Disclaimer: I am not a certified dog trainer. I am simply a dog walker who uses long lines to make hikes in the forest more enjoyable for everyone.

I use long lines with dogs that are new to off-leash hikes (or on-leash hikes for that matter) and could use some improvement with their recall.

Right now, I have one dog in particular that before coming out with me, had minimal experience off-leash. I’m talking about a 2.5-year-old pooch. 

I started off by having her on a leash the whole hike but I quickly noticed that she desperately wanted to run and play with the other puppers on our hike. 

The first couple of times using the long line, I held onto it so she was not technically off-leash, but she could run and play with the other dogs more than if she was on a standard leash (my long line is 15ft). 

After a few trial hikes of me holding onto the line, I started dropping it and letting her run free with the other dogs.

Can I tell you that she was in heaven! It was amazing to see her interact with the other dogs without the hindrance of a leash. 

I was so happy for her! 

She loves running and playing with other dogs so much that she pretty much stays with them when on the trail and does not wander too far away.

I keep the long line on her still, just as an added measure of security since I am still working on her recall which is improving on every hike we do.

As you can tell, I am a huge fan of the long line and use it to enhance my off-leash hikes. I think they are a big asset to dog walkers and should be in all of our ‘big bag o’ tricks’.

How do you walk your dog using a long line?

I use a long line to offer more freedom on my hikes with dogs that are new to off-leash hiking and/or that need a little extra practice with their recall.

When I first start using a long line with a pooch, I simply attach the clip end to the dog’s harness and tie a make-shift handle on the other end (most long lines do not have handles as they are designed to move through the woods without getting caught on any branches or weeds, etc.)

I hang onto the handle and allow the pooch some freedom until I feel they are ready for me to drop the line and let them run free.

This freedom will usually be offered a few hikes down the road, depending on the dog.

Should you walk your dog on a long leash?

Well, it depends. 

Long leashes provide freedom for your dog when they are learning recall, or just want to explore a little bit further when you are out on a hike.

As the long line handler, you must be competent in keeping your dog under control using a long line before you go rushing out to the woods for some exploration.

You may want to practice with the long line in your backyard or living room. 

This may sound like a lot of work, but trust me, once you get the hang of the long line it becomes second nature.

I use a biothane long line that is designed to not get snagged on the trails and trust me, it works! 

Even with the handle I tie at the end of the leash, this thing does not get caught in the brush out on the trail. It is awesome!

So, if you want to eliminate one element of a long leash mostly, consider buying a lightweight biothane leash, you won’t regret it!

How to use a long line for recall

Ok, first let me reiterate that I am not a dog trainer.

I am a dog walker who uses a long line whilst out small-pack hiking.

This is how I use a long line for recall.

For at least the first walk, I will use a long line on a dog. I will observe how the dog is acting (is he checking back to see where I am, does he wander off the trail, etc).

If the pooch checks all of my boxes (responds to name, checks back, does not wander far off trail) then I am fairly confident they are OK off-leash.

However, if a pooch is new to off-leash hikes, does not have great recall, or is not used to pack hikes, then the long line stays on them longer. 

I either hang onto one end of it and let the pooch have 15 glorious feet of freedom or if I notice that they really want to play and interact with the other dogs, I may drop the leash and let them explore a bit more but still keep them close.

To enhance their recall skills, I will call them back to me periodically and reward them with treats to let the pooches know they are doing a great job.

Anytime the dog checks back to see where I am, comes when called, or comes when another dog is called, I reward with pets and treats to make it clear that this is the right action I am looking for and to keep it up.

I continue doing this until I am comfortable that the pooch is not going to wander off when completely off-leash.

This process may take many months, it depends on the dog.

The pooch I currently use my long line with will be staying on the long line for the foreseeable future because we are still working on recall and since I only walk her a couple of days a week, the process is going to take some time.

My advice: Don’t rush it. Take as much time as is needed to enforce good recall behaviours in your pooch.

What length of long line for dogs

The length of the long line that is suitable for you and your pooch depends on what you intend to do with it.

I personally use a 15ft long line and see no real reason to use a longer one.

Fifteen feet allows your dog lots of room to roam while still being a manageable size to roll up any slack without too much hassle.

However, long lines range from 15 to 50ft, so if fifteen feet just won’t cut it with your dog, there are longer options available.

As I mentioned, 15ft is more than enough for hiking and recall training, in my opinion. Longer options may be more appropriate for different types of dog training, such as retrieving or giving even more freedom on the trail.

Waterproof long line for dogs

BEWARE! I am biased here. My first (and only) long line is made of biothane and I would 100% recommend a biothane leash. 

Let me tell you why.

• They are waterproof
• Lightweight
• Rarely tangle
• Easy to clean (I just let mine air dry)
• Rarely get stuck in the brush

Honestly, there are probably more benefits to waterproof biothane leashes, but these are the highlights and the benefits I receive every time I use mine.

Where to buy long lines

I ordered my long line from a Canadian company called Tiny Horse. I highly recommend them (not sponsored!)

Alternatively, check out your local pet store. They may have what you are looking for.

Of course, there’s Amazon, where you can order a biothane leash in whatever colour, length, or material you want!

The Long and Short of it

I believe that long lines are a great tool to have in your back pocket when hiking with dogs who need some improvements with recall, are new to group hikes, or just need some basic training.

Biothane long lines are my favourite, but ultimately that decision is up to you and where your research leads you.