Maybe you went to puppy school and everyone said you should, practiced recall, attended socialisation classes, spent 3 hours picking the best natural food... We can bet that very few of you first time puppy owners would have received advice on the use and purpose of a drag line.
What is a Drag Line?
A drag line is a leash that is typically between 2 and 5 m long, which is attached to your dog's harness (never let it drag on a collar) and as it's name suggests, gets dragged around with your dog. It's useful for dog training or as we prefer to call it, guiding.
5 of the best reasons to use a drag line on your dog.
Reason 1: Puppy Essential
What if we told you that our Border Collie has never gotten further than a Birkenstock strap, lightly chewed. Why? He simply never had the opportunity to learn the unwanted behaviours.
The number one tip we have for anyone getting a puppy is to use a drag line - all the time. It gets the puppy used to the idea of something attached to it, for starters. Beyond that, it's the only way to easily redirect a puppy in a new environment where everything is interesting. When your puppy is resting, or you can't have them around you, a play pen is the best place for your puppy to get some forced rest (critical for a growing puppy) learn to cope alone, to play alone, and to avoid learning habits you will have to teach them out of down the line (such as stealing shoes and socks, jumping on furniture, chewing rugs and chair legs etc). When your puppy is able to join you, a drag line attached to you helps you to gently correct undesired behaviours. If you always see your puppy, you have every chance to catch a habit and break it before it gets formed, right?

Reason 2: Enhanced Control and Safety
A drag line provides you with an added layer of security, allowing you to quickly and safely intervene if your dog starts to exhibit undesirable behaviours such as lunging or jumping, without physically handling the dog. If you use your hands to correct a dog in a situation where they express anxiety or discomfort, your dog could end up associating your physical interference with these negative experiences. In addition, a drag line presents itself as a safe way to redirect without getting in harm's way: over arousal (not the sexual kind) can quickly escalate when tension from handling is added to the mix, resulting in more aggressive behaviour.
A drag line on a hike could also avoid your dog chasing after animals or even help you get out of a prickly situation (especially true for younger dogs that are a little clumsy). We once pulled our Border Collie out from a lake as he slipped down the boulder not realising the way up wouldn't be so easy!
Having a drag line can prevent potential mishaps and ensure the safety of both your dog and those around you.
Reason 3: Pressure-free learning
The drag line gives a false sense of freedom, in the sense that your dog can make choices alone, but if they are not what we wanted, we can gently help them to choose better in the future. Dogs learn through making choices themselves, and they will figure out which have the best outcomes for them. Often, it's the tension from a taught leash that can cause a dog's mild initial reaction to escalate, as it reinforces he sensation of being trapped. Loose-leashes and giving space to make choices helps a dog feel more capable and free to make a suitable choice. In nature, confrontation is not the preferred choice if there is an option to flee when the perceived 'threat' is not too close, as it puts the animal at risk (although this safety measure designed by nature has been bred out of certain dogs breeds to get them to do what we want without fear such as Terrier dogs running down a hole with little care for what's at the bottom). A loose leash allows for more sniffing, changing of paces on a walk, and generally allow your dog to relax more.
Reason 4: Flexibility and Adaptability
One of the key advantages of using a drag line is its flexibility in various scenarios. Whether you're working on leash manners, recall skills, or distractions, a good drag line can adapt to different training needs. A quality drag line is lightweight, glides easily on the floor (doesn't have accessories that can snap onto things), waterproof (so it doesn't get heavier when wet, but also easy to wash), durable (will resist trailing on the hard gravel and getting stepped on) and has a solid hook design that doesn't come undone. Safe for your dog to wear any time, the drag line gives you permission to grant your dog more freedom in all situations safely.
Our Little Lite Training Leash ticks all those boxes, and come in a variety of bright colours.

In conclusion, incorporating a drag line into your everyday essentials can yield numerous benefits, ranging from improved control and safety to the reinforcement of positive behaviour and enhanced training versatility. By utilising this simple yet effective tool, you can enhance your dog's learning experience, strengthen your bond, and create a harmonious relationship based on trust and respect.
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