Types of Dog Leashes: A Practical Guide

For most everyday walks, you can’t go wrong with a good old standard leash. It’s simple, it’s predictable, and it keeps your furbaby close while you both enjoy the sights (and, let’s be honest, the smells). The other types of dog leashes each help with something specific, whether you want your hands free for that morning coffee, your dog wants more room to sniff, or you’re working on recall.

The right pick depends on your dog’s size, how they walk, what you’re working on in training and where you love to go together. Here at Pink Papyrus, we make dog-walking accessories like rope leashes, harnesses, collars and treat pouches, so we spend a lot of time daydreaming about what makes a walk happy for you and your pup.

Standard Leashes

You probably picture a standard leash when you think of one, with a single strap or rope, a clip on one end and a handle loop on the other. Because the length stays the same the whole walk, your dog always knows where the edge of their bubble is, and so do you. That’s why it’s the go-to for teaching loose-leash walking, and why your little velcro dog will happily trot along at your side.

You’ll find standard leashes in nylon, leather and rope. We’re big fans of rope, because it feels sturdy and cozy in your hand, which is why we adore our rope dog leashes for daily strolls. You’ll want one for neighborhood walks, busy sidewalks, vet visits (sorry, buddy) and anywhere you want your dog close by.

Hands-Free Leashes

With a hands-free leash, you wear the leash instead of holding it, which feels like a little superpower the first time you try it. You can wear our hands-free rope leash crossbody or around your waist, so your hands stay free while your dog stays right with you.

You’ll love a hands-free leash when you:

• Jog or power walk and want a natural arm swing
• Push a stroller or hold a little one’s hand
• Carry groceries, a coffee or a phone for directions
• Walk a dog who already strolls politely at your side
• Need both hands free to grab treats for rewarding good behavior

Just a friendly heads-up, though. If your little (or enormous) chaos goblin spots a squirrel and lunges, you’ll feel every bit of that force right in your middle. Hands-free works best once your dog has some loose-leash skills, or when you’re strong and steady enough to handle a sudden tug. If that sounds like your walks, take a peek at our hands-free dog leashes.

Retractable Leashes

With a retractable leash, you hold a chunky handle with a spring-loaded cord or tape inside. The cord lets out as your dog wanders off to investigate and reels back in as they trot back to you, and you can press a button to lock it at a set length.

Some pet parents love retractables for calm dogs in quiet, open spaces where a little extra sniffing room is a treat. If your dog pulls, though, we’d recommend a different leash. Every time your dog leans forward, they get more slack, so a retractable can reward pulling, and it’s risky if your fur missile suddenly bolts after the neighbor’s cat. Retractables are also a big worry if an off-leash dog comes charging out of nowhere with their sights set on your pup. With your dog at the far end of a thin cord, you can’t reel them back to safety fast enough.

Long Lines

Think of a long line as a standard leash with a whole lot of extra room and no spring tugging at your dog. You hold the end and gather or let out the slack by hand.

You’ll love a long line for recall practice, sniffy adventures in fields and parks, and giving your dog some freedom where off-leash time isn’t allowed or isn’t safe. Clip it to a harness, not a collar, keep an eye out for tangles around legs and trees, and leave it at home on crowded paths, where all that length can trip people up.

Choosing the Right Leash for Different Dogs

Size and Strength

A tiny pup and a powerful large breed need very different things from a leash. If you’ve got a big, strong dog, you’ll want a sturdy leash, a secure clip and a handle you can grip comfortably. Smaller dogs often do best with lighter hardware that won’t weigh them down. Breed affects energy level and walking style too. Breed Advisor is a friendly place to learn how your dog’s breed, size and activity level might affect what works best, along with additional, free resources on dog ownership.

Walking Habits and Pulling

If your dog pulls, clip the leash to a harness instead of a collar so the pressure stays off their neck. Their collar can still hold the ID tags while the harness does the walking work, and the harness comes off once you’re home. It’s an especially kind setup for pullers and dogs with sensitive necks.

Training Needs

Gear helps, but a leash on its own won’t stop your dog pulling. Pair it with training by rewarding calm walking with high-value treats. Keep those treats in a pouch on your hip, and you can mark the good moments the second they happen.

Type of Walk

Lots of pet parents end up with two leashes, a standard one for everyday outings and a specialty one for runs or training sessions. You can explore our full dog leash collection to find the combo that suits your routine.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’d begin with a comfy standard leash and a harness, add treats and a little patience, then pick a specialty leash once you know how your dog likes to walk. Your dog will let you know what works, usually with a happy wag.

Frequently asked questions

How do I move my dog from a standard leash to a hands-free leash?

Start by practicing loose-leash walking on a standard leash, rewarding calm steps with high-value treats. Then try hands-free on short, quiet routes before you take it on jogs or busy streets.

What should I do if my dog pulls hard while I’m wearing a hands-free leash?

Stop walking, grab the leash close to your dog to steady things, and wait for some slack before you move on. If the pulling keeps happening, switch back to a handheld leash for a while and keep training.