Product Review: Hurtta Free Hand Jogging Leash

Hurtta's Free Hand Jogging Leash is a unique solution for a common problem. While it's not a totally hands-free tool, the handle allows you to hold the leash on your hand and hold another thing too. Stroller handle? Hiking poles? Umbrella? Clicker? You got it! The length adjusts from 3-5', and the hand loop opens to accommodate hands of all sizes. This leash is available in six colors and two widths for smallish and largish dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

This is a nifty leash for some very specific situations, but it's definitely not for everybody. It makes a really fabulous leash for trick training because it allows me to hold a clicker and dispense treats without resorting to standing on the end of the leash, looping it over my arm, or letting it drag and hoping nobody spots a squirrel.

Photo by Erin Koski

The adjustable length and lack of manual dexterity required to hold this leash makes it pretty awesome for service dogs. The handle is soft and fits like a glove while leaving that hand free to use a cane or crutch. We all know that looping a leash over your arm isn't much of a solution, and this Hurtta Jogging Leash is awesome because it stays right on your hand all by itself. It doesn't require hand strength, coordination, muscle tone, or actual thought to stay where it belongs.

That said, this is definitely for dogs that already walk nicely on a loose leash. It does not provide superior grip or control over a regular leash. The biggest issue is actually that the hand grip, which is attached via a slider that moves down the leash to allow the handle to open as wide as necessary. This is basically a slip leash for your hand, tension causes it to slide shut. If the dog is a hard puller, the grip itself will pass through the slider and the leash will cinch down tight.

 If your dog walks politely, this will keep the two of you connected and following the local laws. If your dog is a hard puller or hasn't learned how to walk nicely yet, this thing is going to squeeze the hell out of your hand. It will not make your walks any easier.

The adjustable length is interesting, it definitely works well for me except that at the shortest setting the doubled-up section tends to gap open. It's a pretty stiff leash, which probably makes the gapping worse. Maybe it will soften up with use. Ours is a new acquisition from the Petco clearance bin, because it was $4 and matched Sisci Godzilla's Hurtta harness.

Pros: Fits like a glove and stays on the hand without requiring grip, muscle tone, manual dexterity, or even consciousness. Opens wide enough to fit on stiff hands and around braces and other apparatus. Allows entire hand to be used freely to grip and hold a walking device, stroller handle, cell phone, or anything else. Lets me relax my hands while walking my dogs, so when my joints are sore I don't have to grip the leash for the entire walk. Adjustable length for city versus suburban walking. Great for clicker training! Reflective!

Cons: Not for dogs that pull! Hand loop can cinch down and stay tight with a lot of pulling, so not good for arthritic hands unless the dog walks politely. Probably can't wear more than one at a time on the same hand. Flexible fabric hand loop is going to get filthy immediately. Adjustable section gaps open when the leash is shortened, dog can step through it. Very still nylon strapping.

Bottom Line: This is the one and only leash that works perfectly with my trekking poles on hikes. These walking poles are used as a pair, one in each hand, which means I do not have a free hand for holding a regular leash or a Flexi leash. With a pole on either side of my body, it also means a dog attached to my belt or body is going to constantly be on the wrong side of the pole. The Hurtta Free Hand Leash is awesome because it allows me to hold the leash on the outside of the moving trek poles, and keeps everything from getting tangled up.

Product Review: Dean and Tyler DT Works Harness

The DT Works harness by Dean and Tyler is a Norway-style harness intended for service dogs and other working pups. It is extremely well-built, with reflective material across the front and heavy-duty hardware. Both the chest and belly straps are adjustable, and the harness comes with a D-ring on the top as well as two on the sides. The DT Works harness also includes velcro patches that can be removed and swapped depending on who is wearing the vest and why. The DT Works harness comes in two colors and five sizes to fit dogs with chests 18-47" around, and up to 52" around with the optional 5" girth extension.

Photo by Erin Koski

Not gonna lie, I actually have "Service Dog" patches for this harness. Why? Because I bought it at a thrift store for $5, not because I want to pass off my terrible dogs as actual service dogs. Anyone who does that deserves to be nipped to death by a pack of rabid chihuahuas.

While I have been moving away from using Norway-style harnesses based on the work and advice of Dr. Christine Zink, I still use this one for Ulysses because it is so cool-looking. I love the handle on top that allows me to hang on and steer him, this is awesome for people with mobility issues as well. Our harness is a size small, and Brisbane is almost too small for it. I love the fit, the front strap sits nice and high on his chest, while the belly strap is well behind his elbows and goes around his ribs rather than his abdomen. The only other Norway harness I have with this good a fit is Ru's custom harness from Fraggle Rock.

Pros: Super adjustable and more ergonomic than any other harness this style. Very sturdy and probably indestructible. Multiple leash attachment points and big top handle. Reflective with removable patches. Wide straps distribute pressure comfortably and allow the dog to pull comfortably. Lends an air of legitimacy to whatever I am doing with my dog, even without patches. It that a search and rescue dog? A bomb sniffing dog? I could get patches to identify my dog as a cadaver sniffing dog if I felt so inclined. Really, who would fake that?

Cons: The saddle on this harness is very stiff, it sort of sticks out at the corners on Brisbane, and I have to strap it fairly tight on Ulysses before it conforms to his body.

Bottom Line: The only reason I haven't acquired patches for this harness is because I can't quite figure out what to get. "Adopt Me" would be a good place to start. I could get custom patches made if I could figure out what to put on them. I still want the "Cadaver Dog" ones though. Maybe I should train my next dog to sniff out dead people.