Adjust the leash correctly: enjoy a relaxed walk
The leash is too short, your dog can barely sniff. It's too long, and before you know it, it's lying in a loop at your feet. Adjusting the leash correctly sounds like a minor detail at first, but it noticeably changes your walks: your dog gets guidance and freedom, while you can be on your way safely and calmly.
A suitable leash length is not a fixed number for every dog. It depends on where you are walking, how big your dog is, and how safely it already walks on a loose leash. With a few simple rules, you will quickly find out what feels good for both of you. 🐾
Why the right leash length makes such a difference
A leash connects you with your dog - it should accompany you, not constantly hold you back. If it is permanently taut, tension is created. Many dogs react to this with counter-pressure, become restless, or learn that pulling gets them to their goal. At the same time, it becomes harder for you to perceive your dog's body language and react in time.
A sensibly adjusted leash, on the other hand, hangs loosely. Your dog can explore the ground, walk in a small arc, and orient itself towards you. You still retain enough control to act safely at streets, during encounters, or in confusing situations.
This does not mean that the leash must always be the same length. Good walks require adjustment. On a quiet forest path, it may provide more leeway than at a busy intersection. This flexibility is not flip-flopping, but attentive care.
Adjusting the leash correctly: The basic rule
As a guideline: Between your hand and the harness or collar, the leash should be loose and form a gentle U-shape. Your dog should neither have to walk permanently next to your knee nor decide where to go several meters in front of you.
For many everyday situations, about 1.5 to 2 meters is a comfortable length. This allows an adult dog to walk relaxed without the leash becoming a tripping hazard. For small dogs, a very long leash can quickly drag on the ground. For large dogs, in turn, your hand position requires a bit more attention so that a sudden jump does not strain your arm or shoulder unpleasantly.
You can recognize the right length less by a tape measure than by your interaction: Can your dog sniff without pulling you along? Can you bring it to you calmly when needed? Does the leash remain loose most of the time? Then you are on the right track.
How to hold the leash safely and kindly
Hold the loop of the leash over your wrist or securely in your hand without wrapping it tightly around it. The other hand can guide the leash and shorten it if necessary. Never wrap the leash multiple times around your hand or fingers. If your dog jumps off unexpectedly, that can become painful.
When shortening, take up the leash piece by piece instead of jerking it. Your movement should remain calm: hand closer to the body, take up some leash, keep walking. This way, your dog understands the change better and is not startled.
Also, pay attention to which side of your body you use. Many dogs benefit from being allowed to walk predominantly on one side. This creates a reliable habit, especially on narrow paths or during encounters. On relaxed stretches, your dog is of course allowed to change sides - as long as the leash does not get caught around legs, trees, or other people.
Which length fits which situation?
The ideal setting changes with your environment. Anyone who uses only one length for every walk isn't doing anything wrong - but often gives away comfort and safety.
In the city and on streets
On streets, at bus stops, in front of entrances, and in crowds, a shorter lead is sensible. Your dog should be close enough to you that it cannot suddenly step onto the road or run towards other people. But that does not mean: short leash, constant pull. Even at a short distance, the connection can remain loose.
Take up the leash in good time before you get to a confusing spot. If you wait until your dog is already pulling at the end of the leash, unnecessary hectic ensues. A calm "come," a small change of direction, and a friendly reward make the situation easier for you.
On quiet paths and when sniffing
On wide, safe paths, your dog can have a larger radius. Sniffing in particular is not a waste of time, but valuable activity. Your dog collects information, processes impressions, and can visibly relax while doing so. A longer leash gives it space for this without you having to unleash it.
Here, an adjustable leash can be particularly practical. You switch between a shorter setting for encounters and a longer one for relaxed sections. It is important not to just let the leash drag: always keep an eye on what lies ahead and whether other dogs, bicycles, or game could appear.
During dog encounters
Many people pull the leash to the maximum short length immediately upon seeing an oncoming dog. Understandable - but often the tension transfers directly to one's own dog. It is better to create distance, shorten the leash in a controlled manner, and keep breathing calmly yourself.
Depending on the dog, a small arc, a change of side, or a short stop can help. If your dog is relaxed and socially confident, the leash can remain loose. If it reacts excitedly, fearfully, or stormily, it needs more guidance and distance. It therefore always depends on the individual dog, not on a rigid rule.
Harness or collar: What changes?
The leash length and the type of attachment belong together. A well-fitting harness distributes tension better across the chest and is a comfortable choice for many dogs during everyday walks. Especially for young, small, or strongly pulling dogs, this can provide relief.
A collar can also be suitable if it fits well and your dog walks relaxed on a loose leash. With heavy pulling, however, taking the leash ever shorter is not a solution. Then calm training is worthwhile: reward your dog when it orients itself towards you, stand still, or change direction as soon as constant tension arises. Small, kindly repeated steps work better in the long run than corrections with force.
Check regularly whether the harness or collar still fits. Molting, growth, weight fluctuations, and lots of movement can change the fit. Usually, two fingers should fit between the collar and the neck. With a harness, nothing should chafe, cut in, or block the shoulder movement.
Common mistakes when adjusting the leash
The most common mistake is the permanently taut leash. It quickly turns a walk into a tug-of-war and takes away the relaxed communication from both of you. Give slack as soon as your dog is back with you and reward exactly that moment with a friendly word, a treat, or permission to continue sniffing.
A hand loop that is too long can also be problematic. If the leash keeps wrapping around your legs while walking, shorten it slightly or take up excess length neatly. This applies especially in rain, at dusk, and on uneven ground.
Retractable leashes can work for some teams in open, quiet areas but require a lot of attention. On streets, during encounters, or on narrow paths, they often offer less direct control. For training and everyday city life, a fixed or adjustable leash is usually clearer to handle.
Finding the right leash for your everyday life
Besides length, the material counts. A light leash is comfortable for small dogs but should still be sturdily crafted. For strong dogs, a wider, grippy material often sits better in the hand. Leather feels soft over time and can be very durable, while low-maintenance textile or nylon leashes are particularly practical in mud and rain.
An adjustable leash is a nice everyday solution if you are out and about in different ways: in the morning briefly through the neighborhood, in the afternoon to the park, on the weekend on a longer path. Pay attention to sturdy carabiners, clean seams, and a length that suits your height and your dog. For happy dogs, it doesn't count whether the leash looks particularly flashy - but whether it gives both of you safety and freedom of movement.
Take a moment during your next walks and observe your connection. Loose contact, an attentive look, and enough room to sniff are often the best signs that your leash is adjusted just right. Every calm round strengthens your trust - step by step, paw by paw. 💛