Why River’s Mum Swapped to a Long Line Dog Lead

As dog owners, we’ve all met the “He’s friendly!” type, the ones who let their dogs run up to others without considering space, safety or training.  River’s mum was determined not to be that owner.  Instead, she wanted a way to give her dog freedom while still being respectful of others.  That’s when she discovered the benefits of a long line dog lead.

When asked why she moved from a normal lead to a long line, River’s mum explained:

“As a dog mum I am always trying to ensure I am not one of those ‘HE’S FRIENDLY’ dog owners. Getting a long line allowed us to take River to fun places and have him ‘off lead’ without the anxiety.”

This sums up one of the biggest advantages of a long line lead, it creates the feeling of being off leash while still keeping your dog safe and under control.

River doesn’t use the long line on every walk, but in high distraction environments, it’s the perfect tool. His mum shared:

“It is perfect for allowing Riv to have fun and be free but also making sure he stays safe and respects other people’s space.”

Here’s why that matters:

Freedom with safety – Dogs can explore, sniff, and enjoy their surroundings without the risk of running off.

Respect for others – Not every person or dog wants to be approached. A long line helps maintain boundaries.

Recall training – A dog leash for recall is essential when distractions are around and a long line is one of the best tools for practicing.

River’s mum also highlighted another unexpected benefit:

“Getting the long line has also been great for when we were fostering dogs and trying to train them and build confidence. Some fosters had no idea how to behave well on a lead; the beauty of the long line was the dog didn’t feel restricted which reduced their frustration on lead.”  See Bear enjoying his long line lead on our Instagram post.

This shows how versatile a long line dog lead can be:

• It helps nervous or inexperienced dogs learn without feeling trapped.
• It reduces leash frustration, making training more positive.
• It builds confidence in dogs who may have had little structure before.

A long line dog lead isn’t just about recall, it’s about confidence. Whether you’re training a young pup, working with a foster, or simply wanting more control in busy environments, it offers the perfect balance of freedom and structure.