Did you know? What’s the difference between a ‘lead’ and a ‘leash’? If you look at a standard fixed leash (as opposed to a retractable leash) and a standard lead, you’ll see there’s really no difference.  The distinction is mostly in culture and tradition. A ‘lead’ assumes that there is a ‘leader’ holding it (ideally, holding the handle end!). A ‘leash’ denotes just a tether or a tie-out, a way to limit range but doesn’t infer that the human is in control. Trainers and those who show their dogs usually use the term ‘lead’, but we use them interchangeably.