Types of Dog Leashes: Unlock Your Dog’s Freedom with Different Dog Leashes

Matching the right type of dog leash to the right situation can greatly benefit your dog and delight them with a more fulfilling life. Beyond a simple safety tool, a leash is the primary communication line between our four-legged best friend and us. However, it is important to know that every dog needs different types of dog leashes to navigate various experiences with us. The right gear helps the owner retain control while giving the dog the autonomy they crave. This article helps you explore various dog leashes for different situations to help you make an informed decision about the type you need for your furry friend.

Types of Dog Leashes 

Handsfree Leash

Handsfree leashes, such as the INTERLAKEN Handsfree Grip Leash, are a versatile choice that come with adjustable length and an extra hand grip. This leash has a traffic handle to help you pull your dog closer in crowded situations. It also enables owners to keep both hands free while walking the dog. Handsfree leashes are typically 2.0 to 3.3 m long and can also be used multiple ways depending on your preference and needs: as a long leash, worn around the waist, or across the body. Some also come with an extra clip at the handle, so you can use it to attach to a pillar.

Standard Leash

A standard dog leash is a basic, easy-to-use leash typically made from nylon, leather, neoprene, or recycled materials. They are typically around 1.2m in length and come with a sturdy clip and a comfortable handle to attach to your dog’s collar or harness, offering reliable control during city walks.

Retractable Leash

Retractable leashes offer more freedom for your furry friend to sniff and explore the surrounding environment. Commonly available in practical lengths like 3 m, 5 m, or 8 m, this type of dog leash comes with a spring-loaded cord or tape that can be extended and retracted. They are more popular for use in safe, open spaces.

However, retractable leashes may cause burns or cuts on your hand more easily as the line cannot be retracted when there is tension. In addition, they may also tangle more easily compared to standard leashes. For this reason, retractable leashes may be more suitable for open, low-traffic areas where your dog can safely explore the surrounding environment under supervision.

Long Line Leash

A long line leash has a longer length compared to standard dog leashes, and is often used for improving recall as well as giving your furry companion extra freedom of movement in open areas. Long line leashes with a length of 5-10 m are popular for recall training and use in urban parks, while 15–30 m leashes are more common for open field exploration.

Suitable Dog Leash for Different Activities

The leash you choose needs to give your dog enough freedom while still allowing you to have control of them during their routines. Here are the different types of dog leashes we recommend for different activities.

City Sidewalks

For city sidewalks or vet visits, choose a standard leash that is short enough (1.1-1.2 m) to keep your furry companion close. You can go for the WAUDOG Dog Nylon Leash (1.22 m) if the length is sufficient, or the INTERLAKEN Dog Slim Leash (1.1-1.8 m), which is adjustable for more flexibility. In high traffic areas, you can keep the leash short to keep your dog close by.

Daily Neighbourhood Walks

For a daily stroll in familiar neighbourhood areas, choose a leash that helps your dog explore their space without constant restriction, such as the INTERLAKEN Dog Slim Leash (1.1-1.8 m) and the versatile INTERLAKEN Dog Handsfree Leash (2.3-3.3 m). You can wear the leash cross-body or at the waist.

For slower sniffing walks in quieter environments, you can give more room for your dog to sniff around by extending your handsfree leash. For teaching polite walking or keeping them close to you in busy environments, you can wear the leash handsfree, keeping it at a shorter length for better control so that your dog can always be within reach.

This leash is also suitable for moderate recall training, as you can use hand signals and dispense treats. Our 2 m INTERLAKEN Handsfree Grip Leash also comes with an extra traffic handle to help quickly pull your pet close for safety.

Running/Trail Hiking

If you often take your dog jogging or running, it is best to wear a handsfree leash around your waist. Aside from giving you more freedom of movement, it can also reduce strain on your dog. You can conveniently use trekking poles or carry water while maintaining good balance on uneven terrain. If you need to switch to walking, simply adjust the handsfree leash by wearing it cross-body.

For any outdoor activities where you are likely to take your furry friend across wet and muddy terrains, the INTERLAKEN Handsfree Waterproof Dog Leash is an ideal choice, with a traffic handle to keep your dog safe. It is made of dual-structure PVC silicon with webbing, which makes it waterproof, odour-proof, and easy to maintain. Alternatively, the WAUDOG Waterproof Dog Leash is another good option if you desire a short 1.22 m or long 1.82 m leash.

Recall Training

While the handsfree leash is often suitable for moderate recall training, a long lead leash is very helpful for practising calling your pet from significant distances of more than 5 m without risking them running off when distracted. This type of leash is also suitable for reactive dogs in larger spaces, as they can have enough space to move around without triggers. As it covers significantly more distance, your dog can also benefit from getting more exercise. Once they get better at responding to your recall commands, you can drop the long leash as an intermediate step toward teaching them to be off-leash entirely.

Remember that with longer leashes, there is more risk of tangling under your feet or your dog’s legs, so choose one that is adjustable to fit your needs. Also, look for anti-tangle features such as a 360-degree swivel that can help minimise tangles, which you can find in the INTERLAKEN Handsfree Leash, which comes in a longer length of 2.3 m and 3.3m and comes with an anti-tangle clip.

Suitable Dog Leash for Different Dog Behaviour

Finally, the types of dog leashes you need also depend on your dog’s behaviour. We believe that you know your furry friend best, and considering their behaviour is a key step before deciding on which leash you should get.

Puppy in Training

For younger pups in training, use an adjustable, lightweight short leash that is not too wide such as the INTERLAKEN Dog Slim Leash. Its aircraft metal hardware weighs half the weight of most standard clips, so it will not burden your pup’s back.

Strong Puller

For strong pullers, INTERLAKEN leashes are made from lightweight materials with a strength rating of up to 300 kg, ensuring that they are light enough for small dogs and strong enough for big dogs. We also recommend pairing the leash with a harness built for control and comfort, such as the No-Pull Custom Dog Harness and No-Pull Tech Dog Harness, which are produced by needsthepet, a trusted pet brand from Korea. With a rated strength of 120 kg, they help protect your dog from injuries caused by sudden movements or tension, while still letting you manage their behaviour during walks.

Getting the right type of dog leash is part of ensuring your furry friend’s safety and comfort. With the wide range of characteristics, designs, materials, and lengths to choose from, make sure to understand your dog’s behaviour and needs before making a purchase. At Barkaberry, our dog leashes also come in different widths of 15 to 25 mm for small to big dogs. Explore our dog leashes today to keep your canine buddy at their best!