What is a drag line for dogs?
A drag leash is a special type of dog leash, which differs from other leashes primarily due to its length.
In general, a leash length of five meters or more is referred to as a drag leash. However, depending on the application, lead leashes or dog leashes without hand loops from a length of three meters can also be used as drag leashes. Most of them are availableLeashes with a length of five meters to 30 meters and asmodelswith or without hand strap.
TheDrag leash can help to train the dog, secure it or give it more freedom of movement, which is why it is used particularly often with young dogs or dogs with a hunting instinct.
What you need to know about using and Training with a drag lead,how drag lines differ and which drag line suits you find out here!
When is a drag line useful?
The use of a drag lead is particularly recommended forDogs with a hunting instinct and in basic training or Recall training for young dogs
But dogs can also benefit from using a drag lead beyond this:
- It gives the dogAdditional freedom of movement in areas where a leash is mandatory.
- YouSecures fearful dogs and gives them room to move out of the way.
- YouHelps the new addition to the pack to find its way aroundto humans.
How do I use a towline?
You can use a drag line in two ways:
- You can hold theHold the towline For more safety.
- You can actually let go of the Let go of the drag line and let your dog drag or pull for even more freedom of movement.
If you hold your drag line tightly, it acts like a (very) long leash - You retain control and a direct connection to your dog.
For a particularly secure and comfortable grip, we recommend using a Schleppleine mit Schlaufe, so that the leash cannot simply slip through your hands!
If you really let your dog pull the leash behind you, without you holding the leash, it becomes a real drag leash. This way you haveno longer have a constant opportunity to influence your dog through the lead, but it can still be useful. With anxious dogs, the lead can be grabbed more quickly and easily than trying to lure and lead the dog in an already stressful situation. The same also applies on paths with lots of dog encounters,Instead of constantly putting your dog on and off the lead, just pick it up and shorten it.
Attention:Leashes with hand loops should never be let go, otherwise the dog can get tangled up!
What do you train with the drag line?
The drag lead not only makes walking safer for your dog, but can also help to Train your dog benefit:
Most commonly used is the Drag lead for training the dog's recall used. The drag line gives you a constant connection to your dog andcan give the verbal command of recall, if necessary, with a gentle tug on the leash support.
In addition to the opportunity to actively work on commands,A tethered leash also helps you to passively teach your dog how far he can move away from you on walks. If he moves too far away, the lead restricts his freedom of movement and reminds him to follow your lead.
Which gloves for tug line training?
Basically, we advise everyone who lets their dog walk on a tug line to wear gloves. The reason:If your dog suddenly starts running, it's easy for a few centimetres of lead to slip through your hands, before you get your dog stopped. This can lead to burns and injuries, regardless of the material and width of the lead!
But here too, not all gloves are the same:
Special gloves for dog owners not only protect your hands, but also give you a secure grip.
OurSPRENGER gloves offer you the following advantages:
- Comfortable stretch material on the back of the hand.
- Excellent wearing comfort, grip & flexibility.
- Velcro fastener on the inside.
- Reinforcement of fingers and palms with Flexgrip, for excellent abrasion resistance and increased grip.
- Many different models and sizes!
Drag line on collar or harness?
It is often advised to attach a drag line exclusively to the dog's harness.You should decide whether to attach your drag lead to your dog's collar or harness based on two factors:
Your dog's behavior and temperament
The choice of collar or harness here is often independent of the leash issue. A dog that is not yet able to walk on a lead and walks safely on a collar should not have a drag lead on its collar.
The area of use of your drag lead
Especially in dog sports such as tracking or mantrailing, it is not uncommon to see drag leads on collars. In these sports, however, the dog works exclusively on the drag line in a controlled manner!
Why never use the drag line on the collar when running free?
Especially forYoung and wild dogsorDogs with a strong hunting instinct a sudden running off on the firmly held drag line can lead to a strong, jerky pulling of the drag line. If this is attached to the collarin the worst case, this strain can lead to injury in the long term.
Which dog harness for drag leash?
If you attach your drag leash to your dog's harness, you are on the safe side for now. Nevertheless, you shouldmake sure that the dog harness fits well, distributes the pressure evenly and is well padded.
You can find out more about harnesses in ourBlog post about dog harnesses!
Schleppleine im Hundesport
Verschiedene Hundesportarten nutzen Schleppleinen, Langleinen oder Suchleinen nicht nur als Hilfsmittel im Training, sondern als festen Ausrüstungsgegenstand.
Schleppleine für Fährtenarbeit und Mantrailing
Fährtenarbeit und Mantrailing nutzen die natürlichen Instinkte und Fähigkeiten des Hundes, egal ob als Freizeitbeschäftigung, Hundesport oder als professionelle Arbeit.
Fährtenarbeit ist eine Hundesportart, bei der der Hund Schritt für Schritt einer vorgelegten Spur folgt. Diese Spur wurde vom Hundeführer gelegt und weist Winkel und abgelegte Gegenstände auf, die vom Hund anzuzeigen sind. Die Hundenase kommt hierbei zum Einsatz, um die Geruchsspuren zu verfolgen und das Ziel zu erreichen. Beim Fährten wird die Schleppleine an einem gut sitzenden Halsband, einer passenden Hundehalskette oder einem Geschirr mit Brustring befestigt und läuft zwischen den Beinen des Hundes hindurch. Die Schleppleine schleift dabei meist auf dem Boden und wird vom Hundeführer am Ende leicht hochgehoben.
Mantrailing ist eine Form der Suche, bei der der Hund eine spezifische Person anhand ihres individuellen Geruches aufspüren soll. Dabei spielt die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Hund und Hundeführer eine entscheidende Rolle. Der Hund wird mit einem Startgeruch bekannt gemacht und muss dann die Geruchsspur der gesuchten Person verfolgen. Im Gegensatz zur Fährtenarbeit muss die Spur jedoch nicht spurtreu (also Schritt für Schritt) verfolgt werden, solange der Hund am Ende am Ziel (also der zu suchenden Person) ankommt. Dabei ist er über Geschirr und festgehaltener Schleppleine mit dem Hundeführer verbunden.
Tracking dog equipment
This is the equipment you and your dog need in tracking work:
- Drag line with at least 3m length
- Glovesfor a secure grip
- Well-fittingCollar/chainorDog harness with chest ring
Mantrailing dog equipment
This is the equipment you and your dog need for mantrailing:
- Drag leash with hand loop, 5 - 10m depending on the size of the dog
- Glovesfor a secure grip
- Well-fittingDog harness
What types of towlines are there?
Towlines come in different lengths, colors, materials and designs. What they all have in common: They have no rings or additional hooks Along the leash.
Think carefully before buying your drag linewhether you need a drag line with or without a hand loop. Drag lines with a hand loop should never be pulled behind the dog when it is actually released, as the loop can get tangled up in branches or roots and injure the dog or cause it to panic. On the other hand, they allow you a firmer and more secure grip and prevent the lead from accidentally slipping out of your hand.
Most commonBiothane tow leads andNylon towlines, because the materialsresistant, easy-to-clean andquick-drying are a great advantage - especially in snow, rain, mud or on the beach or lake!
Advantages of nylon leashes for dogs
OurSPRENGER nylon drag leads are real all-rounders. That's what you get when you choose a SPRENGER rubberized nylon leash decide:
- A tear-resistant drag line
- A lightweight drag line
- A drag line made of non-slip material
- A colorful drag line, available in seven different colors
- A drag line with woven-in reflective strip for better visibility
- A water-repellent drag line
- A quick-drying drag line
What is the best length for a drag line?
For the start of training, we recommend a Drag line of five meters in length for young dogs or a Ten-meter leash for adult dogs. This gives you and your dog enough room to play without overtaxing you. As soon as you get used to walking or training with the drag line, you can increase the length to up to 30 meters for even more freedom of movement.
Our tip: If the recall works perfectly at some point, you can shorten the length of the drag line again. This way, you still have a handy leash, but less knotting, tangling and risk of tripping!
Basically, the following applies:The right length for a drag lead depends on your individual needs, your dog's temperament and the type of use.
Our SPRENGER towlines
PART OF YOUR PASSION.
