The best dog training leads are essential tools used by dog owners and trainers to effectively teach and control their canine companions. Training your dog to behave on and off their dog lead can test your time and your patience, but there are so many products out there that give you a helping hand.
Training leads come in all shapes, sizes, lengths and designs so you can start your journey of teaching your pooch. The primary goal of a dog training lead is to establish a connection between the dog and the handler, allowing for effective communication during training sessions, but you can also use them as regular dog leads alongside your trusted choice of dog collar and harness.
Best dog training leads at a glance:
• Best overall training lead: Looxmeer Dog Training Lead Leash, 20m/65ft - View on Amazon UK
• Best long-line training lead: Total Pet 20m Training Lead for Dogs and Puppy - View on Amazon UK
• Best double-ended training lead: Church Products Police Style Dog Training Lead Double Ended 15ft - View on Amazon UK
In this guide, we've rounded up the best dog training leads out there for every dog size and ability. We've also enlisted expert advice from small animal vet, Dr Michael Lazaris, to tell us everything you need to know about long-line lead training in our FAQ section, the benefits of training your dog on walks, and plenty more.
Best dog training leads
Best overall training lead
The Looxmeer Dog Training Lead offers your dogs extra freedom, they can safely run in the forest, park or garden. This is perfect for everyday walking, running, training, and other outdoor sports. It is one of the longest on the list, so will be suited to those later on in their training journey.
Customer review: "I have a female Belgian Malinois and wanted to get a longer leash for training sessions. I was a bit anxious at first whether this product would be sturdy enough, but I have nothing but a positive experience to share! The leash is sturdy, well-made and nice to use. It feels like a high-quality item and it's easy to clean as well. Definitely recommend this one."
Pros
- Suitable for lots of different breeds
- Comfy to hold
Cons
- Very long, can get tangled
Best value training lead
This long nylon dog leash from HAPPY HACHI is amazing value and just what you need for training. It has a 360-degree swivel for no-tangle use for secure training. You can use this as a regular walking leash or for training, providing you with versatility and freedom for your pup. It's made from durable nylon webbing, which is lightweight yet durable. You could use it for hiking, too.
Customer review: "The training leash is very sturdy and kept my exuberant Husky under control at all times. We spent two hours on the beach trying to get this stubborn pooch to come back when called and the leash was far better for this purpose than her usual retractable lead. The only reason I've given it 4 stars instead of 5 was that when it came time to take it off the clasp jammed and I couldn't remove it. I thought I was going to have to cut it off her collar but with a little bit more force when I got home the clasp opened. It may have been sand in the clasp but I've oiled it anyhow and it seems to be working just fine now. so I'm pleased with the purchase and would recommend it."
Pros
- Good value
- Long
- Durable material
Cons
- Takes a long time to reel the lead in
Best double-ended training lead
This Police Style Dog Training Lead is double-ended and adjustable, meaning you can walk two dogs at once or make a handle for the walker using the trigger clip and D-ling. They can also be used as a hands-free dog lead by clipping it around your body.
Customer review: "I've always used this type of lead but the extra length of this one is ideal. I can attach both ends to two points on the harness but also create a handle using one of the clips and use it as a long line. It's sturdy and comfortable to hold."
Pros
- Multiple rings
- Well-made and strong
Cons
- Some colour discrepancies
Best reflective training lead
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If you're planning to walk your dog at night time, it is best to use reflective clothing and leads to keep you safe. This CANDYDOG Training Lead is suitable for both small and large dogs and will light the way for many walks. This training lead is strong enough to withstand the force of your dog pulling, jumping, or running after something and is made of extremely durable, wear-resistant nylon.
Customer review: "Long lead, very comfy to hold, bright so not easily lost in the grass. Great for training."
Pros
- Nice and bright in the daytime as well as at night
- Sturdy
Cons
- At 20m, you might find it too long for walking at night
Best long-line training lead
Using a longer lead for training allows your dog more freedom to roam around and work on their recall without the worry of running off. This Total Pet 20m Training Lead allows you to handle the long line lead so it simply runs through, allowing full control over your dog.
Customer review: "The lead is excellent quality and feels very sturdy. It’s also very innovative with the way you can clip it to certain lengths and the sleeve designed for holding the lead is super handy. Very pleased with it. You can’t find anything like this in pet shops especially at this price point. The bag that it comes with is very useful too. Highly recommend."
Pros
- No hand burns
- Can clip it to make it smaller
Cons
- Takes a while to get used to
Best short training lead
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Training leads don't have to be super long, and many prefer to start with a shorter lead to work on simple training and heel work (getting your dog to walk close to you). This Halti training lead enables you to control, guide and tether a dog in everyday situations.
Customer review: "I used this with the halti no pull harness, and hooked one end to the front harness and the other to the back of the harness. it is great as the trigger clips arent too heavy, but the lead is plenty strong and it was amazing for getting my dog to stop pulling. we also use one on my other dog who doesn't need a no pull harness, but just find it so handy that you can clip it round you when out and also hook it easily to chairs etc in cafes. so versatile."
Pros
- Versatile
- Soft and padded
Cons
- Long-line leads are preferred for recall training
Best strong training lead
If you've got an overly active or larger dog breed, this PETTOM Heavy Duty Long Line Dog Lead is strong and stable enough to bear a strong pulling. It also features soft comfortable padded handle and has been specifically designed for running with and training your dog.
Customer review: "Good lead which seems to be quite strong. I deal for recall training or walks through woods or fields to allow the dog some freedom. Lead has a very nice feel to it and also has a D ring to attach things to, if needed."
Pros
- Very strong
- D rings attached
Cons
- Takes time to get used to
Best dog training leads FAQs
Are long-line leads better for dog training?
Short training leads, typically four to six feet long, are ideal for basic obedience training, walking, and heel work. They provide enough control while still allowing some freedom for the dog to move around. Long leads are useful for recall training and practising commands at a distance. Retractable leads offer variable lengths, providing flexibility during walks but may not be suitable for training, as they can allow dogs to pull and exhibit undesirable behaviour.
Long-line leads are great for giving your dog more freedom whilst still having some control over what they are doing. They’re a safe and effective way to practice recall training before letting your dog off lead completely as they give them more freedom and the feeling of being off lead.
As with all things, if your dog’s recall becomes an issue and they don’t seem to be making progress we would recommend contacting a certified dog behaviourist for advice.
How to use long line leads:
We asked Dr Michael Lazaris, small animal vet and co-director of his practice, about the best way to get started with long-line lead training. Here are his tips:
• First, unravel the line so that there are no kinks or knots
• Wrap the line up loosely into your hand, creating a hoop to hold
• We always recommend you attach the long line to a harness and not a collar so that if your dog runs when they’re at the very end of the line they’re less likely to hurt themselves. If your dog’s harness has fastenings on the front and back we recommend attaching the long line to the back fastening as this keeps it further from their feet and should help prevent them getting tangled.
• Hold the line with two hands. The hand closest to the dog will manage the slack of the line and can slow them down if needed. Your other hand holds the rest of the line and the handle if there is one. With your first hand, you can let the line slide through if you are giving your dog more freedom and with your second hand you can pull the line in if you need to shorten the distance or bring your dog towards you. This two-handed method also means you won’t stop your dog too harshly and you have less chance of dropping the line.
• Rather than just pulling the end of the long line when you need to stop your dog you can grip and release the long line using the hand closest to the dog which will slow them down gently to a stop.
• As you build on your dog’s responsiveness you can work up to dropping the long line completely and letting it trail on the ground. This means not holding the lead at all and is the next step, once you’re more confident in their recall before you work up to letting them off the lead completely. Doing this allows you to keep practising their recall with the option of having the dog back under control with the lead if needed.
This article contains expert advice from Dr Michael Lazaris. Dr Michael is a small animal vet and co-director of his practice, Vets on the Common, in London. You can also find him on Instagram and TikTok, where he shares all the latest pet advice and adorable patients he treats.
Hannah Mellin is a Home & Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, Yours and Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.