dog leads provide a physical connection between your dog and you to help with training, guidance, safety and the strengthening of the human-dog bond. They come in various lengths, styles and connecting options to suit every type of dog walk and environment. Choosing the right lead is important to ensure your dog remains comfortable during walks, behaves well and responds to commands. Standard flat leashes, usually made of flat nylon or rope and attached to a collar using a simple clasp, are the most common types of dog leads. They are available in a variety of lengths to allow your dog freedom and come in thick or thin materials depending on your dog's needs. These types of leads should not be used to correct pulling or other behaviour problems as they can cause harm by applying pressure to your dog's neck and potentially choking them.

In Your Neighborhood: The Convenience of Locally Sourced Dog Leashes

Retractable leads allow you to give your dog up to 26 feet of slack when they are not being controlled. Unfortunately, this type of leash has a high risk of injury for both dogs and owners as the thin cord can easily snap or catch on objects or people. Fingers, tails and even limbs have been severed when using these types of leashes. Punishment based techniques such as head collars and figure 8 leads have been linked with serious injuries including damage to the windpipe or oesophagus, fainting and stress and anxiety. Reward based training methods such as clicker training are recommended instead and have been shown to be more effective in controlling your pet during walks.