Dog Community

Drag Line for Re-training Recall

Posted : 1/17/2007 4:44:04 PM

Wesley has started to blow us off (he is just over 2) and I no longer trust him to stay by us off leash... We take him hiking on the weekends and the last few times, he has taken off out of eye-sight. This would be fine with me, if his recall was excellent, but it is not great in high distraction, so, we are going back to the beginning and I am thinking that for hiking and outdoor activities, rather than a leash, he should be attached to some sort of drag line so that he doesn't feel like he is wearing a leash (which changes his behavior), but, I can enforce a "here" command (we are replacing "come" which is useless from overuse by DH).

My question is (and I apologize for the long-windedness, I just wanted you to know what I want the line for), what do I buy and where do I buy it? Is it just a rope? What is it made from, how long should it be, and how should I attatch it to him (tie it to his collar)?

mudpuppy

Posted : 1/17/2007 5:01:17 PM

you can buy specially made drag lines from hunting dog supply houses-- usually rather stiff smooth bright orange nylon ropes, designed to not snag on bushes and not tangle up. However, I prefer the plastic-coated metal cable-- the stuff they sell for tie-outs for dogs. Which can be purchased much cheaper at your local home depot. Spray paint a bright color. Fifty or thirty feet long. I recommend attaching to a body harness-- if you've ever seen a dog get fifty feet of full gallop momentum hit the end of a drag line you're standing on, you see the potential for a serious neck injury if it's attached to a collar. And they don't do any good if you let the dog get too far away before calling him back.

Good luck. A good recall is the most important thing you can teach your dog.

schleide

Posted : 1/17/2007 5:17:12 PM

So, it isn't stretchy (no give)? I guess we need a harness then, he will hurt himself if I hold the line and he has gotten that much of a run going... I will go to home depot this weekend - thanks!!

Cita

Posted : 1/17/2007 6:21:42 PM

If you want it to be stretchy, I bet you could work in some surgical tubing or otherwise stretchy material into one of the ends of the tie.

glenmar

Posted : 1/17/2007 6:31:59 PM

I USED to use cotton clothes line rope. That was before the dogs tatooed me with a drag line one fine day. NOW I use bright blue climbing rope that is thicker but also resists snagging on bushes and tangling. I tie and tape to a lead. My guys aren't any real risk to take off even when the line is actually dragging so I don't use a harness. But, when we started with the drag lines they were so tickled to have so much further to roam that even know they don't get more than 40-50 feet ahead of us. I buy the rope in 50 foot lengths.

I've seen others recommend the lunge lines (I think) that are used for horses.

beagle43

Posted : 1/17/2007 8:59:39 PM

Dr. Foster & Smith Sell a 50 foot leash.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=774&N=2001+114006

Scroll the the end of the page

Pwca

Posted : 1/17/2007 9:19:28 PM

I honetsly think 50 feet is too long unless you're on private land where you won't run into anyone. On normal multi-use trails (ie state parks or nat'l forests), it's just courteous to keep your dog on leash- if you want to let them dash ahead and back, this *IS* the appropriate time for a flexi.

If your dog gets that far ahead of you and DOESN'T have a 100% recall, what about people with horses or on-leash dogs coming the other direction?

Katie

Posted : 1/17/2007 9:34:24 PM

The other night I was chatting with a trainer/fellow agility classmate. She told me they used to use shark line for distance recall training, because it is indestructible and the dogs didn't realize it was there. With all of the drag lines on the market, I'm guessing this method is outdated.

probe1957

Posted : 1/18/2007 10:11:19 AM

I made my own drag line with clothesline and a couple of swivel snaps.

mudpuppy

Posted : 1/18/2007 10:20:16 AM

if you want to let them dash ahead and back, this *IS* the appropriate time for a flexi.

it's not. On a flexi you CANNOT force your dog to come back to you in an emergency. If your dog has pulled the flexi out 30 feet, and ignores your recall, you have no option but to chase him down.
On a drag line or long line you can if you must physically drag the dog back to you. Plus if you get one of those flexi lines wrapped around someone's leg (horse, dog, human) you will cut it to the bone. Drag lines are pretty safe, worst case you get a big tangle.

glenmar

Posted : 1/18/2007 10:26:24 AM

I agree on the flexi...those things are just flat dangerous.

Regarding clothesline, sorry, but even the cotton stuff can be dangerous. I've got the scar to prove it. The big fat climbing rope is much safer and doesn't tangle.

probe1957

Posted : 1/18/2007 11:07:45 AM

I've got the scar to prove it.

Yeah, but you're a klutz. [

]

ColleenC

Posted : 1/18/2007 12:55:48 PM

I used to have a nylon training lead that I bought at WalMart. That is, until a little doggy here chewed it and it snapped. It got tangled so easily though. I use them outside to play fetch with the dogs. Since I live in an apartment next to a very busy road, I don't like to let them off lead at all. I think I will get the climbing rope this time. That sounds like a good idea!

glenmar

Posted : 1/18/2007 7:07:35 PM

Thanks for reminding me! Yep, I'm a klutz, but those cotton clotheslines were constantly tangling in one another AND in that case, I wasn't quick enough.

kpwlee

Posted : 1/18/2007 7:31:29 PM

I've got a nasty scar from using the tie out nylon wrapped cable - Bugsy was young probably 6 mos or so and took off after a squirrel and he had unbeknownst to me created a large circle around my left leg, when he took off that darn thing nearly took my ankle and foot off, i managed to undo the circle but the burn/slice across my achilles was SERIOUS. My achilles was sore for months no lie and the scar will be for life [:@]