Dog Community

Long lines?

Posted : 3/15/2006 12:09:38 AM

Lately I've noticed that a lot of people on this board that don't let their dog run off leash say that they use long lines instead.

Sooooo, are these just really long leashes? How long? I think this would be a good option for Caesar when we go for hikes, because I definitely don't trust him to be off leash, but I'm sure he would enjoy having a bit more freedom than my 6 foot leash is giving him.

What length do you guys use? Do they not get tangled in the woods? Are they the same thickness as your regular leashes?

Thanks in advance!

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 3/15/2006 12:14:47 AM

I had to get a long line for obedience school - it's a 25 or 30 ft. leash. I got a nylon one here on dog.com for about $6 and I used it with my regular leather leash because leather feels more comfortable in my hand. I just hooked the long line to his collar and then hooked my own leash to the handle loop of the long line so I actually had about 31 ft. total.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 3/15/2006 12:20:03 AM

I have a 50 foot peice of thin rope tied to a clasp like mountain climbers use (only mine is cheap) that I use for a drag line. It's pretty secure, and makes me feel better, even though Em has great recall. Teenie gets the 20 foot training lead, b/c she just doesn't listen.

jensw

Posted : 3/15/2006 12:38:05 AM

I just got a new one... it's 100 feet! LOL! It's just clothesline from Home Depot at $5 for 100 feet, and I put a clip on one end and tied a loop at the other. I don't think it's super-strong, but I just use it for security while I work on Roscoe's recall. I don't let him lunge to the end of it or anything.

We don't have much "woods" around here, so all our hiking is really open and there isn't much to get tangled on. Every once in a while it does, but not enough to be an annoyance. If there's a lot of tangle-able stuff around, I just shorten up the lead 'til we pass it.

jeano

Posted : 3/15/2006 2:23:31 AM

Jensw, we think alike!

Sofia has a 100 foot BRIGHT YELLOW rope that's pretty thick (I've towed vehicles with it before) and I just tie the dang thing on her huge collar ring and loop 2/3rs of it over my shoulder and off we go. If I let more than 50 ft out at a time she gets way tangled in brush and trees, or tries to hunt rabbits under the barn, or goes down into the gully where I can't see her (and I don't know if there might be a moose bedded down there) so I keep her to about 30 ft.

I have tied knots in the last 10 feet of the rope just in case for some reason I do have to grab the end. I have knots tied in her leash for the same reason. Much easier to grab in case of escape attempt and naughtiness!

mrv

Posted : 3/15/2006 7:35:53 AM

I use a 15', 30' and 70' which one depends on which field we are in. I use my long line for herding to prevent the dog from being wrong so we practice "right".
Another great use of long lines is to teach a "check in" behavior. Picked this up from Patty Russo. The dog draws the line, periodically you step on it. When the dog stops and looks back reward and release. As you continue the practice, eventually you get a dog that looks back and checks in on a regular basis.

nigguysmom

Posted : 3/15/2006 8:19:00 AM

MRV ~ that is a great idea....hadn't thought of that!

griffinej5

Posted : 3/15/2006 8:23:03 AM

The long line I use it just a piece of rope I bought at Lowes, I think it's about 20ft. I put a clasp up on the handle end, although really you could just tie a knot and it'd be cheaper that way. At the other end I tied on a clasp I bought. I feel better using this rather than one of those thin long lines, especially with dogs over 50lbs. I think the rope I bought is 5/8" polypropylene. It can be cut to any length you want, but for the purposes of making a leash, if you want a specific length, I would add about 2ft to the length you want it to be to account for the tying knots in it for a handle and clasp, and add a few more if you want to put knots in to make it easier to catch the dog. I also made a regular 6ft leash for Max this way, because at least that I know of, Lupine leashes only come in 4ft lengths, and he can chew through other types of leashes.

Catherine

Posted : 3/15/2006 9:28:06 AM

thanks everyone - the knots in the lead and the teaching check-in are also really great tips! I'm off to lowe's this evening . . .

mudpuppy

Posted : 3/15/2006 9:44:05 AM

you can buy nice long lines from hunting dog supply stores. Me, I like to use that thin plastic-coated cable they sell for tying dogs out (which you can buy for cheaper in huge rolls at home depot). It never gets hung up on bushes and dogs can't chew through it. Spray paint it a bright color for visibility. All the pups start out on long lines and only come off them when they have a very reliable recall.

griffinej5

Posted : 3/15/2006 9:50:39 AM

MRV, I didn't have time earlier, but I like that idea. I may need to make a longer long line to do that with Max.
The polypropylene rope doesn't get tangled up, at least that I have found. The thin stuff you can buy at the petstores always does when I use it. The polypropylene rope will also float to the top of the water, so it is easier to use if your dog will be going in water.

hdkutz

Posted : 3/15/2006 10:07:32 AM

For training I like the nylon clothesline and I tie it to the collar. Don`t want the weight of the clasp.I don`t want the dog to know there is anything hooked to him.

sillysally

Posted : 3/15/2006 11:09:28 AM

I just discovered the wonerful world of the long line! We are starting small (15 ft) but Sally and I both LOVE it! It gives the benifits of off-leash without the dangers. I'll have to try the "check-in" thing--I have been doing recalls and "distance sitting."

huskymom

Posted : 3/15/2006 6:18:30 PM

The other day I was out with Crusher on his long line at the marina. On the way back( I switch to his leash for the walk back) I came upon an outdoor equitment supply store. It mostly deals with kayaking and rock climbing. It said pets welcome on the door so I thought what the heck. I found that they had something I have been looking for everywhere. Leash and harness quality webbing. You know the stuff nylon leashes are made of. Anyway they had it in Crusher's colour. His stuff is all royal blue. Its 89 cents a meter (3 feet). Now I can make his harnesses and the harnesses for the girls and dont have to worry bout shipping it from Alaska. You could use that for longlines as well. I use a piece of clothesline though. Its still cheeper.

smilee1079

Posted : 3/15/2006 6:33:23 PM

Everyone who makes their own and attaches a clasp... I have a question.

Where do you buy the clasp and how do you attach it so it is tight?

Zoe and I will be hiking more in the upcoming months and I think she'd love to have more freedom that 6 feet. I do have a 10 ft. tie out and am getting a 20 foot one. Could I just use that? I think it may be heavy but maybe less likely to get caught since it has that plasticy rubbery outside.