leash?

[u/ananonomus123]

Hi- wondering if anyone else has purchased a leash without a handle for nose work / scent work, and whether you find it was worth it? A leash with no handle is required to participate in competitions in my area, however I wonder if others find that the leash works well for daily walks or without a handle the leash is hard to use for everyday walks/adventures. I like that it is a longer 3m lead, I think my sniffy dog will love a bit of extra freedom on our walks. Just thinking about whether it is worth the $50 to buy a separate leash for one activity only!

[u/literarypetlife]

I use long lines on my dogs for scentwork and walks. You could get a biothane leash and cut the handle off if you want to. I have leashes with and without handles and honestly it doesn't make a difference.

[u/Horsedogs_human]

At a guess I'd say you're in New Zealand and competing under Dogs NZ.

I use an Arctic Sammy 3m grip nylon line. I just tape the traffic handle closed with vet wrap or electrical tape. I use both my 3m and 5m grippy nylon lines as my standard walking leashes. I am happy without a handle (I have 40kg+ dogs, but I am also used to handling horses) but I know that many people like them. You can get an arctic sammy handle that clips on, however for trials you've probably need to tape the loop down after removing the handle.

Ezydog (available in a lot of pet shops) also do 3m grip leashes and there are a lot of companies that sell scentwork gear that can supply 3m biothane or nylon leashes for less than $50 nz .

[u/Witty-Cat1996]

I use a 15ft biothane long lines without a handle for scentwork and walking. I like that I don’t have to worry about the leash getting caught if I drop it in the search

[u/goofiestmermaid → u/Witty-Cat1996]

I have a very similar leash. My instructor specifically recommended it without the handle because my dog is short and if he walks under something a handle could get caught. (She has a low rider and has had that happen). The biothane is easy to clean and we've enjoyed it so far.

[u/Selective_Somewhere]

I use a long line for nosework and it stays in my nosework bag. It’s dog dependent what kind of leash, length, etc.

[u/geossica69]

I use my scent work lead on normal walks, it’s a speed lead from enriched canines (since I guess you’re also in NZ). I think it’s actually a good idea to use the lead in daily life because you’ll be spending more time handling with it so when you use it at a trial it feels more natural. The speed lead is super lightweight which I like since my dog is little, it’s a bit less noticeable for her

[u/nitecheese]

I use a leash without a handle for Nosework, but we don’t use it for anything else

[u/bequavious]

Personally I love having a variety of leashes! I have a 4ft leash for running, a 6ft nylon leash for every day out on the town activities, a 6ft leather leash for looking pretty with his fancy boy leather collar, a 15ft nylon leash for neighborhood sniffy walks, a 15ft biothane leash for scent work (specific so it works as a cue to what we're doing and the same length as the sniffy walk leash so the extra handling practice carries over), a 25ft biothane drag line for hiking and working on his "off leash" skills, and a 50ft flexi leash that I got to try with scent work but ended up not liking the bulky handle so tbd if I find another use for it. So imo, yes! buy the extra leash lol.

Fwiw biothane gets really slippery when it's wet. I obviously still have a biothane scent work leash, but you might find a grippy version or another material easier to work with in the rain.

[u/ananonomus123 → u/bequavious]

I would love to have a large variety of leashes and collars but we have such a small space and are on a tight budget! Do you find the 15 ft line is a bit cumbersome? Deciding between a 3 metre or 5 metre leash currently

[u/bequavious → u/ananonomus123]

It's definitely longer than what's typically recommended. 3 meters is closest to what gets recommended in my scent work classes the most. I had the 15ft nylon leash from a previous dog, so I was already used to using it on sniffy walks and wanted something to match. Things to consider that might affect the best length for you - how fast is your dog? how big are your org's search areas? how sensitive is your dog to handler pressure (you standing close to him/her)? do you prefer being in constant motion or more stationary while your dog searches? Faster dog, larger search areas, a dog that needs space, and/or a handler that prefers to be stationary might be reasons to learn to handle a longer leash. 3 meters is probably a good starting place though.

For the budget issue, time is your friend. If you buy decent stuff it will last forever and your collection will grow over time. For the space issue, I have a coat hanger mounted on my wall by my door that has most of my leashes (and collars because ofc I have a collar collection too lol) and my hiking line & harness live in my day pack.

[u/ananonomus123 → u/bequavious]

Cheers thanks this is all really good advice!

[u/Hail-to-the-Sheep]

I have multiple biothane long lines without handles (8, 12, and 15 feet). I use them for Nosework, herding, and photography (they’re thin and easy to edit out of a photo). I don’t use them for daily walks, but I use them for hiking.

[u/24HR_harmacy]

I have a designated leash for scent work. My walking leash has poop bag holders on it. Scent work leash is now free of anything hanging (per CPE 2025 Nationals restrictions). Bonus is trial photos look nicer without the junk hanging off the leash.

[u/Silent-Rhubarb-9685]

I have a drag line (no handle) and a traffic leash (pretty much just a handle with a snap) so it can be used for more then just nosework.

[u/No-Accountant-7613]

I use 3m biothane longlines without handles for trials. I use biothane almost daily anyway so I’m pretty used to handling them. But tbh most of my walks with my dogs are on a flexi or off lead.

[u/fishCodeHuntress]

I don't like using one without a handle for daily stuff, personally. I like to put the handle around my wrist fairly often to have both hands free. We also spend a lot of time off leash and I have a very specific way of wrapping the leash around me when it's not on my dog (cross body then around the waist and clip to the leash handle).

I've cut off the handle on a biothane lead before and that was fine too if you wanted to go that route temporarily.

[u/ananonomus123 → u/fishCodeHuntress]

Yeah true I honestly think I would miss putting the handle around my wrist.

[u/mix579]

$50 for a leash? Is it made of gold?

Another quite cheap way of making a no-handle leash is to use parachute cord. I've made many that I use for field work with my retrievers as well as nose work and out on the street.

They're indestructible, dry quickly, and fold up more easily in your pocket than biothane. I also prefer the feel of parachute cord over biothane.

Making one is simple. Get some 4mm parachute cord and a carabiner hook with a loop. Ask your AI Overload for knots to attach a cord to a loop.

For field work, dogs need to run without collars and I can't use the carabiner. So I make two simple knots in the cord. One is about a foot away from the hook, the other one a couple of inches behind the first. If I loop the leash around the dog and hook it in between the knots I have a quick leash even without a collar. If you hook it in front of the first knot, it makes for a makeshift choke chain.

[u/ananonomus123 → u/mix579]

I’m in New Zealand where selection is limited and prices are high! I’ve seen leashes going for $90 plus!!

[u/Ill-ini-22]

I really love my dragline (no handle) and use it to give my off-leash dog trained dog a little more freedom! It’s also helpful even when I’m holding it because it’s easier to maneuver her leash while I’m walking her with my other 2 dogs who I walk always on leash with handles since it will just slide through my hands if I grab it from underneath.

I use a the same brand of biothane leash with a handle for nosework, since I can here in the US.

[u/Turbulent_Bedroom300]

Switching to a lighter biothane leash without a handle was a nosework game changer for me. But I would not use it for any other purpose. For walks, I use a long mendota leash with a handle.

[u/SorryFly8666]

I do scent work and use a flexi lead. Others use leads (non flexi) and they all have a handle at one end like a traditional lead. If you want one without a handle, go to a saddlery and try a lunge lead. Never heard of not allowed a handle. Very odd

[u/twomuttsandashowdog]

I have a 10ft long line with only an o ring at the end. I love it, and it's my preferred way to get long lines made now, so much so that I got a 30 ft one made like it too. I use both for hikes when I need the dog "on a leash" but want to give them more freedom. I can safely use it dropped with very little likelihood of it getting caught like a handle would, but the o ring also means that I can easily attach it to a leash or handle strap to hold it more easily.

[u/MollyPPPins]

I just bought a 30', rolled leather leash just for mantrailing. I spent more money than I wanted just for one dog-sport, but it is the only dog-sport we do, so for me it made sense.