Leash walking
What leash length is best for training loose leash walking?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
A leash of about 1 to 1.2 metres works best for active loose leash training, since it gives you enough slack to reward your dog for walking near you while keeping the working length short enough to react quickly and consistently when the leash starts to tighten. Longer leashes make the early stages of training slower and less precise.
Why shorter helps in the early stages
A shorter working length means less delay between your dog's leash tightening and your response of stopping, so the connection between pulling and the walk pausing becomes clearer, faster, which speeds up learning noticeably compared to a longer leash with more slack to manage.
Holding the leash correctly
Even with a 1.8 metre leash, you can effectively shorten the working length by folding some of the leash into your hand, keeping about 1 metre of active slack between you and your dog during training sessions, then letting more out once loose leash walking is more reliable.
Transitioning to normal length
Once your dog reliably walks near you without needing constant correction, usually after several weeks of consistent short leash practice, gradually letting out more leash during calm walks lets your dog enjoy natural sniffing room without undoing the training.
Key takeaways
- A 1 to 1.2 metre working length speeds up loose leash training by tightening the feedback loop.
- You can shorten a longer leash by folding extra length into your hand rather than buying a new one.
- Consistent stopping when the leash tightens is what teaches the habit, not the leash length alone.
- Gradually lengthen the working leash once loose leash walking becomes reliable.