He played!!

So took Alfie out with his new 30ft long lead today and some toys. Past info: He hadn't been walked or socialised much with previous owners, as a result he is very anxious out, wont wee, sniff just marches on looking out for anything scary or anything that moves to chase. Usually have him on a double ended police style lead. I still used this to walk the paths. When we got to a suitable area I put the long lead on. I say that, it took 10 minutes unravelling the long lead as it had tied itself up in knots in the bag with the toys! Any tips on 1. winding it up in such a way it doesn't get tangled and 2. Doing this without getting your coat smothered in mud from said lead?! LOL. Anyway he loved having a bit more of a run around and chasing his toys, he forgot to be watching out all the time! The down side was he got a bit too hyped up and pulled much worse on the walk home. Oh and my 3yr old got their legs swept from under them a couple of times   Hoping to try it on our other routes over the next few days. Still waiting for his smaller sized Dogmatic headcollar to come back.

Any tips on 1. winding it up in such a way it doesn't get tangled and 2. Doing this without getting your coat smothered in mud from said lead?!

i've got a 30ft lead .. used a separate bag to carry it .. with the lead wrapped around a piece of wood .. was still a p.i.t.a. to use ;-/

anyhowz .. thought maybe using a kite-reel would do the trick ..
not tried it though ..

have since bought an 8m extendable lead .. which for some reason be just fine with 'lady' .. ( i.e. compared to a 5m one which i were using .. seems like the extra 3m be enough to keep her happy ) ..

she's off-lead when it's safe 'n secure to do so ..

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good to hear Alfie be having fun with his toys now :-)

LOVE breakthrough's like this best feeling ever!! Well done to both of you.. your poor little'un though lol!! With the long line, to be honest i'm permanently covered in mud so I just reel it up by hand and stick it in a carrier bag!! Not sure what to suggest!

Well done Sue and Alfie I used to get in a right fuddle with a long lead!   

made me giggle Hun, only because I know exactly what you mean glad it went really well, we just keep it in a separate bag.

Thanks all, I felt so happy for him   
Will defo still take a bag. I had a thought (not like me I know ) I always do the clasps up on my necklaces as it stops them tangling so will try this too, at least it can't knot so much.

re. long lead tangles:
this is what i were looking at .. with a thought to modifying it for a long lead .. i.e. remove the string and modify the quide

http://www.amazon.co.uk/100M-Twisted-String-Wheel-Winder/dp/B00A8WO33U#productDetails

Awww brilliant, the long lines are a god send for dogs that can't go off lead (like my Daisy) no tips on handling them though, they are messy!

kozmos wrote:re. long lead tangles:
this is what i were looking at .. with a thought to modifying it for a long lead .. i.e. remove the string and modify the quide

http://www.amazon.co.uk/100M-Twisted-String-Wheel-Winder/dp/B00A8WO33U#productDetails

Thanks kozmos, not sure if I want something else to carry though

Sazzle wrote:Awww brilliant, the long lines are a god send for dogs that can't go off lead (like my Daisy) no tips on handling them though, they are messy!

  tried the wind round the hand and elbow but had to wash coat when got in   

They are not so bad in the summer!!   

Can't wait for some better weather! Meant to be getting a lot colder though

At least if it gets colder the mud will freeze!!

 True but then he pull me over on the ice!

True!!   

Fantastic news. The new journey begins for both of you! Enjoy.

Thanks Tony

No suggestions. It is a muddy enterprise! Great news though!

No good tips on the lead. I have a seperate coat for Suki walks and just wind the lead around my hand and elbow. Doesn't tangle too bad but still a mess.

For long lines, I always coil them as you would coil ropes on a yacht. This set of animations shows how to do it: http://www.animatedknots.com/coiling.

I wouldnt bother to do as many turns at the end - 3 or 4 is plenty to keep everything in place. The important thing is the final twist, which locks everything down.

Sailing also taught me the bowline (would be mountain-climbing for some people). It's the handiest knot for securing dog lead to immovable object outside the shop - it doesnt give or slip under pressure, only gets tighter. (Saying that, he only gets left for a few seconds in a place where i can see him at all times through the window).

I tried long line but got it in so muchof a mess so have an extra large flexi lead now as it saves being wrapped around like a mummy

Thanks all.
Great link Yeahbut thanks.
So bottom line is I will continue to get muddy   Used to the trousers, but coat usually not too bad. I've got a blue regatta one, hmm, must get a black one or mud brown
Sara I had a retractable one with old dog (non staff), but heard great things about long leads.