Today’s video features Rambo, my house dog. He’s a Patterdale Terrier — basically a Jack Russell on steroids. Rambo’s around ten years old now, and I’ve had him since a pup. He’s been quite a handful. He can relax when he wants to, but when his drive kicks in, he’s one of the most intense dogs I’ve ever owned.

One of the most important training tools I use with him — and with almost every dog I train — is a cable or chain leash, specifically a coon dog leash or tree lead. I first discovered this tool years ago while hog hunting.

Back then, we’d run three or four dogs at a time to track down hogs. The dogs would stop the hog, bay it, and we’d bring in the bulldog on lead. When close enough, we’d unleash the bulldog and he’d catch the hog by the ear while we grabbed the back legs, threw the hog down, and tied it. It sounds smooth on paper — but in reality, it was chaos. While you were trying to tie the hog, you’d have four or five other dogs running, barking, and trying to bite.

That’s where the cable leash came in. Once the hog was down, one of us would tie the excited dogs off to trees, roots, or branches using those chain leads. What amazed me was how quickly the experienced dogs changed. The second that leash snapped on and they realized they weren’t going anywhere, they’d sit down. Some would even curl up and take a nap, going from pure frenzy to calm in minutes.

The younger dogs were a different story. They’d bite, chew, paw, and fight the leash trying to get back to the hog. But here’s the thing: no matter how much they chewed, they couldn’t get through the cable. Eventually, they’d give up — and they’d learn to settle.

That lesson stuck with me.

A tie-out leash isn’t new — police K9s use them, we used them with beagles, and hunters everywhere know their value. They act like a portable kennel: a safe place to put your dog where he can relax without causing chaos.

I brought that same principle into the world of pet dog training. When housebreaking, it’s critical to manage your dog 100% of the time. The cable leash lets you keep your dog out with the family — while still having control. You can clip it to furniture, to yourself, even bring it to restaurants or parks. Your dog gets exposure, learns to be calm in new places, and you don’t have to worry about him chewing free.

Most people overlook this tool. They pick a leather or nylon leash because it feels nice in the hand. But once a dog learns he can chew through it, you’ve got a bad habit on your hands. A cable leash takes that option off the table completely.

There’s another big benefit: you can clip it around your body, freeing up both hands. That’s something I see people struggle with all the time. They’re trying to train with a leash in one hand, a phone in the other, an e-collar remote in their pocket — and they wonder why they can’t control their dog. Training requires focus, timing, and repetition. You can’t do that with your hands full.

Dog training doesn’t involve a lot of tools — but the few that matter, really matter. Learn how to use them. Make yourself use them. And your dog will thank you for it.

Rambo is living proof of this. Ten years later, he still has the fire, but he’s learned the balance. And that cable leash has been with us every step of the way.