Leashes: How to Hold Them and How to Fold Them (Part 1 of Leash Series)

Shana training on a long line or 15' to 20' leash.

Leashes are a dog's safety net and life line for much of their lives.   Many public places are bound by the leash laws of their municipal government.  Also, if your property does not have a fence and they are not off leash trained, generally if your dog leaves your property then YOU have probably violated a leash law.

Many owners hold the leash casually, in a way that can harm the human, and in a way that can cause the dog to be free where they should not be and where it is dangerous.  The topic of our blog today, is the best ways to hold a leash for the safety of both the dog and the dog owner.

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Your normal 6 ' leather training leash is a great tool for both walking and training your dog.  Your grip on a leather leash (also biothane may come in this category too except when wet) is going to be more secure in general.   The on a new leash can take about a week to break in.   There are also other ways of softening up a new leather leash.  The following pictures represent the ways you would normally hold the leash when training.   Notice there are two different holds shown, as you sometimes want to leave the leash full out or you may want to reduce the leash length.   This usually depends on what exercises you are working on.

This is a standard 6' leather leash.

Step One is your thumb goes through the handle of the leash.

Step 2 Your fingers go around the handle.

Step 1:P For reducing the length of the leash for some training exercises, thumb is still through the leash but you accordion up (or fold) the leash.

Step 2: For reducing the length of the leash for some training exercises, your fingers go around the folded leash.

A convertible leash is a leash that you can put into a few configurations due to the hardware used.   A convertible leash usually has a clip at each end, and multiple rings attached to it.   Some convertible leashes have a sliding ring, which can be more flexible for your use and size.   The main ways a convertible leash is used is as regular 6' leash, over the should for more hands free if you have a well trained dog, it can be worn around your waist, and to station or attach your dog to something.  The below right picture shows you how to hold it, if you have a dog in training.   Even a well trained dog can suddenly lunge on the leash for something unexpected.   So use the over the shoulder method of the leash with care and safety in mind.   

This is a convertible leash, that also has the option of being handled like the regular leash.

If you use the convertible leash over your shoulder, you should always hold right below the ring also, especially if your dog is still in training. NEVER HAVE IT IN THIS CONFIGURATION IF YOU ARE GOING DOWN OR UP STAIRS!

When you use the transitional leash's nose loop feature, you are usually working on behavioral exercises without giving commands.  For this purpose you usually reduce the size of the leash, because the nose loop is not for distance training.  If you are using this as a slip leash, you can use and hold it as the two different ways as the more traditional 6'  leather leash.

This is a transitional leash that can change into a nose loop or a slip lead.

Step 1: Your thumb goes through the handle.

Step 2: Your accordion up or fold the leash into your hand to take up slack, when doing training and especially when using the nose loop.

Step 3: Put your fingers around the folded leash and handle, which your thumb should be through.

This is a 15' or 20' long line.  The typical use for a long line is to train at a distance and also to allow an untrained dog some space to exercise, especially if you don't have a fenced in area available to do that.   This line is often used for both moving (come, let's go, advanced heel)  and stationary (sit stay, down stay, long place) commands at a distance.   The long line can be a challenge to get used to, because it can wrap around your feet if you aren't paying attention, or burn you if your dog runs suddenly.   There is also a real chance of an untrained dog pulling you down unless you know how to brace as shown below.

This is a 15' or 20' long line. They do make them in even longer lengths, but typically this is what the beginner dogs use.

Step 1: Have your thumb through the handle.

Step 2: Put your fingers around the handle with your thumb through the handle. Note that we typically use this leash all out, and therefore do not shorten it.

Step 3: Put your other hand in a fist holding the leash below your handle holding hand. This gives you more stability, and also puts your arm in a more secure place, so you can try to prevent dislocating your shoulder.

Front view of a turn and brace, in the event the dog charges ahead with no signs of stopping.

Side view of a turn and brace, in the event the dog charges ahead with no signs of stopping.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE OR HOLD THESE LEASHES IN THESE WAYS.

Below I have pictured a leash I don't like to use and ways I don not recommend that you hold a leash.   The flexy leash pictured can be a dangerous tool especially with untrained dogs.  The handle can get slippery and hard to hold.   If you go for the leash portion of this by accident or it gets wrapped around your body, you can get burn or some real damage to your fingers.   I prefer the long line to the flexy leash, but some dog trainers do use it in their training.

Wrapping your leash around your hand, is an excellent way to really injure your hand badly.   Hanging it on your hand, is a good way to loose your leash if something unexpected happens.   Finally, not holding the long line braced in front of you, could cause a real shoulder or arm injury.

Flexi Leash

Wrapping a leash around your hand is an excellent way to really damage your hand.

Just hanging the leash from your wrist, even if you are holding the leash, is a good way for you to loose your leash and dog unexpectedly.

Not stationing your hands and long line in front of you at your stomach is a good way to really injure your arm or your shoulder or something else.