Long Leashes: Why I Love Them & How to Use Them Safely

You may have seen people walking their dogs on what looks like a really long leash. These are often called longlines, and they have become more popular over the years.

You may have thought:

What’s that for? or Should I get one? Is it the same as a retractable leash?

In this post, I’ll explain what longlines are, why I recommend them, and how to use them safely and effectively. If you’re curious about giving your dog more outlets for their physical energy, more freedom on walks, or looking for a fun confidence-boosting activity, this might just be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

What is a longline?

A longline is simple a leash that’s longer than your standard 6-foot lead. Typically ranging from 10 to 50 feet, longlines give your dog more space to explore while still staying safely attached to you.

Important note: Longlines are not the same as retractable leashes.

With a longline, you can clearly see how much slack you have and adjust it during your walk. Unlike retractables, which always maintain tension and make it difficult to know how much more space your dog has left on the lead, longlines allow your dog to move freely without leash tension. This makes for safer and more enjoyable outings for both of you.

Logistics

I’m a big fan of biothane as a material for longlines—it’s waterproof, easy to clean, light, and doesn’t get stinky when wet like like other materials do.

So, what length should you choose?

That depends on where you’re walking and how experienced/comfortable you and your dog are with longlines:

• In city areas or parks with more possible foot traffic, a 10- to 15-foot line is usually ideal. It offers extra room while still allowing you to call/reel your dog in closer easily!

• In open, remote, and quiet spaces—and if both you and your dog are comfortable with the added freedom—you can go longer, up to 30 or even 50 feet.

Start shorter and build up as you get more confident with the handling. Just like any new tool, longlines take a little practice—but they open up a whole new world of walking once you get the hang of them.

3 Reasons to Use a Longline

1. It Gives Your Dog More Agency

Let’s be honest: our dogs don’t get to make many decisions in their daily lives. We decide when they eat, where they go, what toys they get, and who they interact with. Even on walks, we often dictate the pace and direction.

A longline changes that. It allows your dog to make their own choices—like which bush to sniff, whether to speed up or slow down, or even double back to investigate a scent they missed. This kind of freedom can be incredibly empowering for your dog. More agency often leads to more confidence and less stress & frustration.

2. It Provides More Mental and Physical Stimulation (And Can Reduce Pulling!)

A longline encourages your dog to move more naturally. That might mean zig-zagging across a trail, sniffing in a wider arc, or trotting ahead to explore something interesting.

When dogs have the freedom to choose their path and follow their nose, they engage their brains in a way that burns mental energy. Mental exercise like this can leave your dog more tired (and satisfied) than a short-leash walk around the block. And because they’re more engaged in their environment and have a bit more freedom around you, they’re less likely to pull constantly.

Remember that the world around them is very exciting for many dogs. So if we give them just a few extra feet to explore their world, the results can be very beneficial (for them and for our shoulders!)

3. It Encourages Sniffing—Which Reduces Stress and Builds Confidence

Sniffing is more than just a way for dogs to gather information. It’s a soothing activity that can help dogs to de-stress.

A longline supports this by allowing your dog to stop and sniff without constant pressure or interruption. For anxious dogs, senior dogs, and/or dogs recovering from an injury, sniffy longline walks can be a wonderful low-impact, high-reward activity.

Before You Try a Longline: What You Need to Know

1. Learn the Mechanics

Handling a longline takes some practice. It’s surprisingly easy to get tangled or accidentally trip yourself or your dog. Always let the line flow through your hands —never wrap it around your wrist—and keep the slack rolled up in your hand.

Use a harness, not a collar, when using a longline. This avoids putting pressure on your dog’s neck if they hit the end of the line.

Also, I don’t recommend retractable leashes. It’s hard to gauge how much leash is out, and they always create tension, which can interfere with your dog’s ability to move freely and safely.

2. Choose the Right Setting

Not all environments are ideal for longline walks. Look for open, low-traffic areas like big parks, wide trails, or empty sports fields. Avoid spots with tight corners, heavy foot or bike traffic, lots of trees to get caught on, and narrow paths where it may be hard to get space from people.

3. Do A Little Training First

Longlines can be very dangerous and stressful if we do not have just a bit of foundation training under our belt with our dog. I always recommend carrying treats on longline walks. I also recommend working on your dog knowing how to to reliably come to you from the end of their lead when you cue them (whether you use their name, a recall cue, or a different skill such as a hand target for example). You may need to practice this skill outside of the longline context first, such as in your home, fenced yard, and on a shorter leash.

4. Be Mindful of Reactivity & Excitement

If your dog reacts strongly to other dogs, people, bikes, or wildlife, keep this in mind if you are planning to use a longline. You will want to be extra careful that you choose a walking area and leash length that are safe. Dogs have much more leverage to lunge and pull if they are at the other end of a longline. So until you have worked on being able to get your dog's attention when they see something that incites big feelings in them, stick to quiet open areas and always stay alert to your surroundings. This way, if you see another dog, bike, or person in the distance, you have time to change directions and to call/reel your dog closer to you!

A longline can be a game-changer for your walks. It gives your dog the chance to explore, sniff, and move more freely—all while staying safely connected to you. With some basic training and the right environment, longline walks can become a wonderful part of your dog’s regular routine.

They’re especially helpful for dogs who may struggle on traditional neighborhood walks!

Have you tried a longline with your dog? I’d love to hear how it went! Share your experience or tips in the comments below.