Dog leases come in a wide assortment of materials, lengths, styles and designs. Choosing the right leash can help make walking your dog easier and more comfortable for both you and your dog. Leashes also can serve as training aids to help teach your dog how to behave appropriately on a walk.
Elastic Leashes
Elastic leashes are made from stretchy fabric that gives when your dog applies pressure by pulling against it. Some leases are made completely out of elastic while other leashes only have elastic sections. The amount of elastic in the leash will determine how much the leash will give when it is tugged on.
Benefits
The benefit of an elastic leash is that it has enough give to help prevent your dog from pulling. When a dog pulls constantly against a leash, the person walking the dog may feel like they are being drug behind the dog. Meanwhile, the dog can damage his windpipe or have difficultly breathing due to the pressure being applied to the collar around his neck. An elastic leash will give when the dog pulls against it and is less likely to cause an injury to your dog and will make it more comfortable for you to walk him.
Problems
Elastic leashes always give, which means your dog could get hurt if the leash stretches just enough to let him get into traffic or too close to any hazard. Elastic leashes may break if the elastic is put under too much pressure or stretched too far, causing your dog to escape.
Choosing the Right Leash
If you are planning to purchase an elastic leash, you need to think ahead about what types of walks you like to take your dog on. A longer leash with more stretch will be good for dogs who regularly walk and explore in parks or other large, open and relatively safe areas. If your dog likes to run off, you walk him in busy areas or you need to keep him close to you at all times, you will want a shorter leash with less stretch. Always make sure to buy a leash that is thick enough and strong enough to hold up against your dog snatching or pulling on it. Leashes have weight ratings on their packaging that will tell your the size and weight of the type of dog the leash should be used for.
References
Writer Bio
Jen Davis has been writing since 2004. She has served as a newspaper reporter and her freelance articles have appeared in magazines such as "Horses Incorporated," "The Paisley Pony" and "Alabama Living." Davis earned her Bachelor of Arts in communication with a concentration in journalism from Berry College in Rome, Ga.