The best hands-free dog leashes offer a better experience walking or exercising with your dog by allowing your hands to be totally free of moving the way they want. This means you can check your phone safely, push a pram, or play with your dog.
A hands-free leash for dogs is a wonderful training device but make sure you are buying the right product. We have listed and reviewed the best hands-free leashes below and we noted that shock-absorption is an important feature for many dog owners.
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https://www.sammyandleo.com/collections/leashes/products/hands-free-dog-leash
What Are Hands-Free Leashes?
It may sound obvious, but hands-free leashes do exactly what they say on the tin. They allow you to enjoy a hands-free experience whilst walking, jogging, running or hiking with your dog. They usually consist of two parts – a waist belt and the leash itself. Rather than holding your dog’s lead in your hand, you can keep him close by attaching him to your waist. This way you are free to walk, with coffee, push your child in their buggy or use your phone.
If your dog usually pulls you, this method will also give your back and shoulders a rest from the strain. Even if you have never been directly injured as a result, regular strain can have a cumulative effect and may be causing more damage than you know. Your dog also has very delicate bones in his neck, which he might be damaging unbeknown to either of you. Dogs have a very high pain threshold and mixed with excitement, they may not stop pulling until the damage is already done.
Most of the top-hands free leashes have shock-absorbing properties designed to take the full weight of even the largest keen pullers! Therefore, you won’t have to worry about being pulled over or injuring your back. The hands-free experience is one that many owners never look back from once they realize how easy walking their dog can be.
Hand-free dog leashes also the perfect training tool for your dog because it keeps the leash more consistent. It allows you to keep your hands free, so you can reward your dog with fuss or treats to reinforce any good behavior. The overall aim of a hands-free leash is to improve the quality and safety of the outdoor adventures you have with your dog. If you’re both safe and happy, the frequency of your adventures will increase, and your bond will deepen. Who knew letting go of your dog, could bring you closer together?! But, it can!
Important Features in a Hands-Free Dog Lead
When you first consider buying a hands-free dog leash the market may seem very daunting. With every brand promising you won’t be disappointed it can be hard to recognize how one hands-free leash may be different from another. However, you can create your own checklist of qualities that you want your dog lead to having a little advice.
Locking
One of the key considerations is the attachment and locking system of the leash and waist belt. It must be strong and durable in three different places – where the waist belt fastens around you, where the leash clips to your waist belt and where the leash attaches to your dog’s collar. The attachments from collar to leash and leash to waist belt are usually metal snap hooks and should never bend.
Avoid buying leashes with plastic D-rings as these are likely to snap! The buckle that fastens the belt around your waist is often made of heavy duty plastic and should click firmly into place. If it doesn’t do this, feels flimsy or appears damaged don’t use it as your dog may break free from you. Many hands-free leashes come with a long money-back guarantee so always return it if you are dissatisfied.
Ease of Use
There is also something to be said about the speed at which you can fasten and adjust your hands-free leash. Try to find a leash that is built on strength but also convenient as you will be less likely to use a fiddly lead that takes ages to take on and off. You want to spend less time gearing up and more time bonding with your dog out on the trail.
Shock Absorption
Once you know your dog is securely fastened to your waist and isn’t going anywhere, think about shock-absorption. Dogs – even small ones – are extremely powerful creatures and their strength should not be underestimated. Attaching your dog to your waist may save your arms and shoulders from strain but can still risk injury to your back and dog’s neck.
If you have a dog that tends to pull you, you need a hands-free leash that can absorb this kind of strain. Most hands-free leashes contain varying degrees of shock-absorbing bungee cord. When your dog pulls, the bungee cord stretches and absorbs the weight of the pull, so that it is not absorbed by you or your furry friend to the point of injury. If you have a large dog then the more bungee cord, the better!
High Visibility
Next, you must think about visibility, especially if you and your canine regularly run at night together. Purchasing a lead in a bright color and/or with reflective stitching or patterns is a must so that you can be seen if running on or near roads. These will also help if you fall and become injured in the dark – the reflectors will show up in torchlight, so you are more likely to be seen or found. Even if you don’t run at night it is still useful to have a visible leash. You need to be seen in all weathers, including fog.
Durability
The strength and durability of a hands-free leash are very important if you want to keep your dog with you. As previously mentioned, most hands-free leashes have some form of bungee cordintegrated into them, whilst the rest of the lead is made of strong nylon material. It is hard to know whether a lead will stand the test of time until you get outside and start using it. A lead should never fray or snap, especially after just a few uses – if it does return it and look for something with more promising reviews.
You should also think about whether your dog is a chewer. You don’t want to turn around and see an empty leash trailing behind you because your dog gnawed himself free. If this is a worry for you, consider getting a leash with more bungee and less nylon to protect against your canine’s gnashers.
If you are someone who enjoys being truly hands-free then you might prefer a hands-free leash with extra belt loops. This way you can still take the essentials (keys, dog waste bags etc) out with you without worrying about where to keep them. Small touches can make such a big difference to your hands-free experience.
BUY YOURS HERE:
https://www.sammyandleo.com/collections/leashes/products/hands-free-dog-leash