An excellent use for Neil's long training lead

[Margot]

Just received Neil's long lead and Butters loves it.

I wanted to take him for a walk a few hours ago and he showed marginal enthusiasm, then I took out the long lead and he started leaping for joy.

Normally I walk him off lead along the coast here because it is 500 metres from any real roads. Our beach walk has grown over and Butters hates it when he gets trapped by vegitation and asks to be carried through it - and small as he is, he is just too heavy to carry for long.

I can call him away from just about anything but regardless, do not want to experiment with his desire to be with me near a real road and our private road T's onto a bitmumen road that is not very busy but because of that, people drive quite fast on it.

There are forest walks in a local estate but those are strickly on lead.

He has not been on an off lead walk for a while and was missing it.

So I ordered Neil's lead to see if this could be a solution and it is fantastic.

I can walk him up and down our road with the training lead and he feels like he is free, but I can take the lead if I get at all uncomfortable about distractions or cars coming down our road. He behaves as well as he does when he is off lead. And he gets to do bunnyhops in the wheat with the cats and frollic with them in general. He was laughing the whole way just now he was so happy.

The lead lets me do hup with him as we walk, get him to chase me and other NDT training stuff without restriction.

Should he get distract (he has't so far) I have plenty of time to take the lead. In reality though, this lets me test his NDT training in a way that is comfortable for me.

My only worry is that it is a little heavy for him (Butters is 7 kg) and it does slow him down a bit, and could possibly affect him physically with long term use, even though I have it attached to a good harnass that distributes weight well. It gets even heavier when the cats try to take a ride on it They like to stand on it like skate boarders.

Neil, would you consider making a lighter small dog version of your lead? Just as long, just less wide maybe, knocking about a third of the width off. Or maybe using a more light weight material. Small dogs need the length as much as large dogs because they are at least as fast, and certainly zippier.

Note that I would never use it on a road with real traffic. Our private road does not allow for a lot of speed so I am OK with using it there.

PS: just came in from a walk in the forest with him. It was perfect, the lead just glides over everything.

[neilsattin]

Hi Margot,

So great to hear how well the leash is working for you.

I do actually also make leashes for smaller dogs. I haven't settled on a length/width combination, but leashes I've been trying are:
1. 50 feet in 3/4" nylon
2. 50 feet in 1/2" nylon
3. 40 feet in 3/4" nylon
4. 40 feet in 1/2" nylon

Jury is still out on which is best for the small dog. I agree with you that length is still important, although with a 1/2" webbing it starts to get a bit more tangly. Seems like ultimately it might be two additional leashes - the 50' in 3/4" (which does reduce some of the weight) for a smaller athletic dog, and a 40' in 1/2" for a more "toy" type dog. Would welcome your thoughts.

You know, as I mailed it out I remembered that Butters is on the smaller side, and I contemplated asking you if you wanted to try something different. At the moment all of the alternate leads are custom made-to-order when someone requests one, so it would have meant a longer delay. Ultimately if you want to try one out, let me know.

Thanks again for your feedback!
-Neil

[Margot]

Hi Neil,

Thanks for getting back. I did not spot your reply before today. Sorry for not getting back sooner.

I would love to try the 3/4 in 50 ft. 50ft is about as far away as he gets from me so it is perfect.

I can donate the 1 in one to his friend Selma :-) I think her owners would love to walk her in the forest off lead while on lead as well.

It actually gets a lot of attention over here, people think it is so funny to see Butters trailing his long lead, but they think it is clever at the same time.

I will email you as well in case you do not spot this.

[BrownieNJoyce]

Hi folks,
I already had a long lead for training so I didn't buy the one Neil sells. The one I have gets very heavy and when there is moisture on the ground (dew or rain). Does the orange one from Neil absorb moisture too or is it thin enough that this isn't much of an issue. I'm thinking mine isn't 100% nylon so when it's wet it drags heavily. And in general mine seems really in my dog's way vs. Nola not even noticing the orange lead on the DVDs.

[neilsattin]

Hope you don't mind my answering - I know you were asking "folks"

While these leashes do absorb some moisture (common with the morning dew, for instance), I haven't noticed it becoming particularly weighty as a result.

I have several leashes in rotation, and one of them is actually my ORIGINAL leash - have been using it for years, through many seasons.

btw - as a reward for the dedicated readers who are on this thread - I do, from time-to-time, have factory seconds - leashes that aren't "perfect" for whatever reason (usually discoloration, or slight errors in sewing). They're still excellent leashes - just as durable as a "perfect" leash - but I just don't feel right trying to sell it at the same price. So I offer them for a discount.

You're always welcome to check this link:
Neil's Training Leashes Factory Seconds

(these are simply for buying leashes on their own - i.e. the package discounts don't apply to factory seconds)

If I have some in stock, you'll be able to buy them (otherwise I think you'll just get an out-of-stock) message.

Cheers!