How long should a long line be?

A question I regularly get asked is what length long line should I get? This always depends on your dog’s training needs and activities.  Long line lead typically range from 3 metres to 10 metres, but which one is best for your dog? Let’s break it down on what I use each length for.

Zhani and I use long lines most days.  For walks and where I am trying to practise her walking in a heel, I prefer the 3-metre lead, this allows me to gather the slack when I need to but also allows room for extra sniffing space.  We also use 3 metres for scent work training and in competitions as Zhani likes to stay close to me.

If you go on regular walks, have a new puppy to socialise or are just starting out with recall training, I highly recommend a 3-metre long line. This length provides your dog with some freedom to explore while keeping them close enough for easy communication and correction.

The 5-metre lead is my go-to for Zhani's scent work and training sessions such as sits, stays, and trick training in the park.  This length long line lead is also good to train obedience at a distance or teaching dogs important skills like door or boundary thresholds. 

This long line lead length is great for dogs that have a basic recall but still need some guidance and I find it great for hiking and building confidence in open areas without the risks of being completely off-leash.

When the park oval is quiet or I have more space, the 10-metre lead lets Zhani run and practice recall while playing, offering the perfect balance of freedom and control.  I also find this length great for beach or water adventures.  A longer long line is best for dogs with a strong recall foundation who need extra space to roam while still staying under your control and for dogs that thrive on having more freedom. 

The ideal long line length depends on where you are in your dog training journey, your environment and the type of adventure you take your dog on.  Essentially, we all want what’s best for our dogs and to keep them safe while teaching them important skills.