Leash walking
How do I keep my dog from bolting if I drop the leash?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A rock solid recall is the real safety net here, so practicing come reliably in increasingly distracting environments matters more than any equipment choice, though a longer trailing handle, around 20 to 30 cm past your hand, is easier to step on quickly if the leash slips. Attaching the leash to both a collar and a harness with a short connector, sometimes called a safety clip, means a dropped leash rarely means a fully loose dog if one attachment point fails. Practicing a deliberate drop and immediate recall in a fenced area builds a genuine emergency response.
Building a reliable recall as the real backup
A dog that responds to come 9 times out of 10 in the garden but only 3 times out of 10 near other dogs does not yet have a recall you can rely on if a leash actually slips, so practice specifically in the environments where a drop is most likely.
Using equipment as a second layer of safety
Clipping the leash to both a collar and a harness at once, with a short safety strap connecting the two attachment points, means a dropped leash caught by one attachment still keeps your dog connected while you catch up.
Key takeaways
- A strong recall practiced in distracting environments is the real safety backup.
- A leash clipped to both collar and harness adds a second point of security.
- Practice a deliberate drop and recall in a safely fenced area to build the response.