How to Hold a Leash Like the Pros!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ย. 2018
- Learn how to hold a leash in the most efficient ways while you practice **** Download the FREE Simpawtico Basic Gear Buyer’s Guide here: bit.ly/2dqBljF
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About this video: In this video Ian Stone from Simpawtico Dog Training talks about how to hold a leash when walking your dog for maximum comfort, control, and communication. Two different configurations are shown for your anchor hand, along with two different ways to use your anchor hand as you progress through your training.
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I love that infomercial moment at the beginning "There's got to be a better way!"
Took forever but now holding the leash with the fingerlock has become automatic. Gives me such better control when walking both Jake and Becca. BTW - they are rocking it! Wish you could have seen our walk this AM - AWESOME! Thanks so much for all your help! Again another great professional, helpful and practical video!
Yes! A new video- thanks Ian. I binge-watched all your vids before picking up my puppy and now can't wait for each new upload. Keep it up!
I watched your videos years ago, but now I have a boxador I've been binge watching your videos and Victoria's.
>>Tried this from the video just now and we had the BEST walk ever!
Thank you so very much.
Yay a new video!
They’re always super helpful, practical and insightful!
Thanks!
Your videos have been a huge help in teaching my puppy, keep the great content coming brother!
You got it! Happy to help!
This is great!. Ive been watxhing all of your videos and it helped me come along with my puppy who weve only had for 3 days now.
My wife and I will use one of these leash techniques to walk our little fur baby.
Our 6 month old Standard Poodle has been tough to walk without pulling, she has a nose like a hound. After watching your How to Hold a Leash video twice, I changed how I have been holding it. What a difference, now she is walking with me not pulling me. Sometimes we are the problem, not them. Quality information from a quality trainer, thank you.
I'm happy to find that I actually am doing this mostly correctly. I just have skipped the looping part so far .
I think tiny bits of horse training knowledge have firmly planted in my head not to loop over any body part that you want to keep.😂 Thankfully, I think most of our dogs aren't as strong as a horse.
I have had some nasty cases of rope burn lately just from my pup, though. Pitties can be strong. Even pittie mixes. My 9 month American Bully mix is already far stronger than my Boxer was in her prime.
Yesterday my pittie mix, Bella, jerked her leash so hard that it just flew from my hand. And she spent the next few hours running around like a crazy dog, scraping up her feet in the process. Poor girl.
I was going to take her on a pet store tomorrow.
Thank you for all the incredibly helpful tips.
Im loving your videos, Im adopting a 10/11 month old next month from Greece so he only knows Greek commands etc , pretty scary for me. People have been sending me advice, books, websites and I'm getting totally brain dead, so much contradictory advice out there. Im sticking with you Ian, you're straight forward, no pissing about with a 100 steps to each action. I downloaded all the free PDF files on your website, many Thanks for them. Ive watched all your vids i initially need to, Im going to concentrate on the 5 points in adopting a dog. But my 5 points will be Specific English Words, Toilet, food, sleep, chew training. I forgot to say this is my first dog, I waited until my husband retired so he's not left alone. Wish me luck
Thank you for the tips! They work!
Really appreciate the tips!
6 dogs that don't like to be on leash watched the video.
I love the fact than this guy is way more informative than any teacher on TH-cam in my native language. Like gosh i would make a massive progress if i visit this channel before. I hope to see new videos because well... It looks like for a few months there is nothing but I'm still leaving subscribe. Overall - thanks a lot!
New videos coming!
that fates warning shirt is heatttt
I was test driving two service dog matches and both dogs bolted (a horn honk and a bird) one dog broke 3 fingers on my right hand and one dog broke 2 fingers on my left hand. having had the same service dog for 11 years, and these dogs were trained, i was not prepared for this bolting behavior. in 2 weeks i’ll be matched with what i hope will be my new service dog. to say i’m nervous is an understatement. this dogs trainer has had a live link for the past 3 MONTHS on this dog, so i’ve been part of the action for a while. this has helped me see how this dog reacts to situations and i feel somewhat bonded to him. i’ll watch the rest of your videos because this last year without a service dog has been pure he$$!! i need to get my confidence back after the 2 wash outs.
Here from the future for my powerful and intelligent GSD. Your content is extremely informative
Happy to help!
Please keep posting. Ive been waiting for weeks!!! Thanks for doing these videos!!! 😍
Sorry for the long hiatus! We've been working on a HUGE project that I'll announce soon. ;)
@@SimpawticoDogTraining Do you like Queensrÿche?
Just found you and subbed. Good information!
I live in NY and there's a lot of dogs in my neighborhood. I used to walk my dog on a 6FT leash and wrap it. One day, my dog wanted to take off and take my pinky with him. My hand hurt for days. Now I am walking him on a 4FT with your method, much better.
Working on an upgraded version right now, actually. Hope to have it done soon!
Thanks for helping me train my dog at home.
Great video
Thank you!
I'm subscribed to like 30 channels, but none of them make me as excited to see a new upload as yours does!
Also, any tips for holding a think rope-type leash? It's too thick to be comfortable when weaved through my fingers, but it's such a convenient leash for taking my dog out on short potty trips that I don't want to give up using it. I do notice that I have a lot more trouble controlling him when I use it.
Hi Charlotte! If it's too thick to do either one of these types of holds, just make sure that you've got that overhand grip on it. This will work with your body a lot more intuitively. You may want to consider getting something else that's easier to handle to practice walking with, and still use your rope for pottying, and then (hopefully) with practice the two will merge and you can walk no problem around with your favorite rope.
I’ll start using these method, I just found your videos and they are been incredibly helpfull thank you. I was wondering were do you cart your treats while walking out with your dog and how much do you pull or do you just don’t pull at all.
As a dog walker. I have just changed to this leash setup... Oh my what a difference!
thanks sooooooo much for making this. people think I'm nuts for showing them these skills so I direct them too you video. my elderly mother was given a husky puppy ( yeah great move ___________________ Colorado humane society) she has a bad hip. After being dragged around and getting a prong colar ( not helpful) just using the leash correctly was a 75% improvement
That's awesome. Happy to help!
Hey, your videos have been very helpful with teaching my pit bull puppy. He is almost 7 months old and weighs just over 20kg. He is super good with loose leach walking and has the sit and stay commands down like a pro, but refuses to down though. He also does protection training (bite-work), as a single mom in South Africa it is kinda compulsory. He is so good at walking that my 11y old boy can handle him. I use your holding method when walking him on the flat leash unfortunately he needs a stronger leash for the bite work as he broke 2 fairly expensive strong flat leads. I use a horse lead, it is a strong, round big lead with a beefy buckle and seems to work well without hurting my hands when he pulls. I love your videos and they are super helpful with my pitty and my son's jack russel (the jack russel is more work that the pit bull by the way).
are you sure this is legit
I don't have a dog. I am horse trainer but really love learning about teaching other animals.
I didn't know there was a technique to holding a dog leash! Handling is extremely important with horses, never any loops or wraps, and absolutely no fingerlocks, because if the horse spooks you are too small to hold them back anyway, and to avoid getting dragged you must be able to let go. The one thing that's the same is the pinky side to the horse! That is also something I constantly repeat XD
From my experience with horses I know there is a ton of knowledge and skill involved in training. I have a fabulous source of correct info here for when I finally get my first dog!
Incidentally, I find that my dog training students whom have horse experience pick up leash skills super fast. The very first person I ever apprenticed with years ago started as a horse trainer. I think there's a lot of useful crossover between the two and I try to hang out with horse trainers whenever I get a chance so I can steal some useful tidbits!
I always enjoy your videos, thank you.
I’m laughing so hard at the infomercial like wrapping I normally hold my leash halfway down close to my dog and with my other hand holds the handle I found this gave me the most control over my pup and I need that seeing as he is much stronger than me
Can you make more vids plz💙💜💚💛🐕P.s love your vids🐕🐕
Workin' on it!
Wow!
Thank you! Do you have a video for bringing home a foster dog? We are getting a pitbull foster [ we had a Am staffy prior that just past away] but the foster place doesn't train us on how to handel the foster dogs. I really want to get this dog adopted so im trying to do the stuff you recommend but I was wondering if their are any pitbull specific things we should or shouldn't do?
God bless.
I found the thumb is the better finger to use for powerful dogs. You retain the leash better and it can be released easier using the thumb.
I have to say I prefer the thumb now too, since I've made this.
I have two whippets and what I've found that works for us is near hand anchor with both leash handles looped over the back of the wrist with the leads running between the thumb and index fingers. It's robust and solid and I can bring the full cross section of my wrist/arm to bear if I need to. Sight hounds can be triggered by sudden movement of small critters - I've never come close to losing a lead yet.
All that said, I've been experimenting with adding the loop around the index finger. it's a bit chunky with two leads, but with the leash handles looped over the back of the wrist and the leads looped around the index finger supported by a closed fist, a very rock solid way to hold the leads.
I love your videos, so excited to see a new one! My Golden pulls me all the time. I really want to get him a buddy but I know my husband won't let me. He's afraid my boy is going to hurt me...suggestions?
Treats in your pocket. Keep him focused on you and your pocket.
Hi Debbie. Take a look at the Progressions video: th-cam.com/video/_3OdLTxEQBE/w-d-xo.html for a really quick overview. And then take a look at our walking PDF on the website: www.simpawtico-training.com/learning/downloadables/
What is the best leash to use for a puppy that is biting the leash ? If anyone can please help , I first thought maybe a chain one but is it to heavy , what do you recommend ?
I walk two big dogs and I prefer to have the loop around my left arm wrist and control with the right hand.
Nice Fates Warning shirt!
Thanks! Fates has been my ride or die band since I was a teenager.
I kind of do like reins of horse riding...this pinksy side. But use pinkie and ringfinger to do ...like we say half halts...squeezing them together to signle to my dobermans or get their attention to me? Any thoughts?
One of my pup's trainers taught the group to hold our leashes like a horses reins. She is also an equestrian. Works better then what I was doing. ☺
I use the leash like reins for horse riding. My Maltese x Shitzu is very sensitive and does not need more than a slight gesture with the leash although to be honest he watches me closely and listens so intently that he doesn't even need that. He's just a joy to walk.
Actually there's a lot of crossover between horse handling and dog handling. Any cool techniques you pick up with horses will for sure translate over fairly well. Especially when I start teaching tension and pressure control to my students, the horse people always get it right away.
I do put the lead around my hand. Cos I do find I have better control . And it's safer
We know of a dentist who dislocated his wrist that way and never practice dentistry again. Not safer...but you do you.
anyone else horseback ride and hold the leash the way you hold the reins? Haha
YES OMG. Herding !
Yes 😂😂
Can I use close anchors when walking two dogs at the same time if they are on opposite ends of me?
Yes. Each dog would ideally have a close anchor (i.e. their leash held in the hand on the same side as the dog).
Dammit, I've been doing everything wrong this whole time... And it makes sense... I'll try this tomorrow morning
I'm assuming (since you say there needs to be sensitivity and all that) that a chain leash is not good then?
Hi Ed. Exactly right. When I started as the Training manager at the shelter they had chain leashes for all the dogs that bite their leashes; I threw them all out and showed everyone how to fix the problem. Chain leashes are just too hard to handle effectively and to work with. Leather or nylon are pretty much my go-to materials.
@@SimpawticoDogTraining my dog is such a strong puller, though, I'm still having trouble xd
i have said this so many times! DON'T WRAP THE LEASH AROUND YOUR HAND!!!!
Well I do and that's how I like it 😊
What do you do in the case of walking two dogs?
Depending on the size of the dogs and the training work you've done with them, you'll either a) have one in each hand using close anchors, or b) have them on one lead with a splitter. You could, I suppose, have two leads in your hand if they walk politely, otherwise they'll twist.
Ian why do you not post more videos?!
I wish I could! Mainly we took a hiatus because we were working on a huge project (announcement soon), and the other thing is that we're still running the school. We do close to 8 group classes a week, plus private sessions both in-home and on-site so it keeps us pretty busy. Eventually we'll have more staff which allow me to put more energy into more timely videos but until then, it's just a matter of slogging through and uploading when I can. Thanks for watching! I really appreciate it!
I have a 4 months vizsla and he's very active and curious outside and i don't know what to do because he pulls a lot and my hand is in pain after every walk/run
Take a look at our walking PDF on our website: www.simpawtico-training.com/learning/downloadables/
@@SimpawticoDogTraining ty
Question: How old should your pup be before taking leash walking seriously. My Tervuren pup is currently 4 months old, and I feel like I'm being too hard on him, but at the same time I don't want him to develop bad behaviors like pulling.
Usually at that age we recommend 200-400 feet at a time, only going further if the puppy volunteers to do so, or stopping if they're reluctant. That said, you can practice your formal walking technique, but do it in a neutral environment. Training it outside is like teaching a kid to play basketball at the playoffs. Way too much happening. Isolate and teach motor skills, build muscle memory, and slowly move it into the outside world. In the meantime, use different hardware outside that they can pull into and let your puppy noodle around as this is good mental enrichment. Eventually your walking will crossover from your practice and be mannerly all the time. Check out our progressions video for a peek at what that looks like: th-cam.com/video/_3OdLTxEQBE/w-d-xo.html
Thank you so much!
He's already excellent inside, and pretty good outside the house, even with minor distractions like apples falling from my apple tree, or cats running around (he's not very interested in other animals)
So I suppose I need to practice outside the house until he's perfect before moving on to more distractions.
Thanks again for the quick reply!
As a k9 trainer and handler , I prefer the thumb lock
does it matter what the leash type ?
It does not. This should easily apply to any leash.
Is it correct if i tie the leash at my belt? Like that, my hands are free. What is your opinion about that? Thank you for the video, i will try it.
And what if your dog decides to run after another dog? Either you will be running with him or he will snap you in half!
Well that totally depends on how well trained your dog is. If they're pretty bombproof at following you and staying within range, sure. Otherwise, probably shouldn't.
I do that so many times and nothing happen. I usually do it when i am going somewhere very crowded and this way i know my dog will not brake loose at any point. Sometimes i add another leash for better control.
Can you do a slow motion view of how you hold the leash it was so fast I couldn’t see how you did it. Thanks.
If you need to watch it in slo-mo, you can control the speed of the video in the settings (the little gear sign on the bottom right of the video) Hope this helps! :)
The Blog version of this on our website has step-by-step photos: www.simpawtico-training.com/how-to-hold-a-leash/
Love your videos but I found the actual hhold too fast also. 💜☮
Again, the Blog version of this on our website has step-by-step photos: www.simpawtico-training.com/how-to-hold-a-leash/
I checked the slow Mo..great thank you. I'll go back &watch another of your videos now😘
We have bull terrier and he chews through normal leashes. We are using a chain one. Any recommendations on special handling of those?
Hi Hana. My advice: get rid of it and teach your dog not to bite the leash. I know this sounds smart-assed, but I promise I'm dead serious. Tons of dogs at the shelter bite their leash and I've taught the staff how to fix it in a day or two. Chain leashes just don't offer any flexibility or sensitivity. You're just avoiding the problem with it. Drill down, and fix it. It's tedious work and will probably take a week or so if your dog is persistent, but when it's done you can use whatever nice leash you prefer. HOW to do it is beyond the scope of the comment section so email off-list if you'd like guidance on this.
What if you have a dozen street dogs trying to take a bite of your pooch and you also have to carry a cane or stick everytime you take your dog out?
You'll use a same-side hold with a short anchor, then use the cane/stick with your dominant hand. Stay on your feet, blade your stance, keep your back straight.
I’ve been doing it all wrong haha. Grandma always taught me to loop it around your hand twice so you don’t drop the leash. I’m sure I dropped it plenty as a kid anyways.
LOL. Hindsight is 20/20.
What do I do if I have two dogs?
Have you not seen the dual harness type of lead? One lead that splits into two .
I would train them each separately. When they've got walking down well enough, you can use close anchors as they walk at your sides, or use a splitter if they walk on the same side with you.
@@SimpawticoDogTraining
Brilliant thanks so much ,I've learned more from than your videos than two years studying canine studies.
Simpawtico Dog Training thank you and thanks for your awesome videos!!!
Wish we were friends dude
1
This doesn't work if the leash you're using isn't a flat nylon web leash. I use a round climbing rope style leash that has some elasticity and a no-pull harness with the leash fed through a carabiner attached to the back clip on the harness and attached to the front loop. For my grip, I feed the back end of the leash through the handle and use that as a cinch on my wrist and hold the rope in the same hand with the rope fed through thumb side, not pinky side. That way the leash is controlled by the dominant muscles in my hand middle finger through thumb, not the weak side ring and pinky. I can completely let go of the leash if I need to and the leash is still attached to my arm, and one hand is completely free.
I originally shot this with a rope style leash. It most definitely does work and has for years with hundreds of leashes and ropes of all materials from nylon to leather to hemp. You're missing the point, though. It's not the fingers doing the work, it's the wrist, elbow and shoulder groups. If you have the rope/leash exiting on the thumb side you're locking up the wrist and you lose dexterity and ergonomic strength. Your muscle groups don't work as efficiently. Plus, if you're using a cinch, there's no dynamic length control, it crushes, and there's no emergency bail out. I would never recommend anyone do it that way, I'm sorry.
Simpawtico Dog Training I don't think you read my post correctly. I'm not anchoring the leash on the opposite side to which the dog is walking and holding the middle of the leash with my opposite hand. I'm anchoring the leash to my forearm on the side that the dog is walking, setting the length of the lead with the same hand and controlling the communication through the lead with my dominant arm muscles. It doesn't lock up anything. Specifically, through the extensor digitorum communis, extensor carpi radialis brevis, extensor carpi radialis longus and brachio-radialis that send the tension through the triceps brachii, deltoid, infraspinatus and trapezius that gives me the most range of motion and the strongest muscle chain on which tension transmits and continues through my core, glutes, and down through my legs in a linear direction that minimizes my dog's ability to pull me off my feet or knock me off balance. Your method sends tension through the extensor carpi ulnaris, anconaeus, biceps brachii and pectoralis minor, requiring much less tension for your dog to pull free or cause an injury to your hand and sends the tension laterally across your shoulders and spine, maximizing your dog's ability to pull you off balance with enough force in any direction. If my dog pulls hard enough to take the lead from my grip, then the cinch on my forearm tightens, not before. If I used your method and my dog (a husky/pyrenees mastiff mix) pulled hard enough to pull the lead from my grip I would end up with a dislocated finger or thumb and probably a face full of concrete instead of the pressure being dispersed equally around my forearm. Worst case scenario I get a bruise or minor rope burn around my forearm and retain control of my dog and whatever situation is causing my dog to veer off course
.
Holding the leash from the pinky side has made a big difference. My strong pit mix puppy and I are still learning to walk together well, and she still has times when she will get over-threshold excited when seeing other dogs. Your leash techniques combined with a biothane leash gives me the control and confidence I need to focus more on actual training.
Holding from the pinky side reminds me of horseback riding English style. That’s how we would hold the reigns.
In my experience, people who have ridden horses always do much better with leash handling in general. ;)
I better watch more videos...my dog will break my fingers if i start doing that! lol she walks from one side to the other, and sometimes in circles around me!
Hi Ahsley! Yup, you've got some pre-work to do first. Get those motor skills nailed down and rehearsed before trying to make it look nice.
Good jup .man my dog jump on me.i need ur help
We have a jumping PDF on our website to help get you started on fixing it: www.simpawtico-training.com/learning/downloadables/
Could someone please tell me a good dog forum
Should dogs always walk in a heel?
Not necessarily. For pet dogs, as long as they're hovering around in the right area, I really don't care as long as they don't pull. A full-on heel, then, is best for when we're in tight quarters out in public, or crossing a busy street, etc. The rest of the time we're pretty relaxed together.
My dog late has been juicing the other day she pulled me right off a 2/5 foot deck to chasing another animal
1:25 - Fingerlock
Fine for small to medium breeds, no use for large breeds such as St Bernards sadly. Have broken fingers to prove it, from a 85kg St. Bernard that suddenly decided he wanted to chase another dog! OUCH!!
Hey Katrina. I would have to disagree. I've been doing these holds for years with the dogs at the shelter, who are manic, large breeds included: St. Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Malamutes, you name it. I don't know what you and I are doing differently but I certainly don't have any broken fingers from sudden lunges...sore shoulders and ankles for sure, though.
Simpawtico Dog Training I only did what I was shown in the video & my fingers are in deed broken on that hand.
I totally believe you. I'm just curious what the differences are. Is it hardware on the dog? Is it subtle differences in grip? Is it something else...a combination of several things. Worth looking into and refining the technique for everyone, you and me both.
Simpawtico Dog Training Technique the same as was shown. An 85kg dog that decided to charge was the problem & is something that is being worked on with the dog. But the hold in the grip shown just buckled my fingers as there was too much force against them. It was a pure determination I held on to prevent an incident. As unfortunately the owner of the off lead dog which should not have been there was stupid enough to keep approaching even though asked not to, which just further excited the St. Bernard.
My leash is metal
We don't recommend metal leashes; we recommend leather, biothane, or nylon
@@SimpawticoDogTraining okaay thanks
I wouldn't use your meathead. Cos it doesn't look safe. And u could break your fingers.
Have you actually tried it? This is a professional handler's hold, taught by most professional instructors and handlers. You can't break your fingers because if you do it right, there's actually no pressure on your fingers.