How to Use a Long Line for Recall Training (and Which to Buy)
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A long line is a leash of about 10 to 50 feet that gives your dog room to roam while you still hold the other end. It is the standard tool for practicing recall, coming when called, before you trust your dog off leash. This guide covers how to hold and use a long line safely, how to practice recall with one, and what to look for when you buy one.
How we wrote this: the handling and safety advice comes from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home‘s canine behaviour team, and the recall method from the American Kennel Club, both checked on 31 October 2026. Product notes come from the makers’ own pages and from K9 of Mine, whose reviewer used long lines with their own dog for a guide published in May 2021. We did not test these lines ourselves, and we do not show prices or ratings.
What a long line is for
Battersea says long lines give your dog more freedom while you keep some control, and are a safe and effective way to practice recall before letting a dog off lead completely. They come in lengths from about 3 to 30 meters (roughly 10 to 100 feet). The AKC suggests moving from a 6 foot leash to a 20 or 30 foot line when you take recall training outside.
A long line is not the same as a retractable leash. Battersea notes that long lines are a fixed length and more robust than retractable long leads. For more on retractables, see are retractable leashes bad?
Harness, not collar
Battersea always recommends attaching a long line to a harness, not a collar, so that if your dog runs to the end of the line they are less likely to hurt themselves. If the harness has clips on the front and the back, Battersea recommends the back clip for a long line. Our guides to measuring a dog for a harness and the best dog harness for pulling can help you find one that fits.
How to hold a long line
- Untangle it first. Battersea says to unravel the line so there are no kinks or knots.
- Loop it loosely in your hand. Battersea says to wrap the line loosely into your hand, making a loop to hold, so you can let it out or take it in as your dog moves.
- Use two hands. Battersea suggests holding the line with both hands: one to give your dog more freedom, the other to take in line. To slow your dog, grip and release with the hand closest to the dog, rather than just pulling the end. This stops a dog less harshly and makes you less likely to drop the line.
- Do not let out more than you need. Even on a long line, your dog does not need the full length all the time. Battersea warns that too much slack can tangle you and make you lose control, especially somewhere busy.
- Watch your surroundings. Long lines can trip other people and catch on things. If your dog runs off suddenly while you are not holding the line properly, it can run through your hands and injure you (Battersea).
- If you tangle, stop your dog. Battersea’s advice is to get your dog to stand still while you untangle.
Battersea also says to choose a line you can hold comfortably, and one that will not hurt if it pulls through your fingers.
How to practice recall on a long line
- Start indoors. The AKC starts recall training in a quiet place on a normal leash: say your dog’s name and “come”, encourage them toward you, then mark the moment and reward with praise, play or a favorite toy.
- Add distance and distractions slowly. Once your dog comes every time, the AKC says to add distance, then small distractions, then bigger ones.
- Go outside on a 6 foot leash, then the long line. The AKC says not to let your dog roam free outdoors at first, even if they come every time indoors. Repeat the steps on a 6 foot leash, then on a 20 or 30 foot line, giving more distance as your dog succeeds.
- Do not reel your dog in. The AKC says the line is there to control the situation, not to drag your dog back. If your dog ignores you, gather the line as you walk closer and try again, and take a step back in your training.
- Let it trail before you let go. As your dog gets more reliable, Battersea suggests letting the line trail on the ground without holding it, so you can still step in and pick it up, before trying off lead. For trailing, Battersea suggests a line without a handle, which is less likely to catch on branches.
- Stay realistic. The AKC warns that even a well-trained dog will not come back 100% of the time, so only let your dog off leash in a safe place. If recall is not improving, Battersea recommends contacting a certified dog behaviourist.
For rewards on training walks, see our sister site inthekibble.com for dog treats. For loose-leash manners on everyday walks, read how to stop a dog pulling on the leash.
Which long line to buy
Length
The AKC’s recall steps use a 20 or 30 foot line. K9 of Mine suggests 10 to 20 feet for walks in the woods, where a longer line snags, and up to 50 feet for recall work in a big open field. A shorter line is easier to manage while you are learning to handle one.
BioThane or nylon
Battersea says a light fabric line suits a small dog, as it will not weigh them down, while a bigger dog may need BioThane, a grippy material or heavy-duty webbing. K9 of Mine found BioThane lines smoother and less likely to snag on branches and rocks, and easy to wipe clean, but heavier and more expensive than nylon.
Clip and handle
K9 of Mine points to solid brass hardware as a clip that should not rust over time. A handle helps when you hold the line, but for trailing, Battersea prefers a line without one.
The line our sources used
The Viper BioThane Long Line Lead comes in 10, 15, 20 and 33 foot lengths and four widths, with a solid brass snap. Its maker, Dogline, says the coated webbing stays flexible in cold and does not melt in heat, and that the heaviest webbing has up to 750 pounds of breaking strength. Dogline says it is not chew proof and should not be used as a tie out (Dogline). In K9 of Mine‘s 2021 guide, the reviewer found it surprisingly light, smooth over grass and dirt, and easy to stop by stepping on it, thanks to a subtle texture; the bright color was easy to see. K9 of Mine notes that BioThane can be heavier than light nylon lines and may tempt strong chewers.
Two other lines, named without links: Mendota‘s Check Cords are polypropylene rope lines made in 20, 30 and 50 foot lengths, but we found no review site that tested them. The Hi Kiss nylon line that K9 of Mine’s reviewer used in a 50 foot length is light and inexpensive, but we could not find a maker site for it, so it is not in our catalog.
Need a hands-free way to carry rewards? See our best dog treat pouch for training guide, covering closures, belts, pockets and washing.
New to marker training? Read how to clicker train a dog, step by step.
Need your dog to wear a muzzle? See how to muzzle train a dog and choose a basket muzzle they can pant and drink in.
FAQ
How long should a long line be for recall training?
The AKC suggests moving from a 6 foot leash to a 20 or 30 foot line. Start shorter while you learn to handle the line, and go longer only in big open spaces.
Should a long line go on a collar or a harness?
A harness. Battersea recommends attaching it to the back clip of a harness, not a collar, so your dog is less likely to be hurt if they run to the end of the line.
Can I use a retractable leash instead?
Battersea notes that long lines are a fixed length and more robust than retractable leads. See are retractable leashes bad?
Is BioThane better than nylon for a long line?
BioThane does not soak up water, wipes clean and slides over the ground with fewer snags, according to K9 of Mine, but it is heavier and costs more. Battersea suggests a light fabric line for small dogs.
When can my dog go off the long line?
When your dog comes back reliably with the line trailing. K9 of Mine advises caution even then, and suggests a secure area. The AKC warns that no dog’s recall is perfect, so only let your dog off leash where it is safe and allowed.
For more, read the dog leash, harness and carrier buying guide and our best dog leash and best dog collars picks.