But I will probably use the trailing leash thing even if he gets competent at coming to a whistle. It makes me a nervous wreck when he is out of my reach.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by navillusc

I guess when dogs are being allowed to 'drag the leash' there are not many human feet around that might accidentally step on that same leash...true?

I do understand how hard it is to catch a running Yorkie, though, so I can see how having the leash where you can at least hope to hop on it might come in handy.

Very interesting question...very interesting discussion...thank you.

Just to butt in on all this.....

My mother had a very close friend who was an Agility judge at Crufts....she was also a Border Collie breeder, and ran puppy training classes....

When mum took her Boxer puppy there for a little bit of obedience she was taught to always leave the long nylon training leash on but, if there was a 'handle' on the end, to cut that off, in case it got caught on anything.

Just to add my little perspective from over the pond..... Sally + Harry x

[Mdyorkies1]

So what I'm hearing is that when the dog takes off and is running away from u your running to try to catch them and step on the leash while dog is at full speed! Wouldn't that snap there neck????? I just see it as lazyness from owner not taking the time to train there dogs correctly. From everything I read on this breed is that there stubborn and hard headed to train. Is this the reason why so many are abused and surrendered?? This why people let the cuteness get in the way of who should be the pack leader with these dogs!!

[Lil Sis]

Originally Posted by Mdyorkies1

So what I'm hearing is that when the dog takes off and is running away from u your running to try to catch them and step on the leash while dog is at full speed! Wouldn't that snap there neck????? I just see it as lazyness from owner not taking the time to train there dogs correctly. From everything I read on this breed is that there stubborn and hard headed to train. Is this the reason why so many are abused and surrendered?? This why people let the cuteness get in the way of who should be the pack leader with these dogs!!

1ST... I use harnesses on all my dogs

2nd... it is not in place of training, just a little added security in an unfamiliar or unsafe place.

I agree with training totally, but in an situation that could prove unsafe I like the added security of the leash. For example, when traveling with my dogs they always have a leash on in the car, I just don't want a frighten dog to forget training and jump out or away from me when stoping at a rest stop or the like.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Mdyorkies1

So what I'm hearing is that when the dog takes off and is running away from u your running to try to catch them and step on the leash while dog is at full speed! Wouldn't that snap there neck????? I just see it as lazyness from owner not taking the time to train there dogs correctly. From everything I read on this breed is that there stubborn and hard headed to train. Is this the reason why so many are abused and surrendered?? This why people let the cuteness get in the way of who should be the pack leader with these dogs!!

LOL.

Yup, I am so lazy. I don't train my dog at all.

Jackson, Worlds Smartest Terrier - YouTube

I don't worry about being my dog's 'pack leader' because I don't believe there is such a thing. We have an amazing communication based on a bond, love, trust, and mutual respect and understanding.

Having a leash dragging, in an 'open' unfenced area, not near a road, is simply an added security.

99% of the time, Jackson obeys. We work a lot on recall. But, there's that 1% you never know about. A rabbit darts by, or whatever, having a leash to step on makes it 10000x easier than trying to catch up to a dog on four legs while you only have two.

Don't see what having a dragging leash has to do with being a pack leader.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by Mdyorkies1

So what I'm hearing is that when the dog takes off and is running away from u your running to try to catch them and step on the leash while dog is at full speed! Wouldn't that snap there neck????? I just see it as lazyness from owner not taking the time to train there dogs correctly. From everything I read on this breed is that there stubborn and hard headed to train. Is this the reason why so many are abused and surrendered?? This why people let the cuteness get in the way of who should be the pack leader with these dogs!!

Firstly, we ALL use a harness for our pups. THE NECK doesn't come into the equation.

And yep, totally, that's the way to do it.....spend thousands on our bubbies, love every single inch of them, hope we don't 'snap their necks', loll around being lazy hoping our pups will somehow get trained....and hope that they won't get run over or killed because they're 'too cute'.....

Any additional security has surely got to be a bonus, surely?!!? Sally x

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Mdyorkies1

So what I'm hearing is that when the dog takes off and is running away from u your running to try to catch them and step on the leash while dog is at full speed! Wouldn't that snap there neck????? I just see it as lazyness from owner not taking the time to train there dogs correctly. From everything I read on this breed is that there stubborn and hard headed to train. Is this the reason why so many are abused and surrendered?? This why people let the cuteness get in the way of who should be the pack leader with these dogs!!

Not a neck incident...but a tire driven over (by me ) a long dropped leash, yanked the leash hard & wrapped around a back leg as it pulled...and dislocated & broke the dog's leg.

That event is one of my worst memories...