Did you know that more than 38% of households in the United States have a pet dog? Dogs are man’s best friends and one of the most popular pets for the average family. With so many dogs, it’s easy to see why knowing how to select a suitable short dog leash is critical.
If your pup is on the shorter side, we’re here to help. Here are five tips to help you pick a short dog leash for your diminutive dog.
Table of Contents
1. Consider Your Environment
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One of the first things you should consider for any dog is what environment they’ll be in. It is necessary to know where you will be walking your dog to determine the material, length, and style of the leash you’ll need.
For example, if you walk your dog in crowded areas frequently, you should stick to shorter leashes. People that live in cities and walk their dogs through the crowded streets or bring their dog to a dog park may prefer these styles.
The reason for this is that shorter leashes are better for controlling your dog in an environment full of stimulation. You don’t want to have your dog on long enough of a leash that they can run into crowds and risk getting stepped on. Shorter dogs especially can sometimes blend into a crowd and end up accidentally hurt.
A short leash means you can tug your dog into line when they begin to wander. It’s necessary for their safety, as well as the comfort of others around you, who may not want your dog’s leash wrapping around their legs.
2. Don’t Reward Bad Behavior
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A common style of leash that you’ll find in stores is the retractable leash. These leashes allow your dog to wander a much farther distance until you cut off the length or they reach the end. You can customize the length of the leash, making them great for places like dog parks or nature walks.
However, you should be careful that you don’t use these leashes to reward your dog’s bad behavior. If you give your dog more length on their leash when they begin tugging, they’ll slowly learn that they can wander off if they pull on their leash.
Not only can this harm the dog by straining them, but it can also make them much harder to control. They’ll learn that fighting against your control may reward them with a longer leash and new areas to explore.
In crowded areas, this is especially dangerous. Your dog might begin chasing after someone or something and not heed you pulling back on their leash. Keep your short dog leash to a style that lets you control and discipline your pup without limiting them too strongly.
3. Don’t Hurt Your Pup
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It goes without saying, but make sure that the leash you’re choosing isn’t going to hurt your dog. One good way to make sure this isn’t the case is the style of the leash. A harness leash is good for most dogs as it stops them from having all the pressure on their neck.
If a dog pulls on its leash too strongly, it can strain its collar. The strain can lead to choking, injury, and discomfort for your pup.
Keep the style of your leash in mind when picking it for your pup. If it attaches to their collar, make sure that the collar is a soft and comfortable material, as well, to alleviate the strain caused by having their leash pulled.
You should also keep your dog’s behavior in mind so that you can make sure you don’t hurt them. If you’re working on stopping your new puppy from jumping or pulling, you may want a shorter leash of around three feet long. Such a length lets you pull back when your pup gets excited but gives enough length that they aren’t being corralled.
4. Avoid Harsh Materials
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Leashes come in a variety of different materials. Make sure that you’re picking a material that won’t be too harsh on your pup.
For example, a chain leash is typically something that you’ll want to avoid, especially for smaller dogs. These chains are heavier than the average leash, offer no slack for your dog to sniff around with, and can dig into your dog’s neck. Smaller dogs especially are susceptible to the weight of a heavy chain-link leash, putting extra strain on their bodies.
Smaller chain leashes are perfectly fine, especially if they attach to a collar or harness. You also might want to lean towards leather leashes, as the material is softer for dogs while still being sturdy and offering resistance. Leather leashes also tend not to be too expensive.
Fabric leashes are easy to find and inexpensive, but make sure it isn’t too harsh of a material. You’ll find many retractable leashes made of fabric or wire. However, cheap fabric leashes can have materials that dig into your dog’s neck or can snap off easily.
Whatever you pick, make sure that you’re keeping your dog’s safety and comfort at the forefront of your mind. You may need to try a few leashes before you find a material that offers you what you need to keep your pup comfortable.
5. Offer Extra Length When Safe
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- COMPLETELY WATERPROOF: The material and vinyl-coated webbing on this dog training lead not only make it incredibly durable, but also completely...
- ODOR RESISTANT: No more stinky leashes! Because our dog leashes are totally waterproof, they do not absorb dirt, keeping them odor free....
When picking a leash, choose something where you have the option of offering extra length. Your dog is a curious creature, and its walks are a time where it can explore and sniff around. It’s important to let your dog have this freedom instead of tugging them to be as close as possible all the time.
Retractable leashes are appropriate for this, though you need to be careful with letting your dog have too much freedom. You also need to make sure you aren’t giving them the extra length in an unsafe environment. If you’re near a road, too many other people, or other animals, it’s a good time to keep your dog on a shorter leash – especially if they’re the type to investigate these distractions.
A good trick is to get a leash longer than you need and wrap the excess length around your hand. A three to four-foot leash is suitable for most as a short dog leash. You can go for a longer leash if your dog’s walks are typically in a place devoid of distractions.
Letting your dog have its time to wander is vital to your dog’s health. Your walk provides your dog with better muscles and bones, less stress, lower blood pressure, and a host of other benefits. Make sure that they’re getting to enjoy their walk instead of being choked as close to you as possible at all times.
Walking On
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Finding the right short dog leash may take trial and error, but don’t let it discourage you. Picking the right short dog leash will help your dog have a much more enjoyable, healthy walk. Keep the material and length of the leash in mind and look for something that will make your pup as comfortable and safe as possible.
For more information on dog leashes and the health of your favorite animal, feel free to contact us. You can also browse our blog to learn more.
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