Our current picks of training leads
4 picks, updated 16 September 2026
A dog training lead decides how a walk feels. The right one gives you a way to steer without a tug of war, and it makes the good moments easy to reward, which is how the pulling fades.
These are the four we would buy, covering pulling, everyday walks, recall practice and short bursts of close control. Each one has a job, and most owners end up with two of them in the hall.
Our picks
- 1
Halti
Training Lead, 2m
Why we picked it
Two trigger clips and lightweight webbing make this a training lead you can join to the front and back of a harness, steering a pulling dog round towards you. Halti list seven ways to use it, so one lead covers more than one job on a walk. Buy it for a dog learning lead manners, and it shortens to an ordinary lead once that is done.
- Type
- Training lead
- Best for
- Pulling on a harness
- Price band
- ££
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- 2
Halti
Control Lead, 2m
Why we picked it
The same lightweight webbing as the training lead, with two handles that let you take up a short hold near a kerb and let the lead out again after. Halti list six ways to use it, so the length changes with the walk. It suits a dog that already walks without dragging, and it is comfortable to hold for an hour.
- Type
- Training lead
- Best for
- Everyday walks on a loose lead
- Price band
- £
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- 3
Dog & Field
Long Line, 10 metres
Why we picked it
A long line gives a dog freedom you can still take back, which is what recall training runs on. This one is soft nylon rope with a heavy duty trigger clip, and it shortens to five metres for tighter ground. Dog & Field make it in one length for any size of dog, and it suits an open field or a beach.
- Type
- Long line
- Best for
- Recall practice in open ground
- Price band
- ££
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- 4
Total Pet
Figure of Eight Lead
Why we picked it
A figure of eight is the head control lead many gundog and rescue handlers use, because the loop over the muzzle gives you the dog's direction. Total Pet pad the rope where it sits on the nose, and a collar attachment comes in the box as a second point of safety. It comes in two rope thicknesses, and a fitting guide is included.
- Type
- Head control lead
- Best for
- Short bursts of close control
- Price band
- £££
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Side by side
| # | Pick | Type | Best for | Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halti Training Lead, 2m | Training lead | Pulling on a harness | ££ |
| 2 | Halti Control Lead, 2m | Training lead | Everyday walks on a loose lead | £ |
| 3 | Dog & Field Long Line, 10 metres | Long line | Recall practice in open ground | ££ |
| 4 | Total Pet Figure of Eight Lead | Head control lead | Short bursts of close control | £££ |
Questions people ask
What length dog lead is best for everyday walking?
Two metres with adjustment. That is short enough for a pavement and long enough to let a dog sniff, and a lead with two clips or two handles lets you shorten it in a second.
Can I use a long line on a collar?
Use a harness with a long line. A dog reaching the end of ten metres puts real force through the clip, and a harness spreads it across the chest where it is comfortable. It also keeps the line clear of the neck.
Is a slip lead the same as a figure of eight?
Both work by taking up under pressure, and a figure of eight also loops over the muzzle for head control. Each is a short term tool for a specific stretch of a walk, and a double-ended lead covers the rest of the day.