what is the correct way to hold a lead?

Question

do you know how to hold a lead when walking the dog? because i have the loop around my wrist but other doggy friends have said to have the top of the loop on your thumb and hold the rest of it in your palm is this right? do you have any pics of thhe right way to hold a lead? my dog is only a king charles so he dosnt pull much

Answer 1

How you hold a lead is a balance between comfort and control.

A lead is used for several reasons. Some of them are:
1- To control the dog's behavior
2- To keep the dog safe (running into the street, etc.)
3- Allow you to temporarily turn your attention to something other than your dog

Leads are made from leather, synthetics, and chain (poor choice). If you have a new leather lead, the tanning material (vegetable based) may come off when it first gets wet.

There is no right way, but the way that works for you and still protects your dog. My dog has gone through years of training... if we are out for a casual walk, I will often just drape the lead across my shoulders (I can still grasp the lead with my left hand).

Let's look at the 'classic' training position...
Most of us have seen the 'perfect' dog walking calmly along the left side its handler in AKC style (and we wish that our dog was that obedient!). So for now, let's assume that you'll have your dog on the left (as you would in any obedience class).
. My preferred way of holding the lead is as follows...
1- Place your thumb in the loop of the lead
2- Fold up the excess (like an accordion) in your right hand (with the excess sticking out on either side)
3- Grasp the remaining lead in your left hand with your palm facing down. (If you had a large dog which presented a control problem, you would want your palm facing up [provides more strength]).
. Do you feel comfortable? If not, then adjust.. The photo in the link below shows a basic position... just have your left palm facing down and the excess lead taken up in your right hand.

One word of caution... NEVER wrap the lead around your hand; you wouldn't be able to let go in an emergency. Having your thumb inside the loop will keep you from dropping the lead, but permit you to let go.
. One last bit of advice... ALWAYS remove the lead when you put your dog in the car. One of my students accidentally left the lead outside the door and the car tire ran over it, pulling the dog into the door and tightening the obedience collar like a noose. The car stopped just before the dog's head was cut off. The dog recovered after considerable vet expense.

Good luck!

Answer 2

In class, we teach our students to hold the bulk of the leash gathered up in their right hand. Then with enough slack so the collar is not tight around the dog, and assuming the dog is in "heel position", i.e., at your left side, place your left hand, palm backwards on the leash.

Logic behind this - palm backwards is usually more comfortable for the person, and also gives more leverage if dealing with a dog that pulls.

Also, gathering the leash in your hand versus wrapping it around your hand or wrist - if the dog suddenly pulls, even a small dog can cause damage to a person's hand/wrist if they pull suddenly and unexpectedly.

Answer 3

you now what there are so many ways to hold a dogs leash and it depends on what you want the dog to do. If he needs to be trained to walk aside you you hold it different way, but if yours does not pull much then I would carry on the way you are. Its back to the old saying isn't it, "if its not broken don't try to fix it".

Answer 4

"Loop over the thumb" is more like a safety precaution in case the dog bolts.
I always walk my girl with the leash buckled to my belt, which give you both hands free.

Answer 5

put your strong hand through the loop so its like a bracelet then simply grab the lead!!