Long lines are still not as popular as they should be, although there is an increasing awareness of their benefits or at least their existence.
The primary function of a long line is to give the dog a sense of freedom so that it can engage in natural activities such as following interesting scents, digging, rolling in the grass, running around, marking territory with urine, and all of that in non-linear movement without a specific destination.
This is nearly impossible on a short leash and by insisting that the dog walks beside us. By doing that, we deprive them of their innate needs, which can have long-term effects on their mental health. Of course, it is possible to provide the dog with this sense of freedom without a long line by letting them roam off-leash, but that is not always a wise solution if the dog does not have reliable recall or if off-leash walking is not allowed in that area. For example, during a dog’s adolescence, it is almost impossible to rely on them always coming back to us when called – the whole world is new, exciting, and too tempting for them to choose us whom they see every day over exploration. But that doesn’t mean we have to deprive the dog of the feeling of freedom – a 10-meter long line can simulate that quite well.
Walking in the woods or nature, mantrailing, and similar activities, or even regular walks in the neighborhood on a 5-meter long line, are some examples where a long line is very useful.
In addition to the above, a long line is an indispensable tool for working with reactive and fearful dogs – precisely because of the additional space it provides them. They often need a larger personal space radius and the choice to distance themselves from us or something else in the environment.
For dogs that are not reactive or fearful, the extra space means a better opportunity for communication with other dogs, keeping a distance from those they do not want to meet, or communicating that they are not a threat.
More choice and the opportunity to engage in natural canine activities greatly contribute to the mental well-being of every dog.
Why don’t retractable leashes have the same effect? Because the leash is always tense, no matter how long it is. Additionally, the mechanism of retracting the leash length often means pulling the dog, which often happens when encountering other dogs – and that (pulling and pressure on the neck) can negatively affect the experience of other dogs. The riskiest part of retractable leashes, in my opinion, is when they are used for walking fearful or reactive dogs – if they accidentally slip out of our hands, the weight of the handle can frighten the dog and make them run away, which unfortunately happens very often.
Tena