Basically, all types of dog leashes have the same purpose and that is to keep your pooch close to you and under control while going for a walk. Generally speaking any leash works about as well as any other, but if your dog has a specific behavior, or if you are trying to teach him specific lessons, you’ll need some guidelines on which leash works best for you and your dog.
Standard leashes are usually made of nylon or leather. Nylon is quite strong, durable and it is light enough to be handy for a small puppy, but strong enough to work with large dogs as well.
However, nylon leashes might cause abrasions if the dog decides to run abruptly and pulls the leash out of your hands. Leather leashes are pretty tough and can handle a lot of abuse. They tend to soften with time, conforming to the body. Standard leashes are also available in other materials such as cotton and even rubber.
There are also retractable leashes, or so-called ‘flexi-leashes’. They allow variable leash length. Namely, the leash pulls out from a heavy handle with a stopping mechanism that you can control. Although such leashes are easy to use, there are several potential problems.
Your dog could also pull the entire handle out of your hands, which might result in injuring the dog. There is also the risk of strangulation when he suddenly runs out of leash or if he becomes entangled in it.
Another type is a chain leash. They are heavy, bulky and uncomfortable in the hands. They are usually used along with the training collars, but may be attached to any solidly constructed collar. A chain leash is useful for dogs that bite or chew their leashes.
And finally, there is something called Martingale Lead. This leash is an all-in-one product that includes a Martingale collar and a standard leash. It has the ability to tighten when the dog pulls against it and it releases when he stops pulling.
Martingale collar which is fitted in a right way can never put the dog in danger of choking, and it maintains just enough pressure to be uncomfortable when the dog pulls.