Hello,

I recently started working my GSD towards her BH, and was advised that I needed an obedience leash. We also started her on tracking. For now, we are using a 6 ft nylon walking leash of average width. She is an adult, and has a very solid foundation in obedience with gratitude to Leerburg DVDs.

I would like to know from those who use drag leads what are your preference and why? Also based on my needs, which would serve my purpose best?

1) 3/8" vs 1/2" wide
2) the length 18", 2 ft, 3 ft or 6 ft.

Thank you and I look forward to your input.

Regards,
Rei

I personally like the cotton lines for a drag line. They are light, washable & cheap to replace. Also available in 6ft to 30 ft.

For a leash I like wide leather or some of the all weather synthetics for everyday.

For some of the close up work with the 'helper' that I don't want to use a longer line with, I use a regular leash that I have cut thru the loop/handle so the dog can't catch a foot.

If you are talking about 18 inch or 2ft. are talking about a TAB or just a very short line to grab. To me those are something I would use on a dog still in some training in the house no in training obedience on the
field. You can't do a correction very well if you should need to with those. Well you can but it is not going to be as quick or effective. IMO

I like the wider leashes...but that is just more comfortable for me. I think the width is more of a personal preference.

IMHO, a drag line is different from a leash. For a drag lead, I use a 3/8" x 4' nylon leash. For a training leash, I use a 1" x 6' nylon web leash. I prefer this for most of my work because it is light, yet comfortable and sturdy. At my BH, I used a 1/2" x 6' Leerburg Amish leather leash, because I wanted to look good.

I also use cotton lines for drag lines. I really cannot stand nylon, too hard on the hands.

My obedience leashed are 4' by 1/2" leather leashes. I prefer thin leashes that are easy to gather up in my hand. Plus, I often walk several dogs at once and dislike the bulkiness of several thick leashes.

Maybe head to the pet store and try out a few different options in your hands...then come home and buy the same size on Leerburg LOL

Tractor Supply sells 15 & 30 foot cotton leads (most likely in the horse department) for cheap. I bought a 1" x 30' white cotton leash with handle for like $20.00 and it's lasted for a very very long time.

My tracking line is 1/2" cotton. Very light.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all your input. I apologize for my confusion between a drag line and a leash, so thanks for clarifying that up for me, Duane.

Our trainer suggested we get a leather drag line (one with no handle) for her obedience work. He quoted me $50 for one that is made by a friend. Hmm... He has one and it looks nice, but I can't justify spending $50 on it. I have used Leerburg products for years, from DVDs to equipment to toys, and I have always appreciated the quality and prices. So yea...

I did ask if I needed a longer cotton one for her tracking training, but he said I could wait a while since we just started. Friday was her 2nd day. It is fun! But I will go look at the feed stores to see if I could pick a 15' cotton line for cheap. I think the nylon leash hurts her armpit because she makes such a fuss when it goes under her front leg till we get to the flag and then she thinks it's "Follow the Breadcrumbs" game. The leash is an 1" thick so maybe it chaffs her.

Now, I just have to figure out what length I want. Leerburg offers a 3' or a 6' one, but the 1/2" width only comes in 3' so I will probably end up with that length. It seems 1/2" is a good width go with.

Thank you again, and if you have any more advice, please feel free. I am still learning and very green at this.

Regards,
Rei