A leash is generally used together with a collar, halter or harness to restrain, control, guide or position the dog, or to prompt desired behavior.
How they work:
Leashes are used to keep the dog near the handler. They are also sometimes used to tie a dog to a stationary object.
Benefits:
A leash can be used to manage behavior. For example, the owner may keep a leashed puppy tied to his or her belt during housetraining to prevent accidents.
Limitations:
Some leash materials are more durable and safer than others. For example, leather usually outlasts cotton. A leash made from metal chain can pinch or scrape the handler's hands, and can injure the dog if it becomes tangled. The weight of metal chain leashes can also interfere with the performance of slip collars and halters.
Leashes that are round, narrow, or made from nylon line can easily slip through the hands, injuring the handler and endangering the dog. Retractable leashes and long lines should not be used for training with halters, slip collars, or prong collars.
Risks and warnings:
When held back with a leash, some dogs may behave more aggressively upon meeting other dogs or people. A leash attached to a collar should not be kept continuously tight, as the pressure on the dog's neck and throat can cause pain, injury, or restriction of the airway. The extent of these risks is influenced by the choice of collar. A continuously tight leash can also make it more difficult to develop off-leash control.
Using a leash to tie up a dog unsupervised may put the dog at risk of injury or death, and, if on a routine basis can result in undesirable behaviors such as barking, destruction, or aggression. A dog who is tied out on a leash should not be left at any risk of harm from other animals, self-injury, the weather or nearby objects.
