Gear & equipment
What leash length should you use?
Leash length is not a style choice. It decides how far your dog can drift before you can step in, how much slack is left for a polite walk, and how quickly you can close the gap at a curb. Here is how we match length to place, how to hold each one, and the habits that quietly undo good walking.
Last reviewed October 4, 2026
Length by place
Match the leash to where you are walking.
Four feet keeps your dog beside you on crowded sidewalks, at crosswalks, in elevators and past a busy patio. There is enough slack for a loose leash, but not enough for your dog to reach a stranger's shopping bag or step off the curb ahead of you. It is the length we reach for when space is tight and surprises come from every direction.
Six feet suits everyday walks in quieter neighbourhoods and on paths. Your dog can sniff a lawn edge and still return to your side without the leash going tight. A long line is a training tool for open fields, not a walking leash, so it stays off sidewalks and away from traffic. Retractables do not make the list near roads at all.
- Four feet for crowded sidewalks
- Six feet for everyday walks
- Long line for open-field training
- No retractables near traffic
Holding it right
How to hold, fold and check a standard leash.
Slip the handle over your thumb and close your hand around it, then fold the extra length into the same hand rather than letting it dangle. Your other hand rests lightly lower on the leash for quick adjustments. Never wrap the leash around your wrist or fingers, because a sudden lunge can wrench a hand. Check the clip, stitching and collar fit before every walk.
A loose leash should hang in a soft J shape between you and your dog. If it is constantly tight, the length is not the problem, the skill is. That is why every tool we use, from the slip lead to the Educator remote collar in our off-leash programs, is taught to the owner before the dog goes home, so the gear works in your hands too.
Common leash mistakes
The small habits that teach a dog to pull.
Letting the leash out every time your dog pulls teaches them that tension earns distance. So does switching between a short leash on weekdays and a long one on weekends with no change in the rules. Pick one length for one setting and keep the expectation the same. Consistency matters more than the exact number of feet on the leash.
Other mistakes are quieter: a leash so heavy it drags on a small dog's neck, a clip that swings under the chin, or a long line used on a sidewalk where it tangles around legs and poles. If your dog drags no matter what length you choose, a Private Training session at $150 + GST or a consultation is a sensible next step.
Asked and answered
The questions people ask us.
Is a 4 or 6 foot leash better?
Neither is better everywhere. Four feet gives tighter control on busy sidewalks and at crosswalks, while six feet gives a well-mannered dog room to sniff on quieter walks. Keeping one of each covers both.
What leash length is best for a puppy?
A light four- or six-foot leash suits early leash manners indoors and on short walks. Keep it light enough that the clip does not weigh on a small neck, and save long lines for supervised practice in open, enclosed space.
Are retractable leashes bad for city walking?
Near roads, yes, because the cord offers no fixed length and stopping a running dog depends on a small button. They also tend to reward pulling, since tension is what extends the line. A fixed leash does the job better on city walks.
How long should a leash be for loose-leash walking?
Six feet is a common choice, because it leaves enough slack for a soft J shape without letting your dog wander far ahead. Four feet works in tight spaces once your dog understands the skill. Our On-Leash Foundations program works on loose-leash walking and heel.
Keep reading
Make walks easy again
Book a consultation and we will look at your dog, your gear and your routes, then recommend the program that fits.
From real owners
Rated 5.0 on Google.
Real Northline dogs