Best dog hands free leashes according to redditors
We found 129 Reddit comments discussing the best dog hands free leashes. We ranked the 37 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 129 Reddit comments discussing the best dog hands free leashes. We ranked the 37 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
It appears to be a Petego Cycleash, an attachment for walking your dog alongside your bike as you ride.
The fact that the dog is wearing a helmet backs this up. Safety first.
http://www.amazon.com/Petego-Walky-Hands-Free-Bicycle-Leash/dp/B003OYIAW4 Something like this maybe?
I know warnings are like a broken record every time someone posts a picture of their new high maintenance breed puppy but here it goes anyways.
When my Doberman was between 1 and 3 years old, I had a Walky Dog on my bike and we'd go on rides multiple days a week. It was the perfect way for her to release her energy. She absolutely loved it and still gets excited when she sees a bike to this day. My only words of advice is to be mindful of the wear and tear running on concrete can do to joints. My girl is 10 now and has arthritis and leg tremors that's being treated with Gabapentin and Tramadol.
I bike with my dog and use this bike attachment, this harness and also [this] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002IJQDC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) for her paws. She loves it. Here's some pics.
Here's some of the gear I bought:
hands free leash
Boots + socks
Collapseable Bowls
pack and harness
That's the only hands free leash I've ever tried but it's worked well. I'd recommend it.
Boots - my dog got used to them after a really funny 1-5 min adjustment period every time I put them on. The downside to the boots was they'd fall off and if the dog was heeling we'd have to back track to find the boots. So now I only use them on sharp rocky terrain or grated metal stairs/bridges. Definitely nice to have the piece of mind that if your pup cuts his foot you can throw them on and protect his feet.
Collapseable bowls - for short trips these are great. Using daily for months they became a little gross, leaky and some threads started coming undone. Now we just pack out cheap Tupperware bowls that I have around the house.
Pack and harness -. I have mixed feelings on this one. I actually went through 3 harnesses. Mostly because my pup would chew them while wearing them at first. Not the fault of the gear (and he no longer does it) Luckily Ruffwear was great to deal with and never made me pay full price for a replacement. Though on one harness I did get some wear and tear where the leash attaches. He also got a little raw in his front armpits where the straps went around his chest. We added some moleskin to the straps and that seemed to help.
Overall I'm happy with the pack, but if I were to do it again I'd strongly consider getting a Groundbird Custom Pack. I saw a handful on the trail and they looked great and I wonder if the custom fit might have helped with the rawness in the armpits. Also the same price as the Ruffwear pack.
>Also, how did you train the pup that pack=good trail behavior?
Reinforcement mainly. When we hiked we kept moving, no playing, no picking up sticks (Mac loves sticks so much they called him LumberMac on the trail). For breaks and at the end of day the pack comes off and he's free to be a pet instead of a trail dog. :). And nowadays he gets super excited everytime he sees the pack come out.
Also, another thing I couldn't find details on was puppy claws on inflatable sleeping pads. My dog walked on many of the most popular pads during our hike and none popped, so that's good to know.
Hiking the Appalachian Trail is about as demanding on gear as it gets, so these were pretty extreme circumstances.
If you're planning a weekend hike vs a long distance hike I'd probably give you different sets of advice, but the #1 piece of advice is to always put your pup's well being first. Remember they'll run themselves into the ground trying to keep up with you.
Feel free to ask any questions you have. I'm happy to help puppies become trail dogs. ( :
Some dogs just don't take to running like others. My lab mix loves to run for about 30 minutes, my hound dog gives up after 15, and my malinois will go for about 3 hours.
Road versus trail makes a difference, as does on or off leash. Most people can't control their local laws or environment for this though.
Pooch-2-5k has some decent training plans for stepping up the activity, which might be helpful.
Also, consider getting running gear for your dog. It works wonders. A good canicross harness like the FreeMotion paired with a hands-free bungee lead made a world of difference with my dogs.
Obligatory: /r/RunningWithDogs - though I suggest keeping a skeptical stance with any advice you see there.
3 years ago I got my husky, and suddenly theres husky puppies popping up all over the neighborhood. Please know what your getting into with a Husky. They need at least 1 hour of full mental and physical exercise each day... simply expecting them to be a house-dog is just cruel to this particular breed.
Me? I have him pull a 3 wheeled trike in winter, a bike in autumn/spring, walks in summer, all 45 minutes long. One hour dog-park visits on weekends. Daily combing, 30 minutes of toy play every day I get home from work. He's broke two of these (never buying them again) and we've resorted to having simple heavy duty industrial bungee cords and a heavy duty harness.
Even after 3 years I don't understand him. He doesn't care for fetch, or understand the point of tug-of-war, he just looks at you funny when you throw something. He's crazy smart (knows how to open kitchen drawers, twist the front door knob, and knows how to unlock the gate to get into the living room).
My dog was in a fire at 6 weeks old when his parents & 5 brothers/sisters died... and has had severe territorial aggression (disturbed while sleeping can result in a deep bite to your foot or arm) issues we've never been able to address (even with behavioralists and medication). He's a big fan routines though.. which is great because I suck at them so we help each other out.
All in all, a husky is a lot of work, it's a relationship built on respect rather than "I am the master, you are the pet." You get an amazing friend that is beyond just being a dog. Huskies are independent, have strong personalities, and can tell when your having a stressful day so they'll always be there for you when you need them.
There are good running leashes on Amazon. They come with a waist belt and have a bungee leash so that quick jerks aren't as bad.
For example:
TaoTronics TT-PA006 Retractable Hands Free Dog Leash with Waist Wearing, Reflective Sithching & Dual Bungees for up to 150 lbs Large Dogs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7ND6E4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XjYkDbNMXTFNZ
I got one of these for my pup and use it all the time
I think a carabiner would work just fine in your case.
I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Mutt-Dual-Handle-Reflective-Adjustable/dp/B00YQZGD42/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1511061925&sr=8-5&keywords=Dog+running+belt&dpID=51hlmcs%252B3fL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch
You already have the bungee leash and the harness, just clip it to you and you're good to go.
Get a bike and a walky or similar attachment. It has a shock absorbing system so that if your dog runs ahead or jerks you, you won't fall over. Chances are you'll eat it at least once. This is the best way to exercise a dog that doesn't have much toy drive, it's pretty common for Siberians to have minimal interest in toys in my experience.
You can also do things like get a dog backpack and put water bottles in it on your walks (work up to it). You can also teach her how to pull weight (a tire, for example). Siberians are born to run and pull, exploit that drive and I guarantee you will have a much easier time with her.
Fun! I'll let you know some of my dog gear, but your preferences and dog will be different.
I usually bring three different leashes with me, depending a little on where I'm going. She can't really be off leash, so I take a 30 ft line to give her space to wander or splash in the river on a break. If the trail is too busy or the hike is a pretty short one, this often gets left behind or never used.
A basic 15 ft leash is perfect for hiking with her. It gives her a bit more space, but isn't long enough to cause much trouble getting wrapped around things, and I can easily pull her closer to me when I need. I tied a couple knots in it for easier grabbing and holding at different lengths. I can also use a locking carabiner (I always have a couple on hand) to attach the handle to my backpack for hands-free.
I also love my Tuff Mutt hands-free waist leash. It has two handles if I need to hold her closer, and I really like the bungee. The only downside is that it's a bit heavy for a leash, but I find it's worth the weight, and I'm almost always just doing day hikes so it's fine. I don't know really know how it compares to other hands-free leashes though since it's the only one I've used.
I recently got a Ruffwear Front Range harness for hikes. It is the only harness I've been able to put on her, so I really can't compare much. Seems to fit her comfortably and works well as a back-clip harness. I haven't been able to use it as a front-clip without it sliding around too much. But I don't really need the front-clip when hiking, so I'm pretty pleased with it overall. If my dog wasn't so finicky about harnesses, I'd be trying other options though. You might prefer one with a handle, I've heard good things about the Ruffwear Webmaster.
I currently have an Outward Hound travel bowl for water, but I'm not a huge fan of it. My dog doesn't always drink all the water I pour, so then I've wasted water. And I either have to put a wet bowl back in my bag or clip to the outside and hear the annoying swish of it rubbing against the bag. It's not a big deal, and it works, but I'm eyeing one of these instead.
Happy hiking!
I had a boxer, and the way we trained her was to get a leash that could also be tied around my waist, like this one
and then doing very short bursts of jogging, as every time I ran she would think its play time. When she would try to run faster I would stop, make her sit, and then jog again. After a week or so she got used to the rhythm and was fine. You can also incorporate treats so when she ran well without pulling you can reward her on the spot.
I use this one and also have a tiny waist. This one is 4ft though so I bought a simple leash extension too.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X9MHMT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_CbYJAbENBAT2S
They actually make leash attachments you can put on the side of your bike so your dog can run with you safely without pulling you or getting run over. I've been considering getting one for my dog since I don't run, but he sure loves to.
I bought the 36" Mighty Paw version of that leash: http://www.amazon.com/Mighty-Paw-Premium-Lightweight-Reflective/dp/B00UZXPM00/ and it doesn't seem it up close, but the reflective thread is quite reflective.
The Mighty Paw leash (and probably ht one you linked) is elastic inside of a webbing tunnel, and I gather all of the excess webbing sheath right next to the belt and then just hold it bunched up with my hand/fingers and then the dog can't get any stretch out of the elastic unless I release the webbing.
It is nice for running, but also walking because then my hands don't get cold holding the leash.
I have this one and I love it. Really nice quality and affordable too. I'm pretty sure it could be adjusted to fit you. I don't have an exact measurement, but I'm fairly small myself and I'd guess my waist is around 24-25". I've worn it with a thin tank top and there's still a good few inches to make it smaller.
I was thinking about getting this for my GSD/Husky mix - supposedly it works great and the shock absorption for sudden movements works great!
Yeah, totally safe so long as you do it the right way. You get something like this to attach the dog to the bike and you use a harness, not a collar. Also, unless your dog is super athletic then you don't want to go really fast. I tend to stay on the sidewalk that encircles the park as well and I don't run here anywhere else but in parks. She also has an orange safety bandana that says "No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact" as well as a yellow safety vest. You never attach the dog to your handlebars or hold the leash while you ride because they can pull you off that way since the leash isn't attached to your center of gravity.
The Tuff Mutt leash has worked well with my 19-pound JRT. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CJ3TSCG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I use it with a RuffWear Webmaster harness.
My dog went through some really basic obedience classes when he was a pup, and I think it was really helpful that we put a lot of work into getting him used to walking next to us while on his leash. Honestly, he took right to the bike lead; I took him around town slowly the first few times, and that was about it. I think he knows that the bike = running, so he cooperates. Honestly the most difficult part is when he's over-excited and tries to herd my bike by nipping at my front tire.
As far as the leads, in my judgement it's best to have a lead that attaches to a mid to low section of your bike. My bike is pretty tall so I went with the Petego Spring Lead Universal Bicycle Leash and attached it to the lower section of my seat tube (below the top tube); whereas my wife went with the Walky Dog which she attaches to the rear axle of her bike. I will say that the Walky Dog is kind of nice because you can pop the lead right off the bike and use it like a leash, though if you're running two dogs the Petgo attachment has two attachment points.
Sorry that's not a lot of info, but if you have any specific questions I'd be happy to answer.
I do a lot of biking with my dogs. They run in front pulling, but next to you works too- it depends on what you want, and what the dog is more comfortable doing.
Something like that would be fine.
As others, I just hook my leash to my pack's waistbelt with a carabiner.
I've also seen positive reviews of products like the Ruffwear Roamer, which can wrap around your waist. No need for a separate hip belt/pack.
I bike with all my dogs and we have run across all sorts of stuff they want to chase and I have yet to have an issue. Here is the attachment I use. I also put my dogs on our treadmill. I think you need to go a bit slower. I took everything slowly and followed the advice here.
Hey! Started doing the same w our girl too. After 6-7 rides I’ve started using a harness + this guy (Walky Dog Plus Hands Free Dog... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OYIAW4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share)
After a few rides I’ve become a fan
So when I first read this post, I didn't realize the flexi leash was a retractable leash. I used a normal flat leash for the first few months of hiking with our pupper, but wanted to have both hands free for trekking poles so we went with this. Nice thing about it when our pupper goes down hill, she will zoom, and the elastic can help reduce some of her pull. She's got a very strong nose and will randomly dart out to follow the scent (she is an Amstaff/beagle/Greyhound mix...and her love of following scents is....formidable!). It attaches to the belt, but can also be made into a stand-alone leash as it attaches to itself. It also has a little handle where it attaches to get harness which makes it infinitely more controllable when we come up on another pupper which unfortunately makes her a bit nervous. The handle at the harness and makes moving her off the trail very easy.
I have this bike attachment for riding with my dog and I love it.
My dog is pretty good on leash, so getting him to do it on a bike was pretty easy. I did it in the following steps:
I don't know, it's very possible I under thought it, but it really worked pretty easily for me. No accidents so far.
A couple of tips I've found:
You should not pull your dog! If you start to notice it's a little harder to go, it's because he's lagging. Slow down, or let him stop. You can really get your dog up to a "sprint" on your bike, which my dog loves, but he just doesn't last very long. When I'm going fast, he can only got about 3 miles (when I started, it was about 1.5 miles). Make sure you bring water, a bowl and poop bags.
We just got a WalkyDog Plus that we're training our dog to use.
The pole attaches to your bike seat so you're free to safely keep both hands on the bike, and it keeps the dog at a distance so it can't get in front of or behind the bike. It does require training to get the dog used to moving with the bike, but so far we like it.
Even just snail pacing around an empty parking structure is more than enough to exhaust her for now. The added bonus is she's learning that paying attention to where we're steering is crucial to her safety.
The only downside so far is that if she pulls a certain way and doesn't match pace with the bike's speed, she can move the seat post attachment. But that's why we're slowly training her to keep pace with the bike.
My boyfriend used to get his boxer mix to pull him on a longboard when he was a kid to exercise his dog and it was great fun!
Biking can definitely be a bit safer if you use a specialized biking attachment like this to make it harder for the dog to topple you over.
With any pulling sport it's a good idea to get basic directional and stop commands in (especially if you don't have brakes like on a bike). We plan on doing pulling sports with our next dog and are shopping around for good harnesses to make sure he stays safe.
Hell ya! Do it all the time!
Of course, this really depends on lots of things. Do you have a safe area (not too much traffic)? How stable are you in riding? How big and strong is the dog and how much do they pull?
I used to take my dog biking all the time (hold the leash in one hand and the handlebar in the other hand). He got old and couldn't run much, so I got a cargo bike and took him everywhere:
https://youtu.be/zEY7LmnY23E
Ollie passed away and we got another dog. She is a puppy and hates the cargo bike. She wants to run! She is now 2 years old and weighs 50 lbs (black lab mix). I now take her with my e-bike. Leash in one hand, the bike handle bar in the other hand. The e-bike is awesome because it has good acceleration. Sometimes she just zooms all of a sudden and I can keep up without tugging on the leash.
But I'm a strong rider. I can keep her in control while riding 20+ miles per hour on short bursts.
My girlfriend is not a strong bike rider. So we got her one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Exerciser-strength-Paracord/dp/B003OYIAW4
This ties to my girlfriend's bicycle seat post. It stretches out and holds the dog. She takes our dog for rides with this apparatus. Works pretty good! She gets to keep both hands on the handlebars.
We got a WalkyDog and it works great:
http://www.amazon.com/WalkyDog-Bicycle-Exerciser-Leash-Hands/dp/B003OYIAW4
Keeps the center of gravity low so that they can't affect the bike travel as easily. It's just long enough to keep them away from moving bits but has enough play for some side to side.
Our huskies love them. Half the time I can just sit back and they will do most of the work :) Once they get into a run the are fairly oblivious to anything not directly in front of them. Had a rabbit jump out to the side once and I started prepping for trouble but we just ran right past.
How is your GSD with bicycles? You can train your dog to run alongside a bike with an attachment like this. Its easier on you and your husband than running for several miles but can be great exercise for you and your pup.
Our dog Suki was actually really bike reactive and we were able to get her to the point where even she can run along with the bike, so even if your dog is startled by bikes its possible to train them to be cool with running along with one.
I have this waist leash and love it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014T2UED2/
It's got a bungee cord like leash so if your pup likes to suddenly dart off, you'll have some warning before you get dragged away. It also has handles so if you feel the need to hold onto the leash, you can.
We primarily use it for hiking so have the shorter one to keep Pup on the trail, but for walks, maybe the longer one would work better?
A little bit of both. But mostly bike trails with light traffic. We sometimes jog off leash at a park thats dead empty in the morning, hell keep with me, but sometimes jog ahead maybe ten fifteen feet and look back at me, if i stop or slow hell come back to me. Also if i call he comes right away, but i havent tried to keep him at heel. Hes 0% aggressive and has no prey drive. We see squirrels all the time and he doesnt care. I would take him off leash but im worried about being rude by doing so, or be seen as non courteous to other riders. I was looking into something like this possibly? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003OYIAW4/ref=ox_sc_act_image_2?smid=A6UA4NC1RXBMR&psc=1
Front harnesses are great; they cut so much of the dog's pulling power. We got the Tuff Mutt hands free leash and it buckles around your waist, like a belt. It also has a small bungee section so if they pull it gives just a little before stopping. It also has two handles and OH MY GOSH is it an arm saver. Our trainer recommended it for our reactive dog because it allows us to be a more solid base instead of getting our arms yanked out of our sockets. We got two, one for each dog and I never want to use a regular leash again.
This specifically is the one we got recommended by our trainer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YQZGD42/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_T8RIybWSQ1WJE
But she also recommended this one as well: https://www.amazon.com/Retractable-Bungees-Protection-TaoTronics-Controlling/dp/B01M7ND6E4/ref=zg_bs_3024195011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EP76F5KNGQKZ5TY6FAQ5
This is the one I got from Amazon. It works great. Before one of my best buddies passed 2 weeks ago, I could walk both my dogs hands free with this thing. Still get a whiff of poo once in a while, but it’s not too bad, and there’s no poo bounce-age off the arms.
I use the Stunt Puppy waist leash. Its bungee-ness makes for a much smoother run!
I bought this one: http://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Mutt-Dual-Handle-Reflective-Adjustable/dp/B01CJ3TSCG?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
I really like it because it has two handles, one at the hip end and one at the collar end. I guess ideally the handle near the collar would be longer, but it may only be an issue because I am tall.
Did you have to start doing anything different with your dog?
Biking is the best! It's been a lifesaver with my dogs. I use the Walky Dog bike attachment and it's been amazing. My jogging speed is more like their slow trotting speed, but with the bike they get to all-out sprint. Plus my boy is fairly dog reactive but on a bike we go by so quickly that he hardly has time to notice other dogs.
My favorite thing that my doggo owns is his leash, it hooks around my waist. I love being able to be hands free on walks/runs/hikes. This is the one I have.
Dodger
Tychus
Kitiara
Piper
Hey! Thanks for the kudos! I ride to work with him in the trailer (about 6mile round trip) every other day so that helped for sure. We have a walky dog as well that helped when he was getting antsy (but slows us down considerably) and then a few times where we could let him completely loose.
It was our first go at it, hence our short 22mile overnight. We're confident now that we can go further!
There is a thing for this! You can buy a special leash that attaches to your bike to make it easier for both of you.
I got the tuffmutt waist leash as recommended by u/phantom_and_ghost
It's great for my peace of mind. I don't have to worry about my dog escaping if I accidentally drop the leash.
https://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Exerciser-strength-Paracord/dp/B003OYIAW4
Something like this. There are lots of different ones
I started with cheap equipment because I wasn't sure if they would take to it, just a run of the mill harness and this Morn Light attachment, but I've since upgraded to the Ultra Paws pulling harness and the Petego Cycleash and it works amazing! My setup.
First and foremost, you need a solid leash to make running together enjoyable for you and for the pup. Once I got this leash everything got way more enjoyable (especially because Aussies love to zig zag).
Tuff Mutt Hands Free Dog Leash for Running, Walking, Hiking, Durable Dual-Handle Bungee Leash, Reflective Stitching, 4-Foot Long, Adjustable Waist Belt (Fits up to 42" waist) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YQZGD42/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_FmuDwbEFBM7TV
Everything else just comes with practice. I stop completely whenever he does a behavior I don't want and we don't start again till he is sitting to my right side. Lots of praise when he is running at the pace I am and keeping the right distance. They are smart dogs and pick up on a lot rather quickly.
We bought one from Amazon that has worked well for us. He's fully grown, so I'm not sure how it would translate for a pupper. It has multiple adjustable straps which help it fitting properly. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00164SZMO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2jTUAb7QTEAAK). We also ordered a handsfree leash with multiple hand holds that I found helpful in teaching him not to pull, and it's great for hikes. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7ND6E4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf) Hope it helps!
Well, I can provide a bit of info but also hope to get a few answers myself.
I have a 4(ish) year old, 50lb aussie/bc mix. I bought a walky dog system this spring:
http://www.amazon.com/Petego-Walky-Hands-Free-Bicycle-Leash/dp/B003OYIAW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374676694&sr=8-1&keywords=walky+dog
and I am quite happy with it.
It is quite an advantage to have dog/leash tethered to your seat. Last weekend we were out for a ride/run and a fawn jumped out of the trees. Instead of having my arm ripped off or the bike pulled off the road, the combination of your weight on the seat and the good sized spring in the bar that allows the leash to flex kept us both under control. It is also good that the dog can't cut in front of the bike with this setup. The bar is a quick detach from the bracket so it is easy to deal with as well. Thumbs up on the product.
Now my related question. I have been unsure how far is too far for my Aussie to run. We were out for a couple of miles on the weekend and I think that is about the max without a good break at this point. I don't know know if more trips will increase range or not. So anyone been doing this long enough or have some data on how far a fit Aussie should be able to run? I would love to get up to 6-10 miles but heck, the dog has to run alongside. I am not sure that is reasonable?
I may be coming at this from a different angle, but I did NOT want my dog to pull. I thought it might teach her bad habits for on walks. So I got a dog biking apparatus with springs in it amd now she trots along perfectly!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003OYIAW4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
This one! I wanted the aqua but it took an extra day to get here and I’m impatient, so I went with gray. But it has a little hole to stick in a roll of poop bags, a smaller pouch for treats, a bigger pouch for keys, and two loops to attach leashes. It’s awesome.
I got a similar one before looking back at this post! it's this one. I'm planning on putting her regular leash through it and clipping it on her collar as well. Then I'll probably be way less worried and way better at using the clicker. I usually just put the leash around my elbow and fold my arm if i'm treating and that is just giving me a lot of rug burn. lol.
EDIT: Clarity
If I may make a suggestion - get a running leash if you want to run with your dog. I got this one - Tuff Mutt - but they're all pretty similar.
It frees your hands to run normally and with the leash attached to your waist and elastic any pulling is significantly reduced. Took my gal for a two mile run this morning with no problems at all.
Hope you heal up quickly!
I bought this one for my German Shepherd mix. So much better than holding a leash. It seems trivial but it helps me focus on myself and my run. It has multiple clip points on the belt part and on the leash so you can make it shorter if needed.
Just started up biking with Tigger for the first time last week. We have now been on 4 rides and I LOVE it. She loves to run and this has been a great outlet for her. Not to mention she took to it like a pro - no fear of the bike, heeled when I told her to, and so far she has not pulled me off.
We have a nice bike path near our house to ride on as well. I have only ridden on that path so far because I don't trust her on the streets. If we keep up with this I am going to buy a bike attachment this summer.
Hands Free Running Dog Lead / Dog Walking Belt by Barkswell - Reflective with Double Sided Lined Pouch - Up to 60 Kg - Great for Handsfree Running , Jogging or Walking https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VXOX9O6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_uzU2AbWPR8CGJ
I bought this, because my dog tended to suddenly lunge at things and I couldn't keep a regular stride! It took him a while to get used to it but it's working really well. He can move around me and the lead is long enough that I don't accidentally kick him.
I have this bike attachment, but it is a little short. I would recommend unscrewing the end cap and buying a longer paracord to work with the springs inside, or they’re going to be a little too close for comfort.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OYIAW4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5gDsDbJ0KZ5G1
Otherwise, I just use a 37” Drop-Thru (the trucks are top mounted so you have a lower center of gravity) with wide tight trucks, as if I’m going downhill basically. The pups will pull fast but try running with them to see if distractions will make them pull away at their run speed. Usually they’re locked in to mush-mode and will run wherever you tell them!
I hesitated for a long time to take my dog with me for that same reason. Last Christmas I asked for this leash as a gift and it has helped to much. It's just bungee enough that it tells my dog to derp less before she chokes herself, and I've only run headlong into her once when she suddenly decided that the side of the road was an interesting place to stop and smell.
I use a Stunt Puppy with my little guy and he seems to do just fine! It takes a little bit of time for him to stop sniffing at the beginning of our run, but once we get running he seems to do just fine.
This leash is nice because it doesn't drag him if he decides to take a quick sniff break.
Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:
Amazon Smile Link: Stunt Puppy
|Country|Link|Charity Links|
|:-----------|:------------|:------------|
|USA|smile.amazon.com|EFF|
|Japan|www.amazon.co.jp||
|Canada|www.amazon.ca||
To help add charity links, please have a look at this thread.
This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.
I'm a 27 waist and use this one
.
I don't have it at the tightest because I realized I like it a little loose, and I don't notice it flapping around since usually the weight of the least is enough to pull it down.
FYI, I have one of these, and I absolutely love it. It's a little nicer than a leash, in that it keep my pup right where he needs to be next to my bike - not too close, not too far. Leash works ok, I suppose, but I like the bar. In any case, hope you have fun, I know mine loves bike rides.
https://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Exerciser-strength-Paracord/dp/B003OYIAW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466175470&sr=8-1&keywords=walkydog
if he's a decent size pup, and you have a bike, get a walky dog.
My medium size pup will pull my bike around the block 4 or 5 times running his little brains out, then sleeps the rest of the day. I rarely have to pedal, he gets to run as fast as he wants, and the bike is actually very easy to control. I'd just avoid really busy streets/times of day for general safty.
I personally like spi belts. They are like flip belts, but they also make water bottles that are specifically designed to fit well on their belts. They even make a leash with a zippered pocket, which could be good for the dog bags.
However, you could also get individual products for each item. You could get an armband for your phone, and they usually have small pockets for a key or coins. You could get a running bottle that is designed to be held in your hand; some even have zippered pockets as well, [like this one] (https://www.nathansports.com/products/speeddraw-plus-insulated-flask). Lastly, you could get a dog leash that is attached to a belt, like this one, so you don't have to put it around your neck.
If you get an actual bike leash (I use this one, but there's plenty of other options: Petego Cycleash Universal Dog Bike Leash https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BL7SPIU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_WZa1AbR8Z09WK) it's not bad at all. It attaches to your center of gravity and has an elastic, so sudden movements are dampened quite a bit.
My 100lb dog is a total weenie so he was worried about the bike at first (and would pull away) but now he loves it. I did start him off with a prong collar because I didn't want him pulling, but once we both got the hang of it I switched to a harness. Obviously you'll want to keep an eye on his speed and be careful not to pull him along, especially if you use a prong collar, but that's not very difficult as they can easily stay in your peripheral vision.
Two things: my dog has a pretty solid "leave it" which helps when we pass interesting things like barking dogs. Also, I keep a regular nylon leash attached to his collar and hold it by hand so that a) I can get him back on track with a tug, if I need to, and b) I can unclip him from the bike leash and let him pee/poop as needed. It's also a safety net should I fall off, but be careful not to wrap it around your hand or anything in case you need to let go quickly.
Generally speaking, once dogs get into running mode (if that's their cup of tea) they're pretty happy to just go. Distractions are usually minimized compared to a slow walk. Note: the best speed for their joints is a steady trot, but realistically, sometimes only a gallop will do ;)
It's such a blast watching them run as much as they want. You can just see the bliss the entire time.
Edit: one more thing. Do be sure to start off slowly (maybe 5-10 minutes trips in the beginning, depending on speed and temperatures) so they don't get sick or hurt, particularly with older or out of shape dogs. Many dogs will go way past their limits just trying to keep up or please you.
This is what I use. It's been several years now and it's as good as new. No wear on the bungee. No broken clips. My only complaint is that it's more of a hips leash for me, because I can't make it small enough to fit my waist, but honestly, it's more comfortable there for me anyways.
I have a different one for hiking that carries a waterbottle, phone, etc.
Try a leash with waist pack. So you can keep your dog next to you and won't walk away.
I purchased this one: https://www.amazon.com/JolyJoy-Adjustable-Absorbing-Reflective-Running/dp/B07H4D4BHN
I don't use this on everyday walks, but I do use this on hikes and it seems to hit all the points you're looking for.
https://www.amazon.com/RUFFWEAR-Trail-Runner-Belt-Granite/dp/B07B332KND/
Instead of a walk in the morning, could you run with him? Or ride a bike? That would help tire him out more. I got the Tuff Mutt hands-free leash and I LOVE it. It has made running SO much easier. I also got the Ruffwear front range harness because my dog pulls like a madman and I wanted something with enough padding in the chest. My two complaints about the hands-free leash are that 1) the material is kind of slick, so the loop that clips around your waist will loosen frequently and need to be readjusted, and 2) if your dog lunges after something or changes directions suddenly, it'll feel like someone punched you in the gut.
Like you, I also leave my dog with a variety of treats like a kong, a stuffed marrow bone, and a holee roller ball with long/wide treats in it. I also started giving him these calming treats. He really does not like the taste and spits them out unless I cover them in peanut butter. I have no idea if the treats have much of an impact (the reviews are very mixed) or if the running does more to tire him out, but I will definitely say that the running + calming treats + puzzle toy combo has been perfect for my dog. He's basically knocked out the entire 9.5 hours I'm gone.
or this! http://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Exerciser-strength-Paracord/dp/B003OYIAW4 or http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/172108427762?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true
I'm still waiting to have a gnarly fall... it's worth it though :)
What attachment do you use, if you don't mind my asking? My local pet supplies store sells the Cycleash: https://www.amazon.ca/Petego-Cycleash-Universal-Bicycle-Leash/dp/B00BL7SPIU What do you think? The description says it's good for dogs 35lb. and up -- mine's only 30lb. But she is crazy athletic and muscular. She looks like she's on steroids!
I do have a harness that she isn't AWFUL with, but it's a martingale harness so it tightens. I could put that on her, but that doesn't sound great compared to a collar, either. I tried going the Ruffwear route (I LOVE their leashes) but my pup just shuts down as soon as she can feel something bulky on her back or around her belly.
Ohhhh boy! You asked about my dog. You don't even know the excited response you're about to get! Hahaha. I love talking dog stuff.
Yes, he is a Border Collie (100%, ABCA registered, the whole deal.) His name is Murphy and he's about 96% insanity at all times of my life, but in a great way (for me and my lifestyle.) I've had him since he was a wee little hellion, and we've worked really hard together to get to where he is today. Even with all that, there's still a lot of room for improvement for both of us, though.
I love my dog and I think that Border Collies are a fantastically rewarding breed, even for people who don't need a working dog, so I'm always happy to share my experiences! But just know that I'm not a professional dog trainer, so if you think I'm wrong or stupid, you just might be right!
And yes, it sounds like you're dealing with a common problem that BC owners deal with. The working dog brain + unending energy combo is a huge handful, and can really be too much for a lot of people's lifestyles. I live in an apartment, so I obviously don't have any sheep or goats for him to be out in a field with all day, but I'm very active with him. And by "very active" I don't mean he get's long walks or runs every day. I mean he gets time dedicated to tiring him out and enriching his dog life as often as I can give it. This basically translates to at least an hour or so each day of "play" time with him. (Seriously, every day. If he misses out on a day, he starts acting like a brat and throws fits in the cereal aisle.) If you try to cool your dog's crazy with physical activity alone, you're just going to become a really great athlete and have a dog that's still ready to run 10 more miles every single time. BC's (and really lots of other high energy dogs) need brain games in combination with physical activity. I've posted in other threads before about some of the games we do; the one I recommend most is our version of Hide & Seek. This is great to work on getting the dog to trust you and listen to you, and it's another way to keep her busy when you wouldn't normally think you have time to play with her.
Another thing I would recommend is working consistently with leash obedience. This is something you really have to be consistent with. I slacked off when school was taking up more time than I would have liked, and I saw a definite backslide in his behavior in public and around other dogs/people in general.
I'm not sure how large your dog is (since she's a mix and BCs size vary anyway) but Murphy weighs about 45-50 lbs depending on how windy it is. He can really pull and that pisses me off when I'm trying to hold a leash. The best leash decision I ever made was to switch over to using a harness and a leash similar to this one. We walk a lot in areas that have serious car traffic as well as quiet streets and even quieter trails. This thing gives me the option of not holding the leash at all when I feel comfortable with what's around, or I can keep it short and close to me if I'm worrying about what he could get into. It also serves as extra support and keeps me from losing the leash if he decides to take a sudden lunge after something. And so far ::knock on wood:: he's never pulled me down anything or drug me across a field or any of the other horrific visions I had when I looked at the leash on the Target clearance rack. I just feel a lot more secure with it and when he hip-hops into the car, I can keep the belt on and just clip/unclip when he gets in and out. It's handy.
I've had to work a lot with him over the last year or so on jumping up on people walking by. He's still far from perfect, but it was bearable and by the end of our trip, he was noticeably more calm and obedient when strangers passed us on the trails. The issue we're still really having trouble with is other dogs. He wants to be everyone's bestie and if there's a dog within eyesight (even if it's across a lake) he will pull and whine and do everything he can to get closer to that dog. He also has this intense focus, so even if the dog goes away (up over a hill, or around the corner, or leaves the park across the lake) he still has a determination to get to the last place he saw the other dog, which can be really obnoxious.
Someone gave me the advice of trying to be more exciting to your dog than whatever thing is causing their bad behavior. So with Murphy I carry a stick and when he starts acting like a little sh!t because he can see another dog, I say "Hey Murphy look, you want it? You want it? Ok, sit down." and that will sometimes bring his attention back to me. It's been a great way to tear his concentration away from things I don't want him focusing on.
TLDR: Consistency, limited exposure, and keeping your dog engaged are your best friends. You really do have to work on things a little at a time for a long time and you'll start to see glorious and dramatic behavior changes. Slacking off with training will bring backslides and not bothering to train at all will create bad habits that you'll have to work on training out. Border Collies also seem to be motivated by weird stuff (aka not food) and are often very sensitive to negative feedback, so try focusing on what your dog does right and avoid the urges to slap noses/butts or scream "NO" when she see's the full moon and morphs into an evil creature of speed and intelligence.
I actually just asked my vet about this today!
My husky just hit 10 months and my vet says slow run/walk intervals are fine until she's a year old. Then we should be good to open it up (right).
I'm on week 5 of a couch to 5k program, so it's mostly intervals. My mile is about 12-15 mins with the drills. We are going plenty slow, much to my dog's dismay.
We've done 3 miles, tops, with a break halfway to the dog park where she runs around like she's insane.
I have this harness:
TRUE LOVE Adjustable No-Pull Dog... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077GWH9Y6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
And this leash:
SparklyPets Hands-Free Dog Leash... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K513BN6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I've been using this leash for almost a year and really like it. There are a couple rings on the leash that you can adjust how long the lead is as well as a hand loop that's useful when I need to keep him by my side when we are passing someone. Granted my dog is a lot smaller than this leash is good for but I've never been worried about that it was going to break when he tried to run after a rabbit or something
TaoTronics Retractable Hands Free Dog Leash with Dual Bungees for up to 150 lbs Large Dogs (Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7ND6E4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bdRKBbEGGFXCJ
Use a specially made attachment like Walkydog or Springer to physically attach your dog to the bike. Use a comfy non-restrictive harness on the dog for this attachment point. That way, dog can move normally, but when the dog pulls it doesn't make you fall or crash.
I'd also personally hold a leash connected to a collar for finer control, but the big thing is you don't want the dog's full weight to be able to pull on your arms or handlebars.
I actually started out training him to run next to me on pavement, with this
it keeps your dog from jumping out in front of you, so i trained that behavior a bunch before taking him out to the singletrack. concerning wildlife, he is naturally afraid of getting dropped, so even if he goes to chase something i'll keep riding away and call for him a few times. when he realizes i'm not there anymore, he comes running right back
https://www.amazon.com/oneisall-Hands-Multifunctional-Training-Double/dp/B077SY92QS
https://www.chewy.com/kurgo-quantum-hands-free-dog-leash/dp/56773
Something like this, except it's attached to the dog using a full body/cross-body collar?
There are some devices for attaching the dog to the bike. I think this one is really popular. Some people just attach the leash to a bungee on their handlebars (but they tie the bungee a special way so it won't come off but still absorbs some force). I don't actually know anything about training a dog to run beside the bike but someone on here will have a good answer and tips. You can't really make them run a lot until they're over a year (or year and a half)because their bones are still growing and you don't want them to damage anything. After that, it's fair game!
If he responds negatively to other dogs, the trainer should be knowledgeable enough to help him get over it an work in a class setting. We had two or three dog aggressive dogs in our classes or trials and they never had a problem; we could all learn/compete without a dog fight or major disruption. It's a good socialization opportunity, too. It's going to be really great for him and for you! :D
I'm looking at this.
It ought to do the trick. My pup and I could both use the exercise.
I got a walky-dog for my heeler mix after we moved to Chicago and it's been wonderful. It keeps him at my side & has a bungee so when he inevitably tries to go after a squirrel he doesn't take me with him. I always recommend it to anyone looking to get into biking with their dog. That being said, I only need it because Phil gets distracted easily and will try and take off to the side from time to time. If you think you can train her to keep at your side it probably wouldn't be necessary!
Things you need to know about your husky:
Your puppy is disgustingly adorable. Seriously one of the cutest little holy terrors I've ever seen (and I say this fondly, because my adorable husky was a monster as a puppy). I hope you form a bond as strong as mine and Keno's, and that you enrich each other's lives!
I use a very similar leash. The Ruffwear Roamer leash. http://smile.amazon.com/Ruffwear-Roamer-Leash-Large-Obsidian/dp/B00HE4Y4RK/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1452535528&sr=1-1&keywords=ruffwear+roamer
It works really well. I also use it when I'm walking more than one dog at a time.
As someone below commented...it sounds like you are already providing this dog with WAY more exercise than someone else who will adopt him will. I'm not saying this to make you feel guilty for giving him up, more that you shouldn't feel this guilty if you decide to keep him.
I think there are a lot of other options an ways to tire him out besides just running with him. You can look into biking with him, which will tire him out faster than it will tire you out. I've heard great things about [walky dog] (http://www.amazon.com/Walky-Dog-Exerciser-strength-Paracord/dp/B003OYIAW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453499821&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=walky+dog&psc=1) There is NOTHING that tires my crazy dog out more than playing with other dogs. An hour trip to the dog park will tire him out for the rest of the day. And I take him to doggy daycare usually about once a week, and he is tired to the point where he can't even keep his eyes open on the car ride home.
I do agree with whoever said that you should focus on getting your asthma under control first (I have asthma too) and then see where you're at with your dog. I have a feeling once you get that sorted out you might really regret giving up Arrow!
This guy:
Ruffwear - Front Range No-Pull Dog Harness with Front Clip, Twilight Gray (2017), Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ9AIBU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_x53Uzb2CFPFDA
And this guy:
Tuff Mutt - Hands Free Dog Leash for Running, Walking, Hiking, Durable Dual-Handle Bungee Leash, Reflective Stitching, 4-Foot Long, Adjustable Waist Belt (Fits up to 42" waist) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YQZGD42/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_f63UzbK0F4J75
Petego Walky Dog Hands-Free Bicycle Leash
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003OYIAW4/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_us?ie=UTF8
Hm, it does for me. Here's the Amazon page - it's the Ruffwear Roamer leash. I'd say the bike attachment is a better option for absorbing pull - I just mean that even without a device specifically designed for that, it's surprisingly easy to keep a bike stable with a crazy dog tied to you.
Can’t recommend one of these enough It has saved my shoulder on countless occasions.
It's really simple but here's the belt I bought, though I don't use their leash as it's too heavy-duty, I just loop mine through the attachment. And here's the treat bag I use, I really like it. :)
My dog enjoys both equally so what I do is one day we walk, the other we jog. I also have a bike attachment for lazy days. Hiking is also a good alternative for weekends. There are many people with husky and working type breeds that do bikejoring and dog scootering that you may want to look into as well.
This is the exact one we got
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M7ND6E4/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1493777588&sr=8-4&keywords=hands+free+dog+leash
But there are some as cheap as $15 or less. If you search for "hands free dog leash" on Amazon, you'll see the options. But I've been really happy with the one we got.
Marshall Gulch is a pretty good hike on Mount Lemmon that is dog friendly. There's some running water there, and my dog always enjoys it. A lot of people hike it with their dog off-leash though, so it may not be good if your dog is not friendly with others.
Also, tacking onto the leash comment above, a nice hands-free leash is great for hiking! I have this leash, and a Ruffwear harness that you can buy at REI in town.
I bought a belt style leash: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X9MHMT2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And it's been working great on walks, the connector can move all the way around your waist so if the dog changes position from one side to the other you don't have to really adjust anything. Anyway liking mine so far, I have a beagle/rottie/heeler mix so she likes to pull on the leash and always moving around, once I switched to this it made the walks a little more bearable since I can hold my ground with my core muscles and it doesn't tug on the stroller.
WalkyDog + a padded chest harness (for your dog's safety).
It will change your life
I've been thinking about buying this one. The reviews are almost too good to believe really. A common theme seems to be that people like the "bungee" feature because they don't feel the full impact of a sudden pull. Maybe worth looking at.
I'd look into getting a Walky Dog (http://www.amazon.com/WalkyDog-Bicycle-Exerciser-Leash-Hands/dp/B003OYIAW4) or similar system, then staying on bike paths/lanes. Shouldn't be any worse than people who ride around with kid trailers, provided the dog stays next to you and is well behaved.