Long line videos

[BEF]

I've been trawling the internet on safely using a long line, all I'm finding is slip lead longline and those attached to collars.
Does anyone know of any videos, articles or tips.
We are going on a seaside holiday next week so whisp will be on a longline on the beaches.

 

[Janer]

How long is the long line or do you mean a retractable line? I use a 8 metre flexi on Spike but only use it on a harness, would never attach it to his collar. I used to use a 50 ft long line on Roxy if I was in a field, she couldn’t be let of a lead at all and it was great as long as there weren’t many people or dogs around as it can easily trip people and dogs up. Always used on a harness though if that helps x I find the 8 metre flexi really good

 

[Rinkydinkydo]

Top tip if using a long line .... wear gloves. You will know what I mean if the dog sets off,especially a running dog.

 

[Kara 1]

I too use a 8 metre flexilead on harness for Tom JRT as he can no longer be let off as he kept flushing out baby deer ...it works well ...i did have a 10metre one but that didn't last long as it got filthy

 

[Ari_RR]

We have 30 ft and 50 ft (9 meters and 15).
Technique is the same for me - it's constant roll up / let go action, depending on where the dog is.
To me the key is to not have the line tight but also not too loose, otherwise if he takes off and gains momentum he'll rip my arm off. So it's loose, but only extended as needed, the rest is rolled up.
He moves further - I let the line go.
He comes closer, I roll it up. Constant roll up / let go.
Only attached to harness on the back.
Always wear gloves.
You need 2 hands to operate a long line - this means you need a bag to carry stuff (phone, poop bags, water, etc.)
I also carry normal 6 ft leash, so I can switch if need be.
Need to realize that with harness the pulling power of a dog increases greatly, but if on top of that you are on the other end of 15 meter line and the dog pulls - it's really hard to hold. So, if I see that I need more control - I connect normal leash to the collar, disconnect long line from the harness and put it in the bag, and we just walk.

If you find that things are getting out of control between you and the long line (maybe too many other dogs came over, for example, and it's a leash mess) - just drop it, disconnect the dog, put the normal leash on and walk away. You can come back and retrieve the long line later.
Worst is when everyone gets entangled in your long line, especially fragile old ladies - if the long line gets wrapped around their ankles and the dog decides to move on - they will fall like bowling pins and have cuts and bruises, and you will be on the receiving end. Not pretty.

Best IMO to have a bright colored long line, so other folks and bicyclists can easily see it.

And have a special bag for the long line itself. On a wet day in the woods it will be wet. And dirty, so I usually hose it down when we get home, and let it hang to dry.

Enjoy! It's not hard once you get used to it. I would start with a relatively short long line before upgrading to a really long one.

We usually look like this (harness, gloves, bag for stuff to keep hands free):

He moves away - I let the line go:

He comes closer - I roll it up:

And some times it works very well when meeting other dogs. I can have control without restricting the dog's movement. For example - Baby Miles feels no leash pressure (compared to the other dog on normal length leash). I can easily give him another 5 meters of freedom if the encounter goes well, or pull him back if it doesn't.