DIY 50,75, or 100 foot paracord leash?
Well recently I got cursed off and yelled at the park me and my dogs go to because apparently Kumatora 'attacked' a man's yorkie. Kuma is a Dutch Shepherd(or GSD or some shepherd)xShar Pei mix and is often mistaken for a pitbull mix. She lives with pugxcairn terrier which plays rough with her, she has met countless small dogs and even been on the small dog side of the dog park many times, leashed and off-leashed. Overall the most I've seen even close to attacking is when Kumatora uses her giant feet or mouth to try and play. I can even leave her alone in a room with Shiloh and she's fine. Kuma is also friendly with kids and won't jump up on them like adults which were working on. Only aggressive attack I have seen from her was when a pitbull charged and try to really bite her and when I got covered at the dog park from my actually unpredictable dog Shiloh deciding he decided to hate boxers and I got stuck under the two of them trying to get my dumb pug before he hurts himself. She didn't even bite bite, she just charged and nipped and shoved them away to the best of her ability, she tries to use warning signs and charging before ever really going forth.
Short Story: Kuma, Shiloh, and I were playing at the usual park, there is a playground side, where I have seen dogs off leash the most because you can fence them in, and then there is a tennis court/basketball court park side which is smaller but less people and also dogs are walked or played with over there off leash, there is also a creek on that side. We got her initial socialization on leash and off at this very park before our dog park trips, we made alot of friends there. Well Kuma was was practicing water retrieves and Shiloh likes to keep watch. Her favorite tennis ball though got stuck on the high limestone wall near the playground side. So I climb up there to retrieve it, Kuma climbs up way faster than me though along with Shiloh and retrieves it first when we search. I hop the fence since the way back down was actually alot more slippery, pick Shiloh over and then tried to get Kuma over however she made it difficult and was refusing to even try. So I run around to the other side, hoping to meet up with her, we missed eachother though and when I come back around she runs over to me very excited, the guy yells and curses at me saying my dog attacked his dog. I try to apologize and assess the situation calmly and ask what happened and was it an attack, did his dog get hurt, but also was kuma really trying to hurt his dog or play with it since I know 90% of the time, she looks so intimidating its usually mistaken for aggressiveness. He ignores me and tells me he never wants to see me again, I try asking the small group of other people and he kept blowing them off. From afar I could see his yorkie was either off leash or walking around with a leash attached with no person, and he/she was fine for the most part and most likely Kuma just wanted to play and was too rough thinking it was like Shiloh.
He kept reminding me of the leash law (kinda hypocritical) however I thought the creek side was exempt since they don't have a sign over there, he might call the cops on me even if sees me with the dogs leashed, but its been a long time coming anyhow get her a proper long tracking leash.
I've been waiting to get a really good, durable one since both the dog and I are extremely harsh on materials. But I thought to just make one since I make it a custom length and with all the features I need. What would be the best length for a year old ShepherdxPei? She loves the run, play fetch, sniff and explore, want to practice tracking with her as well and advancing her lie down and sit to the staying in one place and coming when called.
I was thinking 50ft might be too short since her chuck-it is a 26M and thats about 75-85 feet its going on a regular throw. But 100 ft would be long enough but is it possible it can also be too long? Im using military grade paracord or the hollow core polypropylene rope.
The leash will also have a locking D-Carabiner attached to a swivel clip, which will give me and her extra security. I'm also thinking of adding a 2-5 ft bungee cord extension for shock absorption since this will be on her new dog packs and ruffwear webmaster harness. I would love to hear your guys recommendation for parts! So far its:
-Paracord
-D-Carabiner
-Swivel Clip
-Heavy Duty Duct Tape
-Bungee Cord (Optional)
-Some kind of soft or cushioned handle piece? (like the ones on the ezy dog leashes)
Also yes, you may call me irresponsible, but as much as we do try to avoid trouble that memorial day was not the day, I even made sure their weren't any dogs around that weren't our normal friends and move away from people when were doing our fetch since their were very few people at the park when I first got there. Just mainly teens, college students, and a few adults who greeted, pet, and played with my dogs as we walked around or minded their own business. I take fault for my slip up, but I also believe that the guy could of calmed down enough to actually converse with me since I was trying to set it right, and was telling him what happened and asking questions but think what was making him mad was i was also not rearing back at him and that I was truly sorry. I hate Kuma is mistaken for a dangerous dog because she's vocal when playful and because most people can't tell what she is so it makes it hard for people to tell that shes actually playing since they get frightened. She's always wagging her tail, very loose movements, even barking and growling at dogs to play always encouraging them to get up. I lead her away when she gets too excited and ask if its ok if she does that since some dogs love it, others dont. I believe she wasn't adopted for the longest time because she was so scary looking.
Short Story: Kuma, Shiloh, and I were playing at the usual park, there is a playground side, where I have seen dogs off leash the most because you can fence them in, and then there is a tennis court/basketball court park side which is smaller but less people and also dogs are walked or played with over there off leash, there is also a creek on that side. We got her initial socialization on leash and off at this very park before our dog park trips, we made alot of friends there. Well Kuma was was practicing water retrieves and Shiloh likes to keep watch. Her favorite tennis ball though got stuck on the high limestone wall near the playground side. So I climb up there to retrieve it, Kuma climbs up way faster than me though along with Shiloh and retrieves it first when we search. I hop the fence since the way back down was actually alot more slippery, pick Shiloh over and then tried to get Kuma over however she made it difficult and was refusing to even try. So I run around to the other side, hoping to meet up with her, we missed eachother though and when I come back around she runs over to me very excited, the guy yells and curses at me saying my dog attacked his dog. I try to apologize and assess the situation calmly and ask what happened and was it an attack, did his dog get hurt, but also was kuma really trying to hurt his dog or play with it since I know 90% of the time, she looks so intimidating its usually mistaken for aggressiveness. He ignores me and tells me he never wants to see me again, I try asking the small group of other people and he kept blowing them off. From afar I could see his yorkie was either off leash or walking around with a leash attached with no person, and he/she was fine for the most part and most likely Kuma just wanted to play and was too rough thinking it was like Shiloh.
He kept reminding me of the leash law (kinda hypocritical) however I thought the creek side was exempt since they don't have a sign over there, he might call the cops on me even if sees me with the dogs leashed, but its been a long time coming anyhow get her a proper long tracking leash.
I've been waiting to get a really good, durable one since both the dog and I are extremely harsh on materials. But I thought to just make one since I make it a custom length and with all the features I need. What would be the best length for a year old ShepherdxPei? She loves the run, play fetch, sniff and explore, want to practice tracking with her as well and advancing her lie down and sit to the staying in one place and coming when called.
I was thinking 50ft might be too short since her chuck-it is a 26M and thats about 75-85 feet its going on a regular throw. But 100 ft would be long enough but is it possible it can also be too long? Im using military grade paracord or the hollow core polypropylene rope.
The leash will also have a locking D-Carabiner attached to a swivel clip, which will give me and her extra security. I'm also thinking of adding a 2-5 ft bungee cord extension for shock absorption since this will be on her new dog packs and ruffwear webmaster harness. I would love to hear your guys recommendation for parts! So far its:
-Paracord
-D-Carabiner
-Swivel Clip
-Heavy Duty Duct Tape
-Bungee Cord (Optional)
-Some kind of soft or cushioned handle piece? (like the ones on the ezy dog leashes)
Also yes, you may call me irresponsible, but as much as we do try to avoid trouble that memorial day was not the day, I even made sure their weren't any dogs around that weren't our normal friends and move away from people when were doing our fetch since their were very few people at the park when I first got there. Just mainly teens, college students, and a few adults who greeted, pet, and played with my dogs as we walked around or minded their own business. I take fault for my slip up, but I also believe that the guy could of calmed down enough to actually converse with me since I was trying to set it right, and was telling him what happened and asking questions but think what was making him mad was i was also not rearing back at him and that I was truly sorry. I hate Kuma is mistaken for a dangerous dog because she's vocal when playful and because most people can't tell what she is so it makes it hard for people to tell that shes actually playing since they get frightened. She's always wagging her tail, very loose movements, even barking and growling at dogs to play always encouraging them to get up. I lead her away when she gets too excited and ask if its ok if she does that since some dogs love it, others dont. I believe she wasn't adopted for the longest time because she was so scary looking.
Comments
We made a line for Kouda from some rope we got at Home Depot. Added a carabiner, and learned to tie some knots. We didn't want to spend much, and it has worked well for us so far. It is 50ft, but we let it drag on the ground.
In action
Eventually I do want to get a biothane cord line
@zandrame I was thinking 3 strands but NavyDog's suggestion about the climbing rope i may switch to that instead. So now its now to climbing or polypro rope. I'm also planning to get some fids anyhow so that may be better anyway. I've seen the biothane cord and webbing but do you you know where to purchase just the material?
I use bowline on a night for the doubled up handle and a butterfly for the middle carabiner clip
If you were irresponsible, you wouldn't be here asking about leash advice.
We have a small, skinny one as a backup in my car and it burns my hand if Kira pulls. Here is my favorite leash that my boyfriend made for us:
And that climbing rope leash seems awesome @NavyDog I think I'm going to have to try that once I find a supply store or somewhere with cheaper climbing rope.
I have some sort of bright yellow cord long line for Meitou, but...I've had it saw into the fingers of both hands (a month apart!) so I'm really leery about using it anymore and I've been wondering about alternatives for when I go hiking.
http://www.bioplastics.us/rolled-goods/biothane-coated-rope-profile.html
http://www.bioplastics.us/rolled-goods/biothane-rolled-goods.html
I haven't really sought out the raw material, but you can always ask a shop for a custom order and maybe they'll sell it to you. Like this one - http://www.palominelines.com/id47.html
Or, ebay, by the foot (flat kind) -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beta-Biothane-Super-Heavy-3-4-1ST-Quality-By-the-FOOT-Choose-Colors-/151302278058
Or find a distributor
http://www.bioplastics.us/contact/bioplastics-north-america-distributors.html
If you are trying to comply with leash laws, though, you should find out what the law actually says. For example- they can say dogs must be "on a maximum six foot leash" or simply "under control at all times".
@zandrame Thanks for the links! Definitely saving these for future leashes.
I have acquired 100 foot of fairly soft 3/8" polyester rope, and have tied and ducttaped some knots, were going to test it out today. She is wearing her ruffwear harness as well so maybe I'll take some pictures!
If it persists Kuma will most likely end up being my second dog that even with treats does not like playing or training, this was what happened with Shiloh and almost kept me from adopting again. Maybe I'll just have to train her to play with balls, with shiloh this didn't work and he dislikes being outside and exclusively will only play a bit inside.
She's starting to show an even stronger instinct for tracking, especially rabbits and squirrels, so maybe i need to spray some rabbit scent and squirrel scent on rubber balls and be using the leash while doing that training sometime in the next month or so.