Dog Laws in the USA
Before we start, we want to mention that each state is given the right to issue its own state laws. Therefore, always get familiar with the dos and don’ts if you have just moved to a region or you are new to dog keeping. Almost every state has special issues related to dog leashes, i.e. in some places dogs should be walked strictly on a leash, while in others, only a tag with actual register number is required. In Indiana, New York, Kentucky and some other states, a dog should always be either on a leash or confined in an enclosure. Additionally, Kentucky law always favors "the dog bites" victims. Therefore, pets should be under strict control all the time. Nevertheless, most of the states are more or less tolerant to dogs outdoors, as long as they are leashed and you clean after them.
Hands-free Running
As you might've noticed, a unique feature that makes this Mighty Paw leash stand out among others is that instead of a handle, you fasten leash to the special waist belt. The belt can be adjusted up to 42". After you comfortably buckle it up, your hands will be free from the leash. That way, you can train a pup to walk alongside, and then even run or speed-walk with him. It’s an exciting way to start doing sports and stay fit both for your pet and yourself!
Comfort at All Times
Our main concern was the safety. Wouldn’t you trip over if the dog unexpectedly stops or wouldn’t it get yanked back if you are the one to halt? Despite our worries, everything is great! The Mighty Paw leash features a bungee strap that absorbs most of an impact force from a sudden stop. You may find the Mighty Paw leashes of different sizes; however, we find the 36" model to be of optimal length. Elongating 'spring' stretches out, adding another 16". In a steady position, the 3 ft. is great for dog walking and its training. The manufacturer states that the leash is designed for dogs from 30 up to 100 lbs. And as long as you strap the leash on your sides, you are pretty much safe from tripping over.
As for materials, water-resistant nylon makes it possible to walk your dog on this leash in any weather, including rain and snow. Stainless steel swivel hook is used to attach the leash to almost any harness, collar, handle or any other belt of appropriate width. Finally, light-reflective threads add to the safety during evening and night strolls. Overall this leash has a lot of positive reviews from happy owners, and 90 days full moneyback warranty speaks for its quality. We just want to add that it’s all true.
More Products to Consider
You might get fined in many public places if you don’t pick up the poo after your pet. That’s why we recommend getting dog poop bags beforehand to keep the streets and parks clean.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $17.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B014T2UED2 |
Why the Dog?
A dog is considered to be the man's best friend. However, what makes it so? It cannot go unmentioned that dogs guard human property and can inform of guests or intruders. Since ancient times dogs are used for hunting due to the exceptional sense of smell and can even bring game back to hunters. Nowadays, you can find them working hard in public services, like assisting visually impaired people, identifying contraband in luggage, or helping find people in search teams. Thanks to their tightened senses, they able to detect the slightest changes in the mood of its owners. Moreover, in most cases, they get emotionally attached to their masters and remain faithful to the last. Yet, we mostly love our dogs for their remarkable ability to relieve our stress and give solace when it's most needed, like no other pet.
Everlasting Endurance
The 3.3 ft. CUJO leash is made from a polypropylene woven rope, and you might be amazed that it can withstand up to 1500 lbs. of break strength. Simply amazing! Such durable rope comes with an excellent stainless steel swiveling hook for strapping it to a harness. That's why you have no need to worry that it will snap out when your hound unexpectedly rushes ahead of you. The special pyramid pull handle has a padded grip made with a soft EVA foam that provides a firm hold and reduces the pull impact on the wrist, elbow and shoulder altogether. This is extremely useful if your pet is of large breed and loves running around or jumps on other dogs or cats.
The 3.3 ft. rope features an elongating patch that stretches out for additional 12" that makes pulling less stressful. Highly reflective threads are worth noting as well, as they are helpful during evening and night strolls for drivers and other people passing by to catch the sight of you. Overall, it’s the finest leash for really large dogs. In our opinion, the CUJO leash is great for city strolls, hiking or training your pet to walk alongside.
Two Dogs on One Leash? It’s a Cakewalk!
The real dog lovers often get two or more pets at home, so that they will have each other’s company when the owner is at work. However, it’s not an easy task to walk them together and even harder to find a comfortable leash that can withstand them. And exactly for such task, you can get special 24" Leash Extensions by the very same EzyDog and combine them with the CUJO leash. After that, walking your pets around will be a piece of cake.
More Products to Consider
Every dog requires attention. With the dog brushes for shedding, grooming your pet will take twice less time than with usual brushes. Some of them also feature special button releases dog’s fur from the brush momentarily. Simple as that.
| Last updated price | $32.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B004PGTUD8 |
History of Flexi Company
Flexi owner was the inventor of retractable dog leashes. That’s why his company is an all-time leader in this business. The first model was created in 1973 and during the following years it was only being improved. However, the basic concept of the retractable leash stayed true to its original, easily recognizable form. The Flexi-Bogdahn Group is situated in Bargteheide, Germany, not so far from Hamburg. In 2010 the company was given the Brands of the Century title award by the German Standards. That means when buying any Flexi dog leash you can be assured, that all products are manually assembled and will be of utmost quality.
Absolute Freedom With Retractable Leash
Without a doubt, the key feature of retractable models is the adjustable length that you can manually control in accordance with your needs. The maximum limit of this model is 16 ft. Your dog will obviously be happy with it because it can run around with almost no restriction while you are still in control. If you want to get your pet closer to you right away, just push the button and the cord will be reeled back in a matter of seconds. The model comes in a bright highly visible neon yellow color, so even if the dog yanks the handle from your hand, you can see it on the ground right away.
What’s more, the rope ends with a few inches of a strap that has light-reflective threads that can be seen from over 160 yards in the dim light. That way, passers-by will notice the leash from afar and won’t trip over it. Just imagine quickly moving cars or cyclists, and you will really appreciate this feature. The rope length of the model in this review is recommended for up to 44 lbs. dogs. However, you might find the same model with a bigger length or for larger breeds. The rope retracts freely, no matter which side the dog runs from it, because of a specially designed nozzle. The ergonomic handle will leave no bruises on your hands after a long stroll. And finally, the permanent stop feature allows you to momentarily prevent the leash from retracting further by pushing just one button on the handle.
In our opinion, this is a well-balanced model and can be universally used for both park activities and for busy streets, and will work great for hyperactive breeds like dachshunds or labradoodles, that just love jerking around.
More Products to Consider
Going on a long trip with your pet? Search for collapsible dog bowls to feed your four-paw friend everywhere. As a rule, they are made of light-weight silicone that can be collapsed to take as little space as possible. And most of them feature carabineer clips, so you can strap them on your backpack.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $25.60 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00AAV738G |
Movies About Dogs Worth Watching
You can find a lot of movies with dogs. And no wonder, because our relationship history is probably as long as humanity itself. Such movies teach us compassion, the value of friendship and remind us that we are responsible for what we have tamed. And here are some of them.
Eight Below (2006) - it is a story of 8 dogs that by unlucky train of events are left alone during an Antarctic expedition. Great movie about loyalty and dedication.
Red Dog (2011) - a movie inspired by real events about the sudden appearance of a red dog in a small Australia town. Don’t want to spoil anything, but it’s a nice movie with a lot of positive moments, that will bring smile on your face.
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) - the remake of famous Japanese movie also inspired by real events with a heartbreaking story about true loyalty of a dog to his owner. Richard Gere and shiba inu dog will surely touch anyone with its kindness.
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993) - a road movie for an evening with a family about two dogs and a cat that after being left alone cover a huge distance full of adventures in order to come back to their owners. Must see!
Training Solution
Dog training is a tedious and pretty tiresome process. In order to remember a command, we must be drilled over and over again for many days and even weeks. For this reason, we want to recommend you this well-done dog training leash by Primal Pet Gear just for this task. It was designed listening to the voice of many professional trainers around the globe. The main component here is obviously two handles. The first one is at the end of the 8 ft. leash, and the second one is at 1 ft. from the swiveling hook that straps to a harness. Both handles are soft-padded and pretty nice to the touch. Also, the second handle features a Velcro strap. With it, you can fasten the handle to the leash so it won’t dangle around when you hold the dog with the first one.
Manufacturer states, that tough nylon and a heavy-duty hook can hold up to 150 lbs. dog. Thus, it’s ideal for averages-to-large sized breeds. Thick nylon strap with light-reflective threads is also a solid choice if your four-legged friend likes biting and chewing things. You can be assured, that with this Primal leash your training sessions will be a blast. And your pet will soon understand your demands even better. Take it, and you will soon notice that training, walks, and even long-time trips will become much less tiresome.
More Products to Consider
If you love your pet, get it 2-in-1 dog bowls by 4LoveDogs. They are made of easy-to-clean stainless steel with a rubber no-slip bottom. Therefore they should stay firmly in place while your dog is hungrily devouring its food.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $13.95 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00Y2X2HK2 |
Did You Know That...
- The USA has the biggest amount of pet dogs in the world - more than 75 million.
- Dogs are well known for their sense of smell, however, a human being has more taste sensors than a dog. Up to 10,000 taste buds on a human tongue against average 1,700 for dogs.
- Dalmatians are born without black spots.
- Dog's nose print is as unique as human fingerprints.
Those and other facts can be found in this amazing article by Erika Mansourian - 25 Fun AND Fascinating Dog Facts.
You Can’t Go Wrong With Classic
This model by Logical Leather is an example of a classical approach to dog leash manufacturing that has been around for centuries. It’s made of a high-quality skin with embedded company logo – looks and feels awesome too. After getting this, the first thing you will notice is the pleasant aroma of genuine leather. It’s sturdy but soft and smooth to the touch. This one is also claimed to be made of water-resistant leather, meaning you'd be able to walk your dog on it during rain and snow. Just don’t forget to clean the leash with a paper towel or cloth after each walk.
The length of this model is 6 ft., meaning, it can be used for training as well as for walking outdoors. The handle is okay to use by both kids and adults, and it won’t slip away at the most unfortunate moment. We also highly appreciate the idea of using threads instead of metal clips to hold two pieces of leather together – indicating it’s made to last forever. And the lifetime warranty is just another proof for this. The only drawback is that some pups just can’t help chewing leather items. If yours is not of that kind, then we can readily recommend this leash for training and daily use with average-to-large canines at up to 150 lbs.
This Logical dog leash is currently available in different colors, so we are sure, you will easily find the one to your own liking.
More Products to Consider
If you want more control during walks in high traffic or during vet visits, getting a shorter leash is advised. Therefore, you can grab a 14" leather Traffic Lead Leash as a substitute to any of the leashes from above in this review. It’s made by the very same Logical Leather manufacturer and it's perfect for training and walking with a dog in highly populated areas.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $19.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00Z7SDCAA |
What is a Dog Leash
It stands to reason that a dog is man’s best friend. And a leash can help you not only walk him or her, but also train. You may often see people hiking, running or going on a trip with their pets. In these cases, the dog leash is a must to prevent them from running too far away. Without a doubt, it is one of the most important items in any dog owner’s inventory. Through the centuries, it evolved from a chain or a rope with a loop around dog’s neck to a leash that straps to a collar or a harness and has a handle for a comfortable grip. It might come with various features for more pleasant strolls with your pet. Overall, a dog leash contributes to the control and authority over a dog. But with the right leash, your pet will always be by your side, and you will easily control its behavior in any situation.
Just in case you are looking for other equipment for your pet as well, check out our selection of dog harnesses as well. And don't forget to take a glance at dog houses to provide your dog with a personal shelter.
What Features to Compare
With the right leash, your walks will become safer and much more enjoyable for both you and your dog. You may find many Different Types of Leashes on the market but they all fall in one of the following categories:
- Standard straps and ropes are used mostly for training or taking a dog for a walk. However, you may find ropes with bungee patches that stretch out when a dog suddenly runs ahead or stops behind. Such elongating ropes reduce the shock from the pulling, and overall more comfortable and harmless for beings on the both sides.
- Models with retractable ropes and a brake button are designed for city walkers. You can manually adjust the length of the leash, that retracts into the handle in order to control a dog.
- Slip leads are made for dog shows because they look more gracious, slim and don’t pull pet's hair up during a parade. But daily walking with such leash might not be the brightest idea, as they are either easy to tear or might choke your dog with their sliding loop.
- The chain leashes are durable but not the best option for dog walking, as they are heavy. Sometimes it’s hard to even find a high-quality one. Yet, they might be the only option to hold your dog tied to one place in the yard if it chews up leashes made of a different material.
- Hands-free models are becoming more and more popular. The leash is strapped to a belt around your waist. That way you can go for a run in a park or go hiking together with your dog with both your hands free. Such leashes may also be used for training a pet to run alongside. A nice choice if you are looking for a way to keep both yourself and your dog fit.
Dog specialists recommend getting a few leashes for different activities. And always have a substitute for your main leash.
The next thing to look for is the Leash Length. Kind of obvious, it shows the maximum distance to your dog. You might want shorter leashes if you want your dog to be as close to you as possible or if you are living in a city with a really high traffic (NYC, I’m looking at you). A shorter rope will surely come handy during vet visits. With a longer leash, you provide your pet with more freedom to move around, and active dogs might not like the short leash at all. Choose one at your own discretion, but keep in mind, that the longer the leash is, the less sturdy it usually is.
The leashes can be separated by the Materials as well. Today, we have leather, synthetic, metal or their combinations. If a leash is water-resistant, even winter snow or autumn rain won’t damage it, prolonging its life. Of course, take a look at Usability. Ergonomic handle with soft paddings will provide you with a tight grip so that your pet won’t snatch it away. Check out, if the handle matches your palm's size - it shouldn't be too small or too big for your hand.
Elongating insertions in the rope are used more often lately. They absorb the initial shock when a dog decides to lunge forward, making walks with active dogs less tiresome. With stretching straps, a pup can also be trained to come closer to you at a command with less effort, because it feels a gradually rising force when you start pulling the leash, and learns to detect it. Finally, swiveling hooks for harness became a standard over the later decades, as your dog won’t be tangled with a rope.
You might find a lot more New Features added to what looks like one of the simplest tool in the world. However, we propose you to discover them together with us in the following review of five best dog leashes that we handpicked for you.
Sources:
1. Erica Murphy Types of Dog Leashes, DogTime.
2. Jenna Stregowski Four Dog Leash Varieties, About Home.
3. Teaching Dogs Not to Pull on Leash, WebMD.
4. Mackenzie Lobby Top Tips For Running With Your Dog, Competitor. March 19, 2013.
5. Amanda MacMillan Running With Your Dog: 17 Dos and Don'ts, Health.
6. All Dog Breed Profiles, DogTime.
7. Leash, Wikipedia. July 28, 2016.