Product Review: Genuine Dog Gear Tug Leash

Genuine Dog Gear makes tug leashes, tug toys, bungee leashes, bungee tugs, ribbon collars, and a ton of other agility stuff. These fleece tug leashes have a nylon webbing strap braided in for strength. They are available as basic snap leashes, slip leads, and limited slip leads. Standard leashes are 5' long and legal for AKC agility. These can be ordered in a near-infinite number of color and pattern combinations!

Photo by Erin Koski

Tug leashes make a lot of sense when your dog wants to bite everything on earth. Sisci Godzilla cheerfully chomped through all of my nice leather leashes, so now we're using either steel cables or tug leashes. 

I bought this leash at the Hoots and Hounds booth at Bark at the Park 2016. I always hit the vendor booths filled with hope that I'll meet some amazing new vendors, and Hoots and Hounds inevitably ends up having the best booth there. They just have so much more stuff than everyone else, and so many different options! 

It's tough to buy gear online without being able to touch it and feel the weight and workmanship myself. This leash caught my eye immediately, not only because of the colors, but because it is perfect weight and length for me and Godzilla. The clip isn't super heavy, and the leash itself feels sturdy without being bulky.

Photo by Erin Koski

I like this leash so much, that I bought a second one after Godzilla ate the first one on our camping trip. I foolishly left her tied up while setting up my tent. Tug leashes aren't chew-proof, but they stand up to interactive tugging nicely.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Sturdy
• Incredibly customizable
• Easy on teeth

Cons

• Not the perfect leash in all situations, fleece picks up burrs and stays wet on outdoor adventures.

Bottom Line

This is now our primary dog sports leash. I love that Godzilla can chomp and tug to her heart's content, it really helps keep her focus on me and off the multitude of things happening around her. It's also the perfect shade of pink, not too light, not too fluorescent, just right!

For a genuinely chew-proof leash, check out my reviews for the Vir-Chew-Ly Indestructible Leash and the Last Leash.

Product Review: Mod Anti Shock Leash

I grabbed this Mod Anti Shock Leash at a local discount store because it was so darned interesting. That big ink zigzag is supposed to stretch out when tension is applied, storing that energy instead of transferring it down the leash. I've seen this leash in several different accent colors. I'm calling it 'the waffle leash'.

Photo by Erin Koski

This seemed like such an interesting concept, I just had to see if it would work! I've used anti shock leashes that use elastic to store energy. I've seen leashes for giant breeds that use big springs. The thing is, both springs and elastic are very good at storing and releasing energy. They're very...springy.

The first thing I did with the waffle leash was try to stretch out the zigzag. It was very stiff. Some hefty springs are very stiff, they take a lot of strength to stretch out and then they snap back with a lot of force. The plastic zigzag spring on this leash took some force to flatten out, but then it just sort of slowly went back into shape. Most of energy used to flatten it was dissipated rather than stored.

Failing the basic physics test, I decided the leash needed an actual road test. Annie was quite happy to tow me down the trail with it, and it performed exactly as expected. The waffle leash did not absorb any shock or do much of anything at all other than look weird.

Pros: It's a perfectly sturdy 4' leash. Nobody else will have the same leash.

Cons: Large plastic shock absorber doesn't absorb shock. It is also a bit bulky.

Bottom Line: It's a regular leash that looks kinda weird.

Product Review: Stibbar Leather Flat Utility Leash

My Flat Utility Leash from Stibbar Leather is my new favorite. This is the softest leather ever, no breaking in period required. It is light, supple, and easy to jam into a pocket despite being 6' long. The hardware is light and tiny, and the rings aren't heavy enough to bonk my dogs in the face. With three floating rings, two fixed rings, and a snap on either end, I can do anything with this Euro lead. Stibbar leads are custom made, with 15 different color options, multiple hardware choices, and six standard lengths. They seem to be willing to make pretty whatever you can dream up, too.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've tried out and reviewed dozens of collars and harnesses, but only a handful of leashes. This is because I am incredibly picky. Those adorable matching collar and leash sets do nothing for me because I really only love skinny leather leashes. The lighter and more supple, the better. I can't stand bulky leashes, and I hate heavy hardware.

Stibbar specializes in braided leather products. They offer everything from super-tiny show leads for toy breeds, to massive chunky leashes that can be used as lead ropes for horses. They also make collars, martingales, martingale leads, keychains, training tabs, and can probably make anything along these lines.

Photo by Erin Koski

I love that the Stibbar site includes pictures and measurements of all their hardware and options. It allows you to go "Wow, this would be my dream leash with this minor change..." and then make that change and get The Perfect Leash. Granted, there's no single leash that is perfect for everyone, but Stibbar has so many options that it's possible to create something that solves whatever issues you have with your current gear.

My utility leash is made from 3/8" super-soft bullhide. It is made in three sections that are braided together, with a fixed ring at each braid. There are also fixed rings at either end just below the snaps.

Photo by Erin Koski

Each end has a snap, and then each of the three sections has a floating ring. This allows the leash to be used for two dogs at once. Clip a snap to a floating ring and it can be a slip leash. Unlike any other utility leash I've found, this one can be used as a slip leash for two dogs at once. It is also amazing for wearing around my waist or over my shoulder, and tethering my dog to things around the house.

Most of Stibbar's braided products use a lot of leather and run around $50 per piece. This flat leash is light and floppy and easy to gather up in my hand or stuff in my pocket. It is probably prone to stretching, but it doesn't see a lot of tension because I've taught my dogs to walk on loose leashes.

Pros: Super light, flexible, easy to stuff into a pocket. Really nice grippy feel with precision control. Double snaps mean it can be clipped to both rings on the Freedom and Balance harnesses, or to a head halter and harness as a backup. Lightweight hardware doesn't bonk sensitive dogs in the face. Looks brand new after several months of daily use. Strong enough to hold up to multiple days of lure coursing insanity.

Cons: Mostly just for smaller and well-behaved dogs, otherwise would need to be made with wider leather and heavier hardware. Definitely not chew-proof. A habitual puller would likely stretch it a lot.

Bottom Line: Super functional and just so pretty!

Product Review: Rok Straps Dog Leash

The ROK Straps leash is stretchy, shock absorbing, and incredibly tough. It has a solid elastic core covered with polyester fabric. It measures 54" long, and there is a non-stretching traffic handle located at the dog-end. This leash comes in ten colors and three sizes for use with dogs 10-150 pounds.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is, without a doubt, the most overbuilt leash I have ever used. I am absolutely certain that I am an average-sized person with an average-sized dog, but this leash makes me feel like a tiny person walking an Italian greyhound. Every single part of it is enormous.

Heavy leash hardware annoys me because I like to use very small finger twitches to communicate with the dog. Big clonky hardware weighs everything down and interferes with my precision. Our ROK Straps leash is a size medium, intended for dogs between 30 and 60 pounds. The clip on it could easily be used for a Saint Bernard, or possibly a small horse.

The handle on this leash is extremely stiff. With my thin leather leashes I usually flip the handle loop inside out so it sort of hugs my hand and stays on with minimal effort. There is no flipping the ROK Straps leash handle inside out. It doesn't do any hand-hugging. It's be hard-pressed to get it snug on anything smaller than my thigh. This means I either have to actively grip the outside of the loop, or stick my entire arm through it and then bend my wrist awkwardly in order to grab the stretchy part. My hands are not so great at gripping stuff well or for any length of time.

I got this leash specifically for foster puppy Xena because she would only walk on a stretchy leash at first. As soon as she hit the end of an unstretchy leash, she would drop down to the sidewalk on her belly and freeze. When I put my Ruffwear Roamer leash on her, there was no abrupt end of the line sensation so no reason for her to splat. The only problem with the Roamer is that it stretches to 7.5' long, and Xena spooks and bolts on a regular basis when we're near traffic. I had to hang onto the middle of the Roamer to keep her from running into traffic. The ROK Straps leash is only 4.5' long, and takes a lot more force to stretch. This gives Xena the shock absorption she needs to feel safe with the security I need to keep her on the sidewalk.

The big clunky clip isn't such a big deal with Xena because it is attached to a harness, and because she is pretty oblivious. Brisbane is not a ROK Straps fan at all. He walks on a loose leash 99% of the time, and is acutely aware of the tiniest movement on my part. Wearing this leash is sort of like sticking a huge pair of noise canceling headphones on my partner and then trying to talk to them. It basically deadens all communication.

Pros: Really super strong. Seriously. Can probably be used for resistance training, I am incapable of stretching this thing very far at all. Takes a fair amount of effort to stretch very far, and an enormous amount of effort to reach its 70" maximum. Absorbs the energy from a pulling dog and uses it to yank them back like a yo-yo. Eliminates shock from spooky bolting dogs and sudden movements from either dog or handler. Traffic handle is long enough to keep dog at my side without me bending over the whole time.

Cons: Extremely heavy handle and hardware feel oversized on the medium leash. Handle is very stiff and awkward to hold.

Bottom Line: I could probably use the small leash for dogs under 30 pounds on 40 pound Brisbane without worry. I seriously can't imagine breaking one of these things. It looks like I should be towing dirtbikes with it or something. I'm pretty sure this leash is made for pit bulls and similarly powerful dogs. For dogs that can rock a 2" wide collar, this leash rocks.

Product Review: AibaoPet Harness and Leash

This Aibao Pet harness and leash set is definitely from China. It is a step-in style harness with a sliding adjustment and a matching leash. This is sized for a very small dog.

Photo by Erin Koski

This little set is yet another thrift store find. It's well-made, a good design, and is actually a little small on Ru. I feel like I could stick it on a ferret or a guinea pig or something.

The adjustemnt slider on the back strap isn't really visible in the picture, it is decorated with six little crystals. The fabric part of the vest is made from breathable mesh. This is not a harness that unbuckles, it is similar to the Little Pals set where it goes on over the head and then the dog's feet are stepped through it.

While I'm really not a fan of products made in China, I think this one is pretty neat. It features a logo by the actual company in China that made it. A lot of products are produced in China for American companies, and that sort of feels like cheating. Aibao Pet is an actual Chinese company. They proudly state that they have been manufacturing pet products since 2002. It looks like their products are mostly exported to European markets. My theory is that this little harness and leash set arrived in my town with someone who was either traveling or moved here for school or business. I found it with another international dog item that is not readily available in the USA.

Pros: Cute, comfortable, and non-restrictive. Easy to put on. No buckles make for minimal rubbing of delicate coats. Very light construction for super-tiny dogs.

Cons: At 33" the leash is really, really short. Like, if I'm holding it and gesture or turn too fast Ru ends up flying.

Bottom Line: I love finding unique little things like this at the thrift store. It helps me keep in mind that there is a lot more dog stuff out there than what I see every day.

Product Review: The Instant Trainer Dog Leash

The Instant Trainer Dog Leash is a leash designed to reduce pulling. It features a ring that allows it to wrap around the dog's waist, and has a rounded plastic handle for added grip. This is an "as seen on TV" product".

Photo by Erin Koski

There is an old dog handling trick that is affectionately known as "the leash trick". It's a way to get your over-excited dog from the car to the beach, park, or whatever awesome thing is just a short distance away. This is a tactic that is best used on a trained dog that normally knows how to walk nicely on a leash, in situations where they may forget their manners. "The leash trick" is just to leave the leash attached to the collar and then wrap it around the dog's waist. A knot is tied to keep the leash from tightening around the dog's unprotected abdominal organs, and the handler than holds onto the dog via the remaining length of the leash coming off this waist knot.

The Instant Trainer Dog Leash is clearly an attempt to capitalize on the old leash trick, but it fails in a number of ways.

Photo by Erin Koski

1. There is nothing stopping The Instant Trainer Dog Leash tightening up. If it stops the dog from pulling, great! If not, I'd worry about organ damage.

2. There is nothing stopping The Instant Trainer Dog Leash from loosening up. As soon as the leash goes slack, the loop around the dog's waist goes slack. It can slide back around their back lacks, get peed on by boy dogs, and if it gets loose enough the dog can even step through it.

3. There is nothing between the hardware and the dog. The bit where the leash slides through the ring is is right in contact with the dog's back. Brisbane lost a bit of fur just taking these pictures, and he doesn't even pull on the leash!

4. The ring isn't welded. Let me say that again. The ring isn't welded. Not an issue if the sensation of the leash tightening around their abdomen doesn't bother the dog, but an obvious point of failure for any dog that pulls despite it.

Pros: This leash actually does work for some people and some dogs. It's an inexpensive product and the effect should be instant, so dog owners should know right away to stop using it. I believe it can also be used with the leash looped around the dog's ribcage, like the ThunderLeash. This would be safer for the dog, but may also put too much pressure on that unwelded ring.

Cons: This is a poorly made product, and there are tons of reports of both the ring and the snap breaking. If the dog fails to stop pulling immediately, they can injure themselves. Using this leash requires constant vigilance from the handler to keep it taut enough to stay in play, yet loose enough to be comfortable.

Bottom Line: The same effect can be accomplished safely and more effectively with a regular six-foot leash. I am confident I could create a better product with a sturdy nylon leash and a climbing carbiner.

Product Review: Flexi Mini

The Flexi Mini is a retractable leash that is 10' in length. It is intended for dogs under 18-pounds, and is also marketed for cats. The Flexi Mini comes in several colors, the most common being pink and black.

Photo by Erin Koski

I'm not a fan of retractable leashes, in fact I'm rather vehemently against them in almost all circumstances. That said, this particular retractable leash is less offensive than most for a number of reasons.

It's made by Flexi. This company basically invented retractable leashes, and theirs are much higher quality than any of the competing products. I won't use a retractable leash made by anyone else, and I cringe every time I see someone using a dollar store one. You never know when the clip on one of those is going to snap and go flying into your eye.

It's for tiny dogs. Ru is less dangerous than a real dog on a retractable leash because he generates far less pulling power. Though it may not be true for all dogs under 18 pounds, grabbing the cord on this leash is a far less risky endeavor than it would be if I had a labrador on the other end. Likewise, Ru produces significantly less inertia than a real dog when he decides to bolt to the end of his leash.

It's short. Most Flexi leash are 16 feet long, with the Flexi Freedom offering a whole 25 feet of length. The Mini is only 10 feet long, that's a third less distance my dog can be from me if I'm not paying attention. It's less space to dart out into the street or wander around a corner in a store aisle. It's less speed built up when he does finally hit the end of the leash.

Pros: Tiny leash for tiny dogs. This thing is pocket-sized. It's maybe a third the size of most competing products, which always amaze me with their hugeness when placed next to Flexi leashes. Seriously, the off-brand ones for tiny dogs tend to be as big as the Flexi ones for large and giant dogs. Can be convenient for keeping the leash off the ground and out from under the dog's feet while allowing a little more freedom than a standard 6' leash.

Cons: Too tiny for large hands. Don't expect to get more than 2-3 fingers through the handle. When used as intended, places light but continuous tension on the dog's collar or harness, so absolutely ridiculous and confusing for the dog when attached to a no-pull harness. Cord is very nearly invisible and can cut when it moves quickly.

Bottom Line: I wouldn't use this leash for a muscular terrier or really any little dog with any kind of pulling power. However, when attached to a delicate toy breed, it's a lot less dangerous and annoying than a standard Flexi leash attached to a standard dog.

Product Review: Zumi Dual Lead

The Zumi Dual Lead is a hybrid slip/regular leash that is basically the Transformer of the dog gear world. It clips onto a collar or harness. It works as a slip lead. I can wear it around my body at work without it turning into a fun toy for a certain Labrador. It also comes in pink and black, to match my everything.

Photo by Erin Koski

With the exception of the Euro lead, my leashes all fall into a couple of categories. See, there's the regular snap leashes that have a snap, clasp, or other piece of attachment hardware at the dog-end, for attaching to a collar, harness, or head halter. Then there's the slip leashes, which have an integrated collar in the form of either a martingale loop or just a ring to form a slip collar. Slip leashes are great because they just pop over the dog's head and snare them in an escape-proof collar. Snap leashes are nice because they attach to whatever the dog is wearing and don't have to go over their head.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Dual Lead by Zumi combines both of these functional tools into one magical piece of gear that apparently solves all of my problems. This leash has a regular snap at the end, but it also has a floating ring and leather stopper that can be moved along its length. When the snap is attached to this ring, the leash becomes a slip lead.

 I work at a cage-free dog daycare and boarding facility, and employees are supposed to carry a slip leash while in the yard with the dogs. There are numerous Timberwolf rope slip leashes around for me to use, but the Zumi is outperforming them all.

Today alone, I:
1. Snapped the leash to the harness of a very elderly poodle with a neck injury so I could gently coax him away from the rowdy puppies without picking him up or touching his neck.

2. Snapped the clip to the ring to make a slip leash around the neck of an enormous Labrador puppy wearing a ridiculously huge Cone of Shame. There was no way a regular slip leash was going over that dog's head without folding something.

3. Used the Dual Lead as a slip leash to wrangle, direct, and move dogs who don't like their collars grabbed.

4. Attached it to Brisbane''s harness as a snap lead to take him to and from work with me.

5. Used it as a slip lead to take Brisbane to the beach, did not bring home a pound of sand.

Photo by Erin Koski

But wait! The Zumi Dual Lead has one more superpower! It has a ring on the handle for attaching...things. This is now my greatest weapon against That Dog. Every daycare and dog park has at least one That Dog. Our That Dog is a chocolate Labrador that enjoys swimming, sitting on my feet, playing tug, and playing keep-away. It's those last two that are really a problem, anything that's not nailed down will become a toy for That Dog. Lock the water buckets to the fence, keep a good grip on your leash, and leave your jacket at home because That Dog loves nothing so much as grabbing something and parading around with it in the hopes that someone will try to take it away.

That Dog particularly loves stealing leashes. Most people either slide their slip leash down and drape it around their neck feather boa-style, or open them all the way up and wear them across their body like a machine gun bandolier. Or a purse strap. That Dog likes to sneak up and snatch draped leashes. When the leash is opened up and worn around the body, the handle also makes a nice tug toy for That Dog. He particularly enjoys the sounds new employees make when they suddenly realize that the slip leash can still tighten when they wear it like that. I can clip my Zumi Dual Lead to the ring on the handle, keeping it handy and theft-proof while utterly baffling That Dog when he tries to intitate a game of Torture Tug.

Pros: Works as a snap leash, a slip leash, and a slip leash that can snap open. Snaps to itself for secure and handy storage. Doesn't pick up sand or get all fuzzy like some of the well-worn Mendota leashes I have used. Comes in a bunch of color choices with two different lengths available.

Cons: Not quite the right shade of pink, needs to be darker to match Brisbane's Front Range harness. The hardware is a tad heavy for Ru, a lighter option would be nice for bitty dogs.

Bottom Line: Everyone who has seen this leash has been enamored with it. Our daycare should totally carry them in the boutique.

Product Review: Ruffwear Roamer Leash, 2014

The Ruffwear Roamer is a leash made from stretch webbing. This year's model features Ruffwear's patented Talon Clip that allows it to be attached and removed with one hand. The current Roamer comes in four colors and two sizes, medium stretches from 5.5 to 7 feet, large stretches from 7.3 to 11 feet.

Photo by Erin Koski

I've owned a couple of Roamer leashes for several years now, and found them pretty neat. My original leash makes a great gangline for attaching to a pulling harness, and works ok for running though I find it a bit long. My biggest complaint was that my first Roamer leash was beginning to lose its stretch, the elastic was getting all worn out at the end near the clip. I've been having a lot of fun contacting companies about their products, so I went ahead and shot Ruffwear an email. I mostly just wanted to let them know that their product appeared to have a shelf life, given that my leash was only used occasionally and was basically in mint condition. Their response was to request a picture, and when I sent it they declared it to fall under their lifetime guarantee and sent me enough store credit to replace my leash.

This new Roamer is a fantastic improvement, they basically fixed all of my issues with the original. My size medium leash is the perfect length, long enough for running but short enough to not drag on the ground. I really like the Talon Hook on the handle portion, it doesn't require squeezing to open. I mostly wear this as an over-the-shoulder leash, which keeps Briz close enough to stay out of trouble. I love the new Wavelength stretch webbing, but time will tell whether it holds up or does what every stretchy this eventually seems to do. Seriously, nothing stays elastic forever.

Pros: Perfect length for hands-free use, absorbs shock nicely. The new custom hardware is sturdy and easy to use even when my hands hurt. It comes in pink!

Cons: Not everybody loves the Talon Hook on the handle, and the handle/belt section fits perfectly on my 5'3" 140lb body so may be too small for larger people to use the same way.

Bottom Line: The new Roamer gets a whole lot more use than my original. I still use the old one for teaching Ulysses to pull, but the new one also works as an everyday leash.

How to Use a Euro Lead

A Euro Lead is one of the most confusing leashes out there, but it is also one of the most versatile. Euro leads go by many names, but generally any multi-function leash is going to be some style of Euro lead. These are very popular with Schutzhund handlers, service dog handlers, and dog snobs. Most Euro leads are made out of leather, some plain and some with various amounts of braiding and decoration. I also have a thick nylon Euro lead I bought at Walmart years ago.

Six-foot leash mode. Photo by Erin Koski

Most Euro leads are 6-8 feet long, and they all have snaps of some sort on either end. Mine is 6' long, leather, and has trigger snaps on each end. Most Euro leads have a small D-ring attached several inches from each snap, and a larger ring fixed near the center of the leash. Some Euro leads also have a floating ring that allows them to be used as slip leads. Susanne Clothier's Ranger lead even has a semi-floating ring that allows it to be used as a martingale. Mine isn't that fancy, but the Ranger lead is on my list of thing I really, really want.

To use a basic Euro lead as a basic leash, one end is clipped to the dog and the other end is clipped to the nearest D-ring to form a handle loop. If the leash has one clip that is larger than the other, the larger clip should be attached to the dog and the smaller clip used to form the handle. I don't often use my Euro lead like this because the big round ring in the middle has a tendency to bonk Brisbane in the head. Six-foot leash mode is great for dogs that don't mind being bonked in the head.

Three-foot leash mode. Photo by Erin Koski

To use the Euro lead as a three-foot leash, one end is clipped to the dog and the other end is clipped to the D-ring closest to the dog. I also run the leash through the big ring in the center to keep it from flopping in a big loop and to make it more like a handle. This is the way I see most guide dog handlers using Euro leashes. In 3' mode the Euro leash is short enough for bigger dogs to wear without too much of it dragging on the ground. Most of the time, I don't loop the leash around my wrist when I use it like this., I just grab the doubled-over leash at any point that seems convenient. This is a good way to use the leash in crowded areas, stores, anywhere I want to keep my dog close to me, and anywhere I think I might drop the leash and then pick it back up again.

Over-the-shoulder mode. Photo by Erin Koski.

To use the Euro lead as an over-the-shoulder leash, one end is clipped to the dog, and the other end is clipped to the big ring in the center. This makes a leash that is about four feet long, with a big loop that can be worn over the shoulder and across the body like a purse strap. I use my Euro lead like this a lot, especially when I am walking Brisbane and Ulysses together. While Brisbane is extremely good at walking on a leash, Uly really has no idea where he is going and the two of them don't move as a unit. Having Briz on a hands-free leash means I can guide Uly and keep the two of them from getting tangled. Over-the-shoulder mode means the dog is on a very short leash, and can't deviate very far from heel position. It's a good way to use the leash when I need to carry something and can't devote and entire arm or hand to maneuvering my dog. I prefer to use the leash like this when the dog on the other end already has nice leash manners. Wearing the leash around my waist is a good way to walk a pulling dog with no hands, but wearing the leash over my shoulder like this could hurt my back.

This might be the greatest picture ever taken of my dogs.

To use the Euro lead as a two-dog leash, a dog is clipped to either end. I usually run the leash through the big ring to make a handle, sometimes I clip a second leash to the big ring to make a giant dog coupler. This works best when both dogs understand how to walk on a leash, when I tried clipping Uly to the other end he inadvertently dragged Brisbane all over the place. It also works best when the dogs know how to walk nicely side by side (also called walking as a brace) because there is no swivel to keep the two sides of the leash from tangling around each other.

So that's...I dunno...four functions? These are usually advertised as x-function leashes, where x is the number of different ways they could demonstrate to use the leash. A Euro leash can be wrapped around a tree/pole/bike rack/etc and clipped to itself to hold the dog temporarily, though I would never leave my dog tied outside a store or coffee shop unattended because I am paranoid and my dog is a monster. I've clipped one end to my dog and the other end directly to a chain link fence wire during training class when I needed my dog to stay put for a minute. I've also clipped it directly to my belt loop when I wanted to give him some more freedom but couldn't be bothered to hold the leash and wasn't worried about him lunging or bolting. The end attached to the dog can also be attached to the nearest ring at the same time, forming a handy traffic loop.

Several different training methods and tools make use of double-ended leashes like the Euro leash. The Freedom harness uses a martingale loop in the back, a front ring, and double-ended leash attached to both so the dog can feel the tightening action of the back loop and then be guided back to the handler via the front attachment. Some handlers use a double-ended leash with head halters for the same reason, the head halter is used only to orient the dog back to the handler and not as the main deterrent to pulling. A Euro leash can be used as a safety measure when trying out a new piece of equipment, the other end can be clipped to a martingale collar or some other escape-proof piece of hear while the test-driving the new collar/harness/saddle/whatever.

I will also admit to using my Euro lead because I am a dog snob. It's versatile and incredibly useful, it also subtly informs other dog snobs that I too am a dog snob. Look at my fancy leash! My everyday leash is still a well-worn 6' long leather leash, but only because of that head bonking thing. If Brisbane was less easily traumatized, we would use that thing every day.

Product Review: Mendota Slip Leads

Mendota slip leads are made from braided polypropylene rope. They come in two widths and are available in 4' and 6' lengths. The leashes are accented with oiled leather, and have a leather slide to prevent the ring from sliding too far toward the handle. This allows the slip lead to tighten up as much as necessary, but limits how big it can get so it doesn't slip off.

Photo by Erin Koski

Slip leads are super convenient, and Mendota slip leads are soft and pliable. This makes them easy to cram into my pocket or stuff in a purse. They make great my-dog-doesn't-really-need-a-leash leashes, and also wonderful maybe-I-should-use-a-leash-when-we-walk-from-the-house-to-the-car leashes. Brisbane is wearing a small 4' Mendota leash. We've had it for at least six years, and it looks great.

I don't use this for a regular walking leash, so it's pristine. I have seen ones that have been used as an everyday walking leash for several years, and they eventually start to go a bit fuzzy. The rope stays soft and pliable, though. Mendota leads are comfortable enough for dogs that don't pull, but I prefer to well-worn leather for Brisbane's everyday walking leashes because it doesn't give me a rope burn when he spots a squirrel. Mendota also makes martingale leashes called Dog Walkers, but I prefer the Lone Wolf martingale leads because the collars fit Brisbane perfectly without choking him.

Pros: Super convenient, just slip it on and go. Soft and pliable, not abrasive. Very sturdy and durable, will likely last longer than the dog. The thinner leads are very space-efficient and make great spares, car leashes, and emergency leashes. Escape-proof. The slip lead style allows for leash corrections.

Cons: Not as grippy as Lone Wolf or Timberwolf rope leashes. So far the Lone Wolf slip leads get my vote for maximum grip with minimal hand damage. Slip lead design strangles dog.

Bottom Line: I don't actually use this leash that often, but it is perfect for capturing loose dogs. I use it mostly as an emergency backup, a fail-safe for skittish dogs, and a leash that lives in my car. It's much nicer than those skinny little nylon belt slip leads that vet offices give away.

Product Review: Ruffwear Roamer Leash

The Ruffwear Roamer leash is a stretchable multi-function leash with an adjustable handle that can fit around the waist. The Roamer leash currently comes in two sizes and four colors to fit all but the smallest dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

My Roamer leashes are 4 or 5 years old now, and the product has gone through some design changes since I bought them. The basic idea is still the same, this is a shock-absorbing leash designed for active dogs and their people. The handles on my leashes adjust large enough to be worn over my shoulder, but the newer model only gets big enough to fit around most people's waists. Ruffwear conveniently offers a belt for people that uses the same connector and can be added to turn the new Roamer into an over-the-shoulder leash.

The new Roamer is also a bit shorter than my leashes. These are fabulous for hiking because they give Brisbane a lot of room to move, but the older leash drags on the ground when he is walking right beside me. I don't have this issue when wearing the leash over my shoulder like a purse strap.

There are a lot of uses for a leash that essentially has a bungee cord in the center. The leash absorbs the shock from sudden stops, and prevents either party from feeling a sharp yank. I like them for running and bike riding, when I am moving quickly and Briz and I might not be moving in perfect synchronization. The Roamer is also great for hiking when we need more than 6' of leash to navigate boulders and other obstacles. I've used a Roamer leash on a dog that liked to pull excessively, and the leash conveniently stored up the energy she spent lunging and then used it to snap her back again with no effort on my part. I also like using these bungee leashes for skittish or fearful dogs to prevent the dog from getting a sharp correction when hitting the end of the leash.

Pros: The shock absorption feature has plenty of different uses, from training to just making adventures less stressful and more fun. The adjustable handle makes this a hand-free leash. There is a second handle incorporated into the unstretchy portion at the dog end for better control around traffic and other hazards.

Cons: The stretchy portion of one of my leashes is losing stretch, this may have a longer lifespan on the newer model. The plastic clip on my older Roamers is apparently prone to breaking, the Talon Hook on the current model can be difficult to open quickly for some people. A stretchy leash isn't a great idea for some dogs because it allows them more space than you'd think, often enough to investigate someones picnic or get within skunking range.

Bottom Line: I know that elastic has a finite lifespan, so I didn't expect these leashes to last forever. However, this isn't a product that I use on a daily basis and I am somewhat disappointed that one of my leashes is already reaching the end of its days of stretchiness. It will still make a nice long training leash, but I don't think I'd have bought it knowing it would only last a few years.

Retractable Leashes Ruin Everything

I am not a fan of retractable leashes most of the time. I actually own several and use them regularly, but I think the vast majority of people aren't actually thinking enough when they clip it on their dog and leave the house.

When is a Retractable Leash OK?

Photo by Erin Koski

I use a retractable leash when I am taking my dog to a place where it is always acceptable to have him 15' away from me. This means there are no obstacles, roads, or other people. Basically, I use these for parks and hikes. One of our favorite hiking spots has clearly-posted leash laws that limit leash length to 6', so I leave the retractables at home when we go there. 

Anywhere there might be a danger, hazard, or other person within 15' of me, I leave the retractables at home. It doesn't matter that the leash retracts and can be locked at a fixed length, I can't rely on it performing perfectly in an emergency. When I use retractable leashes I always carry regular ones along in case I need to control my dogs. I have never walked into a store or a veterinary clinic with my dog on a retractable leash because I would not do the same with my dog off-leash.

Which Retractable Leashes are OK?

All retractable leashes are not created equal, and I really only trust the ones by Flexi. These leashes retract because they each contain a tightly-coiled spring that stores an enormous amount of energy. I wouldn't purchase a small bomb or a gasoline-powered device from any manufacturer that I did not trust completely. I've seen several very old Flexi leashes that were still in good working order, and I've used several dollar-store and value brand leashes and had them break. The best case scenario for a broken retractable leash is one that has jammed and no longer extends or retracts. The worst case scenario is one where the leash is fully extended and then the clip breaks and flies are uncontrolled while the leash retracts at top speed. Those things sometimes end up in people's eyes. Honestly, the Flexi leashes are also the least-bulky and most comfortable ones to carry, on top of performing better than anything else on the market.

Tape, Because Cord Cuts Like Piano Wire.

The cord is basically invisible.

I do own a cord Flexi leash that I use for Ru, but only because he generates very little pulling power. For anything more than a featherweight dog, cord leashes are basically like walking a dog on a cable saw. Retractable leashes are designed to extend and retract very quickly, and they can cause friction burns or serious cuts because they concentrate all the force into a very tiny area. It's like grabbing a moving fishing line with something powerful on the other end.

Getting the cord wrapped around a body part is even worse. I was once walking Brisbane in a park when I saw a large, unruly Labrador towing a guy around with a reatractable leash. They were between us and the exit, so I put Brisbane's regular leash on and tried to stay as far away as possible. As we got closer I realized that the other dog's retractable leash had jammed and he was attempting to untangle it. The cord was wrapped around his hands when his dog spotted Brisbane and lunged very hard, pulling it tight. There was a lot of blood, and I don't know what happened because all I could do was get my dog away so his would stop pulling. He could have lost a finger, and he wouldn't have been the first. 

The Flexi leashes for large dogs all use nylon tape instead of string, this makes them easier to see and less dangerous. There are also all-belt leashes for smaller dogs, this is what I have for Brisbane.

There is No Kill Like OverKill

Of course, it's also perfectly ok to use a giant dog Flexi on a less-than-giant dog. I like to make sure my dogs are well under the limits for their Flexi leashes. That means 40lb Brisbane uses a leash for dogs under 55 pounds. Ru weighs 6 pounds, but uses a leash for dogs up to 25 pounds. I see an awful lot of broken and repaired Flexi leashes, and each of these represents a chance for a dog to run into the street, start a fight, or escape in an unfamiliar area. Going up a size just means more security, and less chance of ruining an expensive leash.

Retractables are for Harnesses Only!

Brisbane is extremely good at walking on a loose leash, especially when he is wearing a collar. The spring inside the Flexi leash keeps tension on the dog at all times, so I attach it to Brisbane's harness instead. He has been taught to pull in a harness, so he knows a little tension is ok. Of course, I wouldn't attach the Flexi to any type of harness that discourages pulling, either. That wouldn't be fair. 

Retractable leashes attached to collars are pretty much always a bad idea, even for dogs that are willing to pull. Most Flexi leashes are 15' long, and the world is full of squirrels and mail carriers and other excitement that could tempt a dog to run to the end of his leash. When a dog has been running all-out for 15' and hits the end suddenly, he can hurt his neck, throat, and spine. The absolute worst combination is a retractable leash attached to a head halter. 

Basically, I only use Flexi leashes, preferably the all-belt style, only on dogs that can walk nicely on a regular harness, only in open areas free from hazards. It means I don't get to use my Flexi leashes very often, but it also means I don't have to worry about my dogs darting into traffic, knocking over store displays, tripping people, harassing other pets, or generally doing things they would have to be off-leash to get away with.

Why I Love Lupine and You Should Too

If you haven't heard of the Lupine company yet, you are definitely missing out. This might be my favorite dog gear, for several reasons. Lupine collars, leashes, and harnesses come in three different widths, 1/2", 3/4", and 1", and multiple sizes to fit every dog. Why am I a Lupine fan?

1. The Lifetime Guarantee. Lupine will replace your gear, even if your dog gleefully destroys it. You really can't ask for more than that. You don't need a receipt, you don't need a sob story, all you need is a destroyed product. You can mail the sad remains of your collar/leash/harness directly to the company. Most stores that carry Lupine products will also accept the bits of your old leash and give you a new one of the same width and size, even if they don't have that exact pattern.

2. The patterns! Lupine gear comes in an ever-changing variety of patterns, mostly inspired by the outdoors and each featuring a name. Patterns are retired after a certain amount of time, depending on popularity. Brisbane's first Lupine gear was a 1" Turtle Reef collar for our trips to the beach. I bought it in 2006, and it's still in production. We now have a Roman harness and 6' leash to match.

Turtle Reef pattern plus chihuahua photobomb.

There was also 3/4" dolphin pattern that has come and gone. I liked the look of the 3/4" stuff better on Briz, so he has a step-in harness, martingale collar, and matching leash too. When my cats were little I got them a seahorse print Roman harness and leash, which they were never thrilled about wearing. Ru has since inherited the set, so I can deck all three dogs out in matching beach gear.

3. The variety! You're likely to find adjustable buckle collars and 4' and 6' leashes in an given Lupine display, and some stores also carry step-in and Roman-style harnesses. I also have several Lupine martingale, or limited-slip, collars for Briz because his head is smaller than his neck. Lupine calls these combo collars.

There are also cat collars with breakaway buckles, and H-harnesses, in 1/2" patterns. There are also slip leads, 15' and 30' training leashes, tiny tab leashes, and a new front-clip no-pull harness that appears to solve the problems posed by the more popular Premier Easy-Walk harness. They even have collars that work with various invisible fence systems.

4. The hunt! Lupine discontinues patterns all the time, but that doesn't mean they simply disappear. The long a store hangs onto their older stock, the more likely they are to still have a discontinued pattern around. The 1" cow pattern in the picture above was discontinued before Brisbane was born in 2005. I have found several collars and leashes in that print, mostly at grooming salons, humane society adopt-and-shop storefronts, and other locations where selling product isn't the main goal. Many Australian cattledog fans love these collars, and so we watch for them wherever we find older Lupine stuff. I like donating them to people who rescue cattledogs. We also now have a 3/4" retired cow pattern to watch for, too.

5. The future. I have helped friends get their chewed Lupine gear replaced, but I have never had the pleasure myself. None of my dogs are destructive chewers, and unlike many decorative collars these stand up to itchy dogs scratching at them. Some of my favorite beach gear is getting a bit faded, but everything remains structurally sound. The salt water is slowly taking its toll on the metal hardware, however. I dutifully rinse everything in fresh water after every trip, but I'm still expecting something to fail eventually. I'm hoping something fails in a completely epic fashion someday, like a completely corroded D-ring, just so I can send it to the folks at Lupine and make their day a little more interesting.

Product Review: Midnight Pet Lite and E-Z Harness and Leash

The "Lite and E-Z" is a step-in style harness and leash by Midnight Pet, made from parachute-weight cord.

Photo by Erin Koski

Unlike the vast majority of paracord pet gear, these are made from a single strand of cord so they are incredibly light. The harness is super easy to adjust, and simple in design. It's significantly less confusing than the average step-in harness. They come in a variety of colors, and five different sizes. Midnight Pet recommends them for ferrets, rabbits, cats, iguanas, puppies, and of course tiny dogs. The leash comes in 3', 4' and 6' lengths.

I love this harness so much that I rarely use anything else on Ru. The leash is super thin and tiny and really enhances that rat-on-a-string look. It would probably also work well as a show lead, and is strong enough that I've used the loop end to make a slip lead for catching loose dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

The Lite and E-Z harness is minimalist enough for fashionistas like Ru. When he isn't wearing his Yap Wrap coat, I like to have something fabulous on him. He is usually on a leash, and I love having a harness that lets his outfit shine. We had to do these pictures with him undressed because the harness blends so flawlessly with whatever he is wearing.

The hardware used on these products is so light, it's practically jewelry. The top of the harness stays centered and never slides to the side. The fit always seems perfect, whether Ru is wearing a thick puffy jacket or going au naturel. I bought these at the Pet House in Goleta, and I didn't realize that the metal slides under the rings adjusted until I saw the Midnight Pet website while writing this post.

We actually have two of these, the one shown is Grape, and the other is Raspberry colored. I bought the second when I had a chihuahua foster dog and found I couldn't live without it. The pink set was purchased a couple of years before the purple, and the leash was sometimes difficult to unclip from the harness. I was extremely pleased to see that the purple harness has slightly thinner rings, and the leash a slightly larger clip.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros: Super light, minimalist harness that is very easy to use and simple to adjust. Light enough to stay in place and not rotate around the dog. Works beautifully over clothes. Holds up well on hikes and other adventures, with no signs of wear to date. Totally comfortable, the dog barely notices it. Very affordable, I think I paid around $25 for a harness and 6' leash.

Cons: The super-thin leash could be uncomfortable to hold on a dog that generates any sort of pulling power. I'm not sure how well it would stand up to chewing. My pink one is starting to look a little dirty after a few years, I should probably try washing it.

Bottom Line: I use this every single day and constantly tell people where I got it. If it were to fail spectacularly tomorrow, I would immediately go out and buy another one.