How to use a Long Line when Training Your Dog

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A long leash or long line can be invaluable in helping you manage your dog during training. But most people avoid using them because they are bulky and cumbersome and it can be easy to get tangled.
Learn how to use a long line effectively, so you can better manage your dog during training.
Here are the long lines we use in our training:
(1) Biothane Long Line - amzn.to/2WM1BPg
(2) Gripper lead (for wet weather) - amzn.to/2YCclxa
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Website: www.collared-scholar.com
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*This video is for entertainment purposes only. Any training you do with dogs bears some level of risk and we will not be held responsible for any injury to yourself or to others that may arise from the appropriate or inappropriate implementation of these techniques. All techniques are meant to be used under the direct supervision of a licensed in person trainer.

[@Max_g_-pp6om]

Your dogs focus whilst you are talking is amazing

[@pjsopinion8028]

I would love to see you work with a dog that has never used a long line. To see how you manage a dog that takes off.

[@TheCollaredScholar]

I have several reels on my Instagram showing dogs working on long lines with no past experience.

[@glitterbeardwizard5171]

Yeah, exactly. It would be great to have it on KZbin not Instagram. Instagram is so hard to look at. I’m afraid my dog is going to pull me off my feet

[@susanvinal8703]

This video was very helpful. I really like the idea of a long leash but it was always tied in knots, sticks got stock in line, wrapped around my legs, wrapped around my dogs legs, this is so amazingly simple, and worked great. Thank you.

[@lisaorourke903]

Brilliant. This is exactly what I needed.

[@name.terrie]

This is a great demo! Thanks for the tips. Much appreciation.

[@puppylove1ist]

Excellent video , very clear information , thank you ! 😊

[@beckz4952]

Thank you!

[@mattkohler1711]

Great video thankyou.

[@arielboyce6737]

Excellent tutorial!

[@dinakennedy9304]

oh my gosh this is so helpful thank you!

[@tedebayer1]

saw someone with a 150 foot scuba dive reel, tethered to the dog for frisbee and ball throwing.... that dog got a good run in a park setting, and quick no tangle wind up after... seemed like a good idea for untrusted recall, going to give it a try myself.

[@edmeraan2]

I just got a 50 foot lead... I live in Colorado... So I definitely needed one with texture, but this is very helpful... I appreciate the information

[@valdrinjajaga1237]

I’m in Arizona man I let my dog off lead then realized how much more training I have to do before we get there I got a 50 feet one too

[@user-ow2iy3sh3s]

Great video

[@edmeraan2]

Georgeous boy!!

[@philipboothroyd1416]

Great demo much appreciated, I wish I'd watched this before trying a long line for the first time this morning. Having a very fast lurcher (and the rope burns to prove it), I might also be donning a pair of gloves before we try again tomorrow!

[@missymoo1568]

Exactly my experience, I've got the cuts on my finger to prove it. My dog is so fast, she loves other dogs and my goal is to stop her running over to other dogs, and get her to come back, none of which worked yesterday, all we did was get caught up and I got sore fingers. Think I am out of my depth here.

[@derek8843]

Good video on long leash handling TV

[@101DogSpots]

A double loop arrangement works better than the single loop :) Nice technique!

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Thanks!

[@elsafecke3229]

Another video you have where you’ve read my mind 😅 I ordered a biothane right before watching this!

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Yay! Thank you. So happy you found it helpful!

[@maryrubin2802]

great

[@simond3226]

All great with a well behaved dog. Would have been better to have a demo with a junior who was distracted with other dogs

[@kathleenconway8613]

Good information. Where do you get your preferred long lines?

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Thanks! There are links in the video description of the two types that we use :)

[@kristamccord5221]

Hello. How long is the line you're using in this video?

[@renachen366]

i find that my dog really likes to bite the long lead, but not as much on a 6 ft lead. she is 6 months old and this leash biting is really inhibiting my ability to train her recall. do you have any tips?

[@heathermurray1097]

Love this video, thanks for sharing. Could I ask what happens if my dog runs in the opposite direction really fast whilst on a long line? This has happened before and nearly pulled both of us over,

[@TheCollaredScholar]

I've absolutely experienced this! This is why it's so important to maintain a constant connection with the dog. Most of the time, this happens when there is slack in the line. The dog gets a running start and sling shots into the end of the line. By maintaining a connection with them, they aren't able to do this. But if you find yourself in a situation where you accidentally give your dog slack, and they use it to take off, you have two options. (1) Drop the line if it's safe to do so or (2) Brace for impact. If you brace for impact, you want to hold the end of the line with both hands tucked into your stomach. Glue your elbows to your side, and bend your knees, so that your strength comes from your legs/core. You never want to outstretch your arms when trying to hold any leash, as your dog will have much more leverage if you do. :)

[@CamilleGG451]

Thank you for this video! I have a question not related to safety per se, but rather training using a long line. I've recently realized I've painted myself into a corner a bit. Here's the problem: I've been using a 50 ft long line so my husky mix can really run everywhere to get his energy out, explore, smell, etc. After about 45 min of that, we "calm down" for a bit, and then for the last 15 min I switch to a shorter walking leash, give a cue that we are going to do our loose leash walking work and do our session working on that. This is working beautifully. HOWEVER, problem now though, is that I'm realizing that next, I'd like him to still have that long-lead activity, but now with the caveat that he can do everything EXCEPT hitting the end of the long line. I'd also love to ideally let him run for like a hundred feet back and forth but don't want him coming to a crashing stop for both our sakes! Any thoughts?? (apart from the fact that I should have incorporated this rule at the beginning...🙄 I'm painfully aware of that now 😳😕) TIA!

[@jellywh4le]

I highly recommend investing in a wireless headset or microphone for clarity! I have great hearing and this is difficult to here without it being uncomfortably loud. Thank you for your videos!

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Thank you. I'm actually using a wireless mic here. But I definitely appreciate the feedback and will continue to look for ways to make the audio clearer. :)

[@tcaustine6680]

@@TheCollaredScholar I thought it was so clear, no wind noises too...i think the sound is great as it is. Amazing video.

[@TheCollaredScholar]

@@tcaustine6680 Thank you :)

[@jameskiggell1799]

Do you start using a long line with a small puppy or do you have the other commands in place first?

[@TheCollaredScholar]

We use long lines with young puppies as well. The primary purpose of the line is to prevent the dogs from wandering off. There are times we let the puppy loose when it's safe to do so, to teach the puppy to stick close, but in formal training sessions, or in new areas, we always rely on a long line :)

[@indigomoon7848]

I really like the way you calmly teach and explain things! What would you do in the case of a dog who already pulls extremely hard, constantly, on a normal leash (i.e. he doesn't sit still and watch you, like your dog is doing in the video)? I'm a dog walker and I have a new dog who pulls like gangbusters the entire time he's on leash. I've tried the standard "he pulls, I stop or change directions" technique, but he just looks confused. He waits, looks at me, the leash gets slack, I move forward, and he immediately goes back to dragging me down the street. Would you use a long line with a dog like that? Or would you work on leash behaviour first? His owner wants him to be off leash, once we get to the designated area. His recall is good unless he sees another dog, then all bets are off. But there are no fenced parks where we live. Only an old cemetery (not in use, popular with dog walkers), so there are lots of obstacles, not a big open space. Would you use a long line in a place like that? Or is that a disaster waiting to happen, with how much he pulls and bolts?

[@karleyford3838]

Indigo Moon hey! The long line is more so for dogs that already now how to walk! If I was you I’d let the owners know that there dog pulls and ask them to get them into training or work with them, it’s there responsibility and if you get hurt from that dogs pulling it will be there fault for having an untrained dog! Or on the other hand you can use the long line to get energy out then do some training with a standard leash as in focus, heel ect ur safety is the most important thing I am a pet sitter/walker and offer training services regarding the off leash part I highly recommend using a longline in that situation (what the owners don’t know won’t hurt them) it’s just a lot safer for everyone involved

[@CamilleGG451]

Hi! I too am a dog walker, and fwiw, there's no way I would ever let someone's dog off-leash without the owner being there. So I like the advice that Karley Ford mentioned below. Even if their dog has excellent recall with THEM, recall can have a lot to do with the relationship between the command and the person giving it, which most owners probably don't realize.

[@austinhickerson7311]

So for young puppies around 12 to 16 weeks would you say I’d still need one? I pretty much am doing all my basic training inside at the moment.

[@TheCollaredScholar]

I don't use them when I'm around my house all that often. Only when I'm outside :)

[@treborob]

Some say long leashes should only be attached to a body harness to avoid neck damage...your opinion please?

[@Godiscoming888]

Yes. I had a line attached to my puppy in the yard and he started running to eat the backyard mulch..so I stepped on the lead and he started crying because the force jerked his neck. I'm very lucky he was OK. We immediately switched to a harness.

[@MrDingo71]

I don't normally use a harness, but started using one with the long leash so it doesn't tangle as much in my pup's legs. The harness keeps it to either side of his back instead of dragging between his legs. Still not perfect, but it helps.

[@mellsc766]

What do you do if your dog just goes crazy when on a long line and bolts in circles and jolts you constantly?

[@jennamicieli2931]

Sounds like the dog lacks a good foundation

[@vlaskamagija4544]

Video starts at 3:00

[@freedman-asf4161]

This dog is already well mannered and paying attention. Can we get one that is rowdy and hyper active. Llol

[@raidergang8873]

Wish there was more context. She's talked about everything except the philosophy and purpose of the long-line.

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Thanks for your feedback :)

[@nicolesnyder4893]

why do you say yes to have him come back?

[@TheCollaredScholar]

The "Yes!" is a cue that tells him he can come access a treat from my hand. I'm using it to get him moving towards me to better demonstrate using the line :)

[@nicolesnyder4893]

understand yes is used as a release.. I dont use it that way but you are using it as a recall. Thats confusing.

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Sorry for the confusion. Actually, I'm not using yes as a recall, although it can seem that way. "Yes!" is simply a marker cue that tells my dog they can access a treat I have in my hand :)

[@outdooradventures92]

Yea they also give you rope burns when your dog decided to run of to enougher dog. Worst invention ever they should be padded

[@lukecasey5669]

Why say it can hurt you when it can hurt the dog by braking the leg your the one doing it!!!!

[@grahamharrison3730]

all these training videos are done with TRAINED DOGS and are therefore useless

[@TheCollaredScholar]

Thanks so much for your attempt at constructive feedback. Appreciate it!

[@martinivanov1319]

my thoughts exactly. all the videos are with fully trained dogs.

[@LloydishC]

Agreed, I’d like to see this done on a stubborn unruly dog- not one already trained to a T

[@tomb5220]

this is ridiculous, her dog is completely trained. not helpful at all in real life situation