Using A Long Line While Training Your Dog

One of the best ways to work from a distance with your dog is long-line training. It can help you teach them how to behave reliably while being safe at the same time. The term long line usually implies a long leash available in varying lengths and materials.

The one you choose from among the various choices depends on what you need in this particular aspect. Dog trainers use these to train dogs until the dogs become dependable when off-leash. The long line helps ensure that your dog cannot run away when training them.

However, despite this, it must be acknowledged you never know what can happen even when your dog is showing signs of being trained and stable when not on a leash. If you use the long line, it can help you build a great relationship with your pet. It also helps make training-specific commands a lot more successful.

So, why should you be using a long line?

As has been said already, a long line has a lot of uses. It comes in handy as far as teaching commands to your dog is concerned. However, before you start using a long line, make sure your dog obeys your commands when they are on a short leash.

As is applicable for all kinds of training, you need to make sure that you start training in an area that does not have any distractions. It would be better to train the dogs in a familiar area they are already accustomed to.

Once they show signs of progress in such an environment, you can always move on to new settings they are not familiar with.

If you want the training to be successful, you first have to get the dogs working and exerting themselves physically. Then you can start the process. Go for a game of fetch or a walk so that the edge is off. It is highly crucial when your baby is one with high drive and oodles of energy.

Read Also: Training Your Dog to Come to You at the Park: 5 Tips You’ll Need

Teaching them to obey commands 

If you are teaching distance recalls, a long line will be a great option. However, before you use it, you need to make sure your pet understands the meaning of your command. So, first, you have to work the command inside your home without any distraction. After that, you can move outside.

Once they have shown that you can depend on them in such settings, you can transition to the more challenging ones. With the long line, you can also teach them how to stay at a distance from you.

Leaving it is a good command to teach when using these long lines. It is effective in BAT (behavior adjustment training). It is a kind of training where your dog is allowed the freedom of choice.

What are the other ways long lines are used?

It is a mistake to assume that you use the long line to train your dog. You can use it to make the bond, which you share with them, stronger and the best way to go about it is to take part in some fun activities.

These activities need not be as structured as the training activities. With a long line, your dog enjoys the freedom to run and get some exercise with complete safety even when they are not in an enclosed area.  

A few things to know in this case 

You must make sure you are not compromising the safety aspect of such training. It is applicable for all kinds of training and workouts. So, hold on to the long line every time you use it.

Once you have trained your baby to such an extent that they are reliable in various daily situations, you can drop the line – grab it when you have to. However, you must not rush this particular part. You must hold on to the line till your dog becomes reliable at places where you use said line to train them.

The different kinds of long lines 

The long lines are available in various kinds of materials and lengths. They can be anywhere between 10 feet and 50 feet. If you want, you can also get customized lengths to match your requirements As we have said already, this is just a long leash that comes with a handle.

In terms of material, you get them in rubber and cotton webbing. Both these have their pluses and minuses that need to be kept in mind while choosing one among them.

Some things that you must not do at home 

Practice using a long line. However, don’t start working in an area full of distractions. Focus on making gradual progress until your dog can handle the same and can be depended upon to perform commands dependably.

You need to ensure that you are not holding the long line too tightly. Have at least a couple of feet of leeway so that your dog feels a sense of freedom.

Conclusion 

You can be sure that using a long line to teach your dog can be a rather rewarding process. With this, you can teach your dog to obey many commands even when they are at a distance from you. You can tell them to sit down, leave, and stay, and expect them to follow those commands as well.

You can depend on them to come to you even when they are at a great distance from you. You can also use the line to teach them to behave themselves properly.