This post is all about the best dog leashes for training.
There are so many options for leashes these days. Each one serves a different purpose, and not all leashes are created equal. After working with thousands of dogs and trying pretty much every leash on the market, I'm here to tell you which ones are best for what kind of behaviors and each personality of dogs!
In this post, you'll learn which leash is best for each kind of training or the dog that you're working with.
Best Dog Leashes for Training
Maybe you've heard of the "honeymoon" phase with a new leash or collar. This refers to what happens when you try a new leash or collar.
When you change out the leash or collar you are using to something new, it works well (for only a little bit)!
This is because your dog hasn't learned the weak points of the tool and hasn't yet figured out how to avoid the tool *yet*.
So, whatever leash you chose to use with your dog, it's important to use it correctly so that it doesn't become something that they ignore. Refer to the articles below for help in using the leash!
Related: How to Stop Leash Biting
Best leash for training dogs not to pull
Despite what anyone says about any leash, there is no such thing as a no-pull leash (or no-pull collar or no-pull harness). It's just poor (or good!) marketing.
Read that again. There's no such thing as a no-pull training tool.
There are leashes that may make a tool more difficult to pull with, or where dogs cannot pull as much, but there is ultimately not a tool that will teach your dog not to pull.
Many dogs don't need stronger, more durable leashes. They just need to be taught how to respond when they feel the leash get tight.
So many dogs aren't taught this basic principle. Without understanding this, they feel the tightness of the leash and lean against the pressure.
Related: Dog Training Essentials | 17 Tools to Improve Your Dog's Behavior
If you're not sure what tool to use, it's a good idea to chat with a professional dog trainer or dog behaviorist who has an individualized approach to training.
They can help recommend an effective tool, teach you how to use it, and save you money from buying and trying things that don't work.
Don't have a dog trainer? Schedule a consult now to discuss a custom plan for you and your dog!
Is it easier to train with a collar or a harness?
When you are training your dog, the leash you use is almost as important as what it's attached to. Attaching your leash to a harness will have a different result than attaching your leash to a prong collar.
Where and what you attach your leash to depends on your dog, your experience, what you're trying to do with your dog and the environment you're in.
For example, if my dog and I go hiking, we'll usually attach a long line to a harness. But, if I'm going out into public or crowded spaces, I use the Heather's Heroes leash as a slip leash.
Professional Dog Training Leash
Unlike many trainers, I personally feel that retractable leashes have a place in the world. That place is not at the vet's office or any space where you need to have control of your dog.
Retractable leashes are great for potty walks and adventuring, but that's about it. A retractable leash offers the least amount of control of any leash, especially when it's attached to a harness.
Retractable leashes for training are just generally a no go. They are great for adventuring, hiking, and potty walks. However, they just don't offer the feel and control that a regular, six foot leash would.
6 Foot Dog Training Leash
If I have to say something nice about this next leash, it's that, "it can attach to your dog's collar or harness and you can hold the handle." There are just so many better options out there, and you deserve a nice leash for your dog.
This leash is just rigid and doesn't offer a clear communication with your dog.
Honestly, it's worth it to spend a few extra dollars to get a leash that isn't so stiff, and not so generic.
Training Leash for Puppy
Of all the dog leashes I've ever used, my go-to for 75% of dogs is a slip leash. In the other 25% of cases, I'm usually looking to change out the collar and use a regular, 6 foot leash.
Puppies benefit tremendously from learning to walk on a slip leash.
Teaching your puppy how to use the slip is an important step in creating a trusting and calm relationship with your dog.
Our favorite slip leash is the Mendota Pet Slip Leash for it's flexibility and leather stopper. It's the only slip leash I carry beside the Heather's Heroes transition leash! Many other slip leashes are rigid and don't offer "feel" or connection.
A slip leash might not be the best fit for your dog, especially if your dog is over 40 pounds and has been practicing pulling you for years.
It's always a good idea to chat with a professional to figure out what tool will be best for you and your dog.
Best Slip Leash for Dog Training
Unlike any other slip leashes, the leather stopper on this leash actually works. It's made in the USA and the leash is flexible and offers an easy way to connect with your dog! Grab a 3/8" for a dog under 30 pounds, and a 1/2 " width for a dog over 30. Plus, it comes in so many colors and designs to match you and your pups style!
Training Leashes for Small dogs
If your dog is under 15 pounds, a slip leash might be a good option. However attaching a regular leash to harness or something like the Heather's Heroes Side Kick Leash can help dog's with sensitive tracheas.
No one likes to hear any dog choke, cough, or gag because they're pulling on the leash, and some small dogs can have extra sensitive tracheas.
That's where the Sidekick leash is a godsend for sensitive trachea dogs!
The transition leash is a game changing tool for many dog owners, and can be used as a regular, high quality slip leash. However, it's not the best tool for every dog. It's really a rating of a 10/10 for some, and 1/10 for others. Plus the built in safety clip is not to be underrated.
Transition Leash for Dog Training
In my experience, doodles, pitties, Great Danes and dogs with sensitive tracheas tend to do really well with the Heather's Heroes Side Kick Leash! This is a leash that doesn't allow a dog to engage their strongest muscles to pull against you.
Because the leash goes around the dog's head like a horse halter, you can more easily direct where their head is pointed.
I find this leash does well with dogs who are a danger to pulling their owners over and dog personalities that have a hidden teddy bear personality. It's a great alternative for dogs who do not take well to a prong collar.
On the other hand, some dogs seriously can't stand the band over their nose and will alligator roll until they get it off. When in doubt, you can use this leash as a regular slip leash (and it's got a super high quality stopper!)
Best Training Leash for Large Dogs
Warning on the next leash: *Soap box rant activated*
Please stop buying these bungee leashes. They don't offer any kind of clear direction or communication for your dog and turn you into a human sling shot.
These leashes are just trash, IMO. The bungee doesn't do anything for anyone, except create a sling shot affect. The bungee will usually help strengthen a dog and encourage pulling (there's a reason they use bungee leashes for teaching dogs to bite criminals). Do you and your dog a favor and stay away from anything bungee. Thank you for listening to me on my soap box.
The double handed leashes are a large dog owner favorite! I used these leashes for a long time before I got more comfortable for a regular six foot leash.
The extra handle is a great tool for dog owners to gain understanding of how to keep their dog in a more controlled heel command.
Dog Leash Large Dog
While this leash can feel a little heavy, it's a great pick for a lot of reasons. 6 feet is a perfect length, and the double handle makes it easy to use whether you're letting your dog sniff, or you need them in a strict heel command. Most owners love this tool for large dogs over 40 pounds!
Biothane Dog Leash
I'm personally a super fan of biothane material. So I might be a little biased. I didn't give a 10/10 for this one because some owners just prefer nylon, leather or other material.
However, you can't deny these look sleek, lightweight, durable and easy to clean!
We love a biothane leash! Biothane is super lightweight, durable and easy to clean. Plus, it feels so professional a sleek in your hand! These leashes also come in a variety of lengths, so you can also grab yourself a longer line to practice recall!
Best Long Leash for Dog Training
When looking for a long line, I've found that the sweet spot is about 30 feet. 50 is too much space, and 15 isn't quite enough.
30 feet of space allows your dog a 60 foot radius to move, where they can actually get up to full speed safely.
The other super important factor in shopping for a long leash is the material. This leash is going to get dirty. It's going to go through puddles, dirt, mud. It's going to get dragged through grass, snow, and even animal poop. Your dog might go to the bathroom on it.
So, it's super important (at least to me) to have something super easy to clean. For that reason, I stay away from cloth and nylon materials for long lines (hello biothane!)
Lastly, another important factor is how easily it gets tangled. If it gets tangled easily, you'll spend more time untangling your dog then actually working on the long line.
Best Leash Length for Training
So many owners gravitate towards this leash on amazon because it's at a great price point and comes in fun colors. However, it scores super low on durability and functionality.
While this is easily the most cost effective option on the internet, it tangles nearly immediately. Every dog owner I've spoken with doesn't use this leash because it gets tangled so often and it's just not fun. And long line training should be FUN!
This long line is pretty durable and easy to use for people who aren't comfy on a long line yet. Most people do well with a 30 foot range right off the bat, but if you're nervous, starting with 15 feet is a good way to introduce the long line.
This is a pretty heavy leash, and not nearly as flexible as some of the other long leash options. Because it's pretty heavy, it doesn't get tangled easily, but your dog might also be very aware of the leash being present.
Long Leash for Dog Training
The Tuff Pupper leash is a good compromise on quality and price point. While I personally haven't used this leash, I've seen others use it and heard good things. If I couldn't have my top pick of a biothane long line, I'd go for the Tuff Pupper.
This leash is durable, strong, doesn't easily tangle and comes in a ton of fun colors! Besides that, this leash can be worn, so you can have your hands free when walking your dog. The only con to this leash is it's *slightly* heavier than some of its competitors.
The Signature k-9 Biothane Long Line is the secret to dog training (IMO). Seriously I can't love this leash enough or say enough good things about it.
I'd sooner recommend a long to someone before a regular old slip leash.
Seriously every dog owner should have this. If I had to be sent to an island to train 100 dogs and I could only take one tool, this would be it. Chihuahua to Great Danes, this leash is the GOAT. It's super light weight, durable, cleans up easy, and is somehow almost never gets itself tangled.
Was there a leash we missed? Let us know with an email to alex@alexliggett.com.
