What's the Best Type of Leash for Service Dog Training?

While dogs don't require any task-specific training to register as an ESA, they're expected to be well-behaved in public. So, if your dog needs a little extra training before they can be treated as an ESA in public areas, then it's time to get started. But first, you'll need the right leash. Here are a few tips for choosing the best service dog leash for training your dog.

What Kind of Training Are You Doing?

The exact type of leash you need is going to depend on the exact type of training your dog needs. Do they need to learn to walk without pulling? Do they need to work on staying close to you when you're out on a walk? Do they need to work on obeying commands when there are distractions around? Different types of leashes will work best for different types of training, so keep this question in mind as you continue reading and as you shop for service dog leashes and collars.

Long Leashes

A long leash can be over 30 feet long and isn't generally used for everyday walks. Instead, it's a training tool that allows your pup to work on obeying commands when they're in an uncontrolled environment.

For example, if your dog needs to work on coming to you when you call, even when there are other dogs around, you might take them to the park and clip on the long lead. You are then able to put distance between yourself and your pet as you work on their obedience, but you can still retain control with the long lead if they decide to try to chase down another dog that's passing by. This can make it more likely that your dog will obey your commands, even if they're not restrained or in a contained, controlled setting.

Short Leashes

Short leashes give you increased control over your dog during walks. They're usually about 4 feet long or shorter, and can be used for everyday walks. Most often, they're used by people who walk their dogs in larger urban areas, as these leashes keep your dog close to your side and out of the way of any pedestrian or vehicle traffic nearby.

Short leashes are also great for training a service dog to stay close to your side while walking or to obey the "heel" command. Many individuals with service dogs also use short leashes on everyday walks while utilizing a service dog harness.

Slip Leads

Last but not least, slip leads combine both the collar and the leash into one slipover piece. They're an excellent tool for training a dog not to pull against the leash when on walks. They're also valuable for training a service dog to focus their attention on you instead of on the things around them. A slip lead is positioned behind the dog's ears and under the chin and applies gentle correction to redirect your dog's attention.

The goal of a slip lead isn't to use it as your go-to walking leash, but to retrain your dog for proper leash behavior. Hopefully, after using the slip lead for a while and focusing some time on retraining your pet, you will no longer need to use the slip lead and can graduate them to a standard leash for everyday walks.

If you're looking for a service dog leash to provide your dog with some extra training, check out our online store for high-quality leashes and collars.