Yeah, 20ft lines. I have gone thru so many lines thru the last 6 years it isn't funny. I usualy start with a 10 ft then go to 20 ft when the pup has the extra strength of dranging a longer one. My pups grow up out on the fields & learn from very early to work with distractions due to this. They just ignore it all, 'cause they just get used to it. My pups are on up to 50 ft lines as bigger dogs until they are proofed out on the fields even when transitioning to e-collars out on the field. Just one of just one of those shit happens things. We all have our mistakes to live with. I only posted it to let people know that no matter how careful you are things can happen. I didn't have to post something like that, just did it to let other know that even on a long line we have to be vigilent at all times. I never said that I was perfect, just try to learn by my mistakes. We all make them.

If you want Suzzie to be able to go farther, simply tie two long lines together. I had a made-up 35-foot line for when I wanted my dog to get more exercise in my yard (which was fenced but he could jump over). The 35 feet was long enough for him to play with a toy or romp with the other dogs. (Although you have to watch getting caught around trees and such).

I also really, really loved flexi-leads. I paid A LOT of money for a good, strong one. Yes, they do encourage pulling against the leash somewhat, but in my case the fact that it came with brakes trumped it.

Jenni must have had much success with very young pups, or has never tried raising a litter of hounds!

 Quote: Anne Jones

Yeah, 20ft lines. I have gone thru so many lines thru the last 6 years it isn't funny. I usualy start with a 10 ft then go to 20 ft when the pup has the extra strength of dranging a longer one. ....

Is there a ten-foot cotton one that's light-weight like the twenty-foot?

When I was saying "off leash", I really meant "dragging the 20' lead line". She doesn't have any problems with the handle getting caught on stuff. She has more problems wrapping the leash around underbrush and I have to go untangle her.

Today our walk had a strict "I hold the leash" policy. While out in the woods, I gave her the full length to enjoy; but on the street I had it coiled up so she had about 4 - 5' slack. The 20' slack seemed like OK. Not as mush space as she takes when she's dragging the line, but it seemed OK. Her gait of run, run, stop and sniff, run, run was reduced to trot, trot, stop and sniff, trot, trot. That's OK in my book given that I don't have to worry about her recall.

I also went ahead and wore my treat bag out today. A couple of times while she was out at the end of her lead I told her to come and rewarded. I think doing that a couple times daily on our walks will turn out to be a very good thing.

I appreciate this thread and the discussion (as always). I've learned some good pointers and fine tuned my thinking more. Thanks again.

 Quote: doug alcorn

... I also went ahead and wore my treat bag out today. A couple of times while she was out at the end of her lead I told her to come and rewarded. I think doing that a couple times daily on our walks will turn out to be a very good thing. ....

You have grabbed a lovely opportunity to add invaluable training to fun-with-dog!

I felt silly the first time I realized that I could grab that bait bag for even the most routine potty-walk. Aside from the crucial recall, any basic ob command being worked on at home can have change-of-venue proofing right on the trail or sidewalk.

A few years ago when I said "sit" after the usual "wait" and before the release for sniff/pee/etc., I remember how surprised the dog looked. It seemed so clear in his face: "Sit? Here?" But after a second or two of being nonplussed, he sat.

That surprised face really brought it home to me how much opportunity for venue proofing I had been wasting.

Then it was a quick hop to distraction-proofing on run-of-the-mill walks, stopping at the edge of a playground, etc., to do some doggy pushups.

Good job, Doug!

Connie, I bought mine from a couple of the local 'pet stores' because they were narrow & lighter weight for the pups to drag then the ones that Ed was selling at the time, although I have some of his as well. I had a 10 ft, 15ft, 20ft, 50ft. One of the reason that went thru alot of the lines was that I used to bring them to the beach with the pups, that is most likely why I went thru a number of them, due to the salt water corroding the clips. Man, they used to get so filthy being dragged around the field, thru the geese poo & rain, snow etc. Yuck. I used to have a few going at a time, so that I could soak then & then leave them hanging over the deck rail to dry. Thoses were the day! LOL

I gotta get one of those treat bags.

 Quote: nora ferrell

I gotta get one of those treat bags.

There are others too, but this is the one I mean:

http://leerburg.com/736.htm


Boy, that snap-open feature is handy as heck!


PS
Plus, this is the one that actually washed beautifully in the washer with a towel on "gentle."

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: nora ferrell

I gotta get one of those treat bags.

There are others too, but this is the one I mean:

http://leerburg.com/736.htm


Boy, that snap-open feature is handy as heck!


PS
Plus, this is the one that actually washed beautifully in the washer with a towel on "gentle."

I'm going to order one tonight.

I find myself so many times in places with my dog that would be a great place for some more marker and ob work and I don't have a treat in site.

Thanks for the suggestion.

It's the one I have too. I always take it on walks filled with treats. Mine has been through the washer a few times and it still looks and works great.