Product Review: ThunderLeash

The ThunderLeash is a no-pull product from the makers of the ThunderShirt. This is an easy-on, easy-off convertible gadget that can also be used as a regular leash. It is available in three sizes to fit tiny, small, and regular-sized dogs. The standard ThunderLeash is currently available in five solid colors with reflective stitching, and there is also a retractable version.

Photo by Erin Koski

The ThunderLeash uses chest compression to help the dog learn to walk nicely. The dog controls the pressure, the more they pull the tighter it gets. The leash wraps around the dog, and is held in place by the specially shaped leash clip. Two metal sliders prevent the leash from getting too loose or too tight around the dog's chest. This whole assembly slides on and off very easily.

There are a number of other products that use chest compression to reduce pulling, and each is a little different. The ThunderLeash is definitely easier to put on than the Freedom Harness or the Harness Lead. It's much sturdier than the Instant Trainer Leash. It stays in place a lot better than the leash wrap.

Photo by Erin Koski

But does it work? Annie helped me test this one because she is an extremely devoted puller. I had heard from a couple of people with larger dogs that said it didn't work very well for them, but maybe we had different expectations. It totally worked for Annie. The leash doesn't teach or encourage loose leash walking, but it does reduce pulling to a manageable level.

Pros: Comes with a money-back guarantee, so it's worth trying just in case it works. Simple and easy to use. Can be used as a regular leash and converts instantly. Works well on many dogs.

Cons: The hardware on the leash for dogs over 25 pounds is quite large and heavy. Godzilla is 28 pounds, and it's a bit heavier than I'd like to use on her.

Bottom Line: The guarantee means it's worth trying. I'd like to see them make a medium size with lighter hardware, though.

Product Review: Thunder Collar

From the makers of the Thundershirt comes the brand new Thundercollar! This collar features a unique quick-release closure that solves some of the common issues with plastic side-squeeze buckles. The nylon webbing has reflective stitching for visibility. This collar is available in five colors and four sizes to fit dogs with necks 8-26" around.

Photo by Erin Koski

I purchased this Thundercollar at SuperZoo because I could not stop playing with the buckle. It's totally different from every other collar fastener I've ever encountered.

Having worked at a, lets face it, seriously overcrowded doggy daycare for years, I have buckled and unbuckled a TON of collars. My first thought when bringing a dog out to the yard was always "How fast can I take this collar off?" The biggest disaster we could possibly face out there was a dog getting their jaw wrapped around another dog's collar while playing. If a collar didn't have a quick release buckle, it came off. If the buckle had a safety lock, it came off. If it had an unusual fastener that I didn't think other staff would instantly be able to operate in an emergency on a panicked dog, it came off. If I was petting the dog and noticed that the buckle was a bit stiff, it came off.

Photo by Erin Koski

If you've ever had to open a standard side-squeeze quick-release buckle under major stress, you're already aware of how difficult it can be. Pressure sort of locks them shut, you need a tiny bit of slack to open them smoothly. I haven't had to unfasten a Thundercollar in an emergency, but the buckle seems to open under stress the same way it does when slack.

Emergency situations aside, pinching a dog with a quick-release buckle makes me feel like a horrible monster. A properly-fitted collar should be pretty snug to avoid it getting caught on things (like other dogs' faces), and it's pretty easy to pinch a short-haired dog's neck when snapping it on. An occasional pinch isn't a big deal for many dogs, but for the

Photo by Erin Koski

sensitive ones it can give them yet another reason to feel that the world is not a safe place.

Pros: Buckle opens top-to-bottom rather than side-to-side to prevent pinching. Can be opened under pressure, with one hand, without looking. Quieter than a standard plastic buckle.

Cons: Slightly tricky to open by itself, much easier to open when it's actually on a dog. There's no overlap between the small and medium sizes, so if your dog has a 14" neck the small will be a bit small and the medium will be a bit large.

Bottom Line: This is a quick-release safety collar for noise-sensitive dogs, those with sensitive skin, and dogs who require a nice snug fit.